Travis Barker returned to the Orange County Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa to present (alongside So-Cal radio station KROQ) the twelfth consecutive year of Musink—the end-all festival of music, tattoos, and custom cars.
2019’s musical lineup saw a few alumni bands from years past (The Vandals, Suicidal Tendencies, Fear, Sick of it All) as well as some notable newcomers to Musink (Hatebreed, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Anti-Flag, TSOL, Dead Kennedys, Limp Bizkit).
The three-day outing began on Friday, March 8th with the convention center opening up for droves of people with the tattoo itch. There were so many artists and vendors on hand compared to last year, that an additional convention hall was opened to accommodate them all. Tempted as I was to get some work done myself this year, I was not prepared with reference materials for my next piece. There’s always next year.
Dozens of vendors were in attendance with copious wares, food, and beverage. From overpriced personal pizzas and kebabs to average (but, let’s be honest, still overpriced) beer and spirits, to a surprisingly decent haircut of only $10. The caveat being that you had to spin a wheel denoted upon which were various haircut options, and the catch being that if you didn’t like the option you landed on, an additional $5 would afford you another spin.
Despite the occasional sound hiccups (mics dropping out on a song or two, and even a particular band sounding like complete garbage and mumbly, though I suspect it may have had more to do with the band), a majority of the sets were pretty awesome. All Hail the Yeti and Bleeding Through were heavy and entertaining; Sick of it All and Suicidal Tendencies had energy flowing by the buckets; while Voodoo Glow Skulls and Anti-Flag were just plain fun and got the crowd grooving. Even Limp Bizkit was surprisingly entertaining (even more than I expected). Wes Borlund really got into the spirit by jumping off stage and into the pit to play guitar.
Another year, another success—Travis and crew really have this Musink thing down. As Sunday’s lineup came to a close, one thing rang through my head (and no doubt countless others’): I can’t wait to see what next year has in store.
WORDS BY JUSTIN RHOADS
PHOTOS BY MEG LOYAL PHOTOGRAPHY