I’ll STOP THE WORLD AND MOSSWOOD MELTDOWN WITH YOU-DAY ONE
A very photogenic Mosswood Melter-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
M. Kim and I traveled from Baltimore to Mosswood Meltdown, for the annual rock and roll picnic-style festival weekend at Oakland, California’s Mosswood Park. Total Trash Productions pulled out all the stops this year, as always, featuring the inimitable John Waters as the master of ceremonies and host, headliners The B-52s and hometown heroes The Mummies, along with 16 other incredible bands that crossed genre lines. The event also included a drag contest hosted by the fabulous Peaches Christ. We both had a wonderful time, and we will be giving you a two-part tag team review. —dick
Another bit of eye candy with a perfectly placed complimentary VIP bag--All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
What sets Mosswood Meltdown apart from the slew of other music festivals is its delightful cheekiness - from the parade of actual butt cheeks to the tongue-in-cheek campy spirit of the performers, vendors, and attendees alike. This festival not only celebrates music that’s fun, transgressive, and sometimes genuinely groundbreaking, but also a very real sense of community and inclusivity. This commitment extends even to diverse food vendors, sustainable practices, and initiatives that support local artists and community organizations.—MK
Every festival should have free bang trim--All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
I made a beeline to the “FREE BANGS” booth sponsored by Pony Studios, where stylists volunteered their bang trimming expertise for donations to World Central Kitchen— a service both incredibly fun and vital. Other vendors included an after-school music program selling instruments, local vintage clothing booths, and Alternative Tentacles and PM Press with their own pop-up shops.—MK
The Pope of Trash, John Waters, as always, hosted the Meltdown-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Iconic filmmaker, artist, actor, and Pope of Trash John Waters has been hosting the festival for longer than it has been known as the Mosswood Meltdown. His unique style and humor as he introduces the bands add a special touch to the festivities. This year, he put in a little overtime by also serving as a judge for the drag contest. Waters' presence is more than just ceremonial; his introductions and banter are a delight in themselves, peppered with trademark wit and whimsy. Whether he was sharing anecdotes from his storied career or simply hyping up the next act, he infused the festival with even more raunchy vibrancy. —dick
The first band we caught was Go Sailor. In the '90s, Go Sailor was a beloved staple of the poppy punk scene, and although the band itself was short-lived, it was fantastic to see them live all together. Their fun, catchy songs were the perfect way to kick off the day. The energy and nostalgia they brought to the stage set a lively tone for the rest of the festival. Watching them perform reminded us why they became favorites in the first place, with their melodies and spirited performances capturing the essence of what makes Mosswood Meltdown so special.—MK
Much like the Bay Area itself, the festival boasts a diverse mix of fun and fabulous people who live and think freely. It has the feel of a modern family picnic, with families in many different forms coming together to celebrate music and community. This unique atmosphere, where individuality is embraced and everyone is welcome, adds a distinct charm to the event. It's not just about the bands; it's about the shared experience of the crowd, making it a memorable and inclusive celebration for all. —dick
Next up were some true legends: Pansy Division. I've been a fan of Pansy Division since the Stone Age. They were pioneers of the out and proud gay punk scene, pushing boundaries and challenging norms. I remember getting their single in a plain white bag over the cover back in the day because it had photos of same-sex couples engaging in love-making. The guy at the Music Market in Costa Mesa gave me a weird look at checkout, but it didn't matter. Pansy Division's boldness and authenticity resonated deeply, and seeing them live brought back all those memories. Their set was as impactful and defiant as ever, reminding everyone of the importance of being true to oneself. —dick
Mosswood Meltdown may be a small festival compared to some of the other main contenders for the In Spite Magazine Best Festival of the Punk Rock Summer Award, with just one stage, but I wouldn’t count it out. The festival exudes a laid-back vibe, devoid of the big corporate atmosphere that can plague other events. It’s a refreshing change, focusing more on community and less on commercialism. It’s very much an independent event, and that grassroots punk spirit is part of what makes it great. But again, what truly sets it apart are the attendees, or “Melters,” who bring a special energy and uniqueness to the festival. Their presence makes Mosswood Meltdown a truly remarkable experience. —dick
Winner: Best shirt at Mosswood Meltdown-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Next up was the Peaches Christ Drag Show, with John Waters serving as the judge. If you’re unfamiliar with Peaches Christ, she grew up in Maryland (something in the water here makes the best drag queens) and moved to San Francisco to become the premier drag performer and show host on the West Coast. In addition to drag, Peaches Christ is an accomplished actor and filmmaker and runs the Backlash Production Company. She also works in partnership with conductor Edwin Outwater to create symphony events. Her Midnight Mass Roadshow and Short Film Retrospective are legendary.
Peaches Christ the Real Queen of Drag-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
This was the first year the drag show was held at the Meltdown; last year, it was hosted at the Stork Club as part of the Club Shows. Peaches was very excited about the venue change and brought five acts with her. The first performer was Munster Mash from Austin, Texas who delighted us with her nightmarish clown attire and performed to a song that had an old-timey feel but then erupted into a hard rock screamer. Munster Mash was clearly a smash, as evidenced by the chants of "Munster! Munster!" as she exited the stage.
The world loves a clown, especially Munster Mash-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
As Peaches introduced the next act, So Cal’s own Mr. He, Peaches reminded us of the challenges the performers were facing. She stated that she was a goth horror queen dressed in black leather and could feasibly drop dead at any moment because it was that fucking hot. She emphasized that while they all may look beautiful, they were suffering in the heat, and she hoped we appreciated their torture.
A MR. HE SLASHER has the Blues-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
MR. HE took the stage with an unforgettable look, featuring striking blue face paint and meticulously applied makeup, all complemented by mechanic overalls. presenting an original song titled Roadside Attraction. This track, which carried a playful disco vibe, was written about an encounter with a seventy-eight-year-old gentleman who requested they watch him jack off. MR HE began with a strip tease, shedding the overalls to reveal a dazzling red, tummy-exposing skirt set. As the set progressed, the skirt was discarded to reveal her full, pregnant belly, adding a bold twist to her act. This combination of classic drag elements with a modern, edgy touch was both entertaining and visually striking.
Hello there, Meat Flap-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
The next act, Papi Churro, featuring Meat Flap, brought a unique and entertaining love story rock opera to the stage. This performance, a tale of unconventional romance, depicted a boy/girl meeting a girl/boy—or some variation thereof through a large glory hole. They make love, fall in love, and live happily ever after, presenting a real modern love story that I felt was both entertaining and tastefully executed.
However, our Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Matt, had some reservations about the photos. He remarked, "I mean, it’s not porn, but it'll get us banned from most platforms, especially the first two pictures, and they might violate the terms of use with our web host."
To comply with these concerns, I have artistically altered the images below and in the slideshow to ensure they are appropriate for our platform.—dick
Papi Churro with the look of love-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Mr. Matt may have had a point. I noticed that the Mosswood Meltdown stream also does not include the opera, and I mean, His Honor John Waters did call them "an oozing vile abortion," so it's a matter of taste, I think. But the next act gave me a real nightmare. As the butler of two little tigers who love food more than me, I believe this is going to be my destiny.
From Tucson, Arizona, where they are working to open their queer trailer park, Zeena Karina and Piranha of the Tarp Queens brought an act that was also a musical story, but not one of love, but of the survival of the fittest. The human who serves two feline femme fatales passes on and is unable to perform his duties, so the cats feast on the rotting corpse. It was like looking into a future mirror.
The Tarp Queens, good to the last drop-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
It was a good thing they brought the tarp because things got messy. The gruesome, dark humor and their unique take on performance art had the audience in awe.
Next up was a new persona by the renowned Raya Light, voted the Filthiest Person Alive in 2009 and Miss TrannyShack in 2007. She presented Taffy Davinpuss, who did an interpretative dance to the Violent Femmes' "Blister in the Sun." Her performance was intense, bringing blistering energy to the stage. In a shocking twist, she then "ate" the blisters off her body, an act that was grotesque and oddly captivating.
Raya Light aka Taffy Davinpuss- All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
It was time to announce the winner. Peaches called out Kafka X, the reigning champion, and Mark Mosswood Trash to present the check. The Honorable Judge John Waters announced his verdict, with profound words of wisdom, “In the punk world, hideousness reigns supreme, and they were all really hideous. But I’m going to give it to number three.”
PAPi CHURRO FEATURING MEAT FLAP TAKE THE TITLE, THE MONEY, AND THE CROWN. WELL DESERVED—KING SOLOMON HIMSELF AIN’T GOT NOTHING ON BALTIMORE’S FAVORITE SON.
Just enough for drinks for two in San Francisco- -All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
The drag show was a total success, and despite the heat, no drag performers dropped dead. Everyone enjoyed it, and to me, it brought something special to the festival, making it the highlight of day one. I hope they continue this tradition in the future. —dick
The champion's victory did not go to their head, and they continued to mix with us commoners-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Can you spot the September IN SPITE MAGAZINE celebrity PUNK HUNK nominee in the photos below?
After the drag contest, we went to grab some lunch. The food at Mosswood received a "pretty good" to ‘ good" rating from the Melters we surveyed. While the prices for food and drink weren't exactly cheap, they were quite reasonable compared to typical festival standards. Plus, you were allowed to bring water, which was nice. —MK
I arrived at the Hunx and his Punxs set a bit late, just as they finished their first song. Although I was unfamiliar with Hunx and his Punxs, they had a fun sound and seemed to be having a good time—maybe a little too good. As I made my way to the photo pit, Huax looked down at the group of photographers and said, "Look at all these photographers! Why are you all so obsessed with me?" and proceeded to dump a bottle of water on the group. I thought, "It looks like I picked the right time to eat." Subsequently, the pit cleared rather quickly, making it easy to walk right up and snap a few shots before Hunx replenished the water supply.—dick
Hunx waiting on water-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Now it was time for a group I’ve been a fan of since before they added a "D" and "K" to the name: Redd Kross. The band has evolved significantly since their early days of songs like "I Hate My School" and "Clorox Girls," but this current incarnation, featuring both McDonald brothers, delivered an epic set. They looked sharp in their somewhat matching outfits, and their performance was high energy as they ripped through their catalog. The crowd, full of long-time fans, fed off the band’s enthusiasm, making the experience truly one of the highlights of the weekend. —dick
The Mosswood crowd’s anticipation spiked as John Waters took to the stage and introduced the B-52s as the legends famous for making “big hits without being big shits.” And indeed, from the opening of their set with “Planet Claire,” to the grand finale of “Rock Lobster” (complete with a lobster mascot gracing the stage), the trio delivered one hit after another drawn from a discography spanning nearly fifty years.
Kate Pierson of the B52s-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Resplendent in red sequins and a lipstick-red wig, Kate Pierson’s vocals were as sultry and powerful as ever, seamlessly blending with Cindy Wilson’s soulful harmonies in a run of duets in three songs: "Deadbeat Club," "52 Girls," and "Roam."
Cindy Wilson of the B52s-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Frontman Fred Schneider brought his distinctive style and virtuosic musicianship to the stage as well, as he switched from the glockenspiel, slide whistle, and cowbell throughout their 15 song set. Fans of all ages were caught up in the infectious groove that has defined the B-52s for decades, transforming the set into an unforgettable dance party. —MK
Fred Schneider of the B52s-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
We'll leave you with a few more photos from the first day. Please stay tuned for Day 2 and
M. Kim’s mosswood meltdown Metal Mike K-Pop experience
Of course, he had it in my ear before-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
MOSSWOOD MELTDOWN 2025 EARLY BIRD PASSES ON SALE NOW!!!
Support my sponsors, the scene, and the bands by buying records. Show this article at checkout on your phone and receive 10% off all used vinyl, tapes, and CDs at both of these sponsors
Please take a moment to learn about a very important cause and consider volunteering, donating, or buying a T-shirt
The mission is to guide marginalized youth in high-violence areas of East Baltimore on the path to becoming productive citizens. Building trusted relationships with their coach-mentors produces profound growth on their journey to adulthood.
To make a booking, inquire about licensing, and purchase glossy, postcard-sized, signed, and numbered 'Dick Pics' for only 7 pounds, euros, or dollars, including postage for the first 4, You can choose almost any photo of mine from the In Spite Magazine website, and I will send it to you or a friend as a postcard along with a smart ass message. or if you are in a photo and would like me to email you a free, high-resolution copy, don't hesitate to contact me at dickslaughterphoto@gmail.com.