Ethan “ModBoy” Bramble: A Journey Through Body Modification and Regret
In an effort to start anew, Ethan “ModBoy” Bramble is undergoing laser surgery on his face to remove some of the more than 200 tattoos that cover his body.
At just eleven years old, the American made the decision to stretch his ears, marking the beginning of a series of body modifications, including the removal of his belly button and the splitting of his tongue.
In a candid interview on the No Filter series of LadBibleTV, the tattoo enthusiast shared that he has spent approximately $60,000 AUD (about £36,000) on his alterations. This financial investment reflects the intensity of his commitment to personal expression through body art.
Despite his commitment to self-expression, Bramble has expressed remorse over the judgment he has faced from others regarding his unusual hobbies. He stated, “I guess you could say I regret some tattoos. Not just regret, I think there’s a difference between regret and wanting to be perceived differently,” highlighting a complex emotional response to his body modifications.
Bramble is particularly anxious about his day-to-day life. He worries about taking his young daughter to school, fearing the scrutiny that accompanies his heavily tattooed appearance. He has expressed a desire for his child to avoid similar choices, indicating that he would not want her to get a face tattoo at a young age. “The face is a big thing that can lead to so many – for some people, not everyone – can lead to a lot of problems for yourself, which I probably wouldn’t want my daughter to have to deal with until she was a bit older,” he explained.
Reflecting on his past decisions, he admitted, “I wish that I had not gone as hectic as I did on my face.” This acknowledgment of regret has led him to pursue laser surgery to tone down his extreme look.
He shared, “I’ve been getting laser [surgery], or have been, for pretty much 12 months… We do it in sections, but I’ve probably gone over the full thing six or seven times. I started getting it done because of the anxiety and stuff I was getting…” indicating that the pressure from society affected his mental health.
“Mental stuff is a funny thing to pin down, but I want to think that a lot of the anxiety was from just having a face full of tattoos,” he elaborated. Bramble expressed optimism about the changes he is making, stating, “I’m happy with the way that I look, but I’m also happy with the mentality that over the next two years, my face tattoos are going to become less and less and less. I’m just clearing the canvas.”
Challenges with the Law
In addition to his personal struggles, Ethan has found himself in legal trouble. Recently, the Victorian Police issued a warrant for his arrest, stating he was known to frequent areas such as Preston, Windsor, Ringwood, and the Central Business District of Melbourne. In response, Bramble claimed he was no longer in Victoria and did not anticipate being extradited by the authorities.
Initially, Bramble took a lighthearted approach to the warrant, even joking about it: “I’ve never once seen him in my life.” However, he followed up with a more serious note, broadcasting a video on Instagram expressing uncertainty about whether he should turn himself in.
The complications continued when he suggested that he might avoid extradition by relocating to New South Wales. He has a controversial online presence, being a well-known member of the ‘Blokes and Their Ice-Creams’ Facebook page, where he humorously referred to his situation, stating, “Nananana you’ll never catch me. Cream of the bros.”
In an amusing twist, he playfully remarked, “P.s if I go down I’m taking all you biccie first biters down with me.” This kind of bravado has drawn mixed responses from his followers, with some chastising him for his alleged offenses while others encouraged him to evade capture.
During his livestream, Bramble casually mentioned he was “going home to eat lasagne” while contemplating his next moves. He seemed unfazed by the seriousness of his situation, even grinning at the camera, saying, “Well, now you know where I live.”
His last known address in New South Wales is in the Rosehill neighborhood of western Sydney. The situation remains convoluted, as it is unclear if New South Wales Police have been contacted regarding the warrant issued by Victoria Police.
In the livestream, he addressed an audience of nearly 200 viewers: “I smoke too much, I drink too much, I don’t want to go to jail,” before humorously concluding with, “Hopefully I don’t get life in prison, later crew.”
Bramble’s actions have continued to entertain his audience on social media. In a recent post, he was seen nodding to the anti-authoritarian rap track “F**k the Police” by N.W.A. while waiting for a bus. According to a Victoria Police spokesman, the warrant was issued after he failed to appear for a court appearance in Melbourne; however, the nature of his alleged offense has not been disclosed.
Bramble has previously achieved notoriety through appearances on media platforms like Studio 10, where he showcased some of his latest body alterations, including a silicone spider embedded beneath the skin of his hand. He stated that these physical transformations would someday make him “the coolest grandpa ever”, discussing how his unique modifications set him apart.
His journey with body modification began at age 11, where he started with ear stretching and quickly became fascinated by tattoos. At age 13, Bramble began frequenting tattoo parlors, exposing him to more radical body alteration techniques.
He describes his experience of having his tongue split at age 17 as the most extreme adjustment, requiring him to sleep upright for five days to avoid choking on his own saliva. Overall, he asserts that he has undergone over 40 physical changes, a testament to his commitment to his individual expression.
After considering his troubled past, it seems that Ethan Bramble has embraced fatherhood, striving to balance his love for self-expression through body modification while being a responsible parent.
Conclusion
Bramble’s story raises important questions about identity, self-expression, and societal acceptance. As he continues his journey of transformation and reflection, both on his body and his choices, there is much to observe and learn about the evolving perceptions of body art and personal identity.