Wolfgang Van Halen has the words ‘play play’ written on his right arm. One in blue, one red, scrawled as if in biro. Slicker tattoos of Moon phases and the logo of his band, Mammoth, are positioned more prominently, but that scratchy little message carries a special weight. It’s his father’s handwriting, transferred from a Christmas card and now a permanent reminder to his son. An expression of joy, from one musician to another. Words to live by.
“He was being silly, and he wrote it with both markers to almost make it like it was a 3D effect,” the 34-year-old grins, looking down at the words. “So I just use it as kind of a life lesson, so that if I’m playing guitar I can always see that, just to make sure I keep following it.”
