See the full set of photos from Andrew WK @ The Firebird by clicking here or by checking out the gallery below.

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The post Photos: Andrew WK @ The Firebird | 05.22.13 appeared first on ishotguydebord.com.

Steve Reidell, one half of Chicago-based production/mash-up duo The Hood Internet, performed a DJ set at the Firebird in St. Louis, Missouri on May 15th, 2013 while on tour with Black Moth Super Rainbow.

If you’re not familiar with The Hood Internet, you owe it to yourself to check out their website and see what they’re all about. These dudes are at the top of their game. They’re for the sort of music fan that have become bored with Girl Talk. They’re for the folks that still chuckle about that photo of Greg Gillis with a Pepsi can.

I’ve found myself buying a beer during one of their sets only for the bartender and myself to forget what was going on because The Hood Internet just dropped something so nasty and rad we couldn’t believe it.

The Hood Internet Experience™ doesn’t suffer much when it’s just Steve. You still get a lot of choice classics and current favorites mixed together in an aurally pleasing way, but you do miss the fun of the teamwork they display on stage.

Usually, shooting a Hood Internet set involves people dancing on stage and things of a similar nature, with the DJs becoming somewhat secondary as a photographic subject, but since this wasn’t a headlining set it became sort of a listening party with a good enough amount of people dancing within and outside the crowd politely pressed against the stage. This limited my range of movement, since I wanted to keep my spot for Black Moth Super Rainbow’s set, but since I had a good angle it allowed me to focus on Steve. I didn’t walk away with a ton of shots but the light show did give me a few that I’m pretty happy with.

4 of them. And I’ve used them all in this post. So, uh, you can click on the images or check out the gallery if you want to see them at a larger size.

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Under the watch of St. Louis’ Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made monument in the United States, Eagles of Death Metal played a set so wild, they blew at least one guitar amp. The last stop for the Jack Daniel’s Live at the Landmark concert series proved to be a good time.

Not long into the set, Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes admitted that he was sick, that he had a temperature of 109, but that he was still going to give St. Louis the show they deserved. While not always able to hit the high register that many of EODM’s songs demand, there was no lack of spirit in his voice or in his showmanship. At times he spoke to the crowd like a Baptist preacher, a occurrence not so odd as Jesse had been ordained by the Universal Life Church Monastery back in December. At one point, perhaps after “Cherry Cola,” Boots Electric pull his watch from his wrist and tossed it to the crowd.

Naturally, people went wild.

A headlining set from the California-based rock quartet benefits from the fact that so far they’ve only released 3 albums (with a 4th being recorded soon) in their time, thus all but promising that any Eagles of Death Metal fan will hear at least a few of their favorite songs. Indeed, the night played like a best-of from Heart On, Death By Sexy, and Peace, Love, Death Metal. I want to say that least half of Death By Sexy (my favorite of the 3) was performed, but having been in the hot sun since the late afternoon, I can’t confirm 100%.

The night only had two snags: the previously mentioned amplifier blow-out and when Jesse played a Jack Daniel’s branded Epiphone for half a song. Jesse took the blown Orange head (and a heckler) in stride, but it did break the rhythm of the set. The guitar was raffled off to the crowd before their set and part of the mystique was that Jesse was going to play the guitar on stage before it was given to the lucky winner. A cool thing, no doubt, but the difference in sound between a $100 guitar and his default Maton semi-hollow was a sharp experience through the stage’s large sound system.

In the photo pit media photogs were allowed 5 songs instead of the normal 3, which was very awesome. The lighting for the first 2 songs allowed for some fast shutter speeds at 1600 ISO and from there it was a bit darker. Being able to capture a high energy band like Eagles of Death Metal with such good light was refreshing, having just shot Boris and Black Moth Super Rainbow in settings far from ideal. I spent a lot of time with my 50mm prime as well as my Lensbaby Edge 80 tilt-shift, both of which allowed me to get good converge in the wide photo pit.

Another band off the bucket list.

See the full set of photos from Eagles of Death metal @ The Gateway Arch clicking here or by checking out the gallery below.

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Last night a feverish Jesse Hughes brought out the demons under the Arch in St. Louis with Eagles of Death Metal on the last stop for Jack Daniel’s Live at the Landmark concert series. Count the cameras.

More photos soon.

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Philadelphia’s experimental-folk-pop-electronica gods known as Black Moth Super Rainbow survived a van break-in to perform at The Firebird in St. Louis on May 15th, 2013 with Oscillator Bug and Hood Internet.

The day of the show, my social media networks were abuzz with requests from my friends at The Firebird for an Akai MPC 500 and one of two vocoder units. Overnight, Black Moth Super Rainbow’s van had been broken into and while no one spoke of what all was taken, it was very obvious that two very essential pieces of equipment needed immediate replacing. Thankfully, an MPC 500 and vocoder were acquired, though through my inquiry the story wasn’t exactly clear.

But the show did happen, that’s probably the most important part. After the changeover from Hood Internet’s stage setup and the lights dimmed, Black Moth Super Rainbow took the stage to the cheers of the very full Firebird. The group opened with “Hairspray Heart” from Cobra Juicy, which the accompanying video playing on the screen behind the drummer. It’s an accessible song with a great guitar riff, as well as some choice lyrics, and not at all a bad way to absorb everyone’s attention.

Unsurprisingly, the night’s set pulled greatly from 2012′s Cobra Juicy. There were some older songs performed, but with all the variables of the evening it was hard to pick them out in an exact fashion. So much of what makes Black Moth Super Rainbow what it is comes from the production and the mood that it creates. Hearing “Sun Lips” without that dusty 4-track vibe and instead through the Firebird’s digital Midas mixer is slightly disorientating, robbing some songs of their identity. Tobacco’s vocoder for the evening, probably not the idea unit, sounded slightly off and at one point he commented that it sounded like shit. Considering the circumstances, it was forgivable.

From a photographer’s viewpoint it was a tough shoot. The darkness on stage made it difficult to even get the sort of capture that you could save by converting to black & white. Ryan Graveface and Pony Diver were basically impossible to get. Tobacco and The Seven Fields of Aphelion in keyboard land were easier, but only because of the light coming off of Tobacco’s laptop and Aphelion being partially illuminated by the video projector. Even then, I was shooting at 2500 iso with shutter speeds sometimes as slow as 1/10, just trying to get something.

I feel bad for the teenagers that left not even 15 minutes after doors because their friend was tripping balls rather hardcore on something. Dudes missed a good time.

See the full set of photos from Black Moth Super Rainbow @ The Firebird by clicking here or by checking out the gallery below.

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When I’m not getting ready for the next show I like to sit down with a good book. Help support www.ishotguydebord.com and my reading habit through my Amazon wishlist. You can always order a print from my large archive of awesome rock shots if you need something rad on your wall.

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The post Photos: Black Moth Super Rainbow | 05.15.13 appeared first on ishotguydebord.com.

Few individuals in hip-hop strike a profile like Detroit’s Danny Brown. His 2011 release XXX still holds as one of the best rap albums in recent memory. With his next record Old due in August, this tour would likely be the last time to see a set heavy on those cuts.

At Old Rock House in St. Louis on April 29th, 2013 the Adderall Admiral had no problem showing off your girlfriend’s favorite tongue.

The last time Danny Brown hit St. Louis was back in late 2011 was Das Racist. The crowd then was mostly younger college kids and slightly older individuals of the hip variety. I admittedly found myself surprised to find the crowd at Old Rock House to be mostly teenagers, not unlike those you’d find at a Mac Miller gig. Given Danny Brown’s subject matter, I suppose I shouldn’t have been so surprise.

I swear I saw a few parents at the bar.

As more people packed the sunken dance floor it started to feel like a bullpen, a feeling aided by the bar stools and tables that were not removed for whatever reason by the venue at a sold out show. I found myself stuck between one of these tables and a corner of a stage. Not a great angle for variety, but it worked.

The kids love Danny Brown. For myself, love may not be the right word, but I’d say that I do have some great appreciation for the dude. Sure, there are some problematic elements to his work. In “I Will” he talks about eating pussy like other people talk about shopping at Whole Foods, but the pleasure is all his. Such is the role of most of the nameless women mentioned in his music. It’s not a regrettable step backwards, but it’s weird when he can spit a strong narrative about growing up in Detroit.

That being said, Danny Brown killed it. “I Will”, “Lie4″, “Bruiser Brigade”, “Radio Song”, “Blunt After Blunt”; he played all the hits, as well as a new few tracks off the upcoming Old. He grabbed blunts from the kids up front, signed shoes, young girls hopped on stage and tried to grind on him. It was spectacularly weird and awesome, despite my own personal discomfort.

Everyone’s life could use a little more Danny Brown in it.

See the full set of photos from Danny Brown @ Old Rock House by clicking here or by checking out the gallery below.

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When I’m not getting ready for the next show I like to sit down with a good book. Help support www.ishotguydebord.com and my reading habit through my Amazon wishlist. You can always order a print from my large archive of awesome rock shots if you need something rad on your wall.

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The post Photos: Danny Brown @ Old Rock House | 04.29.13 appeared first on ishotguydebord.com.

Well, the night started with DJ Needles, 12 to Six Movement, Black Spade, and Tef Poe on the front end of the show and while it took a moment for things to get moving, the energy by the end of Tef Poe’s set was undeniable. Adrian Younge’s Venice Dawn then played a set that would’ve hit harder had it not been a constant tease of what we all knew was coming but as the lights dimmed and Adrian set the narrative for Twelve Reasons to Die it finally happened, Tony Starks himself came out with full bravado.

The new album has no shortage of high points, but its 1960s Euro pulp narrative has an odd pace and self-importance that drags down Ghostface’s legendary storytelling, but only a bit. Killah Priest and Adrian Younge play their parts well on stage in moving the story alongside Ghostface. Most importantly, they add an element of fun and excitement that thankfully strays from camp or irony. By the time Tony Starks gets dusted by the DeLuca Family and finds himself reborn as the Ghostface Killah, you’re sold.

While the all-analog backing band limited the possibility of too many classics from the catalog, a few did make an appearance. Arguably one of the greatest moments of the evening was when Ghostface and company invited individuals from the crowd to do Method Man and ODB’s verses from “Protect Ya Neck”. What could’ve been a weird and uncomfortable situation ended up being weird, but also a celebration of Wu Tang’s cultural legacy. They may not have nailed every line but they did more than well enough to meet the room’s approval.

From a photographer’s standpoint, it was a mixed blessing. I found myself more or less dead center in front of the stage, which limited the angles I could get. Given that the footprint of the live band also limited Ghostface’s movement on stage complicated that issue, but the interesting lighting in the room made up for whatever composition difficulties I had to deal with. Being able to shoot Ghostface in a room like 2720 Cherokee is uncommon, if not rare, and I ran that shit.

See the full set of photos from Ghostface Killah with Adrian Younge’s Venice Dawn @ 2720 Cherokee by clicking here or by checking out the gallery below.

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When I’m not getting ready for the next show I like to sit down with a good book. Help support www.ishotguydebord.com and my reading habit through my Amazon wishlist. You can always order a print from my large archive of awesome rock shots if you need something rad on your wall.

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The post Photos: Ghostface Killah @ 2720 Cherokee | 04.27.13 appeared first on ishotguydebord.com.

Ghostface Killah AKA Tony Starks AKA Frank Stoney did it big at 2720 Cherokee in St. Louis on April 27th, 2013. It was wild.

More photos soon.

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Record Store Day has become something like the music nerd’s favorite day of the year. Labels and bands put out special/limited releases and reissues and it’s typically a day of celebrating the quirkiness and importance of the record store, with bands and DJ doing live sets and local breweries offering free beer. While our world becomes increasingly more digital and we roll around in that convenience like a dog in its own filth, nothing really beats going to a record store and browsing through the used vinyl or finding an album that’s eluded you for years. Besides, you’re also supporting a local business and that’s never uncool.



I had the pleasure of doing a guest DJ set at Vintage Vinyl. By the end of my time I had some groupies. Rad! You can listen to a Spotify recreation of my set by clicking here.

While the DJ sets were going on inside, outside of Vintage Vinyl there were live performances by some of St. Louis’ best… and Josh Ritter. Josh Ritter deserves his own classification for many reasons, and a borrowed riser from The Pageant so the sidewalk-blocking crowd could see him.

Bruiser Queen also performed.

See the full set of photos from Record Store Day 2013 @ Vintage Vinyl by clicking here or by checking out the gallery below.

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When I’m not getting ready for the next show I like to sit down with a good book. Help support www.ishotguydebord.com and my reading habit through my Amazon wishlist. You can always order a print from my large archive of awesome rock shots if you need something rad on your wall.

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LA’s IO Echo returned to The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri on April 9th, 2013 on the last leg of Garbage’s year-long world tour. The lighting may have been non-existent but Ioanna Gika and her cohorts sounded huge.

I had been told the IO Echo’s lighting would be tough but I didn’t exactly expect for a few back lights and some strobes behind a set of paper screens. At one point, fearing that I had nothing, I chose a long shutter speed and used the exposure to drag whatever light I could grab. Another photographer told me he was using the AF assist lamps from the crowd for front lighting.

However, when speaking with others who were in the photo pit, we did agree that IO Echo sounded really, really good. Sometimes at The Pageant, openers don’t always get the best mix but this was pretty on point It’s easy to see why they’ve been an object of attention for the last year or so.

Crap, I forgot to get a shirt.

NOTE: The day after this show, St. Louis got rocked with some rough weather. A tornado briefly touched down in my neighborhood. No joke. It’s been an intense time and finding power and internet access has been tough. I apologize for the short write up but I’ve got a lot of things to catch up on.

See the full set of photos by clicking here or by checking out the gallery below.

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When I’m not getting ready for the next show I like to sit down with a good book. Help support www.ishotguydebord.com and my reading habit through my Amazon wishlist. You can always order a print from my large archive of awesome rock shots if you need something rad on your wall.

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The post Photos: IO Echo @ The Pageant | 04.09.13 appeared first on ishotguydebord.com.