Took several months off due to a motorcycle accident. As my foot heals I'm planning on getting back to shooting bands again. Unfortunately the first couple that I've shot post accident have had crap for lighting, so nothing worth taking pics of or posting. It's also been a bit slow for bands touring latey. But hopefully there will be some updates coming soon

Eve to Adam
Wednesday February 21st at Meridian
Cinder Road

Poor Dumb Bastards, Donkey Punch, Rudz November 10th 2006

Poor Dumb Bastards, Donkey Punch, and High Diver

Brujueria, PinHed, Adumus, Images of Violence, Lycophile, Burnt Face Jack, Blood Void At Meridian August 6th 2006

Motion City Soundtrack at Meridian March 9th 2006

(warning skip this review if you have strong positive feelings for this band)

The Living Dolls at Meridian February 1st 2006

I think I'm just going to do a Living Dolls gallery since I've caught them 3 times now I just kind of want to mass those pics together.

North Mississippi Allstars at Meridian January 19th 2006

I'd been told this would be an awesome show. They were right. After an hour a lot of big named bands are wrapping up the show. North Mississippi Allstars are just warming up. After 90 minutes a lot of touring bands are either finishing the regular part of the show and getting the cheers for the an encore.. North Mississippi Allstars just seem to kick it up another gear at that point. At 2 and a half hours they reluctantly end the nights performance. Even the infamous reserved Houston audience has been moved. God I love nights like this.

Jamie McLean Band at Meridian January 19th 2006

Another situation I like, an opening band that is damned good. Met the band for the most part after the show in VIP room. Nice bunch of guys. It seems Jamie used to be the guitarist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band but went solo to be able to sing and showcase songs he's written.

Opie Hendrix at Rudz January 12th 2006

Finally managed to make it out to see Opie at Rudz. I'm bittersweet on the results. On the one hand I got to see Opie with Guy Schwartz on guitar as well, doing some interesting versions of some old favorites. That was cool as hell. On the downside though I dropped my 30mm lens and broke it. Thus having to send it out to hopefully be fixed. Still broken lens or no I love seeing these guys. I've said it a thousand times; Houston doesn't deserve the music it manages to have despite some of the smallest crowds of any music scene anywhere. I wonder how ZZ Top ever made it big in a city like this. Frustration would have sent me to a more music oriented town long before I could ever get appreciation in this town. A town like Lukenbach can get more people off it's ass and out to see some great live music.

Too Tall and the Guilty Lineup Christmas at Dan Electros December 21st 2005

I'm trying something new, I'm not sure it will work in the long run since I can't do general text for all the pics in the Gallery thing. I can comment on individual photos which is ok. But if I go with a gallery program I'd have to write my reviews on this page and then link to the photos. So the trade off is I lose same page reviews and gain public comments and ratings. As I say it's a test at the moment

Too Tall Gallery test

GWAR at Meridian November 30th 2005

It's GWAR... hard to shoot but fun to watch.

Too Tall and the Guilty Lineup at Dan Electros Guitar Bar November 26th 2005

Not really here because of how good the pics turned out.. actually those are nothing to write home about. Still as far as shows go, it was the highlight for me in November. This is the stuff that is the reason I go out on a Saturday night.

Fear Factory Nov 18th, 2005 Meridian

Strapping Young Lad Nov 18th, 2005 Meridian

It's bands like this that make rock photography what it is. It's not just music it's a show.

Hootie and the Blowfish Nov 11th 2005, Meridian

It's hard to believe they were playing the Meridian, but it goes to show you the fickleness of audiences. Today's stadium bands are tomorrow's mid range venue acts. Didn't mean that the band was any lesser performancewise. Cause they certainly are pros in that arena still.

Cowboy Mouth Nov. 3 2005 Meridian

Wow! I mean Wow these guys are what you'd hope for in a New Orleans Party band

Somedaynew Nov. 3 2005 Meridian

I love a night were every band on the bill was worth the price of admission, despite them having a feedback issue through most of the set

Blaggards Nov. 3 2005 Meridian

This is the 2nd time I've caught the Blaggards but first where I had some good light. Unfortunately the whole night was not my best shooting wise. People kept wanting to talk to me about stuff and whatever. I'm hoping J. got some good stuff.

Breaking Benjamin Nov 1, 2005 at Meridian

Smile Empty Soul Nov 1, 2005 at Meridian

2nd "opening band" and another pretty good band, Though the singer didn't stand in the lights much..

10 years Nov 1, 2005 at Meridian

Sometimes you catch an opening band and you wonder why they are opening. And by the crowds reaction and them singing along to half the songs I'd say 10 years will be headling before long. Quite a few people told me they had seen these guys at Buzz Fest a week or so ago and they rocked.

Social Distortion....

Normally I only post review and stuff on this site for shows I've shot.. but since the Social D's managment were complete dicks about photo passes and photography in general I don't have any shots of this show. Now if you are a "big" band and you don't want photos I can almost understand that, "image management" or whatever. I think it's stupid but whatever. That being said.. Social Distortion is a PUNK band or so they claim. Now PUNK is the music the attitude of anti-establishment, anti capitalism, and fuck the man and the rules. In other words a true punk band shouldn't give a shit what we do.

Punk, Slang.1. A young person, especially a member of a rebellious counterculture group.
2. An inexperienced young man.

For a really good writeup on what PUNK ROCK is http://www.answers.com/punk%20rock

So to sum up.. sure they sound good and put on a good show, they should stop trying to bill themselves as a punk band if they are going to be corporate bitches. Grab that Starbuck's cup and relish in being part of the establishment but at least be honest about who you are. Like a punker would

Someone told me that Social Distortion isn't at fault that the management team are uptight.. I say yes ultimately it is .. they hired em and they really do have a say on how their tour is run. I think they just don't care and that's sad just by itself.

LCD Soundsystems October 28th 2005 at Meridian

Live club style music.

Opeth October 21st 2005 at Meridian

Opeths description went something like this "Sweden's Opeth specialize in doom-laden, downtrodden epics that combine elements of '70s Progressive Rock, melodic Death Metal, and Scandinavian folk music. Their songs move through blazing Metal sections, somber acoustic guitar picking, classical piano interludes, and majestic dual guitar harmonizing."

Oh boy I said to myself... death metal.. which usually entails grunting vocals I usually refer to as Grunt Metal. Something I particularly don't care for. However in this ONE instance I've been forced to make a concession. I ended up really liking this band.

Blue October October 15th 2005 at Meridian

SOLD OUT the Meridian wow. I hadn't seen anyone do that at the Meridian yet. I'd say there was good reason they did; local band is starting to make it big. If you haven't heard these guys before or seen them you should make a point in doing so.. simple as that.
I think they sound a bit like Peter Gabriel except a bit more gravely, well not really gravel.. more like a fine sandpaper.

Soulfly October 13th 2005 at Meridian

Another shoot of a band whose style is not to my tastes. That being said for what they do they aren't bad, and I really liked when they all bring out some native american looking drums and jam for a song.

Gang of Four October 12th at Meridian

Wow, these guys put on a great show. I liked em a lot more than I thought I would. My first thought was kind of a more rocking Depeche Mode.. ok maybe depeche mode without the synths. And toss in a bit of Shriekback. They were tight and the beat primal, I had some other thoughts on the sound at the time but lack of sleep made me forget what they were.

Bringing Back the Big Easy at the Meridian,

a few Aqua Velva but mostly Living Dolls and Liviya Compean shots. I was pleased as hell with those overall.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

With a name like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club I was expecting some heavy tats and loud hard rock n roll. I was wrong. Actually they are closer to maybe Jesus and Mary Chain and toss in a little bit of british pop, (maybe oasis) and somewhere in there you have BRMC. A fair amount of acoustic and a whole shitload of fog. They pumped enough fog into the room that they could have had one hell of a laser light show. After the 4th or 5th song shooting became nigh impossible. You'll see what I mean as the page goes on. More and more grainy and overexposed looking shots. No they weren't either really, there was just that much fog. Don't get me wrong it was kind of cool but maybe just a tad overdone. Either way though I actually liked the band a lot. And I can't complain about the crowd they attract either. Lot's really nice looking females of legal age. I even took a couple of shots of this girl I was standing by at the start of the show. Normally I don't shoot audience stuff but the light hit just right and I thought my god what a great profile and I couldn't resist. Later I was shooting farther away and noticed a really cool effect with lighting and had to do it again.

Roller Derby Benefit at the Meridian

These are random shots from the Houston Roller Derby Benefit. The are trying to bring roller derby to Houston. I'm not sure where but it should prove interesting when they do. One thing I'd never really noticed before is that roller derby and rockabilly music go hand in hand. I'm pretty sure a requirement for either vocation states that if you are to be a roller derby girl you must date a rockabilly musician or at the very leat a musician. And the vice versa applies as well.

LDV at the Roller Derby Benefit

Who would have guessed that last week when I said I'd have to check these guys out to give em a chance and actually hear them it'd be the very next saturday. Plus I spotted the lead of The Living Dolls and talked to him for a minute. I got a picture of him as well. sans lipstick and with shirt.

Too Tall and the Guilty Lineup

The Labor Day show that almost wasn't twice over

A photographer friend of mine the other day asked why I concentrate on shooting local bands so much. He shoots at the bigger venues like Cynthia Woods and Verizon and places like that. You know the "BIG" named bands. He figures it's not real impressive unless you can drop names of famous bands you have shot in the biggest venues. To me though it's not how big the band is it's how much I enjoy them. I'm not shooting bands to inflate my ego and validate myself as a photographer based on who I've gotten to shoot. When I'm not shooting an assignment I get to choose what bands I shoot. And I'm really comfortable with that freedom. Besides just because they aren't playing the Verizon yet doesn't mean they won't be someday or that they are any less talented. Actually some of the bands I've seen in local clubs are far better and put on a much better show than anything I've seen on the big stage. I may never get to be a famous photographer but I'm sure as hell going to be a happy one with some great photos of great memories. I guess it all depends on what you consider success eh?

Dan Electros Labor Day

The Hates, Living Dolls, LDV, Ese, Dirtymind

J.B Money and the New Experience

Michael Heyman

Canvas

at the Sidecar Pub for the "we are going on Haitus" show.

Feo Y Loco

Feo played their annual Barry's Birthday at Bubbas Burger Shack. Sometimes I shoot for fun. This night I shot for fun for a bit then spent the rest of the night socializing so there aren't many pics. What do you want for nothing eh?

Aquabats at the Meridian August 25th (Red Room)

Somewhere a saturday morning cartoon is missing it's cast.

Phenomenauts at the Meridian August 25th

Somehwhere between Devo and scifi lies the Phenomenauts. Campy and fun they actually play some good music. It's another one of those shows where I found myself enjoying the opening band as much as the "headliner" And musically a bit more since this was a bit of Stray Cats and some Kinks vibe to the music.

Opie Hendrix at Dan Electros 7-03-2005

I somehow forgot to post these pics closer to the actual show. It happens. Partly why I try to do them as quickly as I can before I forget. It's also why I don't do much post processing on the stuff I post. Of course this makes 4 shows in a row I posted from Dan Electros. Kind of funny since I'm the Meridian photographer.

Too Tall and the Guilty Lineup's last Wednesday show

Just a comment on the Too Tall Guilty Lineup band. Now that I've seen a whopping grand total of like 3 shows, I can say this.. actually I don't know how to say this without sounding kiss ass but I'll try anyway. They have more songs that I wouldn't ever hit NEXT on a CD player than most any band I can think of. Based on the core songs I've heard they could make an album today that'd be in my "Must Carry" CD case for sure.

Dan Electros Wednesday Jam With Too Tall and The Guilty Lineup and local legends!

Wake Up Houston!!! There is a Jam in this town that puts most static bands to shame. I've always said that Houston doesn't deserve the music scene we have in this city and you know what? I'm right. Dan Electros is just another example. Many cities would kill to have talent as good as what we have here and don't even appreciate. Tonight I watched not only Too Tall and the Guilty Lineup which you already know what I think of those guys, but then I watched as Rock Romano, Skeets, Big Al Bettis, and so many more get up on that stage and make music that if there were any justice in the world, would be heard by a lot more people than this city can seem to drum up for.. well anything. After years of seeing bands several nights a week and seeing bands in Austin, Dallas etc. I've realized that the Houston Music scene itself doesn't suck, but for some reason the houston audience is where we are missing a component. This could explain why any band that wants to make it, move to more appreciative cities. Well off my soapbox for the moment. What I'm trying to say here is great music is happening right under your noses folks. Get out there and live a little and enjoy life. Go see a Blues Jam or two.. You'll be glad you did.

Bleeding Through with Zao, Darkest Hour, Misery Signals, Flight Paris

And sometimes I shoot for obligatory reasons.... This was such a night. Not my style of music but had potential to be the type of spectacle that is what Rock shooting is all about. It feel short of that pinacle thanks to the lighting guys. Still some interesting shots non the less.

Tracy Conover

I'm thinking calling my concert photography company I Hate Mic Stands. I look at some of the shots and the coolest ones are screwed by the omnipresent Mic stand.. I don't know how one damn stand can block so much but it does it every damn time.. Despite it's best efforts I still managed to get some decent stuff.

Warrant Offline till I get around to redoing the page.

Jerry Joseph

From what I'm to understand Jerry Joseph writes about 30% of the Widespread Panic songs. I could be mistaken.. I didn't ask him after all but anyway that's the rumor. So after a very very long day of photoshoots I dragged by very tired ass up to catch him at the Meridian for what I expected I make a short night of. I figured catch maybe 30 minutes of the guy and go home and get some needed sleep. I didn't actually get out of the place until 3 AM.. Hell Jerry played at least 15 to 20 minutes past 2AM alone. And I ended up visiting with the opening band and a bunch of other folk. Somehow in the midst of the chaos I managed to shoot a few of the show.

Old 97's at Meridian June 2005

This is the first time I had to actually get a photo pass from an official.. I'm fricking thrilled about that crap I'll tell ya. Standard photo pass rules are No Flash, fine I don't use one anyway, No getting on stage, also fine since that's not my nature. But the one that sucks is First 3 songs only. Now I've done similar where I shoot from the foot of the stage in front of the barrier.. Then after 3 songs I move to audience and shoot the rest of the night. After all the best shots where the lights are really going and the band is really rocking all happen later in the show. So the first 3 songs rule is just asinine to me. however not wanting to piss off my benifactor I played it straight and got limited shots. Another really bad side effect of the 3 song rule is I'm really rushed to get as many shots as I can rather than standing in one place waiting for that really cool moment to shoot.

Opies Birthday Bash at Continental Club

The Continental is definately not as well lit as some clubs, which makes photography a pain in the butt. (*without a flash) Anyway these are some of the pics from the Opie show.

Spoonfed Tribe at Meridian 2005-06-14

As always spoonfed puts on a great show and though they were just the "opening band" they still manage to pack more oomph into 45 minutes than most bands could do in 3 hours. This is the first full show I got to use my Sigma 70-200 lens on. Actually I borrowed a 50mm f1.4 to shoot with but ended up using the Sigma most of the show for some reason. I was really happy with the results considering it's only a f2.8 lens. I still got some nice stuff in my opinion.

Martin Mediski and Woods

I shot very little of the band, They didn't have a conducive setup for my usual style of shooting and a friend of Bob's who is a Pro photo guy was parked in the front center of the stage with a tripod and a "expensive" camera setup. So I shot a few shots and spent the rest of the night hanging out and having a good time.

The Greyhounds

O.A.R

These guys packed the Meridian to capacity.. Actually I think they sold out the place. And unlike the Kings Of Leon show, I really got why they packed em in. They had the place singing along on almost every song.

Anyway I got some great shots of the band overall. I picked less than 20 at random to post, out of about 100 or so I took (give or take.. I get so confused when I shoot RAW and Jpg at the same time.)

State Radio

Didn't know anything about these guys but man they put on a good show. The guitarist at one point pulls out a guitar that was made from a square gallon container for it's body. I've no idea what that's about but hell who cares.

Webb Wilder

Webb at Dan Electros Guitar Bar

Opie Hendrix

Opening for Webb Wilder, man what a show. If you get a chance check this guy out. Seriously good entertainment.

Herschel Berry

at the Stag.. Another St Paddy day thing I played hookie from the Meridian for a bit to run over and catch a few songs of Herschell. Place was packed but I got few shots snapped before having to book back to the Flying Fish show

St. Patrick's Day at the Meridian

Sure there were a plethora of St. Paddy things going on but Flying Fish were playing this one and even though I try, I really do, to get into Celtic music after 3 songs of most any band and it all sounds alike to me. Except the Flying Fish Sailor, which toss in enough genuinely funny original stuff that I stay interested. Now I'm not sayin all these other Celtic bands are bad, just that I don't have the ear for it for long. I've no idea why that is.

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives

Shot at Meridian March 15 2005. Not some of my best pics, mostly due to lower light and hard to get a good angle. Only about 20 pics altogether I bothered posting.

The Features

They opened for The Soundtrack Of Our Lives and Kings Of Leon. And it's as well they should. they are very similar in style.

Carbon Leaf

These guys opened for Big Head Todd and they were damned good. I enjoyed their performance a lot. They have the talent to make it big if radio will ever let them in.

Mezclan

Sleazy P called me to come check out the first show of Mezclan so.... I did. I didn't take a whole bunch of pics since J seemed to be covering that detail just fine. Instead I tried taping the show which would have been a great tape but the bane of my existence; the ubiquitous people who just love to talk louder than the band can play and then make sure they do so in front of the mics as often as possible. This show was worse than many for that. Pretty much overtalked every single song. Some bleedin heart has made killing these kind of people against the law. Obviously this lawmaker doesn't go to many shows or try to tape them. Otherwise there would be a bounty on em.. But I digress.

Dave Alvin And the Guilty Men

Dave Alvin at the Continental on Feb. 20th 2005. They were filming this show for a documentary. I was photographing it for .. well me.

Particle

The Particle show at the Meridian had some real challenges to the shoot. All the lights were behind the band and they used a fog machine A LOT, so even the ones that focused in the wierd light and shot really good were fuzzy thanks to the copious amounts of fog on the stage. Still it was fun to shoot and I learned a bit about how to at least get some reasonable pics in this situation.

Dr Rockit And The Sisters Of Mercy 20 year Reunion Show

Romeo Dogs, Herschell Berry, and well a whole bunch of Houston legends played at Dr. Rockit's 60th Birthday bash. and I shot a lot of pics. A bunch of which I'm quite happy with.

New Jack Hippies Blue Backyard Birthday Party

A few pics from an informal event of Guys Birthday.

Camper Van Beethoven January 20, 2005 at Cactus and Fitzgeralds

Some pics from Camper Van Beethoven show January 20th at Fitz and Cactus Records. My first shoot with the new Canon. Had a lot to learn about my new camera.