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Introducing the leader of the gang known as Konkrete Jungle, say "Hi" to Chris. The man of many names also goes by Big Chris, Big Esco, The Vanilla Gorilla, King of Urban Script, Big Hungry the Buffet Assassin & The Lettering Guru aka Dave Letter-man... just to name a FEW. Originally from Columbia, Chris bounced around the state in his early years only to eventually end up back where it all started with Columbia's very first Tattoo Shop. Talk about coming full-circle. The Jungle was originally based in the hood of West Baltimore, where the team got the ball rolling and started making a name for themselves. Chris would spend endless late nights at the shop tattooing whoever came in, no matter how late it was. Now, lets rewind back even further to the days before Chris was running his own shop. An up and coming tattooer, Chris was perfecting a style of graffitti-based new-skool form of tattooing. Unfortunately for him, that style hadn't yet caught on in most shops. Therefore, Chris was turned away by most places he applied to work at. The sad thing was, as he put it "most of the people slamming the door in my face were guys who's portfolio's SUCKED". Undeterred, Chris decided to say fuck it, and make it on his own. Fast forward to the current day and it's obvious that he did in fact "Make It" as he now tattoos at and owns one of the dopest shops around. Big Hungry not only has an eye for art, but also an eye for talent as he has surrounded himself with a stable of all-star talent making Konkrete Jungle one of the best shops in the DMV. If not in the shop, you can catch Chris rolling around town in one of his OG West Coast Lowriders, showing the East Coast what it's like to hit the 3-wheel motion!
Meet Sarah, the one and only Queen of Tattoos! This lovely lady is the glue behind the scenes that keeps Konkrete Jungle running like a well-oiled machine. On top of the million things she takes care of on a daily basis, she also manages to tattoo...and tattoo WELL!!! The beautiful bride of our very own Chris, Sarah got into tattooing by surprise. A lifelong art fan, Sarah focused her abilities on photography in the early stages. After being around Chris and watching him perfect his craft, she shocked him one day by confessing that she not only wanted to, but felt she was ready to try tattooing. Not long after that she started working on her first tattoos and has been kicking-ass ever since. When asked about that whole process, she explained that while being around the shop helping out with everything, that she was "on a 5 year apprenticeship when looking back at it". That kind of dedication shows in the perfectly crafted pieces she puts together on a daily basis. Outside of tattooing, Sarah has another passion...her Pitbull Rescue (Saving Grace). She takes the rescue just as serious as she does tattooing, and there are plenty of Pitties that are VERY thankful for that. Where she finds the time to do all she does is beyond me, but I sure am glad she makes it all happen. Having a female tattoo artist adds soo much to The Jungle. Now customers not only have their pick of great artists, but they can choose whether they want to get inked by a male or female. And trust me when I say this, Sarah can hang with any guy in the industry. We are a lucky crew to have Sarah on our team. Not every shop can say they have a completely bad-ass, super-talented "Tattoo Chick". But....WE can!!!
Chris Peca
Shop Owner / Tattoo Artist
Sarah Peca
Shop Owner / Tattoo Artist
James
Tattoo Artist
This is James. He is a tattoo artist in the game now for a decade or more. James started an apprenticeship at a shop in Baltimore, and since then has been perfecting his trade through being amazing!! In tattooing and piercing both, James makes a life in the tattoo world to help him take care of his now adult son, his wife, and super loveable pup Dozer! James also since become a "Falconer", ask him about his birds! He's happy to share the information!
James loves to do traditional art and tattoos, but does just about anything! James loves a challenge, which is why he is now focusing on the realism style of tattooing. He is a huge part of this team and through loyalty and being a team player he will be here forever!!! Or as he says, "We're stuck with him"!!! Come in and meet James!
Gino
Shop Manager/Life Coach/Awesome
Gino. The man. The myth. The Legend. Gino aka GZ aka Gino Osco aka Osco the Grouch, and many more that I cant even begin to list. This man is the front face of The Jungle. Gino runs everything, the reception area, the phones, the appointments, and the shop as a whole. He keeps us all in check all day, and that...we need!
Gino is new to the tattoo world when it comes to working it. Before being our "everything" here, Gino managed many night clubs and made a name for himself there. When that was getting intolerable, he began looking for other employment options. Perfect timing to the tattoo world through Konkrete Jungle, as his best friends, Chris and Sarah, owners of KJKT, needed a new shop manager. Then started his career here at the shop.
Although he was just new to the tattoo world for employment, he was also fairly new to the tattoo world as a collector. He got his first tattoo at 25 years old, and will only be 36 this year, so has collected all these tattoos in just 5 years. But don't ask him how many tattoos he has, he'll tell you 6. However, 50% of his body is covered! 2 sleeves, both feet (including toes) and his entire back including rib cage, and chest! He's not addicted, HE'S COMMITTED!!
Gino
grew up in the city of Baltimore, which is why he's also called the
Urban Cowboy. You would never know it, he doesn't wear the cowboy boots
and 10 gallon hats, but likes the music, you'd never know it by looking at him! Doesn't mean that he doesn't
listen to the typical rap music too. Which explains the name "Urban Cowboy".
Gino has a heart of gold and will do anything for his friends and family. Which is why he made a great addition to the Konkrete Jungle team 2 years ago. Come in and meet Gino for yourself, but chances are you have already, by coming in and speaking to him, or calling in to schedule with one of the wonderful artists here!
Alex
Piercing Artist
In a land far, far away, there was this sweet girl named Alex. Alex grew up on a farm with lots of pigs, horses, and chickens. She decided after years of being a slave to the farm life, she would venture out into the world to see what else it had to offer. Sound like Cinderella? We have found her and gave her a home here with us at The Jungle. Not that many years ago Alex decided to start a piercing apprenticeship to learn the art or piercings and body modifications by someone with over 20 years piercing experience. After a successful 1 year apprenticeship, Alex then worked full time as a Piercer in Frederick MD, near where she grew up, and she PERFECTED IT!!! This girl is amazing!! nothing short of impressive for being our second youngest member of the Konkrete Jungle family! In only knowing her a few minutes I knew this girl knew her stuff, but now that we've had the pleasure of being around her for a little while now, her knowledge and preciseness speaks volumes!! She's knowledgeable in all piercings, procedures, jewelry and aftercare. Please stop by, get some holes poked, and meet our girl Alex!
Smoot
Tattoo Artist
As you can see by the picture he chose to represent himself, Chris, more better known as Smoot, is a character to say the least! Because there is already a Chris here at the shop, Smoot goes by his last name and does so with pride! He has been tattooing for 8 years! Smoot can tattoo just about anything, including color and black and grey, and especially likes tattooing pretty little flowers. Here with the team, Smoot laughs and jokes with us all day, while making the ladies feel comfortable, and giving the guys the utmost respect and comrodery. A real mans man!
When he's not tattooing he is the best paper towel ripper on the East Coast, and proudly does so for his shop family. Also when he isn't at home with his girl, and 12 kids (4 really), he can't wait to come to work to do what he loves best. Smoot recently got a new car, and while racing every car he drives past on his way into work he loves to listen to the best of Barry White. Smoot has a strong love for dogs, especially pitbulls. Sharing the same love for dogs as the rest of the shop, he fits in just great here!
Stop by anytime we're here hanging out to get an ear full from the hood famous Smoot!
Justin is the newest addition to our Konkrete Team! He has been tattooing for more than 15 years, and it shows!! He loves tattooing traditional art, but is game for all things art! After working at other shops, hes found a home here at the Jungle and is settled in nicely!
Justin is a HUGE watch lover, ask him about his collection! He even once changed the time on the Dalai Lama's Rolex. His ultimate claim to fame! Justin is a huge Mario fan, and his favorite character?? TOAD! He loves all things Rabbits, he's our original Bunny Dad! And because of his love for the little hoppers, for years Justin was a vegetarian, sharing a diet with his bunny son. He will add some meats to his diet now, and is trying all kinds of new foods! His new favorite, Ostrich! The ultimate Tea drinker, this guy can put down some tea, hot tea, add honey!! This guy is sponsored by Lipton, and built the obsession over tea by his findings on Ancestory. A decedent of the original Boston Tea Party participants, he embraces it HARD!!
A lot to talk about with this guy, stop in to see him, and get a tattoo!!
Justin
Tattoo Artist
Jamie
Tattoo Artist
This is Jamie! Jamie has been tattooing for 5 years. He did his apprenticeship and hit the road running! He is the youngest of the tattooers here, he be young but he be mighty! A force to be reckoned with in respect to the art he puts out, TOP NOTCH! He loves doing the style he most enjoys executing, which is traditional and neotraditional, but will execute anything clean and willing to do it all! He is also one of the guys to go to for Anime and cartoon designs!
Jamie loves to sing his heart out at a Karaoke bar, his favorite song to sing is "Oops I did it again" by Britney Spears. Ask his to give ya a note or 2, he wont disappoint. Fun Fact, he also has the worlds record largest rubberband ball in the country. Not in the world though, the record holder lives in Sweden. They have an international feud over it. Jamie is a sweet guy, and one worth knowing!! Stop in and see Jamie!!
