If there is a single festival that can be fully identified with its name, then this is the one. Every year we think OK, we’ve seen it all, now we’re prepared, but always end up in some chaotic situation. Like this one. And this was just the beginning.

While driving to the Trash’n’Burn festival, a beautiful sunny day soon turned into a cataclysm. At one point there was a sudden temperature drop, followed by high speed winds and hail. The trees around us were falling down, rooftop pieces were flying around. I managed to drive under a big tree to get some shelter from the hail, when Goga carefully pointed out that we just parked at the funeral office’s yard. Luckily for us, that wasn’t our last parking spot

When the storm calmed down, we continued our trip, while looking at the carnage by the way. For example, this playground on the gas station looked like a conceptual art.

Anyway, at the time we arrived on the spot, the weather has improved, so we had plenty of time to set our camp. It was agreed that we would come first and take the last year’s position in the camp, but in the end our hillbilly neighbors came before us. They also threatened to throw us into the lake if we lose the spot.

If you’re planning to stay overnight in the camp, this is the kind of shoes you need. Forget about the flip flops, don’t be naive – there’s always a chance for the rain, even if there isn’t, and where’s rain, there’s mud. Goga gave me extra 10 points for thinking in advance

And this is when she told me: photograph me like one of your Capri parts. I’m still learning how to capture a decent portrait, but this one turned up pretty good.

The cars started to arrive at the spot, and soon it became a huge parking lot – a parking lot from some better times, when cars were exciting and imaginative.

Barbers have become an inevitable part of such events, and it’s nice to see that people that work at the festival, are combining work and pleasure. Marko Šimunović from the Polyboy barbershop is an example for that, when he doesn’t work, he entertains and this definitely contributes to the atmosphere of the festival.

A really nice traditional hot rod.

Redneck Slovenians with their pool – bringing a pool is always a good idea, and this year our hillbilly friends brought their, too.

We were having a really good time when another storm hit us out of nowhere. I had just enough time to put a second set of tent pegs to hold our tent, but not enough to disassemble our larger sunshade tent, so angry Mother Nature eventually did that for us, as for many other people in the camp. She also spilled our Piña Colada all over the place, which was the biggest tragedy.

Goga was hiding in our tent while filming this ecstatic atmosphere – we were literally torn between the rescue of the tent and shouting at each other who will volume the music up while doing it.

Remember the barber shop from the picture above? Well, now it was a a combination of scrap metal and fabrics.

Neighbor’s tent also collapsed.

A storm has crashed several trees in the camp, and one of them fell about three meters from our tent. Kinda scary when you think about it. I sent Goga with the camera and all the equipment to run for shelter in the main building, where everybody was having fun like nothing’s happening. I think we were the only ones who looked like something from the Cast Away filming set.

This was taken moment after we decided to leave our tent on the mercy of the storm. Me, freshly changed into dry clothes, still with wet hair and holding the unspoken hero Leatherman Super Tool 300. This freaking thing was used for slamming the pegs into a ground in the emergency, cutting the cords from our tent entrance, and later on reconstructing our large sunshade MacGyver style.

From this point on, Goga takes over the writing, because I’m into surviving, and she’s into bands.

Austrian DJ’s – Wild Evel & Mrs Lovett played very cool music, preparing the atmosphere for the concert. While I was taking the photos Vedran went to check if our hillbilly crew ended up in a lake, but they were having a pretty good time. They accused us for desertion, but they forgot about it after a few drinks.

Because of the bad weather, the lineup was mixed up, so the first band which played was the The New Attention (UK). I remembered the frontman from the last year, mostly because he reminds me of Dave Gahan from Depeche Mode. They were playing in the restaurant / bar, and since there was very little space, the band was mixed up with the audience, so much it seemed like we were having a private party. They switched through the genres of r’n’b, surf, garage, spicing their performance by changing their identity with various masks, and it was really a shame that they couldn’t have much more space like they deserved. Dave Gahan saved the day again, and somebody should really give him a prime time on the next Trash’n’Burn. If you wonder what I mean by saving the day, just take a look at our previous T’n’B post on this link

Kalinka Kalaschnikow, the burlesque performer and one of the regular Trash’n’Burn guests. She performed during The New Attention gig, but for me it was hard to see anything, all I could do is sneak peek through the crowd.

After the party was over, we went back to the camp, only to see that everything is wet and unusable. I forgot to zip up the tent while I was saving a camera, so yeah, we decided to sleep in the car. We were awaken by sun rays early in the morning, all squished. Vedran dressed up, rolled me in the blanket like E.T. and drove us to the store to buy some breakfast. A strange sight for a random passenger, only if there were any.

As you can see, we weren’t spared from storm demolition – aluminum legs and construction were completely ripped apart.

Ta-daaa!

Necessity is a mother of invention, we maybe didn’t had duct tape like MacGyver but we had plastic bags Vedran ripped to strips and twisted to create rope. Also the hillbillies had zip ties and an actual rope to help with the repair.

Later on it became really hot, so there was no point for taking any pictures before the sun comes down. Many people came to see the cars, listen to music, or just stroll around with their friends. Or accidentally miss the first gig like we did (The Black Cactus Two).

Up the lazy river (I know this is a lake).

This is the most relaxing video you’ll see today. Unless you are allergic to pollen, then you may find it quite disturbing.

Hillbilly crew brought the pool, so it can be used as a refreshment spot.

DJ Wanderer wandering through his records.

I don’t even know what this monster is called like.

Corvette Stingrays

Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

Marko the barber was killing it while drifting one of the Sancho’s Customs monsters, and preparing the show for the car drifters.

A drifting video.

Again, no decent pinup girls photos. For the last two years, the contest is held in this rather smaller area, and since I wasn’t one of the official photographers, I couldn’t get into. But you can find them on the T’n’B Facebook page, some of them are pretty awesome.

Greta and Vedran – he’s posing in his Elly Prizeman‘s shirt A couple of people asked us where we bought them, so here it is – just click on the link. We already wrote about her brand here.

I’m always pleasantly surprised by the lineup at the Trash’n’Burn festival. Mostly because I never look at the announcements, don’t wanna ruin all the fun while waiting. It never fails me, because unlike other rockabilly festivals that we attend, this one has the widest range of music genre combinations and unpredictable performances.

As you already know, we really dig Italian bands. Howlin’ Lou & His Whip Lovers were the first band we saw on stage on Saturday, and boy they were great! They play dirty, wild, hot’n’roll, their performance was very energetic, even a bit kinky, and really fun to watch. The frontmen reminded me a bit of David Brent, a fictional character from The Office series – in fact – he’s the David Brent that David Brent wishes to be! We got an impression like they weren’t just playing for the crowd, but for themselves, that it’s not just a gig, but their own party and they were the ones having the best time. We immediately knew we want their record.
So we bought two

This is one of my favorites – they actually stopped for a moment and waited for me to take this picture – the thing is I’m showing off with my vintage lens which takes me a bit longer to focus properly. Thanks guys!

Jammin’ with the crew.

Fan group photo no1.

Fan group photo no2. – this is me in another Elly Prizeman’s shirt and as you can see, it fits perfectly with the rest of the band’s outfit

Mississippi Queen also gave a classically great performance – they are the oldest authentic rockabilly / country band in Croatia, and if you have a chance to see them live – go for it!

When you think you saw it all, these guys show up. King Salami and the Cumberland Three gave us an unforgettable performance – it was wild, it was twisted, the atmosphere was ecstatic, and it didn’t stop for a moment. Later I learned that this exotic combination consists of one Japanese punk, one French punk, one Spanish punk, and one Caribbean tennis teacher who got together to form the world’s greatest rhythm & blues party band.

I enjoyed taking pictures of them while on the stage, but you can see the extended gallery on our Facebook page!

Everybody was already under King’s spell, so at one point he stepped down from the stage, and made the audience get on their knees. We all sang and chanted with him, even though the scene looked like we were offering a sacrifice or something.

The setlist, if anyone wants to know.

After the concert, King Salami put on his apron and pulled out his suitcase full of merchandise – as a graphic designer I love to see what kind of merchandise bands produce, and I was really satisfied with the visuals and quality of the items.

Well… something for every pocket 😀

You’re probably familiar with these Dinda Vibe guys already

We also had a chance to see Miss Stacy’s cabaret show, followed by a psychobilly band Evil Devil. I was too tired, and I’m not really into pogo dance so we were hanging in the bar for the rest of the evening, listening from the safe distance. Their double bass was really impressive, though. King Salami and I clinked our glasses to this great evening, and for me that was it. I was ready to go to sleep.

They were followed by one more band, The Giraffe Men feat. Marietta’s Sisters, but unfortunately we missed them too.

We spent a safe night in the tent, went for a cup of coffee and breakfast, and then home. The rumor has it that this was the last Trash’n’Burn festival, but we hope it’s just a rumor.