Okay, so the newspaper I work for....

[schrackman]

sends me on a photo assignment tonight. I'm supposed to shoot some band called Flogging Molly at the Key Club in Cabazon. Never heard of either one. So, being the good photographer that I am, I take the assignment. They told me the band mixes a bit o' Irish in their music, and so "River Dance" comes to my naive little mind. Little did I know they also mix a bit o' Punk music in there too. Actually, quite a lot, and at very high decibles! It is not the least bit exaggeration to say I began to feel like a fish out of water, and stayed that way for the rest of the night.

After a mixup on "the list" I finally get access to go in as the press. The warm up band is doing a sound check, and from the looks of them I knew this wasn't going to be any River Dance at all. The crowd comes in, the warm up band starts (they were called something or other "Explosion", can't remember. That's our reporter's job, who was there also) and does about 5 or 6 songs. Didn't realize it till later, when she walked right by me after their gig, but their guitarist is just a teenie weenie little girl. She couldn't have been more than 5' tall and 19 years old from the looks of it.

Next band is up. Now their name I remember, because they were much more agile on the stage, and much more musically advanced than the first band. Rolling Blackouts was the name of the band. The bassist stuck out to me more than anyone. For some reason he reminded me of the band Boston with his big ol' fro.

Last, but not least, Flogging Molly came out. The crowd went wild. Guess this band is getting to be something big these days. I wouldn't know. It's not my scene, and the last concert I actually went to was probably back in 1985 (Rush, I think it was). It soon struck me just how old I actually was! Flogging Molly was very difficult to shoot–they wouldn't stand still! All over the place is how I would describe it. Nevertheless, I was able to pull off a few good photos.

While I probably would not jump at the chance to do this again (I think I need my hearing intact, thank you), I do have to say it was a very interesting and challenging experience as a photographer. The only negative thing is, they only let us shoot the first three songs for each band, then we had to stop till the next band came on. Don't ask me why, I don't know the answer to that. The positive side was we got to shoot right from the front of the stage.

Anyhow, here's just a sample of my work tonight. Still got LOTS more to process. All are untouched in photoshop except for sharpening and a tad of levels adjustments. The colors are as they were.

#1 Guitarist for something or other Explosion (it's killing me I that I can't remember the name!)

#2 Bassist for Rolling Blackouts

#3 Guitarist/lead singer for Rolling Blackouts

#4 Bassist again.

#5 Lead Singer/Guitarist for Flogging Molly

#6 Flogging Molly, part of the band anyway.

[schrackman]

....................

[Peter_AUS]

I like the last two best, although the flaring in the others is off putting. Can you do something to next time maybe not get so much of it. Lighting can be hard can't it.

Last time I went to bands like this would be in the 60's here in Sydney and that was a long long time ago.

[Axle]

I Like 'em! Hey, even I know about Flogging Molly.

[swmdrayfan]

Two words................EAR PLUGS!

Nice work. I'd like to see some of the other shots.
John

[Old Timer]

I haven't shot a concert since the early 70's. Your images make me want to get back out there and snap away. I think one of the last bigs I did was a group called the Iron Butterfly. I wasn't ready for the flash pots and ultra loud music that night either. You did a great job on these bands.

[Speed]

I've never heard of "Flogging Molly" either!

And from the sounds of it, I don't want to go hear them.

Next time, carry ear plugs. I'm not kidding. Take them and use them. You don't want to lose your hearing doing this.

I really like shots two and four. I like the wide angle you used on number two. It looks like you were right under his feet, and I just like the look of it.

Number four I like for the motion blur. Awesome catch my friend! I have tried several times to try to catch something like that with my brother's band. I finally got what I was after, but it took some trying to do. You nailed this one, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm looking forward to seeing more "assignment" shots from you.

[another view]

They guys in the warehouse here at work had a Flogging Mollys marathon on St Patrick's day. Good stuff, I'd heard of them but didn't know their music. I spent a little more time out there than usual that day...

Ray, you did a great job here - personally I do like the shots that have flare in them, especially the backlit shot of the singer. It's dark and looks great that way. Concerts are pretty tough to shoot from a technical aspect - low light, extremely contrasty stage lighting, lots of movement - not easy on the photograher, is it?!

[walterick]

For some reason he reminded me of the band Boston with his big ol' fro.

Yes, he reminds of Boston too!

Nice shots!

[Liz]

Ray,

You did a wonderful job! I don't know how you did such a great job with the noise - I would have gotten a migraine. To each his own.

I love No. 4 - it's awesome. The lighting and color on all of them are excellent.

Liz

sends me on a photo assignment tonight. I'm supposed to shoot some band called Flogging Molly at the Key Club in Cabazon. Never heard of either one. So, being the good photographer that I am, I take the assignment. They told me the band mixes a bit o' Irish in their music, and so "River Dance" comes to my naive little mind. Little did I know they also mix a bit o' Punk music in there too. Actually, quite a lot, and at very high decibles! It is not the least bit exaggeration to say I began to feel like a fish out of water, and stayed that way for the rest of the night.

After a mixup on "the list" I finally get access to go in as the press. The warm up band is doing a sound check, and from the looks of them I knew this wasn't going to be any River Dance at all. The crowd comes in, the warm up band starts (they were called something or other "Explosion", can't remember. That's our reporter's job, who was there also) and does about 5 or 6 songs. Didn't realize it till later, when she walked right by me after their gig, but their guitarist is just a teenie weenie little girl. She couldn't have been more than 5' tall and 19 years old from the looks of it.

Next band is up. Now their name I remember, because they were much more agile on the stage, and much more musically advanced than the first band. Rolling Blackouts was the name of the band. The bassist stuck out to me more than anyone. For some reason he reminded me of the band Boston with his big ol' fro.

Last, but not least, Flogging Molly came out. The crowd went wild. Guess this band is getting to be something big these days. I wouldn't know. It's not my scene, and the last concert I actually went to was probably back in 1985 (Rush, I think it was). It soon struck me just how old I actually was! Flogging Molly was very difficult to shoot–they wouldn't stand still! All over the place is how I would describe it. Nevertheless, I was able to pull off a few good photos.

While I probably would not jump at the chance to do this again (I think I need my hearing intact, thank you), I do have to say it was a very interesting and challenging experience as a photographer. The only negative thing is, they only let us shoot the first three songs for each band, then we had to stop till the next band came on. Don't ask me why, I don't know the answer to that. The positive side was we got to shoot right from the front of the stage.

Anyhow, here's just a sample of my work tonight. Still got LOTS more to process. All are untouched in photoshop except for sharpening and a tad of levels adjustments. The colors are as they were.

#1 Guitarist for something or other Explosion (it's killing me I that I can't remember the name!)

#2 Bassist for Rolling Blackouts

#3 Guitarist/lead singer for Rolling Blackouts

#4 Bassist again.

#5 Lead Singer/Guitarist for Flogging Molly

#6 Flogging Molly, part of the band anyway.

[Liz]

The lighting on all of your images is great. These two images are also excellent IMO.

Glad you posted - you should feel proud.

Liz

....................

[schrackman]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I am very pleased too with how these turned out. I forgot to mention no flash was permitted, but I found I only needed an ISO of 400 thanks to the bright lighting. Not bad for a digital Rebel and cheap Sigma lenses.

As far as earplugs go, I did get a pair of them from the dj booth but didn't need them at first. The first two bands were at a tolerable level, even at the front of the stage. When Flogging Molly came out they must have cranked up the volume because it was beginning to hurt my ears. Because they only permitted us to shoot the first three songs, that only left me about 9-10 minutes of shooting for the band. Believe it or not, I didn't really have time to sit down and put the plugs in my ear. I needed to get as many shots as I could because those 10 minutes went fast! As soon as the third song was over, I was outta there. But not so quickly...I had to navigate around the mosh pit on my way out! Not a good place get stuck with your only digital camera, hehe.

And Liz, yes I did have a headache when I got out of there! Thank God for Advil!

[jar_e]

Ray,

Great shots as always. I have heard of the band, though never listened to them. Looks like they might be up my alley though.

Great shots!

[dbutler]

I think they're great too. I also like the flare. Goes with the "entertainment" factor to me. well done!

[jorgemonkey]

I must say, I sweet shots! I'd love to do concert photography, but I would much rather be the one crowd surfing or in the front of the crowd Flogging Molly is awsome! I saw them with Green Day when they came to San Fran. I'd say the best way to describe Flogging Molly's music is drunk Irish pub music, punk rock style

[PhotoGirl]

Thanks for sharing your story, schrackman.

I like a lot of your photos, especially 2 and 4.
And, oh yeah, I've never heard of Flogging Molly either!

[schrackman]

Thanks Jared, dbutler, jorgemonkey and Photogirl! I'm glad everyone's enjoying the pics. I'll be posting another set of pictures in a moment.

[berrywise]

I'm jelous. I saw both Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphy's last year but would love to have been there shooting for something. I'm a big fan of this style of music so I'm envious of you getting paid to go see it