B-Side Players...

Here's a few shots from the B-Side Player's show at SOhO recently...

Pay the writer (artist)...

Anyone who is an artist should watch this video! I think it is especially a good one for any budding music photographer to watch who shoots for the price of a photo credit or access to a show (though we've all done it and sometimes still do). This video is rather comical but Harlan Ellison drives home a serious message.

RS's 2008 "Best Live Shots"...

Rolling Stone online has posted their pick of 2008's "Best Live Shots." To check them out, click here.

Leon Russell...

Below are a few pics from Leon Russell's show at SOhO last night. To be honest with you... I had never heard him before, live or recorded. Shame on me right? Chalk it up to another new music experience for me, I never stop having them. The music was good, though Leon was a bit hard for me to understand at times. The lighting was much better than usual at SOhO, so I'll actually post some in color this time. It was a packed, sold out show and I was stuck in one corner at the back fof the venue. I did move to the outside patio to shoot through glass of a side door for a couple of close-ups. Here they are...

Another shot of STP...

Stone Temple Pilot's show near the end of the 2008 concert season at the SB Bowl was one of the few that I stuck around for after shooting my typical first three songs. I was pretty excited to see them live, I never got the chance when I was younger. Knowing I was going to stick around for the whole show, I loaded my Olympus Stylus Epic (back in the day this was my camera of choice for sneaking into shows) with a roll of Delta 3200 B/W film and tucked it into my camera bag. Later on I put it in my pocket and headed into the pit for a closer view. At one point, Scott Weiland came across the stage and climbed a stack of speakers and was pretty much right in front of me. I whipped out the secret weapon and squeezed off a couple shots. I had forgotten about taking the photos until I recently developed the roll and was pleasantly surprised to see what I had got. Here's one of them...

Click the image for a bit larger view...

Gallows Pole...

I came across this video of Alvin Youngblood Hart on youtube today. Here he is doing his version of a true classic, thought I'd share it with you...

Published in relix Magazine...

It's been a while (am I not trying hard enough?), but I was recently published in the Dec./Jan. issue of relix Magazine. One of my shots of the Raconteurs from their performance during the 2008 season at the Santa Barbara Bowl accompanies a review of the show.

Click this one for a larger view...

Most of The Scrolls...

The original plan for this evening of music was for Sean and Sara Watkins to open up for local boy, Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) but it turned out to be another all-star jam at SOhO. The Watkins siblings (of Nickel Creek fame) joined Phillips on stage for the entire evening and the line-up also, to the surprise of most, included Luke Bulla and Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers).

Zach Gill (ALO) CD Release Party...

SOhO played host to the CD release party for "Zach Gill's Stuff" on Dec. 7th. The night opened up with Eric and Oriana of the band, Soul Majestic who were later followed by Zach Gill himself, at which time, he played a solo set for the packed house. After a short break, Zach returned bringing out a number of guests to join him which included: David Fortson (The Messengers), John Whoolilurie (Mojow & the Vibration Army), Adam Topol (Jack Johnson band/Culver City Dub Collective), Steve Adams (ALO/Region of Darkness), John Payne and Steve Campbell. The night closed out with an all star jam that included all of the evenings guests.

John Doe at SOhO...

Last night I made a, somewhat unexpected, trip down to SOhO to shoot. Actually, I learned of the gig just a few days ago but it wasn't on the venue's calendar until the last minute. Whatever the case, I couldn't pass the opportunity to photograph this caliber of a musician in, what I consider, a small venue.

Upon entering the club, the first people I saw were my friends, Brett Leigh Dicks and his better half, Natalie D-Napoleon. To my surprise, I learned that Natalie was opening up for John Doe, which was good news to me because I hadn't ever had the chance to see her play live. It was a bonus treat in addition to having X legend, John Doe play a set of his more Americana/Folk rock style music to an intimate crowd. Below are a few pics from the evening...

Blitzen Trapper...

Both, Blitzen Trapper and The Parson Red Heads, delivered musically on their recent stop at Muddy Waters coffee shop here in SB, but I can't say that I "delivered" photographically. It was dark enough to grow mushrooms it there!

I captured some usable images but since I'm not really satisfied, I won't bother posting them here. One was good enough that it accompanied a review of the show on the Santa Barbara Independent's website. If you want to see it and read the review, click here.

Muddy Waters...

Not the musician, Muddy Waters the coffee shop! I'm heading over there tonight to photograph Blitzen Trapper and The Parson Red Heads. This will only be my second time shooting bands there though I have been a patron for years. With the help of Club Mercy, they have recently been drawing some great acts for such an unassuming venue located off the beaten path of civilization. Just the way I like it! The first time I photographed there it was the band Dos which features the dueling bass's of Mike Watt (Minute Men, fIREHOSE to name a couple) and Kira Roessler (Black Flag). Below is my winner shot from that night. Check back for pics from tonights adventure.