Although I haven’t worked for a publication in quite a while now, I do still know a lot of writers and other photographers. Occasionally I find myself in an interviews with bands and always like to take a few candid snaps while whoever it is is answering some questions.
Before I delve into the memories of what may be my favourite moment in my photographic lifetime, I’d like to start off with some excuses. My Dad always used to say I had a golden tongue when it came to excuses, so I’m sure you’ll forgive my unprompted leave of absence with regards to blog writing. I never have been a prompt writer have I?
The several times I have sat at my computer and attempted to write this I have become lost in other tasks, idle chit chat and other such procrastination. Not through lack of what to say, I feel all the more qualified to talk about Bowling For Soups latest tour than I did reviewing that of Wu-Tang Clan a few weeks ago. The problem I fear is that with all the extra work I’ve been doing recently, I haven’t found the couple of hours sat staring at a blank page to conjure up a beginning to this blog.
Anti-Flag playing Manchester Academy 1 on the Eastpak Antidote Tour in 2009
With the internet giving everyone a voice, and the the price of entry level dSLR cameras rapidly dropping, it seems everyone is using that voice, and those cameras to blog their photographs, their tips, and their opinions. Myself included.
4 years ago I started photography with no previous experience whatsoever. I just picked up a camera and was asked to photograph a friends band. Graphic design however, has always been an interest of mine. To the point where I even remember impressing my first IT teacher during out first lesson in year 7, when the class was asked to do the typical bullshit ‘poster’ for some reason or another.
As expected upon entering Academy 1 and setting my eyes towards the stage, I was presented with two skinny, white ‘DJ’s set up on a makeshift table playing the chorus from every hip hop/rap song since ’95. The perplexed look amongst the eagerest of fans, as if to say ‘Who the fuck are these guys and when are Wu Tang on?’ was on everyones faces. Well, all but the girl stood next to me wearing nothing but jogging shorts and some sort of sports bra, showing off her quite masculine physique, dancing away like an over enthusiastic rejected extra from 8 mile. Sound in the knowledge that this show was far removed from my usual trips to this venue, I headed to the bar to regain a sense of familiarity.
