MUSINK 2019 Blends Music and Ink in Orange County

The 12th Annual KROQ Presents Travis Barker’s MUSINK Music Festival, Tattoo Convention & Car Show returned to the OC Fair & Event Center In Costa Mesa, California on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, March 8-10, 2019. This indoor/outdoor event in southern California blends together elite tattoo artists, custom cars and legendary musical artists. It also boasted festival staples such as VIP areas, gourmet food trucks, specialty vendors and a variety of drink options.

Throughout the weekend, the ink was flowing inside the 3 large convention halls filled with tattoo artists creating works of art. Some of the hundreds of participating tattoo artists from around the world include: Jack Rudy, Freddy Negrete, Robert Atkinson, Juan Puente, Nikko Hurtado, Baba, Franco Vescovi, Travelin’ Mick, Norm, Big Sleeps, Grace Neutral, Emily Malice, Britton McFetridge, Eric Gonalez, Chuey Quinntanar, Adam Vu, Maria Roca, Carlos Torres, Small Paul, Jacob Doney, and many more. The full list of tattoo artists can be found here: https://musinkfest.com.

The Low ‘N’ Slow Car Show presented by Famous Stars and Straps returns to MUSINK, and will feature the best selection of custom rides, American classics and lowriders in Southern California on display, all handpicked by Travis Barker.

The musical selections were curated to offer a unique experience for each day of the festival. Friday was focused on hardcore, headlined by Suicidal Tendencies, who remain one of the best live bands you will ever see. Mike Muir is part lead singer, part preacher, and this band lineup may be their best ever, with Dave Lombardo on drums, guitarists Dean Pleasants and Ben Weinman, and bassist Ra Díaz. Jamey Jasta and Hatebreed are kicking off their 25th anniversary tour, with no signs of slowing down for even a second. Sick Of It All, Bleeding Through and All Hail The Yeti kept the hangar building moshing and circle pitting all night long.

Saturday was hip hop night, with City Morgue, Ho99o9 (pronounced Horror), and Limp Bizkit. In between acts was the Miss MUSINK Contest, and Travis Barker himself DJ’ed between sets. Limp Bizkit was on fire, thoroughly entertaining the crowd. No matter what your opinion of the band and their style, there is no denying that Fred Durst, Wes Borland, John Otto, Sam Rivers and DJ Lethal know how to entertain a crowd. Borland even crowd-surfed his way into the pit for one song performance.

Sunday was all about punk rock royalty, with a nonstop barrage of living legends. Voodoo Glow Skulls, Anti-Flag, T.S.O.L., Dead Kennedys, Fear and The Vandals all were in top form, showcasing their skills and world views. For fans who hadn’t had a chance to experience these bands, it was a rare treat.