I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about beaten up, worn out, vintage film cameras that weighs heavy on my heart. I can’t help but purchase one whenever I see one up for grabs. I’ve been seeing a lot of them lately, now that the weather is warm and flea market season is in. I’ve got over a dozen in my collection these days.
While I’m not really into music photography anymore, I still have my old Canon Rebel Digital SLR. It boasts a mighty 6.1 mega pixels and is incredibly broken. Yet, there’s no way I could ever get rid of it. It took me on my first tour and introduced me to my girlfriend. There’s history here.
Maybe that’s why these old cameras make me so sad. I’m sure the owner was, at one point, so thrilled to own this little wonder. Photographed his family, video taped his friends. These cameras probably captured so many memories, so much joy, and now they’re left to sit on flea market fold out tables, thrift store rummage bins, and the like.
They just sort of feel like… like discarded people to me. Maybe that’s weird, but I don’t care. They’ve got a home now.
So after receiving a nice kick in the pants from my pal Stacy, I’ve fixed my portfolio and photo galleries. Most of my live photography, promotional work, and tour galleries are back online. That’s the sunset in Kentucky, from the Sleepaway tour in 2006. Thanks Stace.
Stacy manages a stellar band called Transmit Now. Give ‘em a listen.
Bowling For Houston Calls
So my pals Houston Calls (Drive Thru Records) invited me over to their band house to take some quick press snaps. We had planned to do a Blood Brothers-esque photo of the band inside one of their favorite bars, but unfortunately the manager they had befriended was MIA, and we weren’t able to shoot in the planned location.
In The Band House
We ended up just shooting around a local bowling alley and inside the band house. I like the way some of the images came out, but we definitely could have done something better with that other location. Next time.
Chitty Poses Outside
I’ve got an entire gallery of photos from the shoot on my Flickr page. We took almost 400 images. You’ll find just a few of my favorite group and solo shots.
Houston Calls’ new album End of an Error, hits stores everywhere on October 14th. I really can’t wait. It’s been three years since their debut album dropped on Drive Thru. To support their first effort, the guys spent time on tour with groups like Fenix Tx, The Early November, Paramore, HelloGoodbye, Plain White Ts, and overseas stints with Yellowcard and MXPX.
They’ll be heading to the UK with Farewell and going back to Australia this fall in support of the new record. Go get ‘em guys.
So my pals Standard of Living were in town this past week, on tour with Maverick Records artist Ben Jelen, who you might remember from his hit single in 2005, Come On. With the water coming out of the piano. Good song, weird video.
We hung out a lot in the backroom of the World Cafe Live, playing cards, and watching the guys hit on the various waitresses working at the club. It was great seeing old friends, who I hadn’t seen for the greater part of a year, which is about how long it’s been since I’ve last been in Buffalo, NY.
They played a fantastic live set. The acoustic at the World Cafe Live are really great. I took a handful of photos, but spend most of the time shooting some video on my camcorder. Thought it would be fun to put together a nice acoustic video for the guys. I’ll be working on that over the next week or so, since I really need something relaxing to do in the midst of finals and work. Seriously, I have way too much going on right now, and nothing relaxes me more than sweet piano rock.
Mittens was loved by everyone who stayed at the house, both fans of the band who came to party, and the rockstars themselves. He just loves attention and a good snuggling.
Give Standard of Living a listen on their Myspace. I’ll be heading up to Buffalo, NY for their album release show in June, no doubt about that one.
Standard of Living
www.myspace.com/standardofliving
Happy April everyone! I felt this bun photo was appropriate for Spring. It’s Tim’s bunny, Vada, as a baby.
Back with updates soon. Possibly some cool party photos. I’ve had Farewell (Epitaph) and Powerspace (Fueled By Ramen) at the house recently. Drinks were had, trouble was caused, groupie hearts were broken… good times, all in all. Farewell will be back in Philadelphia in May, on tour with Hit The Lights. I’m gonna need a keg for that party.
Semester ends at the end of the month, my last summer class starts in May, I graduate with my MA in June. Where did all this time go? It feel like just yesterday I moved to Philadelphia to start my MA, driving here with a full head of hair and lots of hopes. Now, I’ll be wrapping up grad school, hopes fullfilled, head missing most of my hair.
I need to treat myself to a stress free tour with a popular band soon, before I lose it all.
Propecia in 2009!
Well, I’m back in Philadelphia, returning to a ton of work and projects.
I’ll be busy over the next two weeks working on three different papers for two of my classes (due next Tuesday), and two additional papers due for my independent study. I have to finish several more non-fiction short stories for my graduate project and fill out my application for graduation. Seriously Arcadia, why do I have to apply to graduate?
Photography wise, I’m heading back to New Jersey to work with recent Universal Records signees Cash Cash, doing new press snaps for Hello Jersey, and planning for a week stint on this year’s Van’s Warped Tour, a week that will be both exciting and miserable.
Geekadelphia will be hosting a party here in Philadelphia for Battlestar Galactica’s series finale. That’ll be all kinds of fun.
And as for vacation snaps, you can take a look at some Hawaii pictures here.
Back to work!
So I made it to Hawaii without any problems, save for the fact that I almost threw up on the guy sitting next to me on the first flight. He understood. He also didn’t care when I grabbed his arm during some turbulence. Or when I fell asleep, woke up, and forgot I was on a plane and started freaking out.
Otherwise… no problems.
I’m staying with my pal Cynthia while I’m here, and she has a lovely place. I’m up early as hell due to the time differences, so I’ve got an excuse to be on my computer. Plus I already locked myself out of her apartment once this morning, while outside taking photos.
Can you blame me though? Look at that! That’s the view from Cynthia’s patio, as soon as you walk out the door. The office buildings are around the back.
Today we’re off to have breakfast with a bunch of her co-workers, and then it’ll be time to wander aimlessly around the island, doing the whole tourist thing. It’s funny, I’m used to being the tour guy, since all my pals request historic tours when they visit Philadelphia. I hope I don’t embarrass her too much.
The fact that I’ve never been on an airplane always surprises my friends, what with my vast knowledge of the United States and Canada. I’ve just been extremely fortunate in my travels with bands, to have seen every single state (except Hawaii and Alaska) and most of Canada without ever having to take a plane. Whenever I go visit Heather, I take an Amtrak.
So I’m going on my first airplane ride… ever… tomorrow morning. I’m heading to Hawaii for about a week and a half. One of my close friends from Ramapo, Cynthia, lives there, and I’ll be crashing with her. So don’t get any crazy ideas about me spending ten days in a resort and blowing tons of cash on a hotel stay. My ass is sleeping on a couch.
I’m excited. Any airline travel tips are more than welcome right now.
… is it bad that all I can think about is posting photos on my Flickr?
My debut novel comes out this Fall. You'll be able to download free audiobook podcasts 
