A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
This Friday night Dromedary Records will be representing the CMJ festival at Maxwells here in Hoboken. It’s an all Dromedary bill featuring Jennifer Convertible, Shirk Circus, The Mommyheads and of course Stuyvesant. I’m really excited about the show and happy to be covering it for JerseyBeat.com. In the meantime I thought I’d post some images of Stuyvesant. They just recently invaded Maxwells for their record release on Dromedary.
This morning while checking my email I noticed there was one from Ben Deily of Varisty Drag (also known for being co-founder and at one time shared vocal duties in the Lemonheads.). I got to see the band and meet Ben and his wife Lisa. After the show we talked and doing an interview in the near future for Unite came up. He told me he’d be sending me some of the bands albums when they got home. A few days later I emailed him to say hello and remind him to send said package. Good thing becuase he forgot. A week passed but nothing. So I sent a second reminder. What followed was one of the best and funniest reasons it had gone unsent. “Me getting laid out with the flu for 3 days (I’m just back at work for the first time all week this AM)…the last of which coincided with a visit from Evan Dando, which took up all my limited remaining bandwidth… :-D” All I can say in response is “Damn you Evan Dando.” Here are some pictures from their set at Maxwells. Thanks to Ben and Lisa. They were incredibly nice. It was a pleasure to meat them both.
After attending Mondays amazing show at the Court Tavern I realized that I hadn’t posted any images from the Naked Raygun/ Paint it Black show at Maxwells. I’d been listening to Naked Raygun since the original release of their second album “All Rise” so many lifetimes ago. seeing them again along with a great band like Paint it Black was pretty damn sweet. So here are those pictures. Enjoy and for Christ sake… leave a comment.
Both bands played mind blowing sets. The crowd was both enthusiastic and physical. It’s not often you get to see bands like P.I.B. at Maxwells. Dan was going off to every song and it seemed the stage could hardly contain his energy. Seeing Naked Raygun made me feel like a kid again. They are such a iconic band and I was in awe. Jeff did not look good. He performed well but moved slowly and was shaky. After the show someone told me had contracted Parkinson’s. I don’t know if that was the case but I wish him all the best nonetheless. It was great running into so many old friends and seeing all those familiar faces. A big nod to Jim Mc Dougal who drove all the way from Boston for the show and then turned around and drove home. Good seeing you brother.
There was a time in my life where I took my camera to each and
every show I went to. I felt it was so important to document the time and the music. This went on for years. A lot of the pictures turned up in the interviews I did while most of them ended up in boxes or albums. There was a lot of crap here and there a lot of gems that really captured the moment and allowed me to fondly look back on that time and place. Over time though I became more interested in other aspects of photography and would only take my camera along occasionally or when I had a rare assignment. The weird thing is it’s become this weird catch 22. When I don’t have it with me someone always asks “Where’s your camera?” like it’s my duty. There are also times when I go to a show and I feel naked without it. Or I really like the band and wish I would have some pictures to visually remember it by. A month or so I went to see Walter Schreifels at the Studio in NYC. I didn’t bring my camera because I had never been to the place and wasn’t sure of the policy. I wound up regretting it. A few nights ago Wally played here in Hoboken and I decided to bring the appendage along with me. Walter best known for his sheer genius as a song writer, guitar player, producer and singer for countless bands including Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Rival School, Walking Concert and countless others plays a stripped down version of various tracks from those projects. All while throwing in some tracks from his solo album which is due later in the year. If your looking for a Gorilla Biscuits or Quicksand show this ain’t it kids. This is stripped down but a lot of fun. It’s also good to see Arthur (Gorilla Biscuits, Token Entry, Underdog, CIV) up there with him. Lifetime friends who show a lot of on stage chemistry. Some favorite songs were “Delusional”, “Thorn in my Side” and “Open Letter to the Scene”. But “Society Sucker” continues to be the one that really moves me. To take one of the sickest, heaviest Agnostic Front songs and turn into something I want played at my wedding (without sucking) proves the man is a genius. Great hanging out with Dave and Eric. Nice joking with Walt and Art. Cracking jokes and being an asshole. Thanks to Brian for the free beers. It was a pleasure meeting you. I just realized you’re one of my My Space friends. BTW, I still have no idea who that dude with the headband was.
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.
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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