cameron obscura

Free ticket for Silversun Pickups today

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:06:53 -0700

I have an extra ticket to see Silversun Pickups at the Expression Center for New Media in Emeryville today at 1pm. Small show, huge music.

Anyone want to go?

Call me @ 510-708-4137.

cam.

Fuzz & Maldroid name-checked on SFGate.com

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:17:51 -0700

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/05/DDU3SJ8K4.DTL

sweet.

The only thing I like about soccer

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:38:47 -0700

...besides the fight songs and hooliganism, that is.

It's okay to laugh. Hard.

PHOTOS: The Lovemakers @ Oakland Art & Soul 2007

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 23:38:38 -0700

What can I say -- hot-ass day, hot bands, Fuzzies in the sun, and an opportunity to shoot at ISO 100. I'm so there. No photo pass or anything (ahem), but it's amazing what a big-ass camera will do for a six-foot-three dude trying to get to the front.

I shot all the bands on the Live105 stage that day, but Scott & Lisa get separate billing. More pics later from Audrye Sessions, Ted Leo, Great Northern, etc...

Check out the full set at cameronobscura.com

...and of course, a few of my favorites...

PHOTOS: Maldroid & The Moanin' Dove @ Stork Club, August 2, 2007

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:40:27 -0700

The first night of Maldroid's two-month residency @ the Stork Club. Keepin' it real in Oaktown. Good to see a few Fuzzies there, and support from Angel of the Phenomenauts, showing up in full regalia, not unlike the Maldudes. After seeing The Moanin' Dove play, I understand why the bassists I know have a hard-on for them. Good stuff.

I could say more, but pictures tell the story.

Photos up at cameronobscura.com
Maldroid
The Moanin' Dove

...and of course, some of my favorites:
Maldroid

The Moanin' Dove

PHOTOS: The Nightwatchman @ Swedish Hall, July 20, 2007

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:42:02 -0700

After reading Abigail's updates from the road, touring with Tom Morello (aka The Nightwatchman), I cleared my schedule for Friday, July 20, despite the wealth of other great shows going on (sorry, Hot Toddies!). Tom lived up to all the hype of his One Man Revolution, rocking a sol-out crowd with just an acoustic guitar and a healthy dose of socialist activism.

I didn't realize before, but dude is funny! In between songs, he shared stories involving Michael Moore, his various bandmates in Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine, as well as a hilarious story about on-stage masturbation that ended up in Fishbone's trailer.

Tom was supported by fellow Libertyville troubadour Ike Reilly and was joined onstage by Boots Riley of The Coup (no relation, obviously). High points of the show were a lyric-sheet supported uncensored version of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" and a lively bluesy rendition of "Guerrilla Radio" that got the crowd jumping – literally.

Lots of Fuzzies out in force, including Jeff, Dredge, Otter, Jose, Abigail, Nicki, Mo, Sandy, Karen, etc. I can't remember the rest because I was SOBER. Damn.

Full set is up on cameronobscura.com
The Nightwatchman
Ike Reilly

…and of course, my personal favorites from the night (including a first-ever animated GIF section):

Ike Reilly

The Nightwatchman

Abigail!

Guerrilla Radio - turn that shit up!

BART Violinist

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:58:32 -0700

Having spent three years of my precious 20s going to school in the Civic Center, I have learned to turn a blind eye and deaf ear on most of the panhandlers, vagrants, dope fiends, and other people who hang around UN Plaza and the Tenderloin. Every so often, though, something happens to break through that zone of protection and makes me stop and think.

As I walked back to BART from Great American Music Hall last Thursday, I happened to notice this guy "playing" violin at the bottom of the Civic Center stairs. Why the "air quotes"? Well, his strings were slack tuned to the point that they were sagging off of the fretboard. Still, you gotta admire the guy's passion. Luckily I had my camera and a dollar. I'm going to frame this picture and give it to him next time I see him.

Click the photo to get a higher-res picture.
Bigger is better, no matter what your girlfriend tells you.

PHOTOS: Lovemakers CD Preview Party @ Cafe du Nord, 7/16/07

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:32:26 -0700

Lisa and Scott previewed their new EP "Misery Loves Company" complete with videos at Cafe du Nord on Monday. Various insiders, industry types and Fuzzies were in attendance and taking full advantage of the open bar. If you were there but don't see your picture, then don't be so shy next time!

Full set up on cameronobscura.com

...but here are some of my favorites:

PHOTOS: The Herms, The May Fire and The Passionistas @ Bottom of the Hill, 07/12/07

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:21:48 -0700

You know that feeling you get when you get into a television show -- I mean REALLY into a television show -- one that is witty, well-written, well-executed, subversive, and all around renews your faith in the whole idiot box concept as more than just another opiate for the masses like organized religion? I'm talking Freaks & Geeks, Arrested Development kind of shows. (wait for it...)

...and then you know the feeling when it gets cancelled by a heartless network because the executives can't see the genius behind it, or the crowds just aren't thronging to be captivated by the genius-that-is-so-damn-obvious-how-could-they-not-notice!?!

That, my fuzzy friends, is my experience with The Herms. The Bay Area's best band that plays to half-empty rooms. The Herms is kindof a d/b/a for Matt Lutz when he's not doing solo projects, so there's always a semi-familiar backing band with rotating members and then one sweaty genius at the center channeling Lou Reed and Julian Casablancas with that throw-away cool. I've known Matt for a while, and have photographed him more than a few times, so I was pretty honored when he wanted me to come and shoot a "very special" show at Bottom of the Hill. He said it was a CD-release party for his solo CD "Seesaw", but that thing came out six months ago. Look him up on that "other" space as MattLutz1 or TheHerms. He's not on Fuzz.

Not on Fuzz? Wanna know why? Ready for the feeling?

Fuckin' guy is moving to LA and enrolling in USC's screenwriting program. Yup, there's the TV reference and the disappointment, all wrapped up into one big goddammit burrito, hold the hot sauce.

True to form, they played with a great band (The May Fire) and a mediocre one (The Passionistas).

I could go on and on about how much I love The May Fire and most bay area indie bands with sexy front-women, but I think I need to go listen to "Record Machine" again.

Pics are up at cameronobscura.com
The Herms
The May Fire
The Passionistas

...and, as always, some of my favorite shots from the night:

The Herms

The May Fire

The Passionistas

PHOTOS: Klaxons and Fist Fite @ Great American Music Hall, July 11, 2007

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:53:50 -0700

Having missed Klaxons play with Amy Winehouse at Popscene a couple of months ago, I jumped at the chance to shoot them at Great American Music Hall on July 11th. It seems more and more bands are adhering to the "Three songs, no flash" rule of concert photography these days, so photo passes and restrictions were in full effect. Just for pro cameras, of course. All the kiddies with cell phones and point-and-shoot cameras were flashing away through the entire set. Ah, well. On the plus side, I got to hang out with a few other photographers and get elbowed and shoved from behind by the capacity all-ages crowd. Klaxons didn't fail to impress, and were ably supported by Portland's Fist Fite, whose singer had a fan duct-tape a telephone receiver to her head and sang through that all night. Well, screamed, actually.

Good times.

As always, pics are up on cameronobscura.com.
Klaxons
Fist Fite

Here are some faves:

Klaxons

Fist Fite

Will it blend? iPhone

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:39:42 -0700

Will it blend? You be the judge.

I've wanted to do this to every f*cker with an iPhone for the past two weeks.

"Nice shiny object you've got there, uber-geek."

PHOTOS: Social Studies, Fast Computers, Pants Pants Pants & Blue Skies for Black Hearts @ Bottom of

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:13:52 -0700

Went to go shoot local indie electrorockers Social Studies at Bottom of the Hill on Friday. Normally I don't really like shooting keyboard-fronted bands, but Natalia is a hell of a frontwoman, so what the hell. I'm a sucker for the guest list and flattery.

What I wasn't prepared for was the beat-synched-clothing-light-show-and-dance-party surrounding Pants Pants Pants's CD release. Pictures of dancing, fairy-clothed hispters simply can't do it justice. I was halfway to Oakland (holla!) before I remembered that they covered Pearl Jam's "Jeremy". Weird.

Rounding out the night were Fast Computers from Portland and Blue Skies for Black Hearts from, um, Portland. A good show all around, even if the lights were so low for the P3 light show. Meh.

Anyway, full sets are up at cameronobscura.com

...and, of course, a few of my favorites:

Social Studies

Fast Computers

(yes, a very cute drummer)

Pants Pants Pants

Blue Skies for Black Hearts

PHOTOS: Minipop, Royalty & DESA @ Retox 6/28/07

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:14:04 -0700

Q: How many people can you pack into a ventless basement room under a bar in Dog Patch?
A: Everyone.

Jesus, there were a lot of people at Retox last night -- or maybe it just felt that way because it was cramped, hot, and dark as hell. Regardless, Minipop, Royalty and DESA didn't fail to disappoint, making Erin (Toddy)'s premier booking gig a success -- that is, if anyone actually paid to get in!

Shooting in a venue that is as photo-hostile as Retox has made me reevaluate why I shoot pictures of bands. Because it was virtually impossible to get the normal shots you always see of bands (i.e., wide-angle shot of everyone, portrait-style shot of each individual member, photo of singer interacting with the crowd), I was forced to stop trying to simply document the performances and get a little abstract. Not too much, mind you, but it was really refreshing to roam through the crowd and explore new angles (and stop to get yet another drink from Heidi) -- something that is definitely missing when I'm crammed up against the riser for the entire show like at other venues.

I think I'm going to do this sort of thing more often.

Anyway, I'm posting some examples of what I'm talking about. What do you think?

Check www.cameronobscura.com for full sets:
Minipop
Royalty
DESA
Party Pics

And, of course, we need a picture of our lovely hostess! ;)

PHOTOS: Scissors for Lefty, Maldroid, and Lemon Sun @ The Independent, 6/15/07

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:39:44 -0700

Proving yet again why they deserved to open up the main stage at BFD this year, Scissors for Lefty put on a great show last night. Along with fans of Maldroid and Lemon Sun (LA), it was a full house, culminating in a band vs. audience beach-ball fight. Loads of fun, tons of Fuzzies, and more photographers that you could shake a stick at -- I think all three of the "official" Owl Mag shooters were there (me included), as well as SFL's paid photographer. I think it's catching on...

Anyway, Maldroid put on a rockin' show, blowing everyone out of the water with their stage presence and antics. Honestly, since I've been shooting more energetic bands like this, I don't really have the desire to go see a shoegazer band. Jump around, people! Perform!

Full sets are up at cameronobscura.com
Scissors for Lefty
Maldroid
Lemon Sun

...and, of course, a few of my favorites:

Scissors for Lefty

(photo: Nicole "Get your own camera!" Daute)

Maldroid

Lemon Sun

PHOTOS: Pretty Girls Make Graves, Kill Me Tomorrow, & Moonrats @ Great American Music Hall, 6/4/07

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:35:14 -0700

Pretty Girls Make Graves made their last San Francisco appearance as a band on Monday and played a bittersweet set to a packed house of appreciative fans at the Great American Music Hall. They are all continuing on in other bands, but after a final show in the Pacific NW, they're done.

Great support by Kill Me Tomorrow, which conjured up a sort of freakshow/sideshow vibe, and Moonrats, who will cause a space-time rift if they ever share the stage with the Morning Benders.

Full sets up at cameronobscura.com:
Pretty Girls Make Graves
Kill Me Tomorrow
Moonrats

...and, of course, a few of my personal favorites:

Moonrats:

Kill Me Tomorrow:

Pretty Girls Make Graves:

PHOTOS: Lucky Stiffs, Societys Parasites, Switchblade Riot, Victim Nation, 6/2/07

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:27:34 -0700

What can I say? Punk & Rockabilly overload at Blake's on a Saturday afternoon. Fuzzies out in force.

Check out full sets on cameronobscura.com:
Lucky Stiffs
Society's Parasites
Switchblade Riot
Victim Nation

...and, of course, a few of my personal favorites:

Lucky Stiffs:

Society's Parasites:

Switchblade Riot:

Victim Nation:

PHOTOS: Panda @ Piedmont Park, 06/01/07

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:12:20 -0700

I heard the teenage wonderkids were playing an afterschool concert at Piedmont Park, which happens to be close to my house, so I grabbed my camera and headed out to see them on a beautiful Friday afternoon. Despite feeling a little pervy wandering around and taking pictures in a park filled with nubile high school students, I had a rocking time. Panda played a good mix of originals and covers, ranging from Weezer to a Rage medley (with a damn good channeling of Tom Morello, I might add). Finishing off with "Carry On," the kids are alright, and are even marketing themselves pretty well, remembering to tell everyone to come out on Monday, June 4th to Bottom of the Hill and vote for them so they can play Live 105's BFD. I'll be shooting the last Pretty Girls Make Graves concert that night, but I think there's another photographer here on Fuzz who frequents BotH... ;)

Anyway, full set up on cameronobscura.com.

...and, of course, a few of my favorites:

PHOTOS: Spoon @ Popscene, 5/24/07

Sun, 27 May 2007 10:46:27 -0700

I was lucky enough to get access to shoot Spoon at Popscene last Thursday, as a friend of mine knows one of the owners of 330 Ritch to get us on the guest list. The line to get in stretched down Townsend to 4th Street; only about half of the folks actually got in.

Had a guilty laugh with Chris Chu of The Morning Benders about having Spoon's new album "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" before it's released, but it didn't look like we were alone, as Britt asked, "How do you guys all know the words already?"

They only played an hour, but having seen them play the Fillmore, Warfield, Greek Theater, and Britt solo at Swedish American last year, I'd say that intimate venues are the best. Packed, but good.

Full set of 47 pics is up at cameronobscura.com

...and, of course, some of my favorites:

Bjork vs. Diddy

Thu, 24 May 2007 17:00:43 -0700

I love this shit...

Maldroid Video Shoot -- one guy's reaction

Thu, 24 May 2007 09:56:04 -0700

I received the following in my inbox this morning:

-----
You've been sent a Flickr Mail from Red4Bear:

:: Maldroid VideoShoot

Hi. I would really like to know more about (and see much more of) the bearded guy in the white spandex suit. That entire series of pictures is WONDERFUL.

My best to you,
Ron
-----

...so it would appear that Middagh (and the armadillo) has a fan out there in Flickr-land. Gawd, I love the interbot.