Travis Barker and his hooligans descended once again upon Orange County for the tenth annual Musink Festival. Held at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California, Musink hosted a slew of talented tattooers, rad rods, delicious food, thirst-quenching beer (Always got to have beer, right?), and awesome music.
Friday kicked off with Massachusetts hardcore band, A Wilhelm Scream, followed by California-born band Lagwagon. Huntington Beach locals The Vandals ramped things up with their comedic energy and tomfoolery, paving the way for prolific punk legends and LA natives, NOFX, who closed the day with several fist-pumping classic tunes. The fans were definitely pleased with the show.
Atreyu drummer Brandon Saller opened Saturday’s musical adventure with his side project, Hell or Highwater. Missouri-bred rock band Story of the Year stormed the stage next. The energy was kicked up a notch as punk/ska band Goldfinger took to the stage, vocalist John Feldmann employing the help of Travis Barker on drums, Mike Herrera from MxPx on bass, and Ryan Phillips from the aforementioned Story of the Year on guitar. Hardcore New Yorkers Glassjaw followed suit, clearing the lanes for Utah-based rockers, The Used, capping the day with good ol’ rock’n’roll.
Lazy Sunday was anything but as California band Unwritten Law scraped the sleep from music-lovers’ weary eyes. Punkers Swingin’ Utters came in hard, clenched fists smashing anything in their way. Things took a break as inked betties graced the stage and Miss Musink 2017 was crowned. Hermosa Beach favorites Pennywise attacked the crowd with savage guitar riffs and head-rattling drums. The night ended with a long and unrelenting set by LA punk masters Bad Religion.
The world famous KROQ radio station was in attendance as were several vendors, littering the fairgrounds and peddling their wares from the likes of Rockstar Energy Drinks, Wienerscchnitzel, Tecate, Lubriderm, Blackcraft spirits, and Naked Juice, to name a few. The also held the annual Ms. Musink Contest.
A handful of pimped out Lowriders, hot rods, and motorcycles were present in all their chrome-gleaming glory.
While the music blared outside, tattoo guns buzzed, piercing and shading the skin of those looking to add to their portable art collection. The amount of artists on hand were in the several dozen—far too many to list here.
All in all, the popular three-day festival was a smashing success and we can’t wait for next year’s lineup. Bring it, Travis Barker.
WORDS BY JUSTIN RHODES
PHOTOS BY MEG LOYAL PHOTOGRAPHY