Burger Records brings Con party to North Park

Sean Bohrman first came to Comic-Con in 1998. He saw an ad for it in the back of Wizard Magazine and promptly asked his mom to drive him, and a carload of his buddies, from Orange County to San Diego. She did, and he hasn’t missed a year since.

That was long before Bohrman and high school bandmate Lee Rickard founded the Fullerton-based Burger Records label in 2007. What started as a way to release their own 7-inch single has steadily blossomed into a retail store, popular festival brand and expansive label that 900 bands currently call home.

This week, the young entrepreneur’s two main passions will intersect as Burger Records throws three consecutive nights of Comic-Con parties in San Diego.

“When the Observatory bought the venue in North Park,” Bohrman recently told DiscoverSD, “the very first thing I said to them was ‘Comic-Con party!’ And they actually made it happen. What can I say? I just love being there. It’s good to be around that many nerdy people for a weekend.”

Apparently, many of Bohrman’s musician colleagues don’t share his enthusiasm for comic books and video games. Or rather, television shows, as “Game of Thrones” and the upcoming Starz network series, “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” are at the top of his list. He also plans on completing Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time Conquest Contest” to earn a medallion for the fourth year in a row.

And the label head plans on stretching the fun even farther this year. Instead of a post-Con trek back to his hotel room on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, Bohrman will head to the Burger Records after party in North Park.

Focusing on comedy as well as music, Burger Records’ extended stay at the Observatory will feature comedians Eric Andre, Hannibal Buress, Tim Heidecker, Neil Hamburger, Eugene Mirman, and Comedy Bang! Bang! starring Scott Aukerman. But it wouldn’t be a Burger Records party without rock ‘n’ roll. While it’s undetermined exactly what Burger bands will be on hand, patrons can expect to dance as well as laugh.

Even though this weekend typically serves as Bohrman’s annual escape from the craziness of running a rapidly growing record label, he’s looking forward to the merging of both worlds.

As for the next milestone Burger Records will conquer, Bohrman is ready for anything.

“We’re going to expand our tours globally,” he said. “You can expect to see Burger-a-Go-Go tours in places like Japan, Europe and Mexico soon. That one’s actually going to happen. As far as things I dream about happening - I’d love to have a hit record or song. That would be really cool. Either that, or winning the lottery. Is that too much to ask?”

The Burger Records Comic Con Party at Observatory North Park will start about 8 p.m. Friday July 10, Saturday July 11, and Sunday July 12. Tickets are $20 and it’s open to all ages.

Scott McDonald is a writer, on-air personality and consultant with 15 years of experience in the San Diego music scene. He has interviewed hundreds of artists, from the legendary to the underground, for print and television. Follow McDonald and his melodic musings on Twitter @eight24_ or Instagram @scotteight24. Send your music musts to scotteight24@gmail.com.

Source: DiscoverSD