Murphys Monday..... six months later

Al Barr of Dropkick Murphys sings while playing at House of Blues as part of their annual St. Patrick's Day Tour on Saturday, March 2, 2013 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Murphys are currently supporting their new album "Signed and Sealed in Blood." (David Manning/DavidManningPhotography.com)

If you've followed this blog for years, you know that I'm a fan of Dropkick Murphys and I've photographed them several times. Through a stroke of luck, I got a last minute photo pass complete with the sarcastic labeling "Out of my way, I have a fancy camera" .... Which aptly describes most concert photographers that I've met in my days.

I meant to share all these months ago but through circumstance, I withheld them until now.  More photos after the jump

OneBeat

Foot percussionist Aditi Bhagwat, of Indian, dances as fellows with OneBeat rehearse on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. OneBeat is an intentional cultural exchange program that brings together over 30 young musicians from around the world to live together and write and perform music. The program is an initiative of U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Last month, I went out to New Smyrna Beach for The New York Times to cover the rehearsals of OneBeat, a musical collaborative program sponsored by the State Department that brought together 30 musicians from around the world.  In short, they took some highly talented musicians, threw them in a room with the express purpose of making music and then taking the show on tour.

More after the jump.... 

Back Porch Sessions: The Glorious Dead

Local whiskey bar Blue Sky is starting a series of small, intimate shows on their back porch. The first night featured "The Glorious Dead" and Dustin Gannon. Photos after the jump.....

Athens Music Landmarks (that are still left)

The steeple from St. Mary's Episcopal Church where REM played its first ever show on Thursday, January 27, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Steeplechase Condominium Association, which owns the steeple, recently reviewed the ongoing costs for repairs and voted to destroy the structure.

There's a lot of local landmarks in this town and when it comes to the music scene around here, most of them are defined by the band R.E.M.

We did a story about how these landmarks are falling by the wayside as time passes on.

Pickin Party

Juanita Hall, center, sits with her husband Richard at a pickin party on Thursday, January 20, 2011 in Jefferson, Ga. About a dozen musicians joined the weekly bluegrass jam session.

I've never been to a bluegrass house party but theres a first time for everything. Now when i see a Mandolin, 12-string guitar, banjo and stand-up bass, I tend to think punk rock ala Dropkick Murphys (Gratuitous Plug - new album 3/1) but this was a treat.

Okay, its been awhile.... First Up - Drive By Truckers

Patterson Hood sings as the Drive By Truckers play the 40 Watt Club as part of their annual homecoming shows on Thursday, January 13, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

So i took an unintentional leave from blogging. The truth? I've been out making photos. Daily assignments. Running all over the place. (We wont discuss the ridiculous amount of laundry)

We'll pick back up from last month; I got to photograph the Drive By Truckers on the first night of their annual homecoming shows at the 40 Watt Club in Athens. DBT is a little different when it comes to photographers - or so it was for this show. Usually it is 3 songs and out (I tend to push that when i can) but with DBT it was "stay the whole night" which meant I got a ton of photos. Even better, I managed to steal borrow my girlfriend's d300 so I had two bodies to shoot with.

Hit the jump for the insights....

HeyPenny at Caledonia Lounge

A nifty Indie rock band called HeyPenny played Caledonia a few weeks back and i hung for the show.

Los Meesfits at Caledonia (Back-to-School Edition)

Mere hours after i finished driving into Athens, my friends in Los Meesfits played a show at the Caledonia Lounge. After ten hours of driving, spanish salsa music and dancing (complete with machete!) was exactly what was needed. more after the jump.

Holly Belle at Flicker

I had a chance to step out of the comfort zone of stage light and rock music and caught my friend Holly playing at the Flicker Theater.

(There's no radial blur here, i turned the camera about 30-45 degrees to create the effect.)

Rye Bar Colors

Just a quick photo of a band called "Lassier Funk"that had these really cool lights that made it easy to silhouette the subject.

I also made it the second photo of my unofficial music photo column. I cant get the nice designer (whom i like working with) to get that i want my text to run alongside the photo too. I want to spew forth some of my thoughts on photographing music and the scene here in Athens.

There were just cool colors and i walked 3 blocks to grab my camera and voila....

Venice is Sinking CD Release Show

Violinist Karolyn Troupe is seen in a multiple exposure photo as Venice is Sinking plays at the 40 Watt Club for their CD Release Party for "Sand and Lines" on Friday, July 9, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

So myself and VanHoose checked out Athens' lastest pop band 'Venice is Sinking' during the release of their latest CD "Sand and Lines."

It was a very good show and I got the chance to bust out as many tricks as i could. Great light, christmas lights from the ceiling & mirrors. What else could a photographer ask for?

More photo goodness inside.... As usual I try to avoid anything remotely "cliche" when it comes to concert photography....

Jet W. Lee at Caledonia

While i was shooting Thieves Market at Caledonia (almost a month ago!), Jet W. Lee played afterwards.

I just tired to catch their energy. More after the jump

Athfest 2010

Spring Tigers lead singer Kris Barratt plays in the middle of the pouring rain during AthFest on Friday, June 25, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Last weekend was the annual Athfest music festival, a showcase of 150+ bands that draws indie rock hipsters crowds downtown to suffer heatstroke enjoy a variety of music on a couple of open stages and at a bunch of venues here in town.

Photos & stories after the jump

Flagpole Music Awards 2010

Eric Hernandez of Los Meesfits plays during the Flagpole Music Awards at the Morton Theatre on Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Athens is known for its music with REM, the B-52s & Widespread Panic getting their start in this town. So the irreverent, alt-music-weekly Flagpole gives out fan-voted awards every year in a giant show.

Yours truly is there to cover it, with a 10pm drop-dead deadline.

Cloak & Dagger Dating Service at Go Bar

Apparently there's a punk scene here in Athens. Who knew?

I went to Go Bar Friday night to see Thieves Market and Cloak & Dagger Dating Service were headlining. FANTASTIC.
Imagine a melodic Black Flag.

WItness the Apotheosis at Go Bar V2

Got to see Zach & Terance play at Go Bar. They put on a good show and draw a crowd.

More photos after the jump.....

The Burning Angels & Lionz at Caledonia Lounge

So i borrowed a d300s at took it for a test drive at a few concerts for stills and video. A full review of said camera will be coming in a few days.

More stills & video after the jump....

Sursievision CD Release Party

Sursievision threw a CD release Party at Tastey World Saturday night.

Good show and fun had by all.

The Athens Music Collective Showcase

That should be Adam rehearsing backstage with The Burning Angels

Friday night i worked the Athens Music Collective showcase show. 11 Bands, 5 Hours and ALL ACCESS.

Those last two words are what grabbed my attention. Being able to photograph anything, without restriction? Priceless.

Thieves Market at 40 Watt

My friends in Thieves Market played the Athens Music Collective show. Them and Shitty Candy were the heaviest acts on the bill. Both bands put forth the usual, kick-ass performances that they're known for.

I did the polecam/fisheye trick with the top photo. Which was really fun to try and do in the span of 1/2 a song as they were limited to 4 songs.

More photos from the show coming later.

Amber Emard.

Backstage.