Jimmy Eat World @ Modified Arts

So I got a call around 2:30pm on Tuesday night... my editor at the New Times asked if I'd been following the news... that there would be a "secret" Jimmy Eat World show that night. He wanted me to photograph the show. I was happy to hop to.

When he told me they were playing at Modified Arts downtown, I was a little less than thrilled. I mean, it's a wicked idea on J.E.W.'s part... but Modified as a music venue has always failed to impress me. (No lighting, only 'ok' sound) All that aside, I knew this could be something special. I decided to take it one step further, and I pitched the idea of meeting up with Jim Adkins, lead singer, before the band went on for a quick interview... maybe a few Modified stories... as this show would be one of the last shows of live music at the venue, as it will be under new ownership soon.





We weren't able to get directly to Jim's people, so my plans for an elaborate interview on HD video didn't quite pan out. However, I did bring my 5D MkII with me to the show. My editor, Jon, and I got there early and went hunting for Jim... who was happy to oblige a quick interview. So we grabbed a semi-lit corner and I clicked my camera to video. We had only the on board mic to deal with and the mercy of the crowd that was piling through the door. (see below for video)



Needless to say, the show was not very secret... AZ Central had spilled the beans very early on... the show was meant to be secret for as long as possible because of the constraints of the venue, which only safely houses 150-160 people. When I arrived at 6:30pm, the line of people waiting was curled around the back of the building and down to the corner of the street, and nearly back to the door again. 3/4 of the people, if not more were turned away... simply not enough room.





The show itself was a lot of fun, 3 quick acoustic openers, and then a full electric set from Jimmy. I'm not the biggest 'fan' of Jimmy Eat World as it were, but I had a good time listening to the show. You can see how much they stand out from other local acts...

KISS @ Jobing.com Arena

To be honest, I didn't know exactly how to prepare for a Kiss concert. Even up to the last minute before they came on stage I was questioning my lens/camera selections.



Right before the show started I put my 17-40mm on my Canon 5D MkII, and my 100-400mm on my Canon 20d. I felt like I would need that ultra-wide zoom lens on my full frame camera at the start. This was a good choice to start I think... It let me capture some of the incredibly energetic performances at the front of the stage.

I don't want to kill any of the illusion, but as I understand it, only Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are 'original' Kiss members. That said, the fact that they are doing what they are doing, for as long as they've done it, is a feat in itself. The platform boots these guys were wearing were just crazy! The show they put on for the people, and if I'm honest, for the photogs as well, was amazing!

There were a few times throughout the show where I had Paul Stanley, the Star Child, 4 feet from my lens, staring me right in the face. I can't believe some of the pictures I got. I really can't give them enough credit for putting on such a show, and for making it so easy for the photogs. The stage was so well lit, and the performances and poses were so over-the-top that every picture could be great. My 5D was set to 2000ISO and I fluctuated between 1/200 and 1/400 shutter speed.

Gene and Paul both had a microphone off to their respective side of the stage, and in the middle was a short cat walk wide enough for the three axe-wielding mad men to lean over the crowd and rock in unison. Unfortunately for Eric Singer, the drums were SO high up in the air that I couldn't get a shot of his face... but I'm sure his view of the arena was amazing.

Really, the only word I could think of last night was EPIC! Even if you don't know the songs, you know the band... and the show was just as crazy as you could imagine. I'm really glad I got the chance to cover this. It was really a fun time, and it still feels nothing like 'work' to me.

Video for "Damage" official release!

The video for "Damage" by Jacksonville, Florida band Fit For Rivals has now had it's official release on the band's Myspace page, myspace.com/fitforrivals, as well as on youtube and vimeo! Please go check it out, it's been a lot of work, but we are all proud of the end result.

I have also put together a short behind-the-scenes video here.

Also, my brother Gus and I have formed our official production company... we are calling it "Black Chalk Productions", it will emcompass everything from music videos to feature films. The website is still under construction, but we have posted the Damage video there. The address is http://www.blackchalkproductions.com/

Go watch the video and send the link to all your friends!

...a nice plug from the Phoenix New Times here.

U2 @ Cardinal Stadium

Going into this, I knew right off that without a doubt... this is the biggest show I would ever see. There is no one bigger than U2. Their shows are always a huge ridiculous event. This show was no different. Absolutely epic!

I remember thinking when they built Cardinal Stadium (University of Phoenix Stadium)... that only two bands could possibly play there... The Rolling Stones and U2. There is reason a for it. Huge! These bands don't do anything small. The stage that U2 brought was insane! They call it the "Claw", and you can see why. Its a treacherous and bewildering creation. It stretched from one side of the floor to the other... and when it's not inside of a rectangle shaped football stadium, it is actually a 360 degree stage. There is giant video screen that wraps around the top of it, so it can be viewed from miles away... and there is a circular catwalk, accessible by moving bridges, that reaches well out into the crowd.

Walking out on to the floor for the first time, I couldn't help but feel like this was my first concert. I could argue that this was the first concert I've been to on this level. I actually took some video while I was walking to my shooting position. (I may post it shortly) Then once in position, all the other photogs were taking pictures and video of themselves as well. Everyone was equally blown away by where we were.

When the show started, it was just such a rush to see these people in person... Bono! The Edge! Crazy. It was so unreal that I didn't even notice what song they opened with. I was just so intent on getting the shots I needed.

The only thing I would say that could even be considered a 'let down', was the use of spot lights. Nearly the entire duration of the time I was allowed to shoot, the band was lit solely by spot lights... which just means, not the most exciting or interesting photos. But that aside, I had an amazing time. The show was just awesome. No one could possibly feel let down in the entire arena.

U2 more than any other band, I think, knows how to connect with the audience. It's pretty obvious when you consider the gigantic venue they played. But the way they deliver themselves to the crowd each tour, it's always new and exciting, and original... and they make damn sure they can get close to as many people as possible. Either by enormous video screens, and massively long catwalks. No one is doing it like them. And that's why they are at the top.

Plus a catalog jam packed with hits doesn't hurt.

Fit For Rivals "Damage" Video Shoot - Day 3

Wednesday, the final day of shooting! We arrived at our location around 9am and started to unload. We had a giant warehouse type room to shoot in for the band performance part of the video. I think everyone was excited to see this video wrap. We already had so much amazing footage, it was time to finish it off and bring in the band.





Thomas and Renee had been in town all week, but Jesse and John arrived with Ronnie Winter, lead singer of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, on Tuesday night. This meant just a short time of hanging out and eating before an early bed time. After a long van ride to AZ with no A/C, I think the band was ready for sleep, but hungry to rock the next morning.

After the initial load in and set up of all the equipment, shots went relatively quickly. There were a few dolly and jib shots that took time to set up, but once those were done, the day went smoothly.





Jon Wilkes was on set to play drum tech and deaden the sound of the cymbals and toms as much as possible during playback. We had a really good time this day, the band got to cut loose and just concentrate on their performance. No more uncomfortable or tricky shots for Renee either… just a day of rocking out on camera.

In between some changes in set up, I managed to sneak in a quick photo shoot with the band. I really wish I had more time to spend with them. There were a lot of ideas we had for photos… but the time just went by so quick. I did manage to get a few shots I’m really happy with tho.

A little known fact: Ronnie Winter can perform a solid Hadouken.

By the end of the 13 hour day, everyone was exhausted. Water bottles and aluminum cans littered the set… guitars and cymbals were covered in blood… strings were slashed apart… and everyone involved was noticeably worn. But we were all in a good mood.

While watching playback of the dailies on set, we knew we had another day of amazing footage. Everyone was very impressed with all involved. The crew was awesome, ready to tackle any jobs that came up… Brenna’s make up made the band really pop on camera… the location was great for the aesthetic… and the band nailed it. Now it’s just down to Gus and I to shuffle through hours of footage and cut it down to an epic 3-minute video.

Thanks to everyone who helped out on set as extras and as crew

Cast and crew for day 3 of shooting:

Renee Phoenix - Lead Singer
Thomas Amason - Guitar, Producer
Jesse Carroll - Guitar
John Hartman - Drums
Ronnie Winter - Bass, Producer
Gus Holwerda - Director, Producer
Luke Holwerda - Director of Photography, Producer
Brenna Stephens - Hair and makeup
Jon Wilkes - Drum tech
Chris Herron - Producer, Crew / set construction
Brad Murren - Crew / set construction
John Clay - Crew / set construction
Joe Heinl - Crew / set construction

and check out myspace.com/FitForRivals for music and updates.