Ink and roll

It’s what many call the perfect mash-up.

The Musink convention and festival brings the world’s top tattoo artists, their fans and the bands they love to the Orange County Fairgrounds every year.

Hosted by Small Paul and the Original True Tattoo, and presented by Affliction Clothing, this year’s third-annual festival will be from 2 to 11 p.m. Feb. 19; noon to 11 p.m. Feb. 20; and noon to 10 p.m. Feb. 21.

More than 300 tattoo artists are set to show off their skills in the convention area and through many contests.

“The tattoo artist lineup I’ve assembled for Musink 2010 is my attempt to bring together some of the most relevant and respected tattooists from around North America and the world,” Small Paul said. “The art, integrity and soul these artists embody represent the best of who we are, and I invite the public to come out and see what tattooing can and should be.”

Along with the ink, the other major component in Musink is the music.

Major bands set to headline this year include the Cult; NOFX; Face to Face; the Damned; the Buzzcocks; the Headcat (featuring Lemmy from Motorhead); the Jim Rose Circus; and the Invisible Humans.

Some of the other dozens of bands performing throughout the weekend will include Wolfbane, the Unfortunates, Powerflex 5 and Lowbrow.

VIP tickets come with backstage access, as well as access to a VIP area with free Monster energy drinks, water, alcohol for those ages 21 and older, and catering by the Slidebar rock and roll café in Fullerton.

Also on tap will be a Legends skate jam from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday, featuring original Z-Boy Tony Alva; Christian Hosoi; Steve Salba; Steve Olson; Mike V; Eric Dressen and Duane Peters. BMX legend Rick Thorne also will make an appearance with Mike V on Feb. 19.

All three days will feature more than 50 skaters per day.

Other planned events include a tattoo art show, tattoo contests, seminars, fine art exhibits, lifestyle vendors, an outdoor daytime side stage, a motorcycle show, a Miss Musink pageant and live painting.

Daily tattoo contests with awards will feature top guest artist judges, and will be hosted by Mike Ferguson of 1st Amendment Tattoo, while the Boo Bear Girls assist. The Faraway Boys will perform during the contests.

Contest categories include Best Color, Best Black and Grey, Best Realistic, Best Traditional, Best Back Piece, Best Sleeve, Best Music Related and Tattoo of the Day.

The contests will be in Building 12 of the fairgrounds. Each category has a $15 entry fee. There will be a limit of 30 people for each category, and first, second and third places will be awarded. Tattoo of the Day winners will be announced during the rock show each night.

A full contest schedule is available at musink.org.

If You Go

What: Musink

When: Feb. 19 to 21

Where: Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Cost: One-day pass $30; three-day pass $75; VIP pass $75

Information: musink.org