If you ever listened to the radio in the past couple of months, then you probably heard the infectiously, over-played song, ‘Sweater Weather’ by the alternative rock group called The Neighbourhood. The all-male band, whose members are all in their early 20s, have enjoyed success with the single from their first full length album titled ‘I Love You,’ which was released on April 23, 2013. However, one band member seems to stand out from the rest…and it’s primarily because of the tattoo he has on his neck.
In photo shoots and live performances, the rather eye-catching tattoo situated in the middle of the heavily inked Neighbourhood vocalist Jesse Rutherford’s throat is of the all-seeing eye pyramid, which is commonly associated with the Illuminati, and has been placed in an inverted position. While this symbol could have a different meaning when put in this position, it nonetheless has people wondering what the meaning behind this tattoo choice is. The radiating lines surrounding this triangle shape only intensifies the artwork’s association with an illuminated, all-seeing eye pyramid.
Since Rutherford is the lead singer for The Neighbourhood, it is only natural that he stands prominently out in photos with the group. While the vocalist has a lot of tattoos on his body, it is this tattoo that seems to catch a great deal of attention. The placement of it is boldly ‘in your face’ – it’s one of the first things you notice about the musician. Other tattoo themes that he also embraces seem to follow a religious theme…including the words ‘Let Go and Let God’ across his chest. There is also an owl in flight featured on one of his shoulders – symbolism that is also associated with secret societies.
Perhaps clues to the meaning behind Rutherford’s tattoo can be found in the kind of clothing statements he chooses to make. For example, in the image below, Rutherford is shown wearing a black T-shirt with the phrase ‘Contra Mundum’ displayed on the front. When looked up, the definition of this term is identified as “against the world; defying or against everyone.” Not a real positive message to send out to fans, especially the teenagers and young adults who make up a large number of listeners to The Neighbourhood’s music. This same shirt design also incorporates the number ’13,’ which is a digit often associated with bad luck and in some cases, evil.
The singer also seems to make statements with the kind of jewelry he wears. In the image featured above, Rutherford has his neck tattoo in full view, as well as a few pieces of jewelry. One of the necklaces he wears has a pendent that is of a pyramid shape with a single eye in the middle. This symbol is not in the same inverted position as the art on his neck. The singer is also wearing a necklace with a cross pendent attached to the end of it.
Interestingly, the cover art for the group’s ‘I Love You’ album also incorporates the same sort of symbolism found on Rutherford’s neck, which also includes an upside-down house. 