Musink 2013 (Featuring Pennywise)

[Amanda Graziano]

     Once upon a time, tattoos were a societal taboo, punk-rock music was considered an "underground" genre and skateboarding was nothing more than a way to surf when there weren't any waves. Boy, what a long way all three have come. Now, tattoos are considered to be a form of art, punk-rock music is not only secular, but popular, and skateboarding is an action sport. The 6th Annual Musink Festival, which took place at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, not only acknowledged all three unique forms of self expression, but more importantly, it celebrated them. The all ages tattoo convention and music festival combo brought together over three hundred of the world's best tattoo artists, as well as some of the most prominent and prolific punk bands of the last few decades. And, in spite of the not always favorable weather outside, the event was constantly packed inside.

     Doors for Day 1 opened the latest out of all three days, but as soon as they did, vendors, artists and bands were more than ready to get the festival underway. As ticket holders anxiously trickled in out of the rain, both the tattoo booths and the beer stands quickly amassed huge lines. Those who chose to brave the weather outside for beer and food were kept entertained by the music blaring from the KROQ tent, while those who headed straight inside enjoyed tattooing, tattoo contests, clothing vendors and more. And as with every convention involving live music, there were the select few who bypassed everything in order to secure prime real estate in front of the stage.

     Friday night's lineup included Guttermouth, The Vandals and Bad Religion, and although each band put on a great show, the night definitely belonged to Bad Religion. For decades now, the SoCal punk band has continued to stay not only relevant, but popular; making meaningful and thought provoking music. Their latest album, True North, which was released earlier this year, is their sixteenth studio album! Friday's performance was not only an amazing one, filled with a nice mix of both older classics and newer favorites, but it also marked the start of their headlining tour. Lead singer, Greg Graffin, occasionally poked fun at the fact that he and the guys were still working out the kinks of their performance before hitting the road, but every Bad Religion fan in the building would've disagreed. Their performance was epic (per usual) and by both fan and artist account alike, there was no better way to send a hometown band off on tour.
     Day 2 was packed throughout the day thanks to the somewhat hot weather and the definitely hot girls of the Miss Musink competition. The early afternoon consisted of skateboarding contests, a tattoo contest, music and lots of tattooing and shenanigans in between. Once night fell, the Miss Musink contestants graced the stage to unveil the top five women in the competition, and ultimately, to crown a winner. (For those who don't know, the competition is held in order to bring a new "angel" into the Sullen Clothing family.) The ceremony was short and sweet, and that seemed perfectly fine with all of the fans in the building who had already begun screaming for Pennywise.
After twenty-five years of music, and what was affectionately named a "re-union", Pennywise's performance was probably one of the most anticipated events of the weekend. The band is always amazing, even with alternate members, but having Jim back behind the mic made their performance that much better for every die hard Pennywise fan within earshot. All day the parking lot was filled with cars donning Pennywise decals, numerous people sporting Pennywise shirts, and come show time, the building was overflowing with dedicated Pennywise fans. Their performance on Saturday was actually one of the last shows of their Re-Union Tour that they'll be playing in the states, so fans made an effort to partake. Like Bad Religion, the band is from the general area and it's outskirts, so the help that they received singing their songs was ridiculously loud, to say the least.
     Day 3 brought about more warm weather, skating, contests, and of course, tattooing. The final day of the event was the day that was most attended by families with smaller children, and perhaps it was because of the lineup; Reverend Horton Heat, Lucero and Johnny Two Bags And Salvation Town. (Headcat was also supposed to perform, but they cancelled due to Lemmy Kilmister coming down with bronchitis.) Although the bands were all still within the punk-rock genre that had been prevalent throughout the weekend, Sunday was definitely the more relaxed of the three days, probably thanks to rockabilly style headliner, Reverend Horton Heat. Rockabilly is one of the earliest forms of rock n' roll, mixing country with rhythm n' blues and topping it off with a little punk-rock.
     The full blown and well known rockabilly style of The Rev. and his band brought out every rockabilly fan in the greater OC area, both big and small. Parents, kids, long time fans and recent Rev. lovers all danced and got their
"psychobilly freakout" on all night. Fans were treated to a special treat Sunday night whenThe Rev. pulled up a chair with a double neck guitar and was joined on stage by Deke Dickerson, who stood behind him and played the upper fingerboard. Deke has been on tour with the band recently, but the duo's performance was definitely a fun sight to see. With all bass standing and other antics aside, the Reverend Horton Heat trio truly did an excellent job of ending the weekend with a bang.
     The 6th Annual Musink Festival was a success; three days full of celebrating art, music, skating and tattoos. Society has not always been open to new or different things, but educating the masses on the beauty and importance of something is the only way to change the public's opinion of it.

 

Article and pictures by Amanda Graziano.

For more pictures from the event, please visit the blog at www.ANT-Photography.com.