This morning forty four people were arrested in a sweeping corruption sting. The list included brand spanking newly elected Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano III, and other numerous politicians and (I shit you not) Rabbis. The arrest alleges everything from money laundering, brides, extortion, counterfeiting amongst others. New Jersey has always been a corrupt state and it comes as no surprise to anyone. It’s just really sad that we live in a culture where liars, cheaters and basic pieces of human excrement are so prevalent. That and the fact that we often reward it. Baseball Players cheat by using banned substances and are cheered upon their return. People are making book and reality show deals while still sitting in prison. Day after day we’re being fucked over by the people we are supposed to trust. Our politicians, religious leaders, corporations and countless others fuck us over and we take it. It’s far past the time we start looking at ourselves and at each other and make a fucking change.
Tag: Hoboken
Zoia saves the day.
Mondays are usually pretty dull around here. Even more so with the way the weather has been. Here we are in mid June and it’s rained just about every day. I was scheduled to meet Zola around 3:00pm so I decided to head out early to run a number of errands and take care of some business. On the way back into Hoboken I saw a Police car in my rear view. Barreling down on me at top speed with lights and sirens. I immediately did my best to pull over to the side to give him room only to realize he was gunning for me? As he approached, all five feet of him, he asked “do you know why I stopped you?” Okay, this is a test. Think hard James. “Ummmm, I have no idea.” I really didn’t. Waited for the light to turn green. Made a stop at the red sign that says “STOP”. Didn’t kill or maim any pedestrians. “You got me.” So he goes and tells me I failed to stop at the stop sign. COMPLETE BULLSHIT!!!!! I came to a full stop. There wasn’t a vehicle or pedestrian within a block of me. So I proceeded. Still I get an $85 ticket for my time. Only minutes later I park the car in the garage and go to cross the street. While a woman on her cel phone, driving an SUV, (You know the big ones that kill pedestrians?) runs the light and almost hits me. A block from the Police Station and not a cop in sight. Thank the Photography Gods for Zola. Not only did she arrive on time but she was gorgeous. This was my first time meeting her in person and it did take a little time to get into that comfort zone but once we did ……. It was great. We took some shots over at the Monroe Center. Came back to the studio and ended the day with some shots on my roof. It was an overcast day and rained on and off which made it perfect for getting nice shots. Zola has some of the most beautiful, expressive eyes I’ve ever seen. She came here from Russia some years ago and is studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I really enjoyed spending time with her and watching her reaction when we went through the session. Thanks Zola, you saved the day.
Dinosaur found deep in the heart of Hoboken.
While running errands here in Hoboken I stopped off at the Monroe Center for the Arts to drop off some promotional material. I’ve been going to the Monroe Center for years now. It’s an awesome five floor building filled with artists from just about every medium. Over the years I’ve displayed my work often at their Open Sunday events and managed to make a few friends in the process. Every now and then I bring the models I work with there to shoot. The hallways and large windows produce a nice soft light and create some cool shadows. Every time I go there I see this old GMC truck in the same exact spot. I’m almost positive it hasn’t been moved an inch in all these years. Sometimes I sit in my car and just stare at it for hours. I admire it’s detail, texture and think about it’s history. Today I brought my camera and took a few shots. There aren’t many angles to shoot from because it’s flanked by automobiles on both it’s left and right side and is backed into the fence behind it. It’s a really amazing piece of history.
Todays Picture
Today i had the pleasure of meeting and working with Mary. She’s a student and aspiring singer/songwriter with an infectious sense of humor. It’s always a pleasure working with people who make you laugh and can laugh at themselves. While out on the fire escape I opened up about my fear of grates and bridges. How I was terrified I would fall through the grates or the whole fire escape would come unscrewed and plunge us to our death. She continued to reassure me by rocking back and fourth while laughing uncontrollably. When I told her about my Olive phobia she nearly lost it. Prior to the shoot I decided to set up my muslin background as opposed to my seamless. Immediately afterward I decided on going back to seamless. Thanks Mary, I had a blast. Now stop laughing at me.
Let there be Metal
Last night Maxwells hosted a rare and uncharacteristically ear punishing trio of bands. The Nolan Gate, WetNurse and Kylesa. About a month ago I got wind that my friends The Nolan Gate were going to be opening for Coheed & Cambria at the House of Blues in Atlantic City. Without a doubt their biggest show to date. I’ve known Tom, Paul and Dave for a really long time and i’ve missed more Nolan Gate shows than I can count. However, when I do manage to show up I’m reminded what amazing musicians they are. Both collectively and individually. Sure I was bummed I was going to miss their big show in Atlantic City. There was no chance I was going to miss them in my own neighborhood. I’ve always loved going to Maxwells. Through the years I’ve seen some of my favorite bands there. The small, intimate vibe and familiar faces always make you feel at home. The sound is great and it’s only a few steps from where I live. The Nolan Gate opened the show with their signature heavy, sludgy, thick apocalyptic sound. Despite being ear piercingly loud NG are really musical. With lots of breaks and grooves. Over the years I’ve become pretty familiar with the songs. Sometimes making it easier to know what’s coming around the corner. NG are a pretty stationary band but are quite menacing regardless. There is never a dull moment to be had with these guys. I’m really curious to see how they will handle the stage tonight at the House of Blues. They are definitely a band that deserves more recognition. NYC’s WetNurse followed and all I could think was “This is sick”. I’ve never been a big follower of Metal and haven’t been to many shows since my teens. But this was something to seriously take in. Gene is a maniac on stage. Full of energy and angst.Springing back and fourth while belting out bowel shaking growls and “check your nuts” screams. Definitely something to see and hear. I spoke to Gene briefly after their set. A real engaging guy with an infectious smile. He gave me their CD which I thought was a really nice gesture.
A few weeks ago I had mentioned the show to a friend of mine. She told me how psyched she was to see kylesa since they were one of her favorite metal bands. When it comes to people you’ve known most of your life there is a definite trust level. That goes for music just as much as anything, Before the show Darin told me that Kylesa had brought in a ton of gear including two drum sets. I immediately got the feeling this was going to be loud. Really fucking loud. I was not wrong in my prediction and was really glad I invested in those ear plugs earlier in the evening.
It took them quite a while to set up. So much so that I was contemplating calling it a night and just heading home. I’m really glad I didn’t because they left me stunned. Kylesa play a lot of styles of Metal but ted to swim in the sludgy, heavy side of the water. Having two drummers makes their sound deeper and a whole lot louder. Laura growls and screams while shredding on the guitar. While Phil and Corey fill the room with power and chaos. All taking turns with vocals. One of the best bands I’ve seen in a really long time. I was left drained but wanting more. Definitely a band I’d like to see a couple of dozen times again. Thanks to Gene for the CD and Chris for coming down for the show.
A night at Maxwells
During the past couple of weeks New Jersey has quickly turned in Seattle on the East. It’s been rainy, windy and downright depressing. You can’t help but notice the effect it’s had on just about everyone. Due to allergies I lost my voice for about a week and learned the hard way how much we take the art of breathing for granted. Sick or not I needed something to do because I was getting downright depressed. So word that there was going to be a good show at Maxwell’s was the best medicine an old man could get. This show took on a special quality due to the fact that Ringfinger and Cinemasophia were playing. This was the first time Tracy (Ringfinger) had performed at Maxwells since her days fronting Dahlia Seed more than thirteen years ago. I was lucky enough to see the first Ringfinger show in Richmond about a month ago and was eager to see her in what in a sense was a homecoming.
The small turnout of mostly friends and familiar faces which gave it a very intimate and personal touch. The kind that reminded me of better times musically. Cinemasophia opened the show. An awesome band with members hailing from as close as Brooklyn and as far as Richmond. I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing twice. Each time getting to know their song a little more intimately. They’re latest release is the first on Tracy (Ringfinger) and Dave’s (Rocketscience) label “Little Black Cloud” records. I’m not very good on describing sound or applying genres to bands so i’ll just say I enjoy their laid back and eclectic sound.
Next up was solo act Jean on Jean. I was not at all familiar with her. One girl playing a guitar. Pretty stripped down and folkie. Not my thing but I would imagine they eat this stuff up at the coffee houses in Williamsburg Brooklyn.
Tracy aka Ringfinger closed the night with a short but tight set. I noticed a marked improvement from the first night she performed the songs. The songs on her album “Decimal” pack the same genuine emotion and resilience that made Dahlia Seed so loved. With Dahlia Seed she had the support system of a band behind her but without that I would imagine she feels a lot more vulnerable. Something that might take some getting used to. I would also think performing the songs is both painful and cathartic at the same time. It was a really good night for everyone. I think seeing her perform the songs at Maxwell’s made it all the more special. Thanks Tracy
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