Brand New

I've noticed that a lot of Brand New fans are really arrogant when it comes to comparing Brand New with other bands. I admit I've also been guilty of this. It's worse in males from 16-18 years old. It could have something to do with their personality, but at least 1 in 5 Brand New fans act this way. Those figures are not really correct. Sure they are an amazing band, but when people act as though there is no other band greater it makes me not want to have anything to do with them.
I went to see Brand New at Enmore Theatre. With no camera this time. I didn't really push for a media pass. They're quite a hard band to get access to. I just wanted to enjoy them.
Jesse Lacey (the singer) played an acoustic set for half an hour or so. It was to be a suprise, but all of the nosey fans in the front of the line found out. The rest of his band joined him shortly after. They were incredible, but lacking power. I guess they were exhausted and Jesse's voice was straining. They cut a whole lot of their songs from the setlist. It was a bit dissapointing. It was all over by 10:30. At least there were after-show drinks to be had in The Duke.

The exhibition on Australia day was in both Sydney and Melbourne. In Sydney my Tim Rogers photo was displayed and in Melbourne my photo of The Hot Lies at Coke Live 2006 was displayed. I didn't go to either as I was supporting The Stray Assembely's very first show. There were other reasons why but I'd rather not get into that right now.

I haven't photographed a band since December 29. I hope that all changes soon. I've got about three shows in febuary I'm keen on. I'm thinking about moving to Sydney and finding work up there so the band photography is on the backburner at the moment.

Thursday for two days

Yes, I'm quite excited to see Thursday at Soundwave and The Forum. I have my tickets but may also get to take photos at their headline show. I'm like a little kid waiting for Christmas day.

I'm getting ready to see Brand New on thursday.

Oh yes, and a photo exhibition featuring two of my photographs is happening this weekend in Bronte. It's a part of Faster Louder's Australia Day BBQ. Free beer and snags. Should be pretty fun.

New Years Resolution

First, let me say that this has been my most exciting year as a band photographer. I had to leave my friends and friends bands behind to shoot more popular bands. Although many of my friends are now famous rockstars. Last year I was all about the Wollongong scene but this year I stopped going to College there, so I've missed the scene so much. 7 Sins (the merch shop that all the kids used to hang out in) closed so the closeness of that scene is now over and will never come back again. That has been one of the most depressing thoughts of the year.
Early this year I shot Fall Out Boy, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Used and Anberlin as well as popular Australian bands such as The Hot Lies, Kisschasy, Evermore, Gotye, etc. 2008 will hopefully be pretty much the same. I've been trying to get into the Boys of Summer tour and at least one festival. 2008 is all about international band as well as national, festivals and the odd promo shoot.
So, here are some other resolutions of mine:
New Years Resolutions.
1. Finish reading Snakehead so I can buy more books.
2. Buy battery charger for my flash.
3. Buy f/1.4 lens.
4. Buy either 85mm f/1.8 or 100mm f/2.8 lenses.
5. Get a full time job.
6. See Horsell Common live and tell them they are the greatest band in the universe.
7. See Gyroscope live and tell Zoran how awesome he is.
8. Buy non-Harry Potter related games for Nintendo Wii.
9. Get better manga drawing skills.
10.Actually get my stories on paper or in electronic writing form.

Bands to see/photograph this year:
Silverstein, Brand New, Thursday, Alexisonfire, From Autumn to Ashes, The Matches, Fall of Troy, Killswitch Engage, Saosin, Plain White T's, Scary Kids Scarying Kids, Bleeding Through, Carpathian, All Time Low, Sugarcult, The Black Crowes, etc.

Bands I want to see/ photograph:
Bayside, Fall Out Boy, You Am I, Avalon Drive, Trial Kennedy, The Hot Lies, The Pictures, Panic! At the Disco, Chiodos, Funeral For A Friend, Far-Less, The Vandas, The Exploders, After the Fall, Behind Crimson Eyes, Something With Numbers, The Cops, etc.

Dallas Crane

I thought to celebrate my 22nd birthday I'd go see Dallas Crane live. No drunk dancing to Fall Out Boy at Hot Damn for me (sigh). Dallas Crane were great and really energetic live - well at least the singer Dave was. They were supported by King Jack (sort of like Kings of Leon) and Mercy May (slighty Libertinesque but much better). King Jack were awesome. The singer looked a cross between Jake Grigg (Something With Numbers) and Wil Ferrier (Ohana). He was a nice guy too. I love watching support bands then falling in love with them. I enjoyed Mercy May too. I kept thinking that they were far more original than Mercy Arms. There was also an in-between band on the smaller stage called Boston Shaker. Quite a good night, but I still can't help feeling like a 12 year old at these kinds of shows.

A good show to end the year on.

Resist Tour 2007

It's been awhile since my last update. I got a Nintendo Wii for Christmas and have locked myself in my granny flat and have been playing the Wii for hours.

I went to shoot the Resist Tour at Manning Bar in Sydney on saturday december 22. I've been going to Resist Tour since 2004. In fact it was the second gig I've ever taken photos at. I missed the 2005 tour for some reason, but was back last year and then again this year. So, from now on going to the Resist Tour will be my Christmas tradition. The Sydney Resist show is on three days before Christmas every year so it is a special night for all who attend. This usually means that by the time the headlining band hit the stage there is fake snow and silly string everywhere. I sort of captured the moment when Carpathian were on stage. I need a more wide angle lens to capture it more.

The hi-light band this year was Irrelevant. My brother was the former bassist and back in those days I would see Irrelevant every chance I got. After he left I didn't go to as many shows. In fact I didn't see them once this year until Resist Tour. They are such an awesome band live and the members are so nice. I love every record they put out too.

All bands at the tour were great especially 50 Lions, Irrelevant and Carpathian.

There was a donation box for Andy and Damo's funeral and the mini-bus hire costs. I donated more than loose change and the box was full of gold coins, so I think hardcore scene have helped to take the burden of finding money fast away from the band and the boys' families.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I celebrated both Christmas and my birthday this week. Yes, I'm the big 22.

My break is over. Band photographers only have a week or less of holidays. There's seriously only two days when there's not a single gig on, unless you count the APEC summit.

Here's some more Resist Tour '07 photos:

See you all next year!

R.I.P Damo and Andy

Melbourne metalcore band The Red Shore were involved in fatal accident when their tour bus crashed down an embankment of the Pacific Highway. Two of the members died while 6 were injured.
My deepest sympathies go out to The Red Shore, their family and friends.
I've never been a huge Red Shore fan, but I love their music and I'm sure they were great guys. I just hope the rest of the band can remain strong.

Faster Louder Live 3

On thursday night I was asked to photograph Faster Louder Live 3 at Factory Theatre. It turned into FL's own Christmas Party. My friends Die Magic Band opened the show. The are unlike any band you've seen live. A bit of a comedy duo. Other bands that played were Jack Nasty Face, Goons of Doom, Shooting at Unarmed Men and King Brothers. Shooting at Unarmed Men were my second favourite of the night. King Brothers were incredible.

Check out http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/ for more photos.

For my work I was given two Faster Louder shirts and a hoodie. Oh and about 12, 000 FL business cards.

My old boss owns The Factory so I'll be able to shoot in there whenever I want.

The next night I went to shoot Between the Devil and the Deep at Empire Hotel. I was nursing a terrible hangover from last nights escapades fueled by Slate Bourbon, Smirnoff Vodka and Becks beer (which I don't even like). It was too much for me. I had to leave. Hardcore bands and hangovers do not mix. Must be why people go straightedge?

I stayed at my sisters, which fortuantely for me was walking distance from Empire Hotel. I kept on talking about Tim Rogers playing at The Basement and how it was too goddamn expensive for me to go to. The previous day I was prepared to spend $70 on Brand New tickets, so I'm not sure why I didn't want to fork out $35 for Tim. My sister tried to get me on the guestlist but ended up giving me entry fee money as a birthday gift.

Darren, who owns Factory Theatre thought it not wise for me to bring my camera so I didn't. At The Basement there was not a single DSLR in sight. The lighting in the venue could have been good enough for a 50mm f/1.8 lens if I hadn't already started on the drinks as soon as I stepped foot in the venue. It was more enjoyable having a few drinks and chatting to one of Tim's biggest fans than taking photos.

I like Tim's music. It makes me think, but not in a "my hearts breaking so much without you" way that I'm used to. In a way that anyone can relate to it. I like how he is constantly taking the piss out of the Indie scene and such bands as Kasabian.

The next day was an early Christmas lunch. Nothing really related to photos or bands, so I'll stop right here. My brother gave me a Fall Out Boy wallet that he bought in the States. It is all kinds of awesome.