So I applied for press passes for Bonnaroo 2008 today. For the first time on part of the application it was stated:
“Only photographers with SLR, interchangeable lens cameras will be allowed into the photo pits. There will be no ‘point and shoot’ cameras permitted.”
I have to say THANK YOU. The pits over the last few years have been getting so crowded you can barley move. When I’m shooting I want to move around, and not get the same shot over and over again. I’ve seen an over amount of ‘point and shoot’ and even disposable cameras in the Roo’ pits. Talk about annoying to those of us trying to make a living at being there and making great photos. I walk in to the campsite with more then $10k worth of equipment, I don’t need someone who spent $100 on a crappy camera that isn’t going to get much of a good photo standing in my way and holding up their camera blocking me. Anyway, looking forward to a good year. Should be another fun year, no matter who is playing.
So I chipped my tooth yesterday working on my Jeep. Got it fixed today thankfully. Still a bit sensitive but it looks normal now. Never really hurt much and I missed my lip with the wrench. Anyway, I had to take photos of course.
Robert Francis‘ album ‘One by One’ is the other album I bought when I bought the new Mars Volta. Completely different sounding albums, but both very good. Gretchen likes the sound of this album more also. Robert is only 19 but has the songwriting ability of someone much more experienced. One by One has folk feel that heralds back to old Dylan and vocals that at times could be Bruce Bruce Springsteen. But the album stands strongly on it’s own. The title track is actually my favorite and I even have it for a free (& legal) MP3 download by way of Spinner. Take a listen, great sound from CA though it sounds alot like the NC sound I’ve gotten used to around here.
Damn, been awhile since I saw a drum solo from Neil Peart. Always impressive. Probably one of the single most influential drummers on myself, some of my friends and thousands o drummers around the world. Hell of a drum solo and lyric writer for that matter.
The Bedlam in Goliath from The Mars Volta came out a few weeks ago, but I didn’t want to comment on it until I heard it a few times. I acutally bought it on the day it was released, more or less on accident. I was buying another album (a review for another day) and check to see Bedlam had been released. Low and behold it was released that day. Wow, just my luck so I went ahead with both purchases through iTunes. The band is incredible. Musically they are spectacular. I heard a complaint about their new drummer having no feel and he didn’t fit their music. I heard this form their per-album-release single, Wax Simulacra. As a single the drumming actually does feel a little over powering and over done. Lots of double kick and fills. But actually in within the feel of the album it flows and works well. The band is powerful, their new drummer Thomas Pridgen is also power drummer who doesn’t over power the music but possibly creates even more complexity and fits their rhythm section and pushes them forward.
Anyway, it’s been in my rotation pretty heavy now. Probably one of the hardest rocking albums I listen to right now.
I’d love to see them live as they support this new tour, they where the surprise hit of Bonnaroo a few years ago. They hit Columbus 04-08 and closest to me is Myrtle Beach shortly before. I might see if I can shoot the show to make the 3 hour trip worth it.
Check it out, a widget to sell my photos through Photoshelter. Your welcome to add it to your site too if you want Or you can sit here and look at my photos, that’s fun too.
Since the puppy photos seem to be so popular I figured I’ll show some more. Not my photos or my dogs, this is Scout’s little brother Indy short for Indiana (“We called the dog Indiana”). He is the runt of the litter and has the dog version of a cleft palate. He’s been bottle fed since birth in November, but is doing very well. Gretchen’s aunt, uncle and cousin have done a great job with him. The 2nd photo is of Scout, Parsnip, and Indy’s parents playing with a bone. Scout defiantly has their red color.
Gotta love this trailer/video from The Raveonettes for their upcoming release, ‘Lust, Lust, Lust.’ I figured it was for perfect Valentines Day. Charles Manson, eat your heart out….
Ok, I don’t know if it because we live in the south or what, but please. Do you want to go to McDonald’s for Jazz and Poetry? Ya, me either. Gretchen and I passed this sign earlier this week and I just had to take photo of it. Sheesh, what is this world coming to? We did get a good laugh out of it though.
Yesterday my band played a radio show at Elon University, WSOE 89.3. We gave an interview and played for about 40 minutes. We should get a recording of the show shortly and hopefully I can put it on here. Here’s a few photos though. I gave my camera to one the DJs for part of the show so I could actually have a few photos of myself, as well for the band. We had a limited space in the studio and I played a very “limited” drum set as well.
Or you can sit here and look at my photos, that’s fun too.
