Kisschasy

I've been lucky these last few weeks because I've been getting to shoot gigs that I've planned to. Normally it doesn't all work out this good. There was the White Album concert, Tim Rogers, Angela's Dish, Grinspoon and now Kisschasy.

I've been a big fan of Kisschasy for years, since the United Paper People days. I was never really into them at first because people said they were boring live, so I decided to check them out for myself in 2005 and they were amazing. I got into them more since then. I became more of a fan after Hymns For the Non-Believer was released, shot some gigs then my obsession died down a bit. Their albums got played a lot on my iPod still.

After the single Generation Why on Seizures was released it took some time for me to get used to it. The verses sounded very Green Day and I was still in love with Hymns. After a few listens to the album I got used to this new Kisschasy sound and I think that has to do with the way Darran writes. He's a funny man-boy.

So I shot the Wollongong Uni Bar gig for Faster Louder, which means I have to take out my flash gun for social photos. I was always apprehensive about taking social photos, not because like other band photographers I found it a real bother to take 10-15 social photos, but because I have not had best track record with socialising. Ask my family, friends or teachers what kind of person I am and they're most likely going to say 'quiet, reserved, nice, shy, socially-awkward' etc.

I had problems taking social photos at Grinspoon. A lot of people didn't want their photo taken, so I didn't have the most confidence about going around and asking to take peoples photos. But at the Kisschasy gig people were more willing and so I ask a whole lot more people, and I think I spoke clearly and confidently. Taking social photos for Faster Louder may actually improve my social skills.

Hytest were the opening band, a local Wollongong rock band that always put on a great show. I photographed them a few years back at Waves in Towradgi and I seriously couldn't stop taking photos. They were just so entertaining.

After them Regular John played. I heard a lot about this band but never saw them live before. They were great. I don't know how many more shows I'd go to if they play near me again, but they had some alright tunes and were pretty good to photograph.

Kisschasy were brilliant as always. I think I sang along to every song between taking photos of them. They played a lot of songs from their last album and Seizures, with some UPP in there and an EP song. I got some really great rock shots of them. Definitely need to update my band photography portfolio too.

I met a photographer who was shooting for J Mag. He was cool. We talked cameras and lenses and how bad the lighting was (even though the photos still turned out alright).

Another great gig. Next weekend is my favourite band to hassle After the Fall at Annandale Hotel.