Music, the worlds best tattoo artists, classic cars and so much more… put them all together and you get MUSINK. For those who do not know about MUSINK, this 3 day festival is in its 9th year. It is the mecca for those who want ink, to meet the best in the world of tattoos (including artists who have been on LA Ink and Ink Masters, and more). It is where music fans can come to hear bands from multiple genres.
This years line up included: Snoop Dogg,Transplants, Yelawolf, Deftones, Taking Back Sunday, Plague Vendor, Spirit in the Room, Circa Survive, Atreyu, and Face to Face.
Combine the tattoo contests, the Miss MUSINK contest, “Slow & Low” classic cars, vendors that included Coldcock Whiskey, Famous Stars & Straps, Black Flies and more… you now have MUSINK.
Oh…by the way… the host to this event is the one and only Travis Barker of Blink-182.
Why is this event a must for those music goers? The lineup speaks for itself. Giving fans what they want from rap to rock plus a mix of punk and metal, that is a must for any music festival fan.
As far as the tattoo side of things, the number of celebrity artists under one roof is a true rarity. Paul Booth, Nikko Hurtado, Corey Miller, BJ Betts, Carlos Torres… just to name a few. MUSINK is a dream for those who want ink or are new to the whole world of ink.
I was impressed and shocked to see how many tatts were done on site. From doors open to the close of the event, the buzzing of tatt machines filled the convention halls. It was an awesome sight.
For those who like metal in cars as much as in music, this was THE spot for you. The collection of “Slow & Low” classic cars on display at the event, a few out of Travis Barker’s own collection, was stunning. They were decked out from the paint job to the rims. The cars were true head turners.
Vendor Village offered merch for those in the mood to take home a must have event keepsake. Also in Vendor Village was Metal Of Honor. “Metal of Honor” is a charity program started in 2011 to raise awareness and financial support to a few key military non-profits while showing gratitude to our military men and women during the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour,” and other festivals.
You can see in pics that MUSINK has something for everyone, and nearly everyone was there. I was happy to see families and kids at this event as well as seasoned adults. This was something I asked some of the tattoo artists and fans about, and their overall consensus is that it’s because of the change in the way the world views tattoos.
I come from a time when my parents were against them, when tatts portrayed a negative view of who you are just because you had ink. You were either a gang-banger, in prison, a metal head who could not and would not get a job and survive in society, or in a biker gang. Society as a whole seems to becoming more acceptable of tattoos, piercings and the everything that goes with it.
Music and tattoos are not just a fad, they represent a culture. People who get tattoos are from all walks of life and the reasons are as diverse as “I’m 18 and I can do this”, to a memorial of a parent, child, or other loved one. Others get tattoos to make a statement…”This is who I am on the inside and I want to express it on my outside… and will do so with my tattoos.”
Whatever your musical tastes or reasons why you have or want to get tattooed, if you fall amongst the mobs of people like yourself who like music, tattoos, and cars, then you need to attend MUSINK 2017.
Written by Melissa Anderson from ROCKwell UNscene