I will forever recommend Matt Kealey at Flesh Gear Tattoo and Piercings. This review is far over due, however, I hope it leads you to your forever artist. 5 years ago, as an eager 18 year old, I walked into Flesh Gear with a design in mind. After flipping through artist look-books (all of which were amazing), something about Matt Kealey's intrigued me. Come appointment day, along with mom and dad, I was ready but rightfully nervous about the pain. Matt began the tattoo session with dotting the 'I's in my quote to give me a baby taste of what I was in for. He was also so patient and kind with my "entourage" that accompanied me. Needless to say the experience was an 11/10! 5 years later he has completed a memorial piece for me. I was truly speechless when I met myself in the mirror. Absolutely spot on. Matt Kealey shows me each and every time how passionate he is about his art. He is honest and helpful in the design and body location selection process. He thinks ahead to the future to help choose placement. His tattooing is seamless. He is not heavy handed and makes the process exceptionally comfortable. Matt is there to answer every question, concern, and comment you have. Speaking with him is like speaking with an old friend. I am grateful to have found an artist such as him. Look no further, Matt Kealey at Flesh Gear Tattoo and Piercing in Rockdale, IL will create beautiful art in a comfortable setting. read more

I got my industrial pierced here, and the place felt nice and was clean, and used proper tools, but I'm sure my anatomy is not correct for the piercing and when I got it pierced, we used a longer bar than usual since the pierced was not stocked with the proper lengthen industrial bar. I'm not saying I'm unhappy with the piercing, but with better quality of the piercer and care, I wouldn't have had such a rough healing process with this. read more

Flesh Gear - Healed industrial piercing with bar, ear is clearly pulled and folded from improper anatomy - Tattoo Near Me - Rockdale, Illinois

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I got my tattoo done by Ricky. This was a few months ago (so the picture is completely healed) and he was an apprentice at the time. His prices were also discounted due to his apprenticeship. I loved the shop itself and the general atmosphere, I will definitely be coming back. Ricky was amazing!! Very professional and informational. He worked with me to come up with something I liked but also fit with my other tattoos. read more

Flesh Gear - Dragonfly Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Rockdale, Illinois

My friend and I stopped by for a walk in and they accommodated us. They were all very kind and seemed like one big family. Sam did our tattoos, he was quick and flawless and even talked to us throughout the process. We are very satisfied and hope to be back! read more

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I've been tattooed by every artist here multiple times. They're all excellent and there's no shop I trust more with my skin! Every tattoo I've gotten here has been impeccable. The environment of the shop is always fun and inviting. Everything is clean and prices are always reasonable. read more

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Went in today for what is probably one of the easiest services they offer: ear piercings. A beautiful tattoo artist greeted me as soon as I entered the shop. The shop was fabulously clean and professional looking so that immediately put me at ease. While my service request was just a regular ho-hum earlobes piercing, Ricky was extremely professional and treated the service with just as much respect and importance as any other service the shop provides. Would definitely recommend this business!! read more

This shop did amazing! I wanted to take my niece and her best friend for tattoo's to celebrate their graduation. After having a terrible experience at a different shop, we came in here and luckily were able to squeeze in! Our artist was fast and made sure all the girls were comfortable and relaxed. The price was higher than I'd like to pay for such a small tattoo but after the terrible experience at the first shop, we were willing to spend more! Thank you for taking care of us 3! read more

This is theBest tattoo parlor in the country. George stayed late to give me the most beautiful tattoo I've ever received. Sam gave my brother a tattoo and it was flawless perfect lines. To Jewels thank U for consoling me about my father, you truly are amazing human beings. This is the tattoo parlor is the one you want to go to they care for the customers and their needs they know how much what they do means to the customers. Thank you guys for all your help I truly appreciate you. read more

Great place!!! Clean and friendly staff. Sam is great!!! He did an amazing job on my tat. The original picture I brought in was meant to be on a calf but wanted it on my forearm, Sam was able to change it up to fit it where I wanted. And I think it came out even better then what I showed him! I'm so in love with it! read more

Flesh Gear - Tattoo Near Me - Rockdale, Illinois

Piercings are expensive and you might get the piercer who isn't that good but I mean it's a tattoo shop it's nothing special

So I was at Flesh Gear with my mom last night. I was getting my first tattoo, and my mom was getting a small tattoo on her shoulder. My mom was with Matt (aka Fat Matt) and she had a fantastic experience. He was very considerate to her complaints about pain (my mom hates the pain of tattoos) and was responsive to her wishes. She wanted to stop shading and leave it as is, but he convinced her to continue and it looks FANTASTIC. He also touched up some lettering on her other tattoos per her request. I live in Chicago, but came back home so I could get my tattoo here- and I must say it was a great decision. I had come in for a consultation earlier that week to find an artist since this tattoo was my first. I brought pictures to show what a wanted: a black and white sunflower the size of my hand. They explained it would cost about $300, which was no problem. Iain ended up being my artist and HE IS AMAZING. During the tattoo process I asked for a break because the shading part was really bothering me and he immediately explained it was no problem and let my tattoo sit while he got a smoke. He was amazingly understanding. Both Iain and Matt were very understanding artists. They both tweaked the example pictures my mom and I brought in to fit our exact wishes. My tattoo ended up taking about three (painful) hours and everyone there made sure I was comfortable and calm. My tattoo is beautiful and even more impressive than the photos I brought him. My first tattoo experience here was better than I could have ever dreamed. I will absolutely be coming back for the next one. read more

Got my lip pierced here back about 3 years ago. Reverend is an experienced piercer and I highly recommend him! But it's a good CLEAN place with a great staff. Don't miss out on it ;) (Removed my comment from my dad about the prices. I don't know if he understood, but I went there a few years ago with friends when they got tattooed and it wasn't as bad as he made it sound!) read more

Had a deposit and the artist kept rescheduling finally after a week I got it done. I would not recommend going here unless you absolutely have to! They were so unprofessional talking about smoking crack. Better off going to wolfs tattoo. read more

George did a really nice tattoo, but overcharged me (forgot to deduct my deposit) for the final cost. I also forgot about my deposit until I got home, which is my fault, but he refused to refund it. read more

In response to the poster that said our hourly rate was $200 per hour, it is not nor has it ever been that high. The hourly rate at fleshgear is $100 per hour, and hourly rates only apply to large custom pieces. You'll find our hourly rate is the same as nearly every other tattoo studio in north america (although some are higher, I've not seen very many that are still under $100 per hour). Thanks for taking the time to read this! Phil Shamrock, Artist @ Fleshgear Tattoo read more

They were super nice and did my piercing really quick! The place was so clean and comfy.

George is amazing!!! My sister and I went to see him for the second time. My sister almost fainted during her tattoo but he's so professional and knew what to do to make us both comfortable. He is extremely talented and I will see him again! read more

I had both of my facial piercings done here, one by Reverend, and 2 by Jim since I had to have one redone. LOL I actually liked Jim more. Reverend was cooky and cool, but kinda through me off sometimes with his manner of speaking.........LOL And he did go a little deep on my eyebrow........ I don't know, you just have to talk to him. He's interesting....... :0) Jim is more laid-back and quiet. My bf had his eyebrow done there years ago, with no complaints, as well as his lip / labret. I heard it pop when they stuck the needle through his lip which I'll never forget..........LOL Anyway, I also took someone here to get a small tattoo. I forget his name, but he had long, brown hair in a pony tail and he was cool. Nothing really bad to say about any of my experiences! But try to make an appt if you go for a tat. A lot of people seem to make appts with Jules. They have a MySpace with quite a few pics for you to check out before you go. I'd recommend their MySpace for checking their artists's work and their hours. read more

I love their work and their service. I went to get my daith piercing and the guy that did my piercing was very knowledgeable and very informative. I highly recommend flesh gear. read more

My wife recently got a tattoo from here and I think it is the worst tattoo I've ever seen. It looks terrible. I can't bare to look at it. It was a total waste of time and $. I wish she never would have gotten it. read more

Great place the tattoo artist that I use just moved here (George Zabala). The facility is super clean and there are some amazing artist Jewel's, Fat Matt and the owner Iain. Easy to get to right off 80 and plenty of parking. Have to check them out #Georgezabala #tattoos # tattooartist #rockdaletattoo #joliettattoo read more

My experience at Flesh Gear with Iain could be summed up as impeccable. He did a coverup for me. With his artistic abilities, my vision came out perfectly. His knowledge, professionalism, and honesty were notable. The process was very comfortable. The studio is very clean and the staff interacts much like a family. ABSOLUTELY have, and would, recommend them to anyone looking for a quality, professional tattoo studio. read more

I've gotten 4 piercings from here, clean comfortable environment.

Flesh Gear makes sure your in a clean sanitized environment. Never have I had a problem about their sanitation. Artist all do an amazing job and work with what you have in mind whether it's custom drawings or something you found online and really like the design. To add on they also have a piercer at the shop. Always recommend this shop to my friends. read more

I love it here, Jim has pierced me 4 times and he's done a bunch of my family members and friends. He's the best he won't over charge you and is patient. I've gotta few tattoos by Jewels and I just love her, amazing personality and great, great artwork. read more

The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Making an appointment was really easy and I was given a price estimate right then, which made the process a breeze. I had my first tattoo done at Flesh Gear, so I was a bit nervous but Jewels and Matt helped calm my nerves and reassure me that I would be fine. Great place! read more

I've gotten my nose and belly button pierced here and my first tattoo. They do awesome work and reverend who does the piercing is hilarious and has a gentle hand. read more

Talented artists in a clean, professional environment.

What a CLEAN and professional place!!!!!!! The owner did my nose piercing and my daughters belly button piercing. He had a lot of information to share and was very professional and nice. I would highly reccomend Flesh Gear to my family and friends. Great experience. ;) read more

My son and I just got some new ink there and it was awesome. Tattoos look incredible. Everybody including the owner is super nice. The artists are clean and totally into giving u what you are looking for. Phil and Jewels are freaking terrific and the ink is perfect. Price is right and the care is there. 5 star experience all the way read more

ABSOLUTELY LOVE Flesh Gear!! Jewels is my go to artist, but they have ALOT of talent in one place. Staff is friendly and welcoming and the place is amazingly clean. The people there take pride in their craft. read more

will never even consider them for a tat...there were 4 of us coming for tats and first impression on the phone made one person drop out, going to make an appointment and bring in our drawings, the 3rd person wouldnt even show what they wanted because they were so snotty to her, the 2nd person thought their prices were too high and the last person made an appointment and went in the following week for their appt. and they double booked her time slot and told her to come back. they lost 4 customers, about 1000.00 in business !! be nice read more