Berserk As Fuck

Insane Clown Posse - Happy Daze Tour

2012-01-01T14:59:00.002-06:00

Not really my type of music but I shot this concert with an open mind. Kittie, Coolio, Kottonmouth Kings and ICP played along with wrestling and the spraying of the Faygo....yuck. Here are some shots.

Queens of the Stone Age

2012-01-01T14:33:00.003-06:00

Queens of the Stone Age rocking the Beaumont in Kansas City supporting their re-released self titled album. It was my first time seeing Josh Homme up close. I had seen Dean Fertita play with The Dead Weather and Joey Castillo/Micheal Shuman play with The Eagles of Death Metal. It was cool to hear the first album in its full glory.

The Hold Steady

2011-12-26T22:14:00.002-06:00

The Hold Steady --performing their "Heaven is Whenever Tour" at The Midland Theater on October 28th in Kansas City, MO. Craig Finn puts on a spastic story telling American rock n roll show. If you have seen them live you know what to expect, a first class show.

2011-12-26T21:48:00.003-06:00

The Devil Wears Prada

Van's Warped Tour 2011 in Kansas City, in sweltering 105 degree heat. The annual Warped Tour came back to town, as usual I braved the elements to try and get some quality shots. Whats to say, you walk around go stage to stage and listen to bands. Some are better than others. I like going, just wish it was in October. Here is a little photo essay.

Black Veil Brides

Foxy Shazam

Pour Habit

Sharks

Foxy Shazam

Spidey

Black Veil Brides

Social Distortion

2011-12-26T21:33:00.003-06:00

Social Distortion still rocking it hard after all these years. Mike Ness is still strumming and sneering playing a mixture of old punk rock. Social D are always on tour it seems, yet they never disappoint.

Florence + the Machine

2011-12-26T21:18:00.002-06:00

Florence + the Machine playing live in Kansas City, December 5th 2011. She has quite a beautiful voice and a real dramatic stage presence. It was nice to photograph a singer wearing a dress for once. Her red dress and red (orange) hair and green eyes were quite colorful. The audience was mesmerized by her performance.

The Dead Weather

2011-07-31T09:31:00.003-05:00

The Dead Weather rocks and so does Alison Mosshart! I just love her and she is the ultimate front woman. She slithers and oozes sex appeal and being a badass. All of Jack White's side projects are interesting. Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence fill out the rest of this very professional band. These are some shots from the "Sea of Cowards" tour. I really enjoyed their set...now if I could only shoot The Kills :)

Sleigh Bells

2011-07-31T09:11:00.002-05:00

I didn't really know to much about Sleigh Bells before the show except that I had heard Alexis Krauss put on a manic performance. This was correct, she was all over the place. This was probably the hardest show to shoot because of her energy and the constant strobes that could put you into a seizure. Her band mate Derek E. Miller added the backdrop for the sonic noise pop assault.

Janelle Monae

2011-07-26T16:31:00.004-05:00

Kansas City's own Janelle Monae performing at the Granada Theater in Lawrence Kansas. I really hadn't heard much of her music before the show but became an instant fan of her all out crazy show in which she sang, jumped, wriggled on the ground and even painted. I think she is opening for Katy Perry coming up next month in KC.

The Arcade Fire

2011-07-26T16:01:00.004-05:00

The Arcade Fire playing at Starlight Theater in Kansas City during their Suburbs Tour.

My Chemical Romance

2011-07-25T17:44:00.003-05:00

My Chemical Romance playing at The Midland Theater in KC, during their Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys tour.

Slash

2011-07-25T17:11:00.004-05:00

Slash and his band playing in Kansas City at the Sprint Center opening for Ozzy Osbourne. Slash's look never has changed he looks just about the same as Gun's and Rose's back in the day.
He is a damn fine guitarist and makes it look easy.

Deadmau5

2011-07-24T17:01:00.003-05:00

Deadmau5 -- what more can you say, if you want to pull out your glowsticks and dance all night long this is the place to be! Here are some shots of the famous mouse headed DJ and the crowd.

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

2011-07-24T16:37:00.004-05:00

I haven't posted much on this blog in quite awhile so I'm going to add photos of some old concerts I've shot until I catch up. First up is Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings who I highly recommend for their high energy and great vocals.

Arctic Monkeys

2010-05-26T23:19:00.004-05:00

Arctic Monkeys live in concert. A few photos from one of the last American dates on the "Humbug" tour. This was my fifth time seeing the band live. I got a couple Polaroids of Alex Turner and Matt Helders before the show. I asked if I could get a group shot, but they called me paparazzi and said no. Oh well, they still put on another great show. I really enjoyed hearing the cover version Nick Cave's "Red Right Hand". Arctic Monkeys are one of my all time favourite bands and Alex is an incredible songwriter who has put out quite a bit of material in the last six years. I really enjoy their Ep's, always having interesting b- sides.

A Place To Bury Strangers/The Big Pink

2010-05-26T18:20:00.005-05:00

Robbie Furze

The Big Pink was on tour with A Place To Bury Strangers as openers when they came through Lawrence Kansas and performed at The Bottleneck. I love APTBS and had only heard a few songs by The Big Pink but I was pleasantly surprised by their live set. First off APTBS melted everyone's faces off as openers playing songs from their most recent album, "Exploding Head". They are great guys and fun to drink with. The Big Pink was very impressive live, I almost preferred their raw live sound to their recorded album,"A Brief History Of Love". Out of all the concerts I've shot in 2010 this was my favourite so far. Both great live bands and very nice people.

Openers, Oliver and Dino from A Place To Bury Strangers melting into one.

Keex

Oliver -A Place To Bury Strangers

Flogging Molly

2010-05-26T18:04:00.003-05:00

Flogging Molly played at The Uptown Theater on St.Patrick's Day Weekend. This was the most crowded show I've shot at this theater. Somehow about 500 people over capacity filed in. Flogging Molly put on a lively show to say the least.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

2010-05-24T19:04:00.002-05:00

Photos from the great live band, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. I took these from their recent "Beat The Devil's Tattoo" tour in St. Louis. Pete and Rob played an acoustic show earlier in the day for about fifty lucky fans.

AC/DC

2010-05-24T18:47:00.003-05:00

Brian

AC/DC live and in concert! Rumored to be the last American tour. I was limited to two songs and I was one foot in front of a T stage to the left. I would have liked to be able to get straight head on shots, but I was permitted to walk in a four foot area. Better than nothing! Still got a few decent shots.

Angus

Awesome light show.

Malcolm

The Entrance Band

2010-04-17T16:10:00.002-05:00

The Entrance Band melted my face off,some photos from a show at The Jackpot Lounge, look them up. Psychedelic band from L.A. featuring ex Zwan and A Perfect Circle bass player, Paz Lenchantin.

St.Vincent

2010-04-17T16:01:00.002-05:00

St.Vincent aka Annie Clark was in Lawrence Kansas and played to a sold out crowd at The Bottleneck. Here are a few photos from the show and a couple of portraits I took of her.

Alicia Solo

2010-03-19T14:37:00.003-05:00

I did a photo shoot with my friend Alicia Solo, singer of local KC band, Beautiful Bodies. I took all these in a tiny bathroom with just one camera flash and a diffuser. Here are a few of the photos.

More photos here

KISS

2010-02-22T18:27:00.003-06:00

KISS live in concert. Not much to say about them. They are a 35 year franchise now. Paul Stanley can really jump high for 60 years old...not sure how he lands in those platform boots. They pose for the photographers for two songs which is nice, but I only got to shoot them for five minutes roughly.

Cover story about me in the Kansas City Star

2010-01-25T19:25:00.005-06:00

More than you would ever want to know about me in this story. Have a look see!

http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/m
l.asp?Ref=S0NTLzIwMTAvMDEvMjQjQXIwNzYwMA==&Mode=HTML&Lo
cale=english-skin-custom

New site : www.snubnosephotography.com

The Bravery

2010-01-17T13:38:00.002-06:00

It was my second time shooting The Bravery in 2009. This time they had just released their new album "Stir The Blood" just a couple of days prior to this show. Singer Sam Endicott and the band always put on a good show and play with a high intensity.

The Cranberries

2010-01-17T13:10:00.002-06:00

The Cranberries at The Midland Theater on their reunion tour. Much like The Pogues that I shot earlier, another Irish band recently reformed for a US tour. Dolores O'Riordon looked lean and sounded great. They played all their best known 90's songs such as, Zombie, Linger, Salvation among some of her solo songs.

Snoop Dogg

2010-01-16T16:27:00.002-06:00

Some shots of Snoop Dogg during his "Wonderland" concert at The Voodoo Lounge. Method Man and Redman opened up. The crowd was insane crazy, Method and Red really got everyone going then Snoop came on...an hour and ten minutes later. His boys were spraying champagne all over so I got out of the front pretty quick.

Method Man smoking it up.

Talking to a fan in the balcony after ice was thrown at them.

Meth and Red

Westcoast

Paramore

2010-01-16T16:07:00.002-06:00

I took these on November 4, 2009. It was my second time shooting Paramore in 2009. They headlined this concert at the Uptown theater. Previously they were openers for No Doubt in July.

Halloween 2009

2010-01-16T15:09:00.002-06:00

Yes I know....very late. Halloween in January? Why not. I shot a little photo essay for The Pitch on Halloween at Kansas City's Power and Light District. Company Of Thieves dressed up as The Wizard Of Oz and played to the large crowd.

Some crowd shots.

Swine flu....very clever.

Company Of Thieves

The Pogues

2010-01-16T14:55:00.002-06:00

So much for the no smoking ban in the theater.

The Pogues in a rare visit to KC, their first I think in the Pogues 2009 reunion played at The Midland Theater. Shane MacGowan is great and toothless! I couldn't understand a single word he said all night and I saw him fall face down after tripping on a cable. He is quite a character, the band sounded pretty good.

The Dandy Warhols

2010-01-16T14:37:00.003-06:00

I took these a few months ago but I'm late in posting newer photography on this blog. The Dandys were nice enough to do some portraits along with letting me shoot their entire show. One of the nicest bands I've worked with. Zia said she liked the photos and used one for her business card.

Polaroid Spectra composite of the band.

Something New ! Sports Photography

2009-10-21T00:09:00.004-05:00

Hi--I'm cute.

So I'm no pro at sports photography, but what the fook, I will give it a try. Here is some Mexican soccer, NBA pre-season basketball and NHL Hockey. I don't really have the right lenses for this sort of thing, I did my best with whats I gots.

The Mexican Futbol...soccer for us dumbass Americans was between Club America and Chivas Guadalajara. I know nothing about this except that they both have amazing fans and soccer is much more exciting to watch when you are standing on the field.

These devil masks are kind of scary, so is that dude on the left.

Why so glum, chum?

Hockey

Islanders vs. Kings

Eh...not really happy with these. There were only two cut-outs in the plexiglass to shoot through and both were taken so I shot through the dirty glass. I asked a photographer from Getty if I could shoot through it for two minutes, when he was ten feet away editing, he said...uh no I'm using it. Thanks douchebag!

This might hurt

NBA Basketball

New Orleans Hornets vs Miami Heat

I do like me some basketball and its fun to sit on the court all up close like. Duane Wade ran over me and knocked my lens cover off, no injuries. I threw the ball back once to the ref...yep exciting. They played pretty hard, didn't really look like preseason to me. Wish we had a team.

NOLA Bitches!!

Buzz Beach Ball 2009 Concert

2009-10-09T16:50:00.004-05:00

Mark, Blink-182

Local radio station 96.5 Buzz had a little festival of bands at Cap Fed Park on September 4th over labor day weekend. Headliners Blink-182 with other bands, Weezer, Taking Back Sunday, Chester French, The Von Bondies, Republic Tigers, Stellastar, Matt and Kim and a couple more that I missed due to traffic on the exit to the venue from an accident.

Overall a pretty good festival, I liked the smaller bands better than Blink and Weezer. Matt and Kim were especially good, I love the way Kim plays drums, always smiling and cheerful. The crowds were pretty thick at both stages. The Weezer fans were going crazy and crowdsurfing all over the place. I was dodging bodies while I was in the photopit shooting for most of the day.

Adam-Taking Back Sunday

Taking Back Sunday

Chester French
Maxwell Drummey

Stellastar

Von Bondies -- Christy and LeeAnn

Von Bondies

Matt and Kim

Weezer

The Wailers/Toots and the Maytals

2009-10-08T18:26:00.003-05:00

Wailers singer-Elan Atias

Reggae. Plain and simple, I love it. I listen to all the great reggae artists, The Congos, Lee Perry, Augustus Pablo, U-Roy, Horace Andy and many many more. One legend, Frederick "Toots" Hibbert and The Wailers with one original member, Ashton "Family Man" Barrett, played at the Crossroads with openers Supervillians.

The Wailers played most of Bob Marley and the Wailers Exodus album and Toots put on a damn fine show, man that guy can sing! Decked out in black leather singing his rocksteady grooves he put on quite the performance singing and dancing the whole night, he has more energy than I do for sure. Don't miss him if he plays in your city.

"Family Man"

Supervillians

"Toots"

Shooting Three Concerts In One Night...

2009-10-08T16:42:00.004-05:00

So, a couple of months ago I shot three different concerts at three different venues in one evening. The music was varied, country-psychobilly-dj/rap. It was quite a bit of work running around and getting the timing right, but I was able to shoot all the bands on time. Worked out well. Have a look see.

First up was Lyle Lovett and his large band at Starlight Theatre.

Next up I drove over to The Crossroads to catch, The Reverend Horton Heat. The Rev never disappoints and played a fiery set.

And finally spinning at the Power & Light stage in downtown KC was DJ legend, Grandmaster Flash. He was great to see up close and he spun some classic hits. I love old school rap, and the crowd was loving it as well.

Glasvegas

2009-10-08T16:08:00.006-05:00

One of my favorite newish bands is the Scottish band, Glasvegas. Fronted by a charismatic singer, James Allen, Glasvegas has won many fans around the world including U2 and Kings of Leon, which Glasvegas will be opening for this fall/winter.
If you haven't listened to the band head on over to itunes for a demo of some of their songs. Thick Scottish accent with heartbreaking lyrics with fuzzed out guitars and a cool 50's sound. I talked to James on the tourbus and he told me his main influences were Elvis Presley and U2.

A pre-show tooth brushing with rubber duckie assisting.

Greaserama 2009 In Kansas City

2009-10-08T15:40:00.002-05:00

Greaserama comes to KC on Labor Day Weekend every year. What is Greaserama you ask? It is a two day car show at a drive in consisting of Hot Rods, Rat Rods, Tattoos, Girls, Motorcycles, Custom Bicycles, Bands, BBQ and more. Here is what caught my eye this year.

"Rat Rod Baby Stroller" Cool!

Warped Tour 2009 in KC

2009-09-21T19:50:00.002-05:00

Black Tide

15th anniversary of the Vans Warped Tour at Cap Fed Park in Kansas City on August 4th, 2009. 71 Bands and 100 degrees. I tried to shoot as many bands as I could running between all the stages. I don't know much about most of these bands and went in for a purely photographic venture. Why can't they have festivals say in...October when its nice and cool outside? I hate being sweaty and gross, but me and fellow photographer Todd Z. stuck around until the end doing what we do best.

Hit The Lights

TAT

Scary Kids Scaring Kids

Bouncing Souls

Inward Eye

Meg and Dia

Fishbone

Shooter Jennings

The Architects

Brokencyde

No Doubt

2009-09-21T19:30:00.003-05:00

No Doubt live at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri on July 6th 2009. Reunited No Doubt with openers Paramore played an energetic set on a all white stage that looked like something from LAX airport. Gwen Stefani really looks great up close, she is ripped, hard to believe she is forty and had two kids. Quite a performer indeed.

Paramore singer, Hayley Williams

More photos here: No Doubt

Buckcherry

2009-08-29T22:41:00.002-05:00

Some shots of Buckcherry at Rockfest in Kansas City. It was hot as hell and right before I shot Josh Todd and the boys some fine gentleman threw a beer in my face while I was walking through the crowd. Some of the people at that festival looked like they were let out of prison and on the way out they were given a bag of meth. But Buckcherry are kind of catchy, they elicit many a naked breast from the females in the crowd...and they have cool tats all around.

Z-TRIP, DJ JAZZY JEFF, MSTRKRFT

2009-08-01T14:15:00.002-05:00

The Bacardi B-LIVE DJ event made it's stop in Kansas City on June 9th, 2009. SPIN online contacted me about doing some live video interviews, so I spoke with Z-Trip and Mstrkrft. Unfortunately during Dj Jazzy Jeff's performance there was a bit of drama, his set was cut short. Depending on who you believe it was cut for either him playing rap music or redlining the sound system. Either way people were pissed. Mstrkrft were good, and very nice funny guys.

Z-Trip

Z-Trip

Jazzy Jeff

Jazzy Jeff

Mstrkrft

Mstrkrft

Mstrkrft

SPIN videos from the event:
http://spin.com/articles/go-backstage-z-trip-mstrkrft-bacardi-b-live-tour

Yeah Yeah Yeah's

2009-07-02T11:59:00.005-05:00

The Yeah Yeah Yeah's played at The Beaumont Club in KC on June 3rd 2009. Quite a few people were upset that the show was at this venue due to it being very small and cramped with poor visability if you are beyond the fourth row. Well it was my birthday and I was in front of a teeny tiny barrier to shoot my 3..well 4 songs so I wasn't complaining. The Beaumont is a great place to see a band because of the low stage and intimate setting. If the bands bring their own lights it's a bonus for me because it makes shooting easier. Luckily YYY's brought a nice light set up. The barrier in front of the stage was about 3 feet deep and 12 feet long or so. Included in that small area were 8 photographers and 5 burly security guys..all very nice to me by the way. I only could stand in one spot but it looks like I picked a good one. I took as many photos as I could because I just love this band and the new album, It's Blitz. I've seen them several times and this was probably the best show.

More photos from the concert on flickr: HERE

NIN/JA Tour - Jane's Addiction-Nine Inch Nails-Street Sweeper Social Club

2009-06-22T18:35:00.004-05:00

The Nin/ja Tour came through Kansas City on a perfect night for an outdoor concert. An awesome lineup including SSSC, Nine Inch Nails and Janes Addiction. Street Sweeper Social Club was up first - featuring Tom Morello and Boots Riley opening the show with an impressive set of raprock.

Filling the middle slot was the farewell performance of Nine Inch Nails. Much more stripped down than the last tour. Lots of strobes and an audience that was pissed that they didn't headline.

And last but not least...the original lineup of Jane's Addiction. They put on a GREAT show and were in fine form. The crowd loved every bit of it as did I.

Buzz Under The Stars Concert #1 2009

2009-06-12T13:27:00.003-05:00

Local radio station, The Buzz 96.5 had their first summer concert of 2009 featuring--The Used, Alkaline Trio, Anberlin, Taking Back Sunday and The Offspring. Not really my type of music but I'll shoot anything to get some decent photos. Plus it's nice to get some daytime shots with good lighting for once.

A Couple Of Classics

2009-06-12T13:10:00.004-05:00

I am always behind on posting music photography on here so I am catching up again by posting some shots from April-May and June.

Back in April I was lucky enough to photograph Kris Kristofferson. He played acoustic in Kansas City and played 33 songs. He just has a presence. He is quite an impressive individual. I suggest looking up information on his back story when you get a chance.

Onto another classic singer songwriter....Neil Young. I was only able to stand in one spot to shoot a couple of songs so my shots look alike. Wish I could have stayed for the whole show but they give me the boot at the Sprint Center after my 2 or 3 songs.

Franz Ferdinand

2009-04-28T21:25:00.006-05:00

Franz Ferdinand invaded the Westport area of Kansas City on April 27th. First they played 96.5 Buzz's "Kegs and Eggs"event. People were at the bar, Firefly bright and early at 6am on a rainy Monday morning to get their drink on. Alex and Nick came out to play four acoustic songs at 9:30am after about an hour delay. Nick came out on crutches as both sat on stools to play to the Monday morning drinkers. I talked to Nick briefly and asked him about something in the story that British magazine MOJO did on the band explaining the recording process of the new album "Tonight", it said that the song "No You Girls" featured human bones on percussion. Nick said it was true and I said, where did you get human bones? He said on the beach...what beach was that exactly? I replied.

Later on in the evening Franz Ferdinand played to a packed house at The Beaumont Club. It seemed like people off all ages were at this show. I saw some little kids dancing around to Franz along with people four times their age. Everyone was having a great time at this show. You have to hand it to Franz Ferdinand, they write really catchy songs. Scotland Rocks!

Oi! Paul loved our Winstead hamburgers.

Morrissey

2009-04-28T20:56:00.003-05:00

The Mozzer came back to Kansas City on April 7th for his stop on the "Refusal Tour" to perform at the Midland Theatre. There were a couple of other concerts the same night which is why I think the venue wasn't quite full. Moz played some songs off the new album and a few Smiths songs including the rare "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others".

St. Patricks Day Concert at the P&L District

2009-04-28T20:21:00.002-05:00

Silversun Pickups drummer Christopher Guanlao in action.

It was the hottest day of the year so far on Saint Paddy's day in 2009, it was around 85 degrees. Sponsored by Buzz 96.5 three bands played at the Power and Light District in downtown Kansas City to a bunch of drunk asses. Silversun Pickups headlined with Dead Confederate and The Von Bondies opening. It was damn hot and very crowded for me to enjoy the show, the outside venue has terrible acoustics and has advertising signs and bars everywhere you look.

Dead Confederate

The Von Bondies

Silversun Pickups

Tindersticks

2009-04-28T16:34:00.005-05:00

Autographed Polaroid of Stuart Staples

One of my favorite bands is the wonderful band, Tindersticks. I drove to Chicago and Detroit to see them in 2003,(Meg and Jack White came at sat right next to me in Detroit)since they rarely tour in the USA. For the release of their newest album "The Hungry Saw" the newly revamped band played a handful of dates in the colonies this year. So, I couldn't resist, I drove up to Chicago on March 12th to see them at a freezing cold Epiphany church. I had a photo pass and an interview scheduled with singer Stuart Staples. When I got there I was greeted by Ian, their unofficial tour manager who had just drove down from Toronto for free just to help the band out.
Everyone could not have been nicer to me and Tindersticks put on an emotional intense show as always.

Here is an interview I did with Stuart for the website popwreckoning.
Interview with: Stuart A. Staples of Tindersticks
Posted on 25 March 2009
Tags: Stuart A. Staples, tindersticks
It takes a special band to draw fans into the Chicago’s cold Epiphany Church for an early March concert. It takes an even specialer band to draw those fans from not only Chicago, but other cities as was the case for Scott Spychalski. Scott drove from Kansas City to see Tindersticks perform (though the long distance award and a big thanks go to Tindersticks’ unofficial tour manager, Ian, who drove from Toronto to help them for free). In addition to seeing them play, Spychalski also took some time to talk with the band. Check out his interview with Stuart A. Staples of Tindersticks below.

Scott Spychalski, PopWreckoning: How did you actually come up with the band name Tindersticks? Any hidden meanings?
Stuart A. Staples, Tindersticks: There was a kind of version of that name on a box of matches, in Greece I think. We liked the name because it wasn’t really trying to say anything.

PW: I drove nearly thirty hours to see your band perform in two different cities on the last tour, but found I was not alone. Many people came from other cities and even countries. Are you surprised that you have such a loyal following, especially in America?
SS: It’s such a personal thing isn’t it? You kind of will go the extra mile to experience it. I think if a song can touch you in a personal way it can be very special.

PW: I know you tour quite a bit in Europe, what are your thoughts on these small tours in America?
SS: Ummm….it’s very different, it’s like taking a step backwards because were not on the same level here. We are used to playing concert halls in more civilized places I suppose, here we play in a rougher environment. I don’t mind that at all, as a group of people we are robust to react to the situation we are in.
There are quite a lot of distances to cover in America as well. The worst things are airports. It’s just become an ordeal. I would rather drive six or seven hours than to be stuck in an airport. But overall it has to do with Constellation, their enthusiasm and energy has been great. I’m pretty happy with it all at the moment. It’s worth coming here, I’m pleased with the outcome of it. As a band we are really energized at the moment and are making plans to get into the studio as soon as possible. After the last two tours we didn’t have the same feeling, but right now we are feeling very creative.

PW: You seem very energetic right now. Is it due to having new members in the band?
SS: Maybe it has to do with something new at the moment, and what has grown out of making The Hungry Saw and it’s still going on after being on the road for so long. It’s got a natural kind of feeling of moving forward, for me it’s like the best kind of environment for me to write with people pushing me forward. Five or six years ago, I wasn’t in that place, something was unbalanced or messed up in the band. When you are a group of six people together for 10 years, 12 years, it’s hard to figure out what’s wrong and what’s right.

PW: Could you tell me about the title of the new album The Hungry Saw?
SS: It came from the song, and the song became kind of defining in a way. Those songs in the middle of the album, “Mother dear”, “Boobar”, “The Organist Entertains”, those songs are a lot more abstract and dreamlike. We didn’t really pin it down to one thing. I just had real fun writing the album. The idea of trying to retain some innocence against, I suppose the things that come and try and rip it away from you, I think all three of those songs all live in that kind of realm.

PW: Is The Hungry Saw a metaphor for anything?
SS: I think it has something to do with what you need that drives you and hurts you at the same time. I had so much fun with the words I didn’t want it to be finished, it was really good fun to write.

PW: I noticed that there weren’t any duets on this album. I know you had two duets on your last solo album, Leaving Songs, is there anyone are your short list that you would like to do a duet with?
SS: It’s always been driven by a song and ideas. I can’t really write a song with a specific person in mind. It is important to me, writing for somebody else you can kind of have fun with it. I can kind of have a go at myself in a third person sense.

PW: Can you tell me about your writing process, what influences you?
SS: When I was 15 or 16 I read a lot of poetry and I stopped and I stopped because if I read something that really blew me away it would end up in an idea of mine. I wanted my mind to be free I didn’t want it to be full of these peoples great ideas, in anything you do, you have to find your own language. I think I’m finding my voice and my writing right now. I don’t think that I have remotely arrived. I’ve always thought of myself as a late developer. At the moment I feel I am closer, but not any closer than I was ten years ago…..because the things you want to do are always ahead of you and just beyond your skills.
PW: I think that YOU are the hungry saw!
SS: (laughing) Maybe that’s it!

...45f degrees.

The Pretenders

2009-04-28T12:14:00.003-05:00

The Pretenders played at Ameristar Casino in Kansas City Missouri on February 21st.
What can really be said about Chrissie Hynde, she is the best female voice in rock and still looks and sounds great. I've loved The Pretenders since I was a kid and I was thrilled to be the only one shooting this show then watching it from the front row. Break Up The Concrete is the newest album by the current lineup of the band. It's been ever changing since the deaths of original guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and bassist Pete Farndon. Original drummer Martin Chambers toured but didn't play on the new album. The concert was fantastic! It was my first time seeing the band and Chrissie put on a vocal clinic, she was amazing and the whole band were very tight. I recommend seeing them and picking up their new cd. I think as of todays date this was the best concert of 2009.

Buzz 96.5 Valentines Day Concert

2009-04-28T11:44:00.003-05:00

Living Things Singer, Lillian Berlin

This concert was on February 13th at the Midland Theater in Kansas City. It featured three bands, Inner Party Sound System, Girl In A Coma and Living Things.

The Living Things headlined the show, a band from St. Louis, there new album, "Habeas Corpus" has been getting good reviews.

Girl In A Coma, group from Austin Texas. They are on Joan Jett's Blackheart Records label.

Nina Diaz

Inner Party Sound System

Updating A Few Concerts: Ultimate Fake Book

2009-04-28T11:28:00.004-05:00

Hello, concert photo enthusiasts...if there is such a thing. I wanted to update a few concerts I've shot since Kings Of Leon.

Next up was- Ultimate Fake Book. They did a reunion concert in Kansas City at The Uptown Theater on February 5th to an energetic crowd. The sister of lead singer Bill McShane was standing behind me and said to me "That's my brother up there singing, isn't he cool? But I work at a sperm bank in Denver, so our family has it all" I thought it was funny.

Kings Of Leon

2009-03-09T00:15:00.003-05:00

Kings of Leon played to a sold out crowd at The Uptown in January, 2009. The Whigs opened up and I was taking some photos of them (the openers)as I usually do without any problem and some bald twat (who will remain nameless) came out and started yelling at me,saying I didn't have a photo pass and that I was a liar and a rule breaker,and who was convinced I was at fault. Long story short I was thrown out into a snowstorm while I contacted the tour manager of KOL, who was nice and got me back in to shoot KOL. The verbal beat down I received earlier pissed me off so bad I left after my three song limit.Anyway, enjoy some photos!

Scott Weiland

2009-03-08T15:20:00.003-05:00

These shots are made up from two different concerts. One in December 2008 at The Pageant in St.Louis Missouri and the other from Harrahs Casino in Kansas City Missouri a couple of weeks later in January 2009.

The St.Louis show also included Cold War Kids and The Eagles of Death Metal.
Scott Weiland was in town (KC) to promote his solo release "Happy in Golashes".
He put on an energetic show to a somewhat sparse crowd on a very cold night.

The Faint

2009-03-08T15:05:00.004-05:00

Haven't made any posts in awhile. I'm not sure anyone even looks at this blog. I'm catching up on some concerts I've covered in the last few months. First up is The Faint which was at Liberty Hall in Lawrence Kansas on December 14, 2008. The place was packed and one of the previous bands threw food out onto the audience. People were going apeshit at this show..hot and sweaty.

Eagles of Death Metal

2009-01-03T18:02:00.004-06:00

Eagles of Death Metal in concert for local radio station 96.5 The Buzz annual Christmas concert, along with several other bands on December 10, 2008.
Eodm put on an acoustic set in the vip room prior to the start of the show. I took a few shots before during and after the show. Went on the tour bus for a little dance party action after the concert with Jesse and the boys.

Willie Nelson

2009-01-03T17:46:00.003-06:00

Willie Nelson photos taken in November of 2008. I'm not much for country but I like him, who wouldn't? Later I was given a cool guitar pick that has a hologram Willie on one side and a pot leaf on the other that says " 75 years old and still smoking". I heard Willie's bus ran on vegetable oil, so I asked Billy Bob about that. He said, yeah it smells like french fries....and something else lol.

Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters

2009-01-03T17:31:00.003-06:00

Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters opened up for Willie Nelson this past November at The Midland Theatre playing songs from their recent album. Billy Bob who is one of my favorite actors put on a great show and had people laughing in the crowd. One woman wanted a shirt signed but was afraid to toss it to him on the stage, he said "Lady go ahead a throw it, I've had all sorts of shit thrown at me over the years". After the show I met his manager and she took me back for a meet and greet. I was stunned to see how thin and younger he looked up close. I asked if he ever ate and he told me he was allergic to wheat and dairy and it was hard for him to find decent food on the road. I needed a spot to take the photo above and he said lets go in the bathroom, is that ok? While smoking the whole time, on stage and in the hallway and bathroom. He squatted down and said "Can you put a picture of a toilet in the newspaper?" I said, I don't see why not...I just thought that was funny of him. He was quite entertaining.

Smashing Pumpkins in Concert

2009-01-03T17:21:00.002-06:00

A few concert photos taken back in late November. Smashing Pumpkins played two shows in Kansas City, the second night was a bit more heavy on the old hits.
Both nights had quite a few people in attendance at the beautiful Midland Theatre.

Metallica

2008-12-08T21:56:00.004-06:00

Metallica came to K.C. for the "Death Magnetic" tour recently. I got my excercise running around their ginormous stage, getting a few really good shots.

Full set of 35 photos: Metallica Set

Whats up homeslice? Photos of Tech n9ne

2008-12-07T20:54:00.003-06:00

I don't know much about Tech. He is a home town rapper who has some pretty loyal fans, the place was packed.

Coldplay

2008-12-06T15:23:00.003-06:00

iTunes chart topping Coldplay came to KC to play to a sold out crowd.

President Elect Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-04T23:26:00.003-06:00

Congrats to President Elect Barack Obama on his landslide victory!

I was cautiously optimistic that it would be a large victory but I wasn't sure until I saw it actually happen. We have watched history happen right before our eyes. Now is a time to put our differences aside and begin to heal this country. I couldn't be more happy right now. It will hard work to repair all that has happened in the last eight years....but I think we are on the right track now.
It was the first time I was inspired enough to vote and I'm glad I did.

Santogold photos

2008-10-27T13:11:00.002-05:00

I forgot to post a few Santogold photos I took from last months concert in Lawrence at Liberty Hall.

David Byrne Concert Photos

2008-10-24T16:13:00.004-05:00

David Byrne performed at the Uptown last Sunday to a polite reserve seated audience. I will have to say, it was probably the most peaceful show I have been to ever. No hassles from security or manager or crazy ass fans elbowing me in the noggin. The sound was crystal clear and David looked and sounded great.

Barack Obama Rally In Kansas City

2008-10-24T15:54:00.003-05:00

Barack Obama held a rally in Kansas City Missouri on October 18th 2008. It was the second time in two months I was able to photograph him. Earlier in the day he spoke to an estimated crowd of 100,000 people in St.Louis. He arrived to the stage in KC at about 6:30pm and spoke to a reported 75,000 people at the Liberty Memorial in perfect fall weather. It was an awesome spectacle, people of all races and ages gathered together to say, "Yes we can!" Change is needed in the country for sure, hopefully he will be elected and be successful.

NBA Pre season basketball

2008-10-24T15:37:00.003-05:00

I tried my hand at sports photography for the first time. Shooting NBA basketball is harder than concerts...the light, the action and speed is completely different. I wanted to get a good look at 2007 first round pick Greg Oden of the Portland Trailblazers. He was injured all of last year so these first few games were some of his first action. Here are a few photos of the exhibition game in Kansas City between the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trailblazers.

Things are looking up for Greg Oden

Tina Turner Photos

2008-10-24T15:27:00.003-05:00

Here are some photos from the opening night of Tina Turner's new tour. She looks great for her age, looks twenty years younger for sure. She can sing and move.

Beck and MGMT Photos

2008-10-24T14:54:00.002-05:00

Here are a few photos from the Beck and Mgmt concert at The Uptown Theatre.
The place was packed full for Beck. I had heard that MGMT didn't sound good live, but I thought they were great.

Mgmt

Concert review here

Buy This Book!

2008-10-10T16:41:00.002-05:00

Shadows and Dust

A new 100 page book I put together consisting black and white images taken over the last two years. Photos will include, concert photography, pet portraits, hot rods, street portraits, architecture, animals and a few other things.

For a 15 page preview go here to look and hopefully buy.

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/378699

Robert Plant/Alison Krauss-Stars-Dandy Warhols

2008-10-10T15:12:00.003-05:00

The legend

A few concert photos to post. First up was Robert Plant and Alison Krauss at Starlight Theatre.

Alison and Robert having a good time.

Up next was Stars at The Granada in Lawrence, who put on a great show and had very nice lighting. It as just kind of a mellow show that made you feel relaxed watching.

Torquil Campbell singing with intensity.

The same night Stars were playing, The Dandy Warhols were playing about thirty minutes later down the street at Liberty Hall. So ran down the street with all my gear in hand and went to the front of the stage right in time. The show sounded great and the crowd were into it but there were hardly any lights and my shots were pretty dark.

Courtney Taylor-Taylor

Zia

Greaserama 2008

2008-09-22T14:12:00.004-05:00

Greaserama 2008, a two day event held at a drive in theater in Kansas. There you will find rat rods, hot rods, tattoos, bands, beer, people of all ages and high temps. It was fucking hot out there and I didn't get the photos I really wanted because I am not a 100 degree type of dude and I was melting. I would prefer like 60 or so. I got a few cool shots so have a look see. Laters.

Best hair award.

Coolest kid award

American Idol Photos

2008-09-22T13:52:00.004-05:00

Hi, if anyone is reading this. I don't think anyone does but I will go ahead and make a pointless post. These photos are from a few weeks ago. First up I shot the American Idol Season 7 Tour. Not something I would normally shoot but I had nothing else to do on a Friday night. People really go insane for Idol. Since this was the homecoming of the winner David Cook the place was packed. I was somewhat terrified of the middle aged ladies lurching toward D.C. grabbing and yelling....it was way bizarre and loud, the loudest show I ever heard actually. Still it was pretty fucking fruity.

You can view my full set on Flickr if you dare

August 2008...Chicago,Barack and Bruce

2008-08-27T22:36:00.006-05:00

Haven't made a post this month so here is my first. Been pretty busy lately, went to Chicago for a little visit.
I walked around downtown for a couple of days and tried to get some fresh photographs. I didn't really get a lot, but the ones I did get I was happy with.

I went to The Empty Bottle to see The Duke Spirit perform. I had talked to guitarist Luke Ford by email and they remembered me from last time I saw them opening for B.R.M.C. It was their last night in the U.S. before they were heading to Prague to open for R.E.M. for one night. Singer Liela Moss was nice enough to spend most of the afternoon and some time after the show letting me photograph her. She was a natural model coming up with great ideas and poses. I was very happy in the photos I took of her with Polaroid and my Canons. They put on a wicked show as usual but I didn't really get many good concert photos due to low light and a packed house. So we hung out after the show and did a few photos and hopped in the photobooth before I jumped in the car at 2 am and drove the eight hours home. I was slightly tired to say the least. Here are a few shots of Liela.

Next up I shot The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, but I haven't put those photos up yet because a few days later I shot Bruce Springsteen. Didn't know what to expect from this show, it was at the Sprint Center. After I found a parking spot seven stories up and two blocks down I went inside and waited with a few other photographers. We made our way up to the main floor and were told we had to shoot from behind the soundboard, which was about 200 feet back! For sure the farthest I have ever been back for a concert. The other time I shot there was for The Police and Elvis Costello and I got to shoot two songs from in front of the stage. The sound was a bit muddy and all the baby boomers were complaining that about him starting over an hour late. I didn't get the photos I really wanted due to the distance, but better than nothing. Here are a few.

Next up a few days later was the Barack Obama visit to Kansas City. He stopped by on his way to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. It was at the American Airlines overhaul base and was a closed to the public speech. He was there to talk to about 150 AA union workers in a town hall type setting. I was pretty excited to see him in person. And to see the local and national press there to cover him. He didn't disappoint even though it was pretty subdued due to the lack of people. I was about 30 feet back or so and tried to get the best photos I could.

Recent Concert Photos --July 2008

2008-07-26T19:48:00.003-05:00

A few concert/musician portrait photos from the last two weeks. Not really enough for full sets as usual but a few good ones here and there. First off, I shot Juana Molina and Feist a couple of weeks ago. I arrived at the venue, the same one that I shot The Cure at a couple of months ago...where my car was hit. I just got it back from the shop by the way, they did a nice job. Anyhoo...security told me that Feist did not want any photographers in front of the stage, you had to be 25 feet to the sides and 50 rows! back from center. Needless to say I didn't get any great shots, I took a few and left. Next up was last weekends concerts, two in one night. First I drove to Crossroads to meet up with Dave Wakeling from The English Beat and Mike Peters from The Alarm for a couple of portrait shots before going over to shoot Foo Fighters and Supergrass. Both Dave and Mike were really cool and talked to each for about 15 minutes. Hopped in the car drove to Kemper Arena to get my photo pass for Foo...which was lost until I found someone who knew what they were doing...did I say yet that it was like 95 degrees out and I'm lugging 40 pounds of equipment around? So they then informed me I couldn't shoot Supergrass, which was the only real reason I wanted to go. I stood backstage while the AEG rep went to find the tour manager...meanwhile I bumped into Pat Smear of Germs/Nirvana/Foo Fighters and took a polaroid of him...I would put it on here but the scanner I just bought off of ebay does not work. I eventually got to shoot one song of Supergrass. (They contacted me and said they loved the tambourine shot) Then shot three songs of Foo Fighters from stage left only...not very good photos at all. So I split and walked out the wrong exit and looked for my car for about 10 minutes then hauled ass back to Crossroads to shoot The Fixx and The English Beat. I was really impressed with both bands and the sound was great, I wish I hadn't missed The Alarm. Oh well...I got a little bit of all the bands.

Feist

Mike Peters of The Alarm

Dave Wakeling of The English Beat/General Public

Gaz of Supergrass

Charley of Supergrass

Foo Fighters

The Fixx

The English Beat

Tom Waits Live In St.Louis At The Fox

2008-06-30T14:49:00.002-05:00

The "Glitter and Doom" tour stopped in Missouri on June 26th,2008. I drove the four hours from KC to shoot the show for our paper-"The Pitch" and the St.Louis paper "The Riverfront Times". I was already exhausted before I took off but the adrenaline kicked in at the prospect of me finally getting to photograph my all time favorite singer songwriter..the legend, Tom Waits. I dropped off my friend Rod at his hotel then headed over to the venue...the paper wanted the photos sent to them by 8am, so I decided just to stay up all night, drive right back home and edit until the morning.I got to the venue and got to the box office by 6pm to pick up my photo pass and my ticket.Everyone there was really nice, the staff and security. They told me they would escort me in once the other two photographers showed up...so I waited and waited. One finally showed up, Nate who was really cool and covering the show for a Chicago magazine. We waited together for another hour and a half or so until they let us go in and escorted us in "goodfellas" style through the back of the venue. I had a few minutes to set up while the crowd filled in and the start of the show was pushed back a bit. Ok...lights down...I have three songs to shoot but can only shoot from the sides of the stage, good thing I rented a 200mm lense earlier in the day. Best $50 I ever spent. I need to buy one, Canon 70mm-200mm 2.8 is. If someone wants to mail me one for an early Christmas present that would make me very happy! Oh back to the show...boom the lights down, Tom comes out to applause looking cool wearing his bowler hat making his trademark movements as he started with "Lucinda". I started taking as many photos as I could trying to make things look different using the same angle. I wish I could have shot more than three but who is complaining! It's Tom Waits! I've seen him three times prior on the last two tours and it was good to hear some different material. I would say my favorite songs were "Day After Tomorrow" "Goin Out West" and "Dirt In The Ground".

Setlist:
1. "Lucinda" ("Orphans")

2. "Way Down in the Hole" ("Frank’s Wild Years)

3. "Falling Down" ("Big Time")

4. "Black Market Baby" ("Mule Variations")

5. "All The World Is Green" ("Blood Money")

6. "Heigh-Ho" (Orphans")

7. "Get Behind The Mule" ("Mule Variations")

8. "Day After Tomorrow" ("Real Gone")

9. "Cemetery Polka" ("Rain Dogs")

10. "Hang Down Your Head" (Rain Dogs")

11. "Lucky Day" ("Black Rider")

12. "Johnsburg, Illinois" (Swordfishtrombones")

13. "Lost In The Harbour ("Alice" soundtrack)

14. "Make It Rain ("Real Gone")

15. "Lie To Me" (Orphans)

16. "The Other Side Of The World" (Night On Earth" soundtrack)

17. "Singapore ("Rain Dogs")

18. "Dirt In The Ground" (Bone Machine")

19. "What’s He Building In There?" ("Mule Variations")

20. "16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six ("Swordfishtrombones")

21. "Rain Dog" ("Rain Dogs")

ENCORE

22. "Goin’ Out West" ("Bone Machine")

23. "Anywhere I Lay My Head" ("Rain Dogs")

24. "Innocent When You Dream" ("Frank’s Wild Years")

Full photoset here: Tom Waits

Half Year Best Of List

2008-06-28T17:46:00.006-05:00

Here are my favorite albums of the year so far...in no certain order, but I would say Lykke Li, Portishead, Tindersticks, Madrugada and Lightspeed Champion are at the top.

Madrugada- Madrugada

Daniel Lanois- Here is what is

Hercules and Love Affair- Hercules and love affair

The Kooks- Konk

Portishead- Third

Lightspeed Champion-Falling off the lavender Bridge

Tindersticks-The Hungry Saw

The Duke Spirit-Neptune

MGMT-Oracular Spectacular

Elbow-Seldom Seen Kid

The Gutter Twins-Saturnalia

Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan--Sunday at Devil Dirt

The Last Shadow Puppets-The age of the understatement

Lykke Li- Youth Novels

http://scottspy.muxtape.com/

Click to listen to songs from these bands.

Peter Murphy In Concert

2008-06-18T22:12:00.003-05:00

Peter Murphy played The Beaumont Club on Sunday June 15th 2008. It was great to see him live for the first time. The crowd was pretty small, maybe 200 or so. But it was Sunday night and Fathers day and the weather was being weird. Anyway...this guy Ali Eskandarian opened up and was difficult to describe but I liked him...kind of reminded me of Saul Williams a bit , kind of a political rant thing. I got some great shots of him, he was very expressive. Peter Murphy came on and looked quite dapper up close, a nice jacked with a purple shirt underneath, he looked like a combo of David Bowie and Paul Weller. His voice sounded very strong...I really liked hearing some of his old solo stuff.

Ali Eskandarian

Peter Murphy

Setlist:

Burning From The Inside
Disappearing
Devils Teeth
Marlene Dietrichs Favourite Poem
Gliding Like A Whale
I'll Fall With Your Knife
The Sweetest Drop
Black Stone Heart
Crystal Wrists
Endless Summer Of The Damned
Huvolla
Deep Ocean Vast
Idle Flow
A Strange Kind Of Love
Shes In Parties
All Night Long
Cuts You Up
Final Solution

Sigur Ros Concert Photos

2008-06-18T21:52:00.002-05:00

Sigur Ros visited Kansas City on a stormy night. Tornado warnings were in effect but they played anyway. It was probably the most church-like quiet peaceful concert I have seen. I'm not really super familiar with there music, but I thought they put on a nice show to a sold out audience. Several people that I spoke with drove from as far away as 15 hours....pretty loyal fans indeed.

Under The Stars Concert: Death Cab For Cutie-The Kooks-Rogue Wave-The Morning Benders

2008-06-04T20:44:00.003-05:00

Local radio station 96.5 "The Buzz" sponsored the outdoor concert in Kansas City's City Market on May 30th 2008. The groups were, Death Cab For Cutie - The Kooks - Rogue Wave - The Morning Benders. I really was only excited to see The Kooks. I thought The Morning Benders were cool as well. It was hot and humid as fuck out there and there were like 15 other photographers...so I didn't get any great photos. I met Luke Pritchard from The Kooks and took a few portrait shots. Anyway here are some photos.

More photos here: Citymarket

The Cure concert photos

2008-05-20T21:36:00.004-05:00

Finally saw The Cure last night. Pretty damn good except for Roberts voice. It was strained from the Chicago concert. Seems like they played a little of everything, I didn't get a set list but I really enjoyed it. I shot my three songs and went back to my seat a few rows back and watched most of the show. I decided to head out early and go home and edit photos since Roberts voice was hurting. I got out to my car and there was a note on the windshield...yikes! Apparently a person pulling into the parking spot to the right of me sideswiped my car. $4000 worth of damage to my flawless vehicle. Anyway the guy showed up after the show and gave me his insurance, which was cool. Could have been a lot worse I suppose. Here are a few photos!

More photos here: The Cure

The Police with Elvis Costello Concert Photos

2008-05-17T19:57:00.005-05:00

Here are a few concert photos from the Elvis Costello/The Police concert here in Kansas City, Missouri. I can't report much of a review because I was only able to shoot the first two songs of each band and then had to leave. I was under the impression that I would be able to watch the whole show. It was my first trip to that venue and I was unsure how things worked...oh well I got a few good ones, and it was cool seeing Elvis up close. Sting too...he was fit but looked a bit grizzled in that beard.

Elvis "Everyday I Write The Book" Costello

The "Ghosts In The Material World" Police

A few more here: Elvis
Police

Raconteurs Concert Photos

2008-05-03T16:52:00.009-05:00

Long lines and lots of people driving from other areas of the country it seemed for this concert. Arriving early as usual at The Uptown Theater to make sure my photo pass was there then I talked to a few people who recognized me from shooting the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club show a few days prior. I was the first one in the venue and watched Brendan Benson tune up a bit for a few minutes. The place became packed very quickly. I decided to stay behind the barrier to shoot the opening band "The Birds Of Avalon" who were a little bit to proggy for me. Two young girls squeezed in beside me and by young I mean like seven and nine years old. There were there with their mom and dad from Lawrence and were huge Jack White fans wearing home made t-shirts and carrying flowers for Jack. It looked like the place was a sell out or close to it. While I was waiting in the pit for The Raconteurs to start, some chick in the front row behind the barricade passed out then threw up all over the place...eeeek. I was talking to a security guard who looked like George Foreman about it...he goes "I can't even look at it...I threw a towel over it". But it was still splattered all over the little seat part of the barricade right in the middle where I usually sit. I have a non throw up streak dating back a long time...but the stench was making me feel a bit queasy. Anyway I only got to shoot the first three songs. The band came on after a long wait and me and two other photographers were running around trying to do the best we could with the limited time and jumping over the puke puddle. I hadn't eaten all day so after I shot the photos I felt a bit shaky so I watched a few more songs from the side and split. I read in The Pitch Weekly Review that a girl fainted and Jack White jumped down off the stage and carried her to safety...I wonder if it was the same girl from earlier?

Click here for my full set of photos from the concert.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Live in Lawrence KS

2008-04-28T16:42:00.006-05:00

B.R.M.C Live in concert April 26th 2008 in Lawrence KS

I got to hang out with B.R.M.C for most of the day and do an interview with Peter Hayes . Since one of my photos was used in the advertising for the current tour I had all access. I will say everyone I talked to in their camp was very cool, thanks Grant for everything. This is the third time I've shot them in one year, so my goal was to come up with some sort of new look photography wise. Each of the three concerts had different lighting. This one was the hardest to shoot due to a lot of strobe lighting. I think I got a few good ones, now I can make one good best of set for the Baby 81 tour. The concert was great as always, I always enjoy seeing them live. I really feel they are one of the best groups to see live. They play long sets and really appreciate their fans...and their fans travel from long distances to see them. I know people came from Florida, Colorado, Washington D.C., Oklahoma and probably even farther. I did a short interview with Peter before the show. He was really cool and candid about record companies, fans, and music used for advertising.

Me: You have put out a lot of music in the past couple of years and have toured relentlessly. Do you ever get worn out or do you look at it as feeling lucky to be where you are currently, being so creative and having lots of fans?

Peter: Honestly, yeah you get a little tired, but finally its grown out of that, and holy shit, were able to survive without huge record sales and record companies...they left us again anyway. Yeah it comes down to fans keeping us alive. There is a certain pride in it now, its really sinking in.

Me: Are you where you thought you would be when you first started out as a band? Where do you think you will be ten years from now?

Peter: Ummm, I guess I imagined it would somehow, I don't know what I imagined...now I'm kinda just happy as fuck. For awhile it just bugged me that we were just judged as outcasts. All the albums have been pretty well recieved. I guess I just look at it as being proud to be an outcast and that we haven't really caught on with everyone. Somehow we are the biggest little band around, a lot of people know the name but maybe they don't know the music.

Me: Your music is used a lot in commercials and television shows. How closely do you follow what is used and is there anyone you have turned down?

Peter: Yeah, from day one we turned down just about everybody. I don't regret that but thats one of the main reasons we don't have a record company right now.

I don't really much like talking about it but I guess it will get out one day. We turned down at least three million dollars from commercials ...at least that, from the first two albums. Hell, we turned down Miracle Whip. They wanted to use the song "Spread Your Love", can you imagine that? Record companies can't understand why we wouldn't want to do that. "Whatever happened to my rock 'n' roll was supposed to be used for a car commercial for their new rack and pinion steering or something...we did the tv shows and stuff like that, I think the only one I regret doing was "The O.C.", no offence to them, we actually got some fans from that, we would rather support things that aren't really pointless. We were up for one of those iPod commercials a couple years ago but it went to The Fratellis or someone like that got it. It's kind of depressing going out on tour for a couple years and some bands get to be huge off one song. Next thing you know they are playing to 30,000 people at a huge festival and they go apeshit for that one song.

Me: Since you say now you don't have a record company would you ever do anything on your own kind of like what Nine Inch Nails did, releasing music from their own website?

Peter: Thats basically what we are looking at right now. Putting it on our website as a higher quality file, don't charge people more money for it like fucking itunes...how they make you pay more for a higher quality download its crazy, I saw that one coming.

Bands are going to need press and people to talk about them, but why not straight from the band, you could sell it for five bucks, iTunes sells it for $9.99 why I don't know.

Me: What have you been listening to lately? Or who would you like to see live?

Peter: I wouldn't mind seeing "The Raconteurs" or "Nine Inch Nails"

Me: What are your plans after the current tour?

Peter: Not sure really, since we don't have a record company. We have a few new songs we have been working on. I don't know we might do something with Live Nation..but they want part of your merch and all that. I would really just like to put a download on the site for five bucks, ya know?

Set list from the show:

666 Conducer
Berlin
Aint no easy way
Weapon
In like the rose
Red eyes
Awake
6 barrel
Heart and soul
Faultline
Visions of johanna
Shuffle
Windows
20 hours
River styx
Suddenly
Need some air
Punk song
Likes of you
Spread your love
The show
Steal a ride
All you do is talk

Openers The Duke Spirit played a great set. Liela Moss is a sultry rock n roll singer. I was really impressed with them and their new cd "Neptune". They told me they would be coming back later in the summer with a headlining tour.

For full set of photo (still more to come...film and polaroids) go here:
BRMC APRIL 08

April Mixtape at Muxtape

2008-04-25T17:39:00.002-05:00

Muxtape is a site where you can post up to twelve songs to share with others but they will not be able to download. Anyway here is my April mix...songs that I have been listening to, well twelve of them. Have a listen, a few rare gems in the mix.

http://scottspy.muxtape.com/

The Last Shadow Puppets

2008-04-15T17:03:00.005-05:00

The Last Shadow Puppets are Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane from The Rascals. I think everything Alex Turner touches turns to gold. Several of the songs from the new cd "The Age Of The Understatement" sound like they would fit in quite well with a James Bond movie. I'm not complaining one bit, I do love songs with lush orchestration behind them and thats what the pair have done here very well. The cover of the cd has a photo of a model looking very '60s like and the songs reflect that as well....almost seems like something Paul Weller could have done, sounds fresh but vintage at the same time. Pick up the single with the b-sides, two of them are the best tracks overall.

mp3- My Mistakes Were Made For You (acoustic in nyc)

Carbon/Silicon Live In Kansas City

2008-03-31T17:04:00.008-05:00

Carbon/Silicon stopped by the Record Bar in Kansas City to play a great set on Saturday, March 29th. I went about five hours early in hopes of meeting Mick Jones of The Clash and Big Audio Dynamite fame. When I pulled in the parking lot I saw a figure pushing a shopping cart in the distance...I thought, that can't be my guitar hero Mick Jones could it? I got closer and pulled right up to him, it was Mick! He looked up in fear as if I might hit him...I pulled over and followed him into a book store and had a nice chat. He was looking through a load of old books, he looked up and saw an old seven set volume of an author I hadn't heard of. He opened the first book and opened it with delight. I asked him questions while he thumbed through various books adding them to his basket. I had written out some questions but left them in the car with my camera...so I just asked obvious questions like, what is your favorite Clash album? The first one he told me. What is your favorite Big Audio Dynamite album? Megatop Phoenix, it had kind of a story to it throughout the entire thing. He went on to tell me he was familiar with Kansas City saying he had had a girlfriend in St.Louis. Mick said he would sign all my Clash and B.A.D. albums and cd covers after sound check. I walked in and sat at the bar while Tony James (Generation X -Sigue Sigue Sputnik) and the band played minus Mick...Tony said "Where's Jonesy?" He showed up twenty minutes later. Sound check was pretty lengthy..I was surprised when they played an Oasis song...Definately Maybe.

Matt Pond PA opened up the show, and were quite good. I had read a little about them on blogs but hadn't really given them a good listen. I will now. They played a great set and even played "Brooklyn Stars" an older song that a girl to my left requested.
Carbon/Silicon took the stage at about 10:45 playing a nice ten song set. Mick and Tony looked like they were having a great time up there and were feeding off the crowd. Mick was quite lively dancing around a bit smiling at the crowd. I loved when Mick introduced the band and played a snippet of "Police on my back" which made my night...I thought this will be the closest to ever hearing a Clash song live again. I had seen The Clash II and Joe Strummer in concert before so this was my first time seeing Mick and I wasn't disappointed. Some would say it's old man rock..but these old men are playing fresh tunes not relying on their back catalog from 25 years ago. I had a wonderful time, the band and crew were very nice indeed.

Song list was:
The Magic Suitcase
I Loved You
War On Culture
Reason To Believe
Soylent Green
Acton Zulus
The News
Really The Blues
WTF?
Why Do Men Fight?

For full photo set go to: Here

Daniel Lanois: Live at SXSW

2008-03-17T16:17:00.004-05:00

Since I didn't make it to SXSW this year, I was watching concerts on Direct TV. They had quite a few good bands including--Liam Finn, Sons and Daughters, Daniel Lanois, and The Lemonheads. Anyway I was pretty excited to watch Daniel Lanois perform. Daniel played with just Brian Blade on drums at the Bat Bar in Austin...it was awesome. Seemed like they were feeding off each other kind of like a jazz ensemble. Daniel played a six song set which included a nearly twelve minute version of "The Maker"

"The Maker" live at SXSW 2008

A Place To Bury Strangers/Holy Fuck : Live In Concert

2008-03-16T20:25:00.005-05:00

A Place To Bury Strangers and Holy Fuck played at the Record Bar in Kansas City on March 8th, 2008. APTBS opened up for Holy Fuck and played an insane set that almost gave me a seizure due to their strobe lights, fog and fuzzed out guitars...It was great, even though I was queasy. The huge shot the band bought me at the end of the night didn't settle to well either, but whose complaining...I thought they played even better than when I saw them open for B.R.M.C. I talked to Oliver before the show and took a couple shots of him as well as Jspace and JonoMOFO after the show. Couldn't have been nicer guys. I know they got a lot of respect recently at SXSW.

Holy Fuck headlined the show, I was up front taking shots but they had two keyboard/DJ setups facing each other with the drummer and bass player in the back, so they pretty much all looked a like. I like Holy Fuck more after seeing them live. The DJ/Keyboards mixed with the live drums and bass really worked for me...especially their drummer. I read that Lou Reed gave them a huge endorsement at SXSW. They are on their way to bigger and better things for sure.

Holy Fuck-Tone Bank Jungle mp3

A Place To Bury Strangers-Missing You mp3

More photos of both bands on my Flickr page.

Gogol Bordello Live In Kansas City, MO.

2008-03-16T20:00:00.004-05:00

Gogol Bordello live at The Beaumont Club in Kansas City on March 6th, 2008.

An excellent performance as always. They drive the crowd crazy...with people flying over the top of me in the photo pit. I tried my best to get some decent shots.I was cut short by the tour manager due to the crowd surfing. I took a few portraits of Sergey, Elizabeth and Pamela. I showed Sergey my photos from the last time I shot them. He said he liked them and gave me a concert shirt. After I took portrait shots of Elizabeth and Pamela we walked together to get a cup of coffee...they were so nice and sweet, great women.

Gogol Bordello--Wonderlust King mp3

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club To Tour U.S. In Spring

2008-02-16T13:47:00.005-06:00

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club will head back out on the road for a short American tour in the spring. I am very happy that they are using a photo I took of them this past October for the bands tour print and website ad.(photo at left) I will be photographing them again on one or more dates. If you haven't purchased the album, Baby 81 or the Ep, American X: Baby 81 Sessions--I highly recommend them both.

One of the hardest working bands out on tour lately, a staggering 171 concerts played in 2007! B.R.M.C. always give it their all playing long sets, excellent stage shows and touring relentlessly gaining more fans with each concert. B.R.M.C. have released four albums and four Ep's since 2001 and several singles.
They put out a lot of power for a three piece band.

More photos: Here

http://www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com/

MP3 B.M.R.C.-Hardest Button To Push-(White Stripes cover-live at Reading Festival 03)

Masterpiece: No Country For Old Men

2008-02-08T12:35:00.000-06:00

I was mesmerized by this movie. It is hard to go and see a film these days and love every single second and frame. This is no ordinary thriller. From the first few minutes you know this is going to be a special movie. Based on the book of the same name by Cormac McCarthy, the story revolves around three central characters, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) and Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), criss crossing west Texas in a cat and mouse game involving mexican drug dealers, stolen money, a psychotic hit man and a sheriff on his way to retirement. The very beginning of the film sets the tone, with a wide shot of the Texas wilderness. The deliberate pace of the movie was another thing I really liked, it wasn't slow but filled with tension. The lack of back round music added to the omninus tone. It doesn't give the audience cues when to feel a certain emotion. You could hear everything going on as far as the gunshots, footsteps down the hall, doors closing, phones ringing. It added to the stillness and anticipation of moments to come. My favorite character was Anton. Javier Bardem will get an Oscar for this role for sure. He plays a hit man with an odd sense of fair play. He has no real morals and bases many of his decisions on chance. The man is the grim reaper with a strange haircut and sinister voice...completely terrifying. If you haven't seen it go see it. It will be coming out on dvd in March. This might be the Coen brothers finest film.

http://www.nocountryforoldmen.com/

This is my favorite scene....friendo.

Artists I Love: Daniel Lanois

2008-01-27T16:01:00.000-06:00

No one can create the musical atmosphere Daniel Lanois can. Besides producing musicians like, U2, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, Emmy Lou Harris--He has also created beautiful solo albums.
His first album-"Acadie" came out in 1989 and remains probably my favorite still. Daniel Lanois has recently released his newest album "Here Is What Is" a soundtrack to the
film he made of the same name. He released the album via the internet, and I believe is the first cd to be able to be downloaded in true high resolution format 643 MB vs. 9O MB (mp3 format) both are DRM free. I highly recommend buying this cd from him and his has his other work listed for sale direct from the artist.

http://www.redfloorrecords.com/HereIsWhatIs.htm

Here is a great site to get to know Daniel Lanois if you are unfamiliar with him. Lots of information and videos.

http://www.squidoo.com/daniellanois

Sivert Høyem

2008-01-10T12:55:00.000-06:00

I've been listening to alot of Madrugada and Sivert Hoyem lately, I guess in anticipation of the new Madrugada cd "Madrugada" coming out this month. Sivert Hoyem is the charismatic lead singer of Madrugada and singer of his own band Sivert Hoyem and the Volunteers. They released a superb cd last year entitled "Exiles". It sold well over 100,000 copies in Norway. You can read more about him and Madrugada in the previous post. I found the video for one of my favorite songs of 2007 "Into The Sea" on Youtube...thought I would go ahead and share. Pick up the cd if you can find it...all their stuff is semi-difficult to find in the states.

Download-- "Into The Sea"

Bands I Love: Madrugada

2008-01-06T13:16:00.000-06:00

Madrugada. One of my favorite bands most people don't know anything about outside of Norway, Greece and Germany. Madrugada is a Norwegian rock band formed in 1995. The band sing in english and have released four albums and seven EP's to critical success in their country. I really love Sivert Hoyem's baritone voice and Robert Buras guitar playing. Unfortunately Robert Buras passed away at the age of 31 this past July at his home in Oslo, Norway. He released two albums with his other band -My Midnight Creeps. Madrugada has a self titled album coming out this month with material recorded before Robert died. Madrugada will be continue playing live without Robert, as far as I know. They have released the single "Look away Lucifer"with the b-side "Caravan" last month. Sivert Hoyem has released two solo albums, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Opposition" in 2004 and "Exiles" in 2006. He continues to tour with his other band, Sivert Hoyem and the Volunteers.
The term "Madrugada" is Spanish/Portuguese and means "dawn"--the blue hour.

Recommended if you like: Tindersticks-Nick Cave

Blood Shot Adult Commitment

Hands Up I Love You

Majesty

Download: Norwegian Hammerworks Corp.

Download:Only When You're Gone (Live/Acoustic 2001)

Artists I Love: Tom Waits

2008-01-03T15:24:00.000-06:00

If I was marooned on a desert island and could only pick one musicians full discography to have with me...it would be Tom Waits. No matter what my mood I can listen to him. Once I start I usually keep going for a few days. It would be hard to pick a favorite album of his, but If I had to recommend just one to someone that hadn't heard of him, I would select "Rain Dogs". The middle album of a trilogy. It has a little of everything that makes him a great storyteller and singer. I have been lucky enough to see him live on three different occasions, and it was incredible to say the least, each time I was within ten rows of the stage and saw the great man up close. I've included some videos showing how damn funny he is and a hard to find live version of "Empty Pockets/Broken Bicycles".

Learn more about Tom Waits - Tom Waits on Wikipedia

Hang on St.Christopher

Fernwood Tonight

Hold On

Tom Waits - "Empty Pockets/Broken Bicycles (live) mp3