mikesaid

Friday, March 9, 2012

Bonnie Palace Oldham

I remember seeing Bonnie Price Billy in New Zealand almost ten years ago. My lasting memory from that gig was a man walking out during his set and yelling "play some real fucking music" (I assume he meant a blues jam). It was one of a few moments I was having around that time that led me to moving to Australia where I was hoping that they would be used to different kinds of music and therefore not act like a 12 year old punching back at something they don't understand.

Not so.

I was a little bit surprised (and scared because I was taking photos) at how minimal the stage at The National Theatre was when we arrived. It was a LARGE stage, with a drum kit, two amps, some leads and mics right in the middle, everything else was black... but this allowed the lighting man to do his thing - such a great venue to listen and watch music in.

There are (a lot of) people who can play music, but few I would actually call musicians. Bonnie Price Billy, or Will Oldham (Palace, Palace Brothers, Palace Music) is a musician. He used the natural sound of the theater so well, singing away from the mic - and also unplugging his guitar totally for the last couple of songs with all three singers standing at the front of the stage not singing through the mic.

The intimate setting that Will and band provided allowed people to converse with him between songs - one man from Complainland, I mean England piped up and asked him why he had to sing so many songs with God as a subject. He liked his old stuff so much, but why did he have to sing songs that he (the man in the audience) didn't like at this show. No one really needed to answer that - it was obvious that this guy was a total tool who for some reason thought that he should have some influence over someones artistic output. Maybe he sings songs with God as a subject because... he... shit, I dunno... wants to? it's one thing to have this opinion but it's another thing to voice this opinion at a show bringing the tone down of what was a great performance. Obviously this guy could not comprehend music of this nature so his reaction was to hit out. Congratulations.

Get a blog, fuckwit. OH YEA, AND LET ME KNOW WHEN JOHNNY CASH WANTS TO COVER ONE OF YOUR SONGS.

Like me!

Shot for the AU review

See the whole set here.

Some video?

Saturday, February 25, 2012

PUTA MADRE BROTHERS FTW!

I have seen these guys a few times now (see here from when they supported the Wagons at the Forum, and also here from Cherry Bar) so there isn't much more I can really say that I haven't said already, they are great - an original live band.

They were supported by another Mexican type band called Mesa Cosa. Punky Mexican, very enjoyable.

What a night.

Where were you?

el sucker.

See the whole set here

Photographed for the AU review, see this and other gigs from me here

Now, for some video, this one from Mesa Cosa:

aaaaaand this one from Puta Madre Brothers which you have seen before:

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Damn (another gig with shitty lights)

This was a bit of a latey... I have photographed Damn Terran before and liked what I heard (plus they give good show) so I also liked what I photographed. When I saw a gig pop up on facebook I thought "yes, I'd like to go see that" and saving myself a cool $6, I got on the door to photograph for the AU Review.

It was Wednesday so that meant only 3/4 of a room, but Damn Terran put on a great show - check 'em out.

It was my 2nd time in a week that I have been shafted by the bad lighting at a venue... is it really that hard people? just a little bit? I know, you are probably sitting there saying, have a cup of harden the fuck up mate... well, I am sitting here saying, have a cup of GET SOME FUCKING LIGHTS.

Anyway, Iowa were up next and well, due to the lack of lights I got about 6 photos worth keeping, about 3 of those were worth posting. You can see those on the AU Review...

See the whole massive set here!

Damn Terran (c) Michael Christian 2012

And as usual, don't just take my word for it, watch some proof!

Monday, February 20, 2012

single light

It's Sunday night and while most of you are contemplating sitting in the car parked in the garage with the engine running as Monday fast approaches, I am getting a double short black at Starbucks and wondering if all these people in town at 8pm have jobs.

Single Twin is Marcus Teague, his album which you can listen to below is a lovely piece of work - have a listen, it's nice!

I got there early because last time I shot Georgia Fair here it was sold out and I came away with about 300 photos from one position, this one on the other hand was anti-sold out. I think there were probably about 30 or 40 people there (including 4 photographers!) another thing that didn't show up was the light, which is great for mood. And not much else.

Support was from Chips Laffer, who for some reason is almost impossible to find anything online.. (he had lights though)

Shot for the AU Review, view whole set here.

See the set on flickr

Chips Laffer (c) Michael Christian 2012

Single Twin (c) Michael Christian 2012

now have a listen to this:

Ladies, check this out:

Friday, February 3, 2012

yummy yummy Yuck

So I have this new favourite band, Yuck. I found them a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised that they were touring soon (instead of finding a band that toured last month). I kinda hesitate comparing bands to bands but it reminds me of Pavement with their sloppy summer sound.

I put in a request to shoot but was told that we were only allowed one spot for a sideshow (they toured with the Laneway Fest) and Sydney had already been approved, so I was to go as a paying punter. Which is strange. I even got myself a t-shirt.

I got there and the air was thick with hipster, so much it was hard to breathe, luckily between sets everyone went outside for some fresh air and I got up the front. Yuck came on, played an awesome set to what I saw was a room full of people just fucking standing there. I am pretty sure when I was little we used to dance. Maybe non-appreciation is the new black?

And I shot some on my phone. FTW!

Yuck (c) Michael Christian 2012


Yuck (c) Michael Christian 2012

some video proof that these guys rule..

Do you like 'em? are you glad I showed you all this?

Saturday, January 21, 2012

wolfy and the bat cubs...

Fitzroy. Where the guy hops out of the cab, lights a ciggy and checks his hair while his girlfriend pays. I had a bit of time to walk around while waiting for the doors to open. Had a coffee. Had another walk while still waiting for the doors to open. I'm not a nerd. The first band was supposed to start at 9.

Anyway, LuWOW is a bar in Fitzroy that's very... teak. It's awesome - my old boss in NZ would have a heart attack if he saw this place.

First band (The Sheriffs) were first up. The music was good - but I wasn't feeling it, photographically speaking. so. no. photos. for you.

Next up we had a three piece punk outfit, called The Spazzys, all ladies playing some nice punk, I don't really like punk, but their guitars were in tune so they basically ruled for about 40 minutes - worth a look or listen fersure.

Wolfy and the Bat Cubs were releasing their debut EP. They were kinda, um, indie-space-psycho-retro-grind music? I just made that up. They were good! I liked 'em.

Photos!

Shot for the AU Review - see the set here.

See the whole selection here (when I get back from holiday and put them on flickr)

Twitter me on follow!

Wolfy and the Bat Cubs (c) Michael Christian 2012

The Spazzys (c) Michael Christian 2012

Wolfy and the Bat Cubs (c) Michael Christian 2012

Some music for you!

Forgive Me by wolfyandthebatcubs

Spazzys - I Wanna Cut My Hair Like Marky Ramone by hollyfotografias

THE SHERIFFS - Sundance Romance - 01 Your Horse Is Dead by The Sheriffs

UPDATE! video from the gig just came available:

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Bob Log Experience

I had asked the AU Review to request shooting this show for me, which they did but we got no reply. I was pretty keen to see this guy so thought I'd go anyway (and pay for a ticket. yes. pay) I also thought that I'd take my camera along too, and see how I go getting it in... So with a short black and a can of V in me, I was off to the Northcote Social Club (by myself - BOOO) Getting the camera in was sweet as, which is kinda annoying because I only took the 50D with a 50mm f1.8 lens on it in case I had to put it in the car, the 50mm on a crop body is a little too much zoomed in for me.

Anyway, I was also keen to see the support The Dad Horse Experience, after seeing a cool song on You Tube (see below). He was great, this was an evening of one man bands and it's interesting how they include the gaps between the songs to win over the audience (as well as the actual songs) I guess with no band standing there there is no need to move quickly from song to song.

Bob Log III has a song called Clap Your Tits (also see below), and that's the song that made me want to request to shoot this gig, anyone with a song called clap Your Tits deserves to be covered in every city they tour.

From his website: Bob Log III is an American, Slide Guitar, One Man Band. During performances, he plays old silvertone archtop guitars, wears a full body cannonball man suit, and a helmet wired to a telephone which allows him to devote his hands and feet to guitar and drums. The spectacle has been described as a guitar dance party, full of sweaty smiles, jumps and kicks. Touring over 150 shows a year in more than 30 countries, Log and his guitar never, ever quit. Bob Log's version of quick Delta blues is a continuation the sound that Bob Log and Thermos pioneered in the duo, Doo Rag. The major differences are: greater emphasis on guitar showmanship, and drumming -one man band style-with his feet. It sounds like three drummers, two guitar players, and one sort of singer. Based in Tucson, Arizona, and Melbourne, Australia, he has made frequent tours of North America, Europe, Japan and Australia, Mexico, and Iceland.

Anyway, on to the photos!

See them all here

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