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Bumps, grinds, falls, spills, speed and all out gusto!

For quite a while now, I have wanted to attend a Roller Derby bout. For whatever reason, the planets have never quite aligned so I have always missed out when the Victorian Roller Derby League held it’s matches… or bouts as they are called.

Not this time. I bought a couple of tickets for my gal and me a week in advance as I was determined I was not going to miss the opening of the 2010 season. Lucky for me I did get the tickets early, because within days the event had well and truly sold out.

Hevy Devy

It’s kinda hard when you are shooting an act who you really, truly dig! It is sometimes hard to divorce yourself from the sheer magic that is pouring off the stage when a band is pounding through tracks you have played to death many, many times over in the past and concentrating on getting your shots – becomes somewhat difficult.

Tonight was no exception.

Nutbush City Limits

I think I inhaled enough second-hand dope smoke tonight, that I will wake up in the morning and the world, no doubt, will be spinning!

You know it is going to be a damn hot night of pure Southern Rock the minute you walk into the hallowed grotty floor of the Espy. You can feel it in your bones even before the band, in this case, Nashville Pussy, have even set foot on the stage.

Where The Wild Things Are

Having attended the past two Circa Nocturna events in 2009 and 2008, I was eagerly awaiting for this year’s gala to arrive and this time, shooting on an official capacity. The past couple of years I have only been in the audience with my camera and have had restricted view etc. It was hard to get a decent shot.

This year, I was granted an official pass and boy, was it a ton of fun shooting at this amazing event.

Wicked Game

It’s always a treat getting to shoot a band you absolutely adore! Having been a huge H.I.M fan for quite a few years now, I was greatly anticipating the opportunity to photograph these guys.

Which is saying something. Earlier in the day I won a pass to go and see the incredible Faith No More but I surrendered that ticket to my cousin. Couple that with the fact that also, Meshuggah were doing a show elsewhere – I decided to stick with Ville and the boys and finally get to photograph this truly incredible band.

Count In Fives

I feel like a dog chasing its very own tail at times. The chase for a photo-pass to the Horrors’ Corner Hotel gig came down to the wire – and very well never materialized!

On the actual day of the gig, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to shoot these guys as no official confirmation had been forthcoming so it was an anxious day as I waited for my Inbox to sound that old familiar chime – and for confirmation to arrive.

The Impossibility of Reason

Tonight was one of the hardest shoots I’ve had to endure.

The allotted three-song limit was quickly cut down to half a song as the frantic security in the photo-pit alongside me – had their hands full within seconds of the band hitting the stage. Seconds!

All Hail Satan!

With the near-encounter with Rotting Christ yesterday in the streets of Melbourne, seriously – what better way to kick off 2010′s gig photography with a nice touch of Black Metal evilness?

I was scheduled to shoot both Rotting Christ and headliners Dark Funeral at Billboard tonight – one of my fave venues to shoot at by the way – for Heavy Metal website and all round cool dudes, Metal Obsession.

Corner Hotel Nu Metal

Even though I had secured to shoot this gig several months ago, I very nearly didn’t go to the show tonight as I was bordering on exhaustion. With a long week at work coupled with some late nights shooting and editing photographs – had all but taken its toll on me.

Never let anyone tell you otherwise, this is hard work. Granted, it is fun and always an eye-opening experience… but when one works a normal job during the day and then does rock photography purely for love, by night – the day’s do tend to get long, tiring and fatigue inducing.

Images & Words

With the past couple of gigs I have shot being two of the most rewarding experiences in the fledgling attempt at a career – a bad night was just around the corner.

I had never shot at the Palais before. This was to be my first night so I knew not what to expect. Although she is a gorgeous, classic venue and pretty much right in my own neighbourhood, I didn’t know what would be in store for me photographically.

Booneville Stomp

I was running so late tonight, that I thought I would miss the start of the show and of course, my allotted shooting in the first three songs. I barely made it by the skin of my teeth and by the time I got into the photo-pit – the lights had dimmed and Les Claypool and his masked cohorts had hit the stage.

Guardians Of Asgaard

I’ve lost track of the number of gigs I have seen throughout the course of 2009. Trust me, there has been a few. One of the perks of shooting live music is that you get to see the gig for free so with that in mind, one does become a little complacent. It seems, at times, that one gig just rolls into the other and at the end of the day – it can get all rather stale.

Not tonight. Not tonight boys and girls. Amon Amarth were simply fucking phenomenal. For me, this was the gig of the year such was the power and ferocity that these guys utterly impressed and blew me away!