Aggrolites

I'm not kidding when I say that The Aggrolites are one of my favorite bands of all time. I will never fight my way to the front of the stage or dance at any shows, but that's what I'm doing when these guys play. The music is always incredible, the band puts on a great show, and the energy in the room is high.

DC9 was probably the smallest venue I've ever seen them play, but have to say that the venue is awesome. The drinks are strong, the bartender is friendly, the food is good, they play great music at the bar, and they OBVIOUSLY bring in some amazing bands!

The Casualties

Although The Ottobar is an great venue where one can see many amazing bands, I've decided as a photographer who shoots only with available lighting, that it's a awful place to shoot a live performance.

Regardless...

The Casualties, a band I have known and loved for a long, long time, are back out on the road and played their first show in a while in Baltimore. As always, they kicked ass. They are out on the road through July 4th. Check to see if they're coming through your town! Their new album, WE ARE ALL WE HAVE, is due out August 25th on SideOneDummy.

I just wish I had some pictures that were as great as their performance, but the dark red lighting just wouldn't allow it.

X at Ram's Head Live

Stillhouse Promos Shoot

FROM DECEMBER 6, 2008

This Stillhouse shoot will go down in history as one of my favorite promo shoots ever. We met up at Wilcom’s Inn, a very small bar in the middle of nowhere that opens at 6am and was at one time the bar attached 75 and 80 Drag-A-Way. The Drag-A-Way used to be quite the happening place where many people we all knew used to race cars years ago, but is now overgrown with weeds.

We had at least 4 beers each and I was shooting the whole time. A woman named “Sweetie” who had been there and drinking since 6:30am with her Chihuahua kept us highly entertained with her dirty jokes. It all started when one of the guys jokingly said “Be sure to get my good side!” and she yelled “Bend over, honey!’

We snuck into the old drag race and snapped some shots then, of course, headed back to the bar to “warm up.” After a few more beers I was shooting the guys at the table and Sweetie jumped up and flashed her goods for a shot. It was amazing. In order to keep this blog PG-13 I regretfully can’t post that one, but it is posted on the band’s MySpace.

We then headed over to the rehearsal spot where Clutch’s old touring RV is permanently parked. (Clutch is a ridiculously amazing band, in case you were not aware) The guys played and I snapped some shots. It started snowing while we were at the Drag-A-Way earlier and we were quickly freezing our butts off, so rehearsal didn’t last long. I had the honor of being the first girl in the place and had a great day drinking with friends and taking photos.

Be sure to check out Stillhouse. They're all very talented musicians. The line-up includes old members of Nothingface and 60 Watt Shaman. They play in Baltimore often at places such as Ram’s Head Live. I can’t wait to see them live – outside of the rehearsal spot.

Civet with Aiden at Sonar & Liza and Danni's Tattoo Work

FROM NOVEMBER 25, 2008

I was thrilled to find out that my friends, Civet, were playing at Sonar in Baltimore right after I got back to Maryland. They’re out on a couple week tour with Aiden and God or Julie.

The ladies, as always, kicked ass. It was great to see them so soon. If you missed them this time, be sure to catch their next US tour in early 2009 with Dropkick Murphys and H2O. That will be a show to surely not miss!

The ladies got tour tattoos. Then Liza and Danni got to try their hand at GIVING tattoos to some of the guys at HandMade Tattoo Parlor in Manassas, VA. They are pictured with their work above.

And what's an East coast show without a fight?! We saw one. I'm home!

Half Shell Band Promo Shoot

FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2008

I’ve been back in town for only about 2 weeks and did a promo shoot for the local Half Shell Band. The band members are talented and fun people. I had a great time with them and I'm SO glad to be doing photography here already.

One of the owners of the Music Cafe in Damascus, MD is the drummer of the band. This café is seriously the coolest place in this small, dry town. The amazing food, great atmosphere, fun entertainment, and wireless internet has been a real life saver for me.

Half Shell band plays often around the area. They also play the cafe. Check them out!

(A “dry town" with no alcohol (not even beer and wine) can be sold in stores nor served at any dining establishments. Yeah… really… it’s nearly 2009 and this is STILL happening. Can you believe it?!)

Civet Sponsored by Fender

FROM OCTOBER 2, 2008

Congrats to
Civet on their Fender endorsement! I was thrilled to be the one to do a quick shoot with the ladies and their new guitars for promotional materials. The guitars are beautiful, and we were all a little bit sad that this would be our last shoot together at the Hollywood Tower.

I’m having mixed emotions about moving back to the East coast. I’ll be close to my family again (which is awesome), but I’ll be leaving behind a lot of great friends. At least a huge percentage of my friends are in the music business and I’ll be able to visit with them at shows in DC and Baltimore.

Danni, also pictured above without instruments is an incredible drummer. Any drum companies willing to sponsor her will be glad they did.

The Devil's Orchestra at Key Club and Rainbow Graffiti

I'll just tell you now that I'll be writing about these guys often - because they're so great I go to see them play all the time. The Devil's Orchestra played the Key Club tonight. Yay. This is one of my favorite venues for shooting because they have some of the most amazing stage lighting in the Los Angeles area. Right now they're having free shows every Tuesday.

You can always see The Devil's Orchestra on Sundays at Cinespace on Hollywood Blvd. It's FREE to get in before 10pm and they have FREE VODKA drinks from 9:30-10:30pm. The band goes on at about midnight. And it's well worth the wait.


When The Devil's Orchestra was done playing I headed over to the Rainbow for dinner. I always take my camera with me when I go to the ladies room because there is always great graffiti. Who knew you could see such wise words in a bathroom stall in a restaurant on the Sunset Strip?!

The Devil's Orchestra

Snake, Rocko, and Elmo are some of the most ridiculously talented and original musicians I've ever known. This band is mind- blowing. I'm not exaggerating.

If you're in Los Angeles you can check them out FOR FREE every Sunday night at Cinespace (Hollywood and Ivar). Just be there by 10pm. There's incentive to get there early - all vodka drinks are FREE from 9:30-10:30pm.

TDO goes on at midnight, but between free vodka hour and the performance there's plenty to do. The night features art exhibits, live art, DJs, and 2 other bands. And if that's not enough... I've seen several celebrities there - including Jared Leto and Adrien Grenier.

Check them out on MySpace and go see them live. You WILL be hearing about them!