Nearly exactly one year since I shot Flogging Molly on tour in Chicago, I managed to shoot their set at House Of Blues on Sunset Strip for their 8th annual “Green 17″ tour.  And I gotta say, Los Angeles House Of Blues may be one of my new all-time favorite venues.  At least with it’s rustic, pub appeal, it seemed a very fitting venue for Flogging Molly’s brand of celtic punk.  With fantastic lighting, to boot!

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In preparation for shooting Flogging Molly, I got to limber up by shooting opening band Suedehead, a soulful motown-meets-punk rock band playing a high-energy set for eager fans at the House Of Blues.

Surprised I was to learn that in spite of the lead singer’s heavy UK accent, Suedehead hails from neighboring Orange County California.  Of note was their soulful rendition of Fugazi’s “Waiting Room.”

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I was highly impressed with Emilie Autumn’s live cabaret performance at El Rey Theatre, in support of her Fight Like A Girl (F.L.A.G.) Tour.

I knew going into it that I would come away with great shots, and if you know my work beyond concerts and musicians you’ll know that I also have a penchant for corsets and lingerie.  However, little did I know I was to expect her to put on a full theatrical performance with three of her all-female backing band.  Not only did I get great shots, but I got great shots of four different ladies putting on a full Victorian-gothic cabaret.

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Alysha Nett is probably my most-photographed model — at least she is now that I’ve had her in my studio once again this week.  She gains more and more popularity as a tattoo/glamour/nude model not only because her ink work is very striking, but because she knows how to bring it with lots of sexy poses and facial expressions.

Not only is it nice to have a model that looks stunning, but also one that works as naturally as Alysha does in front of the camera.

I decided it would be nice to go back-to-basics with a black and white shoot, mainly since she’s gotten more black ink tattoo work since I shot her nearly two years ago.

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Top 10 Lists come out of the woodwork every year’s end, and I’m making no exception.  Here’s a list of some of my most memorable concert photos I’ve shot this year, either for aesthetic or iconic reasons.

I’m kicking off this list with the above photo, shot during Boys Noize set at The Music Box in Hollywood.  I’m including it here as it not only makes a good “lead” for a blog article about concert photos, but also because it showcases the raw energy emanating from the packed house that evening, and the fan wearing the Boys Noize shirt adds just a little bit of context :)

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The anticipation was high waiting for headliners The Descendents to hit the stage at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium this weekend, as the audience chanted for nerd-punk icon Milo [Auckerman] to take the stage.

But arguably of more note were the rumors flying around that legendary Los Angeles hardcore band Black Flag was to make a guest appearance.  The next-best thing occurred instead, as former Black Flag bassist and founder Chuck Dukowski took the stage with singer Keith Morris, backed by former drummer Bill Stephenson and Descendents guitarist Stephen Egerton, to blast through Black Flag’s Nervous Breakdown EP!!

After the short four-song set, Morris waved goodbye to the crowd who then began to convey utter disappointment, to which he took the mic to explain they only had time to rehearse during sound check.  Shortly thereafter however, Milo Auckerman took his place on microphone and the crowd’s disappointment was soon thoroughly placated as he and The Descendents plowed through a 28-song set.

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The Vandals were the penultimate band for the weekend lineup celebrating 30 years of punk and hardcore shows put on by SoCal concert promotions company Goldenvoice.

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First on the trio of headliners for concert promotion company Goldenvoice’s 30th Anniversary Concert was seminal band The Dickies.  Though they may seem somewhat long in the tooth to play a punk concert, make no mistake that these men were among the very forefront of the SoCal punk scene of the 70s and 80s, and the first Los Angeles band signed to a major label.  These guys had as much right to cap off the GV30 weekend, being among Goldenvoice’s first billings three decades ago.

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Excited is an extreme understatement to describe my feelings toward having the opportunity to shoot The Descendents last night in Santa Monica.

Liveage! was my first live album I’ve listened to many years ago, and has since built in me a love for  hardcore/punk culture and live music concerts in general.

The Descendents headlined a weekend-long festival celebrating 30 years of GoldenVoice, a concert promotions company that put on shows for the burgeoning SoCal hardcore movement, including bands like Descendents, Circle Jerks, The Ramones, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, X, and Black Flag.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the previous nights’ shows, but I’m glad I caught the grande finale.

Speaking of Black Flag, former member Chuck Dukowski filled in on bass, with a special precursor performance with former singer Keith Morris, playing the Nervous Breakdown EP in its entirety!!

Peter Murphy (of Bauhaus fame) stopped by Club Nokia to perform in his distinctive baritone voice.  Being no novice to performing on stage, he swaggered around demonstrating a wide range of debonair poses and arm movements.  A nice surprise was opening his set with his rendition of Nine Inch Nail’s “Hurt,” and wrapping up with David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust.”

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