Musink – Tattoo Convention & Music Festival in Costa Mesa, CA

For a brief moment in late 2008, the Musink Tattoo Convention & Music Festival had real aspirations of grandeur. It was founded by Miami Ink star Kat Von D, had a major Samsung sponsorship, a 30-city tour lined up, and Motörhead and Social Distortion topping the banner. It wasn’t a new Lollapalooza, but it was full-flavored festival with enough cred to grab an audience.

Then the economy happened, and now the Musink that should have been may never be. Happily, the spirit of the festival is alive and well in Costa Mesa, California. So you can still get it – they’re just not coming to you.

Head to the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center in Costa Mesa, California for the 3^rd Annual Musink Tattoo Convention & Music Festival, hosted February 19-21, 2010. It’s a great name, because it’s all in there. It’s a festival, it has music, and it has tattoos.

Okay, maybe it has a little more than that, too.

Musink is a 3-day festival for anyone who likes punk and rock music, and if you’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo, that’s all the better. Kat Von D’s considerable rep and the pro-lifestyle venue attracts some of the best tattoo artists from the around the country. More than 300 artists from California to New York will take customers right at the festival. You’re not likely to find a better time to shop around.

Cool as that is, I’m all about the music. The relentless 3-day line-up features headliners The Cult, The Damned and NOFX, not to mention The Buzzcocks, Face to Face, The Unfortunates, Invisible Humans, The Black Tibetans and, secretly the coolest get of the whole the show, The Head Cat, Lemmy of Motörhead’s rockabilly group (no, I didn’t make that up).

Musink stretches outside of both “mus” and “ink” with their BMX/Skate pavilion, which hosts contests and legendary skaters every day. It makes for good watching anytime, but if you’re really into it, be sure to show up Saturday evening to see Tony Alva, Christian Hosoi, Mike V, Steven Olson and other legends take flight.

There’s nothing complicated about this. Show up, see amazing body art, listen to some killer tunes, drink beer, have a good time. In any economy, that seems like an easy sell.

The Musink Tattoo & Music Festival will be hosted February 19-21, 2010 at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center in Costa Mesa, California. One-day passes run $30, or get all three days for $75. You can buy tickets and learn more here.

Less than two miles from the OC Fair, we like the Holiday Inn Express Costa Mesa Hotel for hotels near Musink. Location is choice of course, and when you add in free Internet, parking, breakfast and afternoon cookies (!), it’s an easy reservation. I’m really starting to like the Expresses.

Have fun at Musink!

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