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We Asked Growlers Superfans, Costumed Characters, and a Dog What "Beach Goth" Means to Them

What is a Beach Goth, really?

All photos by Frank Mojica

What is a Beach Goth? To some, the name conjures the image of a slacker sitting shoreside in a vintage, full-body bathing suit and pancake makeup with a parasol. To others, it refers to a certain type of Southern California cool person. Musically, it implies the curious juxtaposition of chillaxed, surfed-out stoner tunes with an embracing of the darkness within.

The Growlers' Beach Goth festival, held October 24 and 25 at the Observatory in Santa Ana, might just encapsulate the scene among the rock-loving youth of Southern California. To gain perspective, we polled the ghouls, gals, and pets of the fest about what "Beach Goth" means to them. (Some photos NSFW)

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Continued below…

Eduardo, South Central

Which bands are you here to see?
Juicy J, mostly. He just played. That shit was awesome.

It was. What does "Beach Goth" mean to you?
[Someone nearby: "Drugs!"]
First off, it was just one day. I've been kind of following it. It's my first year coming to it, but it's just getting bigger and the acts are getting more diverse. That's what I like about it. You got Juicy J, you got Die Antwoord. I just saw Grimes, you know? And Subhumans. How many times can you say you saw the Subhumans and Grimes at the same show in one night?

And Sir Mix-a-Lot. Did you see him?
Yeah! The whole thing's been one fun time after another.

So you're in a band?
Check us out. Fist Fight on Ecstacy with a "cy" on the end. We're on ReverbNation.

Gabby, Van Nuys

Which bands are you here to see?
I want to see the Thrill Kill Kult and Die Antwoord.

What does "Beach Goth" mean to you?
The sad and happy. I don't know. Like a dark, summery day or night?

Tell us about your costume.
So, I didn't know if I was going to come or not. It was things I had at home, so I just put everything together. These [accessories] are from Michael's. This is my sleeping robe, and I just have a bunch of body paint at home.

Is there a name for the costume?
Uh, no. Oh wait, what did they come up with? What name did we come up with, guys? [Turns to friends] Oh yeah, the Lizard Queen!

"Garth," San Diego

Which bands are you here to see?
I'm here to see a lot of people, actually.

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What's your favorite?
I was extremely stoked on Grimes, of course. She's my girl. She owns it. Toro y Moi we ended the night with and they delivered. But really, I'm here for the smaller ones like NOBUNNY and I saw The Aquabats, of course, because why not? I can't miss that.

Absolutely.
Of course. And then we saw… shit, you know, well, DIIV for sure. And then, I gotta tell you, Juicy J I missed, which I was bummed about. But you know, we had to sleep in a little bit. Jesus. I'm pushing 30.

What does "Beach Goth" mean to you?
Basically, a native of the shores. I would say anybody who has absolutely no inhibition and no filter. You're one with the ocean. Obviously we're coastal people. Beach, you know?

But the goth part being we're so emotionally involved and part of a family here. And I mean, fuck, we're dark, you know? That's what goth is all about, even though it's all rays of sunshine and waves and barrels and whatever. It's a bum life. We're still beach bums. And the struggle is real, and we love it just the same. It's all about the journey.

Wayne's World 1 or 2?
One!

Ludo

How old are you?
In dog or human years?

What are you here to see?
Warpaint. Shoutout to my human Jenny Lee Lindberg.

What does "Beach Goth" mean to you?
[Pants and smiles]

Jordan, San Clemente

Which bands are you here to see?
The Growlers, mostly. Thrill Kill Kult, I like them. I'm excited for Die Antwoord. They're weird as hell.

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Everyone seems to be excited for them. What does "Beach Goth" mean to you?
It's kind of like merging two realms. The realm of the dead and the realm of the surf culture and SoCal lifestyle.

Tell us about your costume.
It's kind of what I was going with. Just death and the whole theme of October/Halloween and throw a little Hawaiian in there.

Yeah, what is this exactly?
I have no idea. An orc, I think. From Lord of the Rings.

Talia and Angel, San Diego

Which bands are you here to see?
Angel: Die Antwoord.
Talia: Die Antwoord, The Drums, The Growlers.
Angel: Julian Casablancas.
Talia: Oh, definitely.

What does "Beach Goth" mean to you?
Angel: Like, surf punk.
Talia: Kind of the Misfits, honestly.

What was the best set you saw on day one?
Angel: The Drums.
Talia: And Mac Demarco was really good too.
Angel: Grimes pretty much killed it.

Tell us about your costume.
Angel: Last night we had masks on and people just kept getting freaked out by it.
Talia: Lots of people were on something, so they freak out even more.

Matthew and Cynthia, Growlers Superfans

Which bands are you here to see?
Matthew: I'm looking forward to Julian Casablancas and the Voidz.
Cynthia: I've been waiting for Beach Goth for an entire year because I couldn't come last year, and my favorite band is the Growlers.

What does "Beach Goth" mean to you?
Cynthia: It just means a lot of people get together to see the most amazing bands that there are in LA.

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How does it compare to other festivals?
Cynthia: This festival actually has 75% of the bands I need to see.
Matthew: We're really looking forward it.

What time did you get in line?
Cynthia: Oh, we got in line at 9. There were only 20 people ahead of us.

Are you just going to stay in the front row all day until The Growlers?
Matthew: Yeah, yeah.

How do you go to the bathroom?
Both: We're not.
Cynthia: We haven't gone at all.

Need an empty beer cup to piss in?
Matthew: Nope, we're holding it.

Toast, Las Vegas

What does "Beach Goth" mean to you?
I just turned 21, and Beach Goth means nothing but fun. Nothing but enjoying yourself and the people around you.

Which bands are you here to see?
Dying to see Subhumans, Together Pangea, and, of course, The Growlers. The Aquabats, I can't wait to skank around. I'm so ready for it.

Steve, San Fernando Valley

What does "Beach Goth" mean to you?
It's a cool event. I love The Growlers. I'm just going to see a bunch of bands. It's pretty cool. A giant event.

What are you excited to see?
It's The Growlers. FIDLAR I think are next day. Mac Demarco.

Frank Mojica is a writer and photographer based in LA. Follow him on Twitter.