For decades people have gotten tattoos as a way to show off what's most important to them. Tattoos are a form of artwork that has been around for years and years. Just in the United States alone in 2013 there were 21,000 known tattoo parlors. The annual percent of people between the ages of 18-25 that have at least one tattoo is 36%! (PewResearch.Org) The people featured in this article wear their band related tattoos proudly and here's why!

Brittany, 22, NY

“I got this for my grandpa who I was extremely close with growing up, he passed away from prostate cancer 5 years ago.” Brittany wanted to have something to remember him by and feel like he’s always right by her side. This tattoo is from the song "Winter" by the punk-rock band, Bayside. This band has influenced Brittany’s music taste since she was about 12 years old and has continued to shape her taste to what it is today. “This song especially has always reminded me of my Grandpa.” The artist who did this is Mike Nomy (@MikeNomy) @ South Shore Tattoo in Amityville, NY.

Marlee, 19, CA

“I got this tattoo because The Story So Far is not only one of my favorite bands, but they mean a lot to me. Their music has helped me so much with anxiety in recent months.” Marlee said that when she puts on this pop-punk band that she is able to tune out the rest of the world and just calm down. The tattoo was designed by Nikko Casalda (@NikCasDesigns) and was tattooed by Leah @ Energy Tattoo in Santa Barbara, CA.

Brandi, 30, AZ

“Dedicated to that floating astronaut himself.” Brandi was 17 when she heard Brand New’s Album, Deja Entendu. “The first time I heard this album it changed my life.” This is one of three tattoos that Brandi has for the rock band, Brand New. It’s safe to say this band means quite a lot to her! This piece was done by Josh Legend (@JoshLegendTattoo) in Gilbert, AZ.

Taylor, 21, VA

The lyrics in this tattoo, “My guardian angel until the very end" is from a song called "Dad's Song" by the pop-rock band, Set It Off. “Set It Off have been one of my favorite bands and such good friends to me for years.” Taylor first the band for the first time in 2011. She had lost her dad at a very young age, “it's always been hard on me and I never really had anyone that understood how I felt.” The singer of the band, Cody had lost his dad too and spent years trying to perfect "Dad's Song" before releasing it. When Taylor finally heard it she “was in tears.” When she was planning out the tattoo in memory of her dad she just knew that she had to have these lyrics incorporated in. “I've actually had the opportunity to show Cody my tattoo and he was completely speechless.” This tattoo was done by Dustin Messer at Mystic Tattoo in Charlottesville, VA.

Shannon, 21, NY

“I got my EST 19XX on my arm for the musician Machine Gun Kelly.” Shannon admires him for his strong motivation and his determination to prove those who doubted him his entire life wrong. The tattoo means, "everyone stand together" the XX crosses out a specific year for its purpose to mean anyone no matter what age. Not for one specific generation but a generation of those who appreciate. “Listening to his music is always the same feeling like I felt when hearing it for the first time. He speaks from personal experiences with everything he writes and does. His energy and sincerity on stage is part of the reason I will always go see him in concert and wear the tattoo I got proudly.” Shannon's tattoo was done by Nick Fierro (@TattoosByNickFierro) @ Tattoo Lou's in West Babylon, NY.

Shania, 19, OH

This tattoo is lyrics from a song called “Twin Size Mattress” by The Front Bottoms. “I got this tattoo done by Mike who also goes by “3” at House of Pain.” Shania has this tattoo to serve as a reminder to try and overcome her anxiety and to get out in the world and, well, contribute to the chaos! “The Front Bottoms mean the absolute world to me; they're literally my source of happiness whenever I'm feeling down and depressed.”

Gabi, 21, New York

This tattoo is dedicated to the pop-punk band, The Wonder Years. “I got this tattoo because I've been through a lot and The Wonder Years as a band has helped me move forward and help me in situations where I wanted to give up on everything.” Gabi says she thinks in every situation now when she sees her tattoo and she gives it her all. “I will always keep trying to be a better person everyday. I just have to remember to keep my head up.” Since the age of 13 Gabi has been listening to this band and told me she doesn’t know if she would be where she is mentally if it wasn't for them being there when no one else was. I went with Gabi to get this tattoo and I know how much it means to her. She even has another tattoo for this band on the same leg as this one; I like to call this leg, “the wonder leg.” This boxer gal was tattooed by Mike Nomy (@MikeNomy) @ South Shore Tattoo in Amityville, NY.

Jocelyn, 18, IL

“I got my tattoo as a gift for my 18th birthday. I wanted something to commemorate this milestone in my life and capture a little bit of who I was these last couple of years.” This tattoo is Jocelyn’s first and after much thought, she decided to get some lyrics by her favorite band, Real Friends. This album, Maybe This Place Is The Same And We're Just Changing is an album she found herself very emotionally attached to. “A lot of the album deals with change, growing up and the difficulties someone faces because of this.” However, Jocelyn says the album is also a beacon of hope. After all the struggles the guys in this band had as teens they've managed to become such caring and strong people. “This tattoo is a constant reminder that I'm not alone. Even though I may be faced with many difficulties in life, I'll be stronger in the end for it.” This tattoo was done at Hardcore Element Tattoo Parlor in Chicago, IL. (artist unknown.)

Keon, 18, OH

Keon got this tattoo in honor of the band, Pierce The Veil. “They were one of the bands that helped me through my battle with depression and inspired me to become a musician myself.” Keon says that this tattoo is his promise to help people with his own music like this band helped him with theirs. This piece was done by Jason Cline @ Designs by Dana in Cincinnati, OH.

Janine, 18, MI

“The reason I got this tattoo is because this song has helped me through some hard times & always reminded me to stay positive.” The song these lyrics came from is called “Secrets” by the pop-punk band State Champs. State Champs is Janine’s favorite band and has been for the past 3 years. “They mean the world to me because they've helped me through a lot and I've met so many friends through their music. I've never been happier than when I'm at one of their shows.” Janine’s tattoo artist who did this is Angela Mandu from Beyond Reality in Wyandotte, MI.

Erin, 20, NY

This lyric is from the song “Death's Hand” off the Let The Ocean Take Me album. The tattoo showcases the lyric and a grim reaper carrying a hobo sack. “I saw the picture of it online and loved it but was never able to find the original artist of it. I got it because I’ve struggled with depression and self-harm. I’ve personally seen how suicide affects loved ones and the damage that is left behind.” The tattoo for Erin is a constant reminder to not give up. The band means a lot to her because they write a lot about the topics that everyone is afraid to talk about. They address the thoughts and actions that you are often told not to talk about. “I often get shit for having "fucked" tattooed on me but I tell people all the time that if I changed the lyrics because it offended someone it wouldn't have the same meaning.” The artist that did Erin’s tattoo was her friend Pixie (@artist.pixie) who works at Wyld Chyld in Merrick, NY

Em, 21, NY

I guess I should end this article with my own personal tattoo. This tattoo is for one of my favorite bands, Knuckle Puck. One year ago they released an album known as Copacetic. This album has gotten me through some really tough times and helped me grow as a person. My tattoo showcases lyrics from the track "Evergreen" that's on the album. To me, this song represents growth but also always being strong. We've been growing our whole lives and now we're adults and although things get hard we just need to remember how far we've really come. This was done by the talented Chris Harris (@Chris_Harris_Tattoos) @ Liberty Tattoo Company in Smithtown, NY.

Make sure to check out all the artists listed below the art they've created and if you're around them get a cool new piece of artwork to have forever (don't tell your mom I told you to do that!) Thanks to all the people who submitted tattoos to help me with this but also to all the bands that have gotten all of us crazy kids through our tough times and hardships.

*If you live in NY here are some great tattoo artists on Long Island that I really encourage you to check out!*

Chris Harris (@Chris_Harris_Tattoos): Chris specializes in bright and bold traditional style tattoos! He's a really cool guy and I really encourage you to get tattooed by him! He's done two tattoos for me and both are so bold and beautiful. If you can get an appointment with him go and get a cool piece!

Luke Loporto (@LukeLoporto): Luke does some INSANE realism pieces with crazy amounts of detail. He's done most of my tattoos including my sleeve. He's usually booked solid months in advance but if you can get an appointment with him you really need to get tattooed by him.

Justin Morcillo (@JBulba): Justin does all different styles of tattoos and kills every single one of them! From traditional to Japanese this dude does it all! He's a really chill guy and will make your tattoo experience as comfortable as possible!

Nick Fierro (@TattoosByNickFierro): Nick specializes in AWESOME black and white and geometric designs but anything he does is so crisp and clean. His Instagram is so aesthetically pleasing to look I usually will just go through it for hours. He can do the most perfect dot work and make any piece come to life. Check him out if you're ever around!