Gasparilla 2010

This years Gasparilla Parade was different from years past, due to rain, wind, and cold. This deterred many from seeing this local annual spectacle that closes major streets in the down town area and else where, but not I!

My assistant and I arrived early, and found decent parking just as the streets were closing behind us. Both of us running on nothing but overpriced Premium French Roast Coffee we drank just hours before.

We were awake! Are Batteries were full, cards cleared, lenses clean, and rain ponchos at the ready encase the clouds decided to let loose. Now we did look a little funny with clear plastic food wrap around our cameras but it was difficult getting it on, but cheaper than buying a waterproof bag.

Around 1:00pm the clouds let loose, and for 2 hours my assistant and I stood at our spot on Ashley drive shivering while water fell on us from the sky. Time passed and my nose started to make the clear stuff that makes people sick if they stand in they type of weather I was standing in. Thankfully the Sheraton that we stationed ourselves in front of had a restaurant inside, with $2 coffee. I was hesitant at first, though I became desperate. I was not going to let myself become tired and sick, and my assistant was starting to doze off too. So I got to coffees to-go, and they were both worth the $3.99 that I paid for them (but did not get my one cent change).

Many sips later, the police came and went, several more sips and I finished. The caffeine hit my bloodstream and the float became visible in the distance. My assistant and I opened up and never stopped shooting. I shot blind most of the time, but that’s what I do best. I was surprised how many people still participated in the parade despite the weather. The bright jovial attitudes of each Krewe seemed contagious, spreading joy and making me feel like a happy little kid.

Gasparilla was proof that no matter how bad the economic situation of anyone is, they can still go out and get some joy from watching pirates invade their streets and catch some twenty cent plastic beads here and there. I look forward to the next parade.

I got around 32 beads and one feather boa, all of which I gave away to some beadless family I saw in the parking lot.






All photographs in this post taken by Kyle Henderson (me).

2009

This was the year that music sounded it's best. Please take into accoun that there are people that say similar things at the last month of every year.

The most accomplished musician this year has to be Lady GaGa, love her or hate her one must admit that she is talented. American Idol proved once again this year that it is pointless. Speaking of which I will now talk about Adam Lambert. At first I thought he was cute. I never heard him sing until that little stunt that he pulled at the American Music Awards, yes I saw the footage. The things that he did he should not be able to get away with and I'll tell you why. Wrong genre! The only people that can get way with humping dancers and kissing musicians is Marilyn Manson, and Adam Lambert is not Marilyn Manson, he may want to be, and I don't blame him for wanting to, but you can't violate people on national TV and sing bubblegum pop bullshit. I became angry with Adam after I saw the ad for his new album in Rollingstone magazine. So this would make Adam Lambert most idiotic musician of this year.


-- Post From My iPhone

Angelspit!! LIVE!!

48 hours before I went to this show I didn't even know if I would be even able to see KMFDM, 2 hours before the concert I had no idea who Angelspit was, or sounded like. Good thing my companion did, and I met some one while waiting for the doors to open that started listening to them around the release of the Krankhaus album, after a while of talking to this guy I felt bad that I had fallen so far away from a genre I once loved so much. The door finally opened and I got in, bought a shirt (as I do at every concert I go to). I made in the main room then eventually up to the front of the stage, then eagerly waited for some one or something to go up on stage and start playing. The lights dimmed and the Aussies stormed the stage. They introduced themselves, and started their performance.

I liked what I heard, it was industrial, but it was also fun. One thing took note of is that Angelspit despite being a two piece industrial band doesn't completely rely on Backing tracks. Destroyx uses a Korg Kaoss Pad 3 for vocal distortion. ZooG uses what looks like homemade devices that he clips onto his pants. At the center of this electronic symphony is a box this buttons, plugs, lights, knobs, and a wheel,I have never seen such a thing in my life. In between songs ZooG would "play" with the box, thus producing an orgasm of electronic bliss,

The simplicity of the music, a fast heavy beat, and ingenious lyrics come together to create some thing that is truly unique. Songs like Kill Kitty and Fuck the Revolution are enough to make any one a fan within seconds.

After hearing Angelspit live first then hearing them again from a studio album, it is more than apparent that the amount of talent that both of these individuals have is unlimited, one could call them The White Stripes of the Industrial genre. Now when I think of Australia I no longer think of Men At Work and AC/DC, now I only think of Angelspit.

Now go listen to Angelspit!

Angelspit.net

myspace.com/angelspitmusic

KMFDM concert review

If you want to have fun, and KMFDM is coming to a venue near you, I highly suggest that you go see KMFDM. The Kein Mitleid tour now at an end, but KMFDM shows no sign of stopping. This band has a stage presence that is almost unimaginable, it almost feels as if it dream. When Jules stood in front of me, I felt like I was five years old and I caught Santa leaving presents under a Christmas tree, however this Santa wore tight jeans, a Spittin' Cobras shirt, and had his hair slicked backed. I dont know how to say this with out being over joyed, so here it goes, Lucia grabbed my hand! Sascha stood tall behind his Korg microKontol, he was like a preacher, the crowd were worshipers, and the gospel was KMFDM. The audience was somewhat electrified, their fist raised in the air bobbing up and down to "the ultra-heavy beat". I got a little wild when I heard the beginning of WWIII, others did too. I feel bad that I can't say more about this concert, but words cannot describe this show, all I have left to say is that KMFDM is one of a hand full of bands that can put a terrific show night after night.

www.kmfdm.net

 

myspace.com/officialkmfdm

Kaleidoscope

Only the 4th studio album from Tiësto, and does far from disappoint. It doesn't live up to Just Be, that brought him enough fame to get him a gig at the opening ceremonies at the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, Greece. This resulted in the album Parade of the Athletes, which found its way into gyms across the globe. Tiësto manages to put vocals and instrumentals in perfect harmony. There are a lot of DJs and groups out in the world that put very bad lyrics and vocals with good instrumentals, creating annoying songs, thus resulting in something like Cascada. From track one to seventeen you will be in an electronic audible heaven, the song I Will Be Here stands out only if you listen to the first few tracks, thought there is a goldmine of good B-sides that are more than likely to be remixed, though I see little room for improvement. All of Kaleidoscope can be streamed at Tiësto's official Myspace page.

tiesto.com


myspace.com/tiesto

GWAR Concert Review

The opening act was The Red Chord, which was going to be followed by Job For A Cowboy until they canceled, I have seen both before, and none compare to GWAR. I found this a little odd that those bands were opening for a band as epic as GWAR. Lights dimmed and the fans got exited, and a documentary started playing on a screen towards the back of the stage, "Behind the Murder". It told the story of the beginning of GWAR, Oderus's crack addiction, failed attempts to return to their home planet, split up, and reunion. I was not expecting this at all, and neither did the other that have never seen GWAR before.

The creatures then ventured on stage, then the show began. I the roar of the crowd was epic, this is what the fans had been waiting for, and now they were going to experience GWAR in the flesh. They were tall, their stage presence was bigger than the venue, they were gods.

After a few songs began what most enjoy about GWAR, spraying body fluids on the fans, particularly the ones in front. A creature stumbled on the stage, and the mighty Oderus stabbed him with a sword, and blood gushed then squirted out. I ducked to protect my camera, yet I was still not spared (I walked into the concert with a white shirt, I left with a green and red shirt). Looking side to side I saw other photographers doing the same I was. When I thought it was safe to pop my head back up I got a face full of blood. This was only the beginning of the show.

At most concerts, fans want the band to preform a specific song. GWAR fans want GWAR to preform a specific act, an on stage slaughter, and they got what they asked for. A creature was bound to a board, squirming around. As a human you can feel slightly sympathetic, however as a spectator you cannot help but feel entertained. Blood showered the crowd as limbs where torn off, and intestines pulled out.

Sex, extraterrestrials, homicide, comedy, talent, blood and other body fluids makes this concert unlike anything else. You have not seen a concert until you have seen GWAR. This is by far the best concert I have seen.

gwar.net

myspace.com/gwarofficial

"Space Man says 'Everybody look down'" The Killers Concert Review

I went into the USF Sundome expecting to see a normal concert, not any thing out of the ordinary. The opening act was called "Chairlift". They kinda drove me to sleep, the only thing that held my interest is that I thought that the lead singer was Bjork and I was playing Bejeweled. Then I went down to buy some Vitamin Water only to find out that it was priced at $8, my jaw dropped, and I did not get Vitamin Water (that is more than it cost at the airport).

Then the lights went out, the and people did what they do best when the lights go out in a venue. They loose all control of staying quiet. The stage lit up and there they were, The Killers. The stage was lit up like Christmas, and of coarse was a little reminiscent of the Las Vegas strip. Brandon Flowers (lead singer) was at the top of his game, he sounds better live than in studio, which seems to be rather rare. I can only say that this is one of those concerts that is worth much more money than you will ever pay. It's funny when you go to a show not knowing any lyrics and leave knowing all of them. If you ever have the chance to see The Killers, don't hesitate to buy tickets.

thekillersmusic.com

myspace.com/thekillers