This past weekend I found myself in Atomic Records in Milwaukee, WI buying records with a cool dude. I was obviously looking for anything with David Bowie on it and of course I found a 3-disc compilation of his “lost years” aptly named “David Bowie: Secrets of my Lost Years 1969-1973″. Holy Shit!

Needless to expand further upon, I was ecstatic.

Let me tell you something more exciting. It was $15.

Another tidbit of awesomeness, I found “ChangesThreeBowie” for $9. Bowied out? Never.

Here’s a cool video for you to enjoy featuring Mr. Bowie:

Photos and Write-Up by Chris Weiss

Taking the stage after The Gaslight Anthem, experimental hardcore rockers Thrice took the stage in an explosion of epic lighting and slammed into the heaving barriers that were filled to the max with over 2,300 fans.

I hadn’t listened to Thrice much before this tour, but this band definitely brought out the riffs, beats, and post-hardcore rock.  Dustin Kensrue on lead guitar/vox and Teppei Teranishi, on lead guitar alongside Kensrue, often came to the front of the stage, creating close encounters that gave interesting angles while brothers Eddie and Riley Breckenridge brought the smackdown on bass and drums from further down the stage.

Let me get this out there: This.  Set.  ROCKED.  When Thrice hit the floor, the lights literally exploded.  Amazing washes of white covered the front while multiple colours of blue, red, and green hit the back.  In my opinion, they definitely had the best lighting of the night which definitely brought interesting effects to the photos.  Additionally, since the lighting was a bit brighter, it allowed me to shoot somewhat faster — and no one can argue with that!  With kick ass music and a plethora of lighting, this photographer can’t argue that Thrice’s set definitely made for an enjoyable night.

That’s it for this tour – but stay tuned for more concert photography in the future!

Photos and Write-Up by Chris Weiss

Following The Gaslight Anthem and Thrice, Alkaline Trio took the stage to show that they could continue the throwdown of punk rock, and that Rise Against would have to bring it louder, harder, and stronger if they wanted to raise the bar that Trio brought.

Led by Matt Skiba on guitar and vox, the trifecta from Chicago stretched the speakers and monitors to their maximum capacity as they brought the beats.  Backed by Dan Andriano layin’ the low notes on bass, and Derek Grant drummin’ the percussions, Alkaline Trio brought their own flavor to this tasty hardcore, punk rock fest.

From a photographer’s perspective, this shoot was really interesting. Following Thrice, who had amazing lighting, I was expecting a blow-out of white front lights and back coloured washes. However, this wasn’t the case. Aside from some white flares and hints of blue on Grant, there wasn’t much white light to be seen.  However, what Alkaline Trio may have lacked in lighting compared with Thrice, they made up for in energy.  They brought a nice challenge to the pit to photograph, and kept the crowd on their feet and screaming for more.

For this set I utilized the Nikon D300 w/ the 17-55 f/2.8 and 80-200 f/2.8.  I mainly used the shorter range for Skiba while using the 80-200 to get some close-ups of Grant, as well as Skiba and Andriano.  An 11-16 or 10-20 would have provided an interesting angle, as Skiba often came to the front of the stage to riff it out.

Stay tuned for more with Thrice!

Photos by Chris Weiss & Write-up by Carly Doenges

With bands such as A Gaslight Anthem, Thrice, and Alkaline Trio opening, Rise Against had quite the standard set for them to live up to at their recent show at the Pageant.

The three openers had gotten the sold-out crowd progressively more pumped up with each set, and Rise Against didn’t fail to keep up the energy.

As soon as a backdrop featuring an image from the cover of Rise Against’s newest album, “Appeal to Reason,” was draped at the back of the stage, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of screaming and moshing, and the energy just continued to grow as the members of Rise Against made their appearance on the stage.

Guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Joe Principe, and drummer Brandon Barnes played with a mix of intensity and energy that flowed well and gave added power to the songs, while lead singer Tim McIlrath matched the excitement of the audience with his own onstage energy, fueling the crowd even more.

Drawing from a good balance of older and newer songs alike, Rise Against successfully lived up to the standard expected from them, and provided no disappointments for the packed crowd of the Pageant.

Stay tuned for more with Thrice and Alkaline Trio!

Photos and Write-Up by Chris Weiss

Coming out in a whirlwind of piano rock, Ohio-natives Relient K lit up The Pageant in Saint Louis, Missouri to cap off the night as the headlining band for the Uncle Fest Tour. 

Dressed in a black cape, Matt Thiessen held nothing back as he stormed the stage to open the set with “I Need You,” a song from their latest album, Five Score and Seven Years Ago (2007).  Drawing from both new and old alike, Relient K let rip songs such as “Sadie Hawkins Dance,” from their 2001 album Anatomy of the Tongue and Cheek, “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been,” from their 2004 hit album Mmhmm, as well as new ones such as “The Lining is Silver,” from their newly released 2008 B-side album, The Birds and the Bees.

Although Matt Thiessen plays a myriad of instruments, one could find him much of the time tethered to his Baldwin.  Slammin’ on the ivories and guitar for much of the concert, Thiessen showed his affinity for many types of musical instruments.

Ending the night with an encore, Relient K played the lengthy yet beautiful and harmonically endowed song, “Deathbed,” from Five Score and Seven Years Ago.  Although easily over 11 minutes in length, it is definitely worth a listen.

Growing up with Relient K (since middle school!), I’ve seen the transitions they’ve been through, and regardless of what time one may have heard them from, let me state this: they rock.  If you haven’t yet, definitely check out Mmhmm.  It was the CD transitioning them between a slightly lyrically-goofy band to something much more serious.  If you go further back, you get them singing hilarious songs about Skittles and Combos, or even Thundercats (HO!!!).  Regardless of time or who they’ve become, Relient K has stuck to their own music with their own roots, and has generated a huge following fans and lovers alike.

Photos and Write-Up by Chris Weiss

Although I had never heard or seen Ludo live before the night of the Uncle Fest Tour in their home town of Saint Louis, Missouri, I was told by friends and strangers alike that they would certainly bring the show and wouldn’t disappoint.  So when Andrew Volpe walked out on stage dressed in a banana suit, followed by a handful of gorillas, I knew their set was going to be a sweet, power pop indulgence.

Touring in support of their latest release, You’re Awful, I Love You, Ludo wove a combined set of new and old material alike.  With songs like “Lake Pontchartrain,” “Hum Along,” and “Love Me Dead,” Ludo had fans shouting in pure ecstasy.

At one point during “Hum Along,” Andrew decided to mime out being a pirate:

Due to the single warm spotlight on stage that was focused on Andrew the entire time, I used my three song limit to mainly focus on him, as he was the easiest to expose for.  This was certainly not to detract from the rest of the band – as all of them put on an amazing show.  After, “Love Me Dead,” they covered a song just for the crowd, as it was the day before Halloween – Ghostbusters.  Not only did they prove they ain’t ‘fraid no ghosts, but they slammed the house down before headliners Relient K took the stage.

If you haven’t yet, make sure you check out this band!  Take a look at at their single, “Love Me Dead,” from their new album “You’re Awful, I Love You,” here: Love Me Dead .

And what’s a set without a picture of the set list?

Stay tuned for more exciting action with Relient K!

Photos and write-up by Keith Mokris

Just as the sun was coming out, Street Drum Corps opened up their set on the main stage at Projekt Revolution. The drumming was relentless and the crowd loved every second. The trio brought a style all of their own to the Revolution.

The most interesting of the trio was clearly frontman Bobby Alt. He cruised the front of the stage, jumped on a drum set of his own, and then hopped in the middle of the crowd. The mohawk-sporting performer certainly brought the heat.

At the end of the third song, Alt brought the crowd to a frenzy as he stormed the stage whipping his microphone across the center platform. For their entire set, Street Drum Corps proved they have the style and intensity to be part of Projekt Revolution.

Photos and write-up by Keith Mokris

Scream-core heavy hitters Atreyu dominated the Revolution Stage as the fourth show of the day at Projekt Revolution. Just after a downpour, the band came out swinging to work the crowd into a frenzy.

Without a doubt, every member of a Atreyu brought the energy and intensity during their entire show. Lead singer Alex Varkatzas moved around the stage like he was in a title fight. Pumping his fists, jumping in the air, and throwing punches galore to excite the crowd.

At the same time, guitarists Travis Miguel and Dan Jacobs poured on the heat with their skill and finesse on the strings. Bassist Marc McKnight wielded his bass like a tomahawk. Drummer and vocalist Brandon Saller pounded his triple bass kit with ferocity.

For the rest of the week, look for sets by Street Drum Corps, Ashes Divide, Chris Cornell, and Linkin Park!

Unaware that this gem of an album was being released this past week, I was happily surprised by stumbling upon The Goo Goo Dolls, Greatest Hits Vol. 2 at my friendly neighborhood Reckless Records! Not only are there 22 hard-to-find tracks on this wonder but there is also a DVD containing 24 of their videos (both live and just normal music videos!). Released on August 19, I apologize for my lapse in keeping up to date on all things that were popular in the ’90s. Needless to say I was overly excited, yet still strapped for cash. I certainly plan on picking up a copy after this coming Friday (pay day!) and then I can Goo my life up a little bit.

That sounded weird, but I’m keeping it. I rarely have these Tobias Funke moments so I am embracing it.

( Photo by Megan Hundley, The Goo Goo Dolls, El Yunque Rainforest, PR, February 2008 )

More tidbits about the 2-disc album are that you can find some of your favorite music videos from their well-known hits all the way to their newest releases. I’ve been trying to keep up with the GGD (for short) after seeing them this past February in El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico. Yeah, I’ll attach some pictures from the show. It was UNREAL! John has quite the sense of humor that night that was vocalized when he told us to, “Watch out for the rabid monkeys”. Thanks for the tip.

I also was fortunate to meet them before the show and get a picture with them! But, this was all after I tripped and almost fell right in front of John Rzeznik. He caught me before I fell but I totally felt like a tron and you can tell by my awkward face in the picture. So, without further adieu, here are the pictures I promised…

(Me and the Goo Goo Dolls in El Yunque)

( Photos by Megan Hundley, The Goo Goo Dolls, El Yunque Rainforest, PR, February 2008 )

So, I suggest going, if not sprinting, out to the local record store (or just go on iTunes) and get this new album. I can’t wait to snag a copy of my very own and cherish it forever and ever. I might just frame it and put it up on my wall with my David Bowie vinyl records. We’ll see.

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Photos and write-up by Keith Mokris

Tennessee alternative rockers 10 Years were the third to play on the Revolution Stage. With their throbbing melodies and heavy basslines, the crowd was loving every second.

Lead singer Jesse Hasek certainly caught the most attention as he bounded all over the front of the stage. 10 Years was a great follow-up to Armor for Sleep and Hawthorne Heights.