Grape Ape Tattoo opened in 2008 as Rogue Parlour Tattoo, when James Peterson and Mark Pierce ended up stranded without a shop after the chaotic destruction of Bert’s Classic Tattoo, where they had been working under the world-famous tattooer Bert Rodriguez. Bert was known for operating the Tattoos and Blues convention and being a staple of tattooing in Santa Rosa, CA. Tattooing under the banner of Bert was a huge honor, and James and Mark wished the experience could have lasted but circumstances cut that privilege short. After reaching out to Danny DeRosa, a long-time New York tattooer also known for Smoking Guns Tattoo (and James’ uncle), James and Mark set up a small shop out of the way and grew from there, setting out on their mission to provide quality tattoos to the world.