Blessiddoom CD Release

Eddie laid down the law, and the Other Side was in full swing. Blessiddoom was celebrating the release of their CD. Walking Corpse Syndrome had opened the party, followed by Universal Choke Sign. 

"No job, no money, no car, but I'm in a band."

Over on the flickr archive, there is a set titled Blessiddoom @ the Other Side. Find it for more images from this event. I recommend using the slideshow option. 

An homage to friends

The need to do everything quickly, right now, immediately is a created fiction. Seldom do emergencies, demanding prompt action, arise. Trying to please others can be a shackle, restraining us and keeping us from pleasing ourselves. Constantly, I have to remind myself of these two points, relax and be myself.

Last week, The Victory Smokes and BVE performed twice at the Badlander. It was a double dose on Monday and Friday, and both were terrific. My images and thoughts of the two bands had to be posted here ASAP. Well, there are other considerations, paying the rent being at the top of the list, followed by other issues requiring money. As the pressure to produce income, stay current, pay bills, have the latest on the blog and continue eating builds, I say time out and turn to a more important subject.

The subject is friends. I remember something Kori (a friend) said: "Opportunity is good; friends are better." I don't know if she originated the statement or was quoting someone else, but it is true. Here's darlin' Kori.


A dear friend, in El Segundo (remember Sanford and Son?), recently asked for a few of my images and a photo of me, promising a surprise. Today, I received an email with links to two slide shows of my stuff, complete with soundtracks, on Animoto. It was a surprise and a very good one.

Right behind that came the monthly newsletter from my friend Geri, who now resides in Sedona. She said it was time to give up that get-out-and-make-it-happen approach, which comes from the ego, and develop a get-out-of-the-way-and-let-it-happen attitude. That came right down the pipe through the strike zone. Dr Geri's website can be found in the links on the right side of this blog.

On that list of people and things I like is a blog by another friend. Check out Stumbling the Walk to learn more about my friend, Chris. He's a musician with two bands, Lazerwolfs and Tater Pig. Check the Lazerwolfs site for upcoming events and the awesome graphics Chris creates to advertise them. Their music can be sampled on myspace. Tater Pig is a family trio, which includes Chris, his wife and son.

Here he is, under the lights at the Other Side, playing with the Lazerwolfs, during the PBR battle of the bands.







Thanks to Chris for telling me I could do whatever I want with my blog and for leading by example by saying whatever comes to mind on his blog.

PBR flashback--the first of several, probably

One positive aspect of the Other Side is their lighting. Photography is all about the light, and some photographers work very hard to get it right. During the PBR Performance Series, I began to play with it, because I'm too lazy to work. I had been shooting the bands, with great diligence, trying to get full group shots and each member individually, as well. The lighting made that easier here than in some venues. Then I turned my focus on the crowd and colored lights, and photojournalism took a fine art turn.

Good Neighbor Policy is a band I like, and I feel they have not had their due on this blog. Here are a few more images to make up for that, and there are more in the archive, with more coming soon.



One of the local papers (I can't tell them apart) said GNP was possibly the best band in Missoula.
I don't want to argue the point, since they are damned good and definitely one of the best bands in Missoula, but the local scene is exploding with talent and originality, making best a difficult label to hand out.

Reverend Slanky won the PBR championship to claim the title of best band. Again, I will say damned good and one of the best, but...

Here they celebrate their victory.

PBR, Week 1, January 31, continued

Here we have a British-style, guitar, super-group. The Hermans have the musical chops and showmanship to keep that from being an overstatement. Think Clapton, Beck and Winwood or a similar combination. The above photo appeared in the Missoulian, without the photo credit I was promised. I now embed my copyright in every image (at least when I remember to).



'Ello adds an English accent to the anguish of Michael Stipe, with an echo of psychedelia. They had the audacity to perform a Doors' song and improve on the original.

There's a great slogan: Live and Local. And so it was at PBR.

After 'Ello, Luau Cinder, who termed their music dub/funk, took a turn.

This t-shirt classic advocates closing the School of the Americas, which teaches torture techniques to foreign police and military. The department of propaganda changed its name to Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Kick-ass Training, or some such a few years ago.

No one can mention the count, without mentioning he once played with the International Playboys, a prestigious Missoula band. They broke up just after I arrived here, and I didn't make it to the farewell performance. I did buy one of their CDs, and maybe I should buy the other before I start judging, but I like every band I've heard so far with an IP alumnae better than I like what I heard on that CD.