Hardcore – Photogeek Blog

Heading into the Weekend on a Positive Note.

With good news regarding recent tests coming from my neurologist. My long-suffering Mets surprising everyone with their wild-card win and success against long-time rivals the Braves and the Phillies. I welcomed the weekend with a sense of joy that seemed fleeting lately. Come Saturday, upon arriving home a just published book featuring one of my images was awaiting my return. The book, itself was amazing. Not only did it cover and reflect a very important period of my life. Many of the show flyer and fanzines illustrated within its pages. Mirrored that of my personal collections and boxes of memories of the time. The picture below features a friend at a mid nineties hardcore show at CBGB’s. The subject, whose name shall remain anonymous. Was/is a monumental influence on how I wanted to approach photographing bands and artists. I am extremely impressed with the books build and quality within. I’ll leave a link in case the subject matter (Fanzines and their importance to independent music.) interests you. https://tribalbooks.myshopify.com/products/cut-paste-the-american-hardcore-fanzine

Just A Minor Threat

Creative Writing, Documentary, Film Photography, Hardcore, Music, Music Journalism, Show Photography, Skate Boarding, Skateboarding, Storytelling

This past week, I attended two events celebrating new book releases from and about subjects whose work and passion have positively influenced me, my life, and the course the roads it’s taken. As usual, I decided to take my camera along. Taking place at Washington DC’s MLK Memorial Library and Virginia’s George Mason University Campus. Groundbreaking Photographer Glen E. Friedman and Ian McKay (Minor Threat. Dischord Records, Fugazi.) spoke about Glen’s photos and his book ‘Just a Minor Threat.’ Allowing me many firsts, including my first visit to the MLK Memorial Library and meeting Glen and Ian. Later in the week, I had a similar experience visiting George Mason University to sit in on a discussion about the book with photographer Antonia Tricarico, Joe Lally (Fugazi), and the man himself, producer/engineer of Viginia’s legendary Inner Ear Studio, Don Zientara on the book ‘The Inner Ear of Don Zientarara.’ I took a few pictures while I listened intently. I bought my first book of Friedman’s music photos, ‘Fuck You Heroes,’ in 1994. Each of the people I met at these events influenced my art immensely and provided stories regarding their journey. Looking back on my life, thing of the impact their images, music and the recordings they helped shape. It’s worth wondering what it would have been with it.

Lost & Found

Concert Photography, Film Photography, Hardcore, Lower East Side, Uncategorized

I recall going to countless shows throughout the tristate during that long lost decade known as the nineties. Armed with my Nikon FM2, my 50mm lens and a couple of rolls of film. I documented each and every show I attended with an unrealistic enthusiasm that I was doing something unique and special. I had an entire linen closets of carefully described negatives, contact sheets and slides. Yet somehow, after numerous moves from my Hell’s Kitchen apartment. That gift for organization took a hit. Leaving many of the lesser known names on the bills nameless. Decades later, I can strangely recall when and where these shots were taken without an inkling on the name of the subject or the band they performed with.This image was taken at CBGB’s i the late 90’s. If I can recall, the bill featured a few Oi/Street Punk acts of the time. (Not my thing, but…) Featuring the clique blue collar, buzzed hair, and mutten chops. Your guess is good as any. If you have any idea, please share.

An Interview with Author, Teacher, Activist, and Spitboy Co-Founder Michelle Cruz Gonzales

Hardcore, Interview, Jersey Beat

In my opinion, a complete history of a bands recorded output is a great way to familiarize or even introduce one to music you might know, but completely missed out on during their existence. Such was the case for me with Spitboy. Though I was aware of their pivotal time together. I never had the chance to see them live or indulge myself in their records. Getting to listen to the recently released discography “Body of Work”‘ was the hollow point bullet that confirmed I had truly missed an opportunity to witness monumental discourse. By interviewing Michelle, I was given a window to the life of a musician, teacher, activist and public speaker who took me through her journey, while introducing me to new classifications, such as ‘Womyn’ and ‘Xicana’.

Remembering Washington DC’s Safari Club

Hardcore, Jersey Beat, Music Journalism

Existing from 1988 – 1998 Washington DC’s Safari Club provided a home for countless local and touring bands, Offering an all ages atmosphere had a lasting impact that can still be felt today. I reached to Rich Dollinger and Shawna Kenney to answer some questions while sharing some memories of the time and the club.

http://www.jerseybeat.com/safariclub.html

United By… (Yuppicide)

Concert Photography, Hardcore, Lower East Side, Music Journalism, Photo Journalism, Rock Photography, Show Photography

Formed in 1988 and existing until 1998, Yuppicide were the first band I can remember to appeal to both the punks and the hardcore kids. Their music merged punk and hardcore with tongue in cheek lyrics that were humorous, yet intelligent. Yuppicide II (1 of 1) I still break out my Yuppicide records discs and especially, my copy of ‘Look at all the Children Now…’ compilation more than twenty years after their disbanding and almost thirty years after this ABC- No-Rio picture was taken. I feel very lucky in that I got to see so many amazing band while the collective was still putting shows on in their basement. While there was always a sense of community and intimacy about the Rivington St. space., being in the basement next to all those pipes always felt special to me. If you’d like to find out more about Yuppicide. I suggest you visit their website linked below.

Yuppicide Band

United By… (Mouthpiece)

Hardcore, Indie Rock, Music Journalism, Narrative, Rock Photography, Show Photography

Though I was still very much into straightedge and hardcore music during the nineties, Mouthpiece @ The Wetlands I only manged to see New Jersey’s Mouthpiece several times. The most memorable are pictured below at New York City’s Wetlands and the legendary CBGB’s when I tagged along with Wendy Eager of Guillotine to conduct an interview with the band’s singer Tim McMahon. I also did an interview with Tim in Princeton ten plus years later over by the Record Exchange. You can order the band’s discography Here Musically and lyrically, Mouthpiece were heavily influenced by bands like Minor Threat and Youth of Today. Ultimately, carrying the torch into the 90’s and beyond. I also did an interview with Tim in Princeton ten plus years later over by the Record Exchange.

Mouthpiece @ CBGB's

United By… (No Escape)

Hardcore, Photo Journalism, Rock Photography

No Escape (1 of 1) I originally got to learn about Tim Singer through his outstanding hardcore fanzine ‘Boiling Point’. However, it wasn’t until I heard his newly formed band No Escape on the 1990 hardcore compilation ‘ Rebuilding’. Though it was an awkward time for NYHC. There were a crop of new acts that were bending the rules while reshaping the sound and the approach of a sound and scene that had run out of ideas and originality. I was lucky enough to see No Escape once before Tim went on to the bands Deadguy and Kiss it Goodbye. Something I feel very lucky to have taken part of. While I’m not sure what camera I used here. I am sure that my long time friend, Casey accompanied me to the show.

Pictures from the Citizens Arrest show @ Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory.

Friendship, Hardcore, Music

I was on the way to Beacon New York when my phone lit up with a text reading “Citizens Arrest tickets are almost Sold Out. Get ’em fast or miss out!” I thought “Oh, I’ll order them as soon as I get home tonight.” As soon as I walked in the door I walked over to the computer to place my order. This was something I would not procrastinate on. To my dismay and dispare they were “Sold the fuck Out.” Damn, I was pissed. I’d been hearing about this reunion long before it was even book and it was not to be missed. I posted a “If anyone out there……” and thanks to Freddy Alva and the band I was covered.

About ten of us (including Freddy New Breed, Charles from Rorschach and Amy Edge) me up for a pre-show dinner before heading over to Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory. I think I missed a couple of bands, including Mind Eraser but was lucky enough to catch Asshole Parade. I’d never heard them prior to the show but really liked their sound and overall vibe. Citizens Arrest followed and the place went ape shit. Between the moshing and the stage divers I wasn’t sure I’d make it out alive. I was front center and between being thrown into the stage and about five different stage divers delivers blows to my head with boots and body fat I was dazed and at one point almost went down. All of it was totally worth because CXA kicked some serious ass. The original lineup was all there including Janis Cackers and Ted Leo. Playing so many favorites from their good old days and even throwing in covers from SSD and Youth of Today. After the set Daryl Kahan pulled my lifeless body up on stage to take a picture of the band and Fab Five Freddy Alva. It was so good seeing so many familiar faces including Rich Trash, Justine Demetrik, Javier and so many others. Thanks to Janis for the ticket and to everyone that made it such an amazing night.

Joseph, Janis, Patrick, Ted, Daryl and Freddy

Picture of the Day.

Beauty, Canon lenses and equipment, Editorial, Hardcore, Humor, Nudes, Portraiture, Studio Lighting

Todays image came at the very end of my last shoot. Roksolana came to the shoot wearing a pair of Doc Marten boots. As a teenager I owned a pair of ox blood Docs that I cherished. They really stood out from the standard blacks everyone wore. Towards the very end I had her put them on with her dress. As she began to lace them up I stopped her. “Leave them just as they are. They look great.” I’ll be posting more later of her and my other shoots. For now “Rox in Docs.”