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The Ugly World Tour

Can’t say I have ever been to a gig at Melbourne’s Palace that I haven’t enjoyed. Whether there as a punter or a photographer, each and every show has been nothing short of kick ass. Totally! The vibe is always blistering, the lighting is just perfect and more often than not – every band that plays there seems to regularly deliver the goods!

It was a veritable who’s who in the photo pit with plenty of familiar faces tho for some inexplicable reason, there was a dude amongst us shooting the gig in the pit with an iPhone. Ummm, yeah ok dude. ‘Scuse me whilst I try to get a decent shot or two!

Going Out In Style

I first shot the Dropkick Murphys back in 2009. It ranked as one of the first gigs I had ever shot and the photos were pretty much stamped with all sorts of newbieness! So much so, the gig that night was shot with my 450D as I didn’t have the more fanciful gear at my disposal. You do what ya gotta do! Cut your teeth and learn from each and every experience! Well, that’s what I keep telling myself!

I was a rookie. A total newbie – but I have fond memories of that night as it was a predictably crazy gig by both band and the rabid fans the Murphys seem to have accumulated over their career. Having said that, the gear might have improved since that night and a veritable feast of gigs since then has elevated me away from total novice, but I still feel there is along way to go as a photographer.

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.

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!

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.

Anthems Of Rebellion

I heard about Arch Enemy’s tour of Australia back in June. I’ve been a fan of the band for a while and last saw them at Festival Hall a few years ago in support of Megadeth. I definitely wanted the opportunity to photograph them so I decided to email the band via their website. When the promoter all but ignores you – cut out the middle man and go straight to the source.

Pop Crimes

Bit of an impromptu gig tonight. My girlfriend happens to be a very big fan of Rowland S. Howard. So much so when we bumped into Rowland at the Nick Cave exhibition a year or so ago, he knew her by name. I recently bought her Rowland’s new album Pop Crimes for her birthday – but tonight, she bought us tickets for tonight’s album launch gig at the Prince Bandroom.

3 Minutes, 1 Song, & 1 Spilt Beer

Back in 1996, I was as big a Marilyn Manson fan as you could get. The band, having signed to Trent Reznor’s label ‘Nothing Records’ – had released a couple of classic albums, ‘Portrait of An American Family’ and the magnificent ‘Antichrist Superstar’. A couple of records I played to death. Matter of fact, I still listen to them today.

Death Dies Hard

Arriving at the Corner Hotel somewhat late – knowing full-well that the venue rarely has a designated photo-pit area isn’t the smartest thing to do. If I was to get any decent shots tonight I was gonna have to hustle through the crowd and pretty much hope for the best.

Catching the tail-end of Sydney act Ink, (they weren’t too bad at all) – I slapped on my photo-pass around the neck and proceeded with the ‘scuse-me-shuffle’ to the front of the stage.