Now a summertime staple for many aficionados of trashy punk and rock’n’roll, Oakland’s two-day Burger Boogaloo music festival celebrated its fifth incarnation by bringing the Godfather of Punk Iggy Pop; punk legends the Buzzcocks, X, and Redd Kross; and leather-clad jet rockers Guitar Wolf to humble Mosswood Park. Rulebreaker, filmmaker, and wordsmith John Waters returned to deliver his now-highly anticipated band introductions, as did co-emcee Chuck Ribak and his arsenal of charming dad jokes (he is, after all, the father of Boogaloo mastermind Marc Ribak). (To witness the evolution of this Total Trash Productions and Burger Records love child, or simply relive the magic, visit our posts from 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016).
The first day saw Iggy, Guitar Wolf, Redd Kross, the Losin’ Streaks, and Wounded Lion annihilate the Butt City stage, while acts like Nobunny, Bloodshot Bill, Baby Shakes, and Personal and the Pizzas packed the toe-lovin’ Gone Shrimpin’ amphitheater. Unfortunately for us, our cameras were needed elsewhere that epic day but Aaron Rubin’s photos are incredible (check them out here).
Luckily, we were available to capture the filth and frivolity of Day 2, including performances by the Buzzcocks, X, Shannon & the Clams, and La Luz. Here are some of our favorite moments. (See the many faces of the Boogaloo here.)
GLITTER WIZARD
These local lads channeled early Sabbath and Stonehenge for their hairflinger of a set. (The Otter Pop aftermath was a welcome surprise.)
ROY LONEY
Flamin’ Groovies co-founder and his crew cranked out both FG and Phantom Movers classics like “Teenage Head” and “Don’t Believe Those Lies.”
JACUZZI BOYS
Fuzzed-out toe-tappers by this Miami trio
LA LUZ
Recently relocated to Los Angeles, former Seattleites La Luz dazzled with their shimmery surf tracks.
NRBQ
Keyboardist Terry Adams and co. satisfied old and new fans alike with originals and covers.
QUINTRON & MISS PUSSYCAT
A cute puppet show kicked off this New Orleans duo’s fun-filled performance, which included an explosion of colorful balloons.
FM KNIVES
Veteran Sacramento/Bay Area punks were as snotty as ever.
SHANNON & THE CLAMS
The Oakland darlings and Boogaloo veterans’ sparkling set was punctuated by stagedivers and crowdsurfers galore, including Pookie of the Poodles.
X
Exene Cervenka, John Doe, Billy Zoom, and DJ Bonebrake tore up Butt City with hits such as “We’re Desperate,” “Los Angeles,” and “Johnny Hit and Run Paulene.”
THE BUZZCOCKS
The crowd went wild for “Orgasm Addict,” “Noise Annoys,” “Boredom,” and other gems by this influential band. One lucky couple somehow managed to climb above the chaos!