words by Kate Eringer
photography by Alexandra Cabral
I went to the 4th annual Beach Goth Fest at the Observatory in Santa Ana and here are some things I saw: cute teenage girls with pink hair and backpacks crying (for Mac DeMarco), Wanda Jackson killing it at age 78, hot band dudes dressed in Drag, Drag Queens (Dress up?) evocatively eating a hot dog and on top of this Ford Archbold from Tomorrow’s Tulips told me his sexy Halloween fantasy was “beer”.
Organized by Orange County native band The Growlers, the 4th year has turned the former DIY Halloween party into a festival destination. The insanely good lineup this year, which included headliners like Mac DeMarco, Grimes, Julian Casablancas and Parliament Funkadelic, has taken this baby-fest into the next gear. The Growlers played both nights and there were crazy performances from the beautiful Wanda Jackson and The Mummies, who were dressed as, duh, mummies. Costume or not it worked.
The All Ages culture in the suburbs surrounding LA has been prevalent and growing for a long time. Influenced heavily by the Punk movement people of all ages are able to access a thriving music scene that (in some ways) kicks 21+ events butts. The Growlers, who grew up in this part of California, are now feeding the frenzy that likely helped them to grow into their current position in the music industry. That being, that they are really fucking good and have produced seven albums in the last five years. Beach Goth is the name of the festival, but also the name of the movement. It may sound counter-intuitive but that’s exactly the beauty of it. The juxtaposing stereotype sets blend together to make the perfect sound that is just different enough.
We all love the headliners but here are some of the bands you may have missed that I think you should listen to.
SWMRS
Mr. Elevator & The Brain Hotel
Tomorrows Tulips
Cat Signs (Growler’s member Anthony Braun Perry’s side thing)
Mr Twin Sister
The Babe Rainbow
The Pesos
Mystic Braves
DIIV
Sunflower Bean
Ford Archbold (Tomorrow’s Tulips) with his girlfriend Haley
Also amazing sets from Warpaint, Allah-Las, The Drums and so many more. There were a lot and as you can see, I’m kind of overwhelmed. So I’ll leave you with a mini interview I did with Tomorrow’s Tulips’ Ford Archibold. This was the most coherent interview I got all weekend. It was fun. See you next year!
Where are you from?
Laguna Beach
What’s your zodiac sign?
“Aquaries”
Ford’s girlfriend Haylee: You’re an Aries
What color are your panties?
I don’t wear any
What was your worst Halloween?
Last year
Why was it so bad?
Because I wasn’t here <3
Who’s the hottest in your band?
Me, for sure
Who gets the most booty?
Alex, ‘cus I have a girlfriend
What comes into your head when I say the words Bon Jovi?
One good song
Who’s your sexual Halloween fantasy?
Beer
I don’t know what that means. Wait, Beer? Ok.
Haylee: Wait, you said beer? Can I answer for him?
Please
Ummmm Anna Nicole Smith!
Charlie Megira
Juju Sorelli and Brad Alterman
Alex Knost (Tomorrow’s Tulips) and Angus (The Babe Rainbow)
Nick Murray (The Growlers) and DJ Johnny Basil
Sogol Biglari, Asal Shah, Warren Thomas (The Abigails)
The Mummies
Farah Holt, Kate Eringer, Sophie Blazey
Charlie Megira
Jack (The Babe Rainbow) and Bradford (The Pesos)
Shane Stots (The Mystic Braves) and Shane McKenzie (Snake Chimezen)
Charlie Megira and his pedals
words by Kate Eringer – @keringer
photography by Alexandra Cabral
alexandracabralphoto.com
instagram: alexandra_cabral_
