The Haymarket Squares are described as punkgrass -- how could I *not* check out their show at the Jambalaya? Back to my thoughts on terrible used lighting, this was a three-piece band that was lit up by red, blue and green spotlights, from left to right. The blue spotlight was the least offensive (again, red is color, not light. And green? It makes everyone look like the Incredible Hulk), so I switched to shooting mostly in black-and-white, for the time I was watching this band.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

My favorite kind of night is the one that offers multiple shows within walking distance of each other. Friday, Aug. 20, was one of those nights.

And I'll let you in on a little secret of most of my black-and-white photography:
My most often-felt complaint about the local venues, as much as I appreciate all of the shows they put on and various egos and bad behavior of band members and patrons, is terrible lighting. Places like the Jambalaya and Humboldt Brews (Arcata Theater Lounge, too) have the potential for excellent band lighting, but they almost always have a sound person (read: not a lighting person) who's also in charge of running lights. Usually this person flips on the red light which, as a photographer, translates into color, not actual light. So either I have the drown out the mood lighting with my big ol' flash, or take the photos in detail-killing red, and edit them into black-and-whites later. Now you know.

This is Eyes Anonymous, a fantastically fun, local, '80s tribute band, which makes me crave karaoke like nobody's business. Luckily, they don't mind when the crowd sings along loudly to their take on Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." Above is the lovely Leah Crenshaw, walking like an Egyp-shee-un.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Thanks to my friend Mike, I found out yesterday about this punk show that was happening...yesterday (Yeah, I don't know how I overlooked that in the Budget Rock Night e-mails)...  at the Jambalaya. The Anomalys (give 'em a break on the bad grammar, they're not from 'round here!) are here from Amsterdam, and just played a show in Portland with The Spooks.

Great show and extra points for the guitar player who gave me his drink ticket ("Oh, I've drank enough alcohol on the tour!") in trade for my buying their CD. It was a total win-win for me!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Sarah Blackwood is the singer of The Creepshow, but her solo act is nothing really like her band's psychobilly-without-the-fake-blood-sound or look. On her own (actually with her sweetie/backing one-man band Daniel Flamm), Blackwood is actually straightforward country, with a little bit of rock thrown in for good measure. Her love songs? Beautiful.

Donny Barnyard was booked to open the show, but when I showed up, I was pleasantly surprised to see a darned-near all-star backing band up on stage. Playing with Donny: Claire Reynolds on vocals and guitar, Colin Vance and Alanna Goldsmith on fiddle, Jake-o Wiegandt on guitar, Chuck Johnson on bass, Kevin Stach on guitar, and Paul DeMark on drums. I hope to catch this mish-mosh of local talent together again soon.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

A few shots from the last Budget Rock Night that'll happen at the Jambalaya -- it moves to the Alibi, next week. This is The Spooks, a sort of psych-surf rock band from Philly. They made me think a little bit about what it might have been like to watch a band in the '60s -- I think it was the way lead singer Wil moved while he played guitar -- dig up a Beatles video to see what I mean.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Last Saturday was sort of like a Battle of the Tribute Bands, with Full Moon Fever -- Humboldt's foremost Tom Petty tribute band -- in Arcata, and The Solitary Men -- the area's premier Neil Diamond tribute -- in Eureka.

Both shows (I heard) were really fun, and here are some shots of The Solitary Men and Magnum at Nocturnum in Eureka. It was a benefit for Eureka's new (coming?) pirate radio station, lest you think that folks dress up like pirates for no good reason (Well, this is Humboldt...).


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Whew! What a month it's been! I turned 30, got to claim every awesome event from the Folklife Festival to roller derby to Crafty Mavericks Summer Craft Extravaganza as my birthday parties, then started off August with a week as a counselor at North Star Quest Camp, and a whirlwind trip to Seattle, where I finally visited the Experience Music Project and saw the Kurt Cobain and Andy Warhol exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum. I have no complaints with my life.

Upon our return from Seattle on Monday, I got over to the Jambalaya in time to check out Rodents of Unusual Size, a super fun punk band at Budget Rock Night, but was too tired to grab my camera on my way out the door (I literally walked into my apartment, dropped my suitcase and walked back down to the Jambalaya... didn't even stop to check my e-mail).

Tuesday night was my first time in more than a week, where I actually got to hold my "real" camera (not my point-and-shoot) in my hands, and it felt amazing. HumBrews played host to Dewi Sant -- a band whose members hail from Seattle, Minnesota and beyond -- and These United States, from Washington, DC. I brought home CDs from both bands, and have listened to them on repeat since that night. They're dreamy.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.