Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
One of the raddest things about FYF is that the fest doesn’t just give up-and-coming or outsider bands a chance to rip it up in front of huge, curious crowds. They also promote indie and DIY culture in general, with the presence of craft tables and zine and mixtape contests. I think the fact that they give a photo pass to someone like me is part of that. There I was in the photo pit with my little GX1 and pancake lens, surrounded by professional shooters with thousands of dollars worth of bazooka-like gear… Somehow, I got some pretty good shots that I didn’t use in the FYF recap blogs (parts 1 and 2) but still want to share–like the one of No Age, above. The L.A. duo is known for weirdo ripping, but I was going to cry during “I Won’t Be Your Generator” because it sounded so gorgeous when given the fuzzed-out Replacements’ “Answering Machine” treatment. You can tell this outtake was from early in the set because drummer Dean Spunt is still wearing a hat.
I was grateful for the three songs that we were allowed to stand in front and take photos during. But, especially with a band like METZ, I knew certain musicians were just getting warmed up and that the real rocking out would happen toward the end of the set. In the outtake above, the Sub Pop rockers aren’t even covered in sweat yet. I considered setting up shop in the front row for certain bands’ entire sets but never followed through for hygiene reasons.
Since I’m not one of those guys with a hefty lens trying to get a close-up of the singer’s face, I like to stay on the side where it’s uncrowded and try to get the entire band in the frame. Actually, Charles Bradley was on the fest’s biggest stage so I didn’t get the drummer for this particular shot, but I like how you can see the remaining members admiring the former James Brown impersonator’s dance move.
One of the raddest things about FYF is that the fest doesn’t just give up-and-coming or outsider bands a chance to rip it up in front of huge, curious crowds. They also promote indie and DIY culture in general, with the presence of craft tables and zine and mixtape contests. I think the fact that they give a photo pass to someone like me is part of that. There I was in the photo pit with my little GX1 and pancake lens, surrounded by professional shooters with thousands of dollars worth of bazooka-like gear… Somehow, I got some pretty good shots that I didn’t use in the FYF recap blogs (parts 1 and 2) but still want to share–like the one of No Age, above. The L.A. duo is known for weirdo ripping, but I was going to cry during “I Won’t Be Your Generator” because it sounded so gorgeous when given the fuzzed-out Replacements’ “Answering Machine” treatment. You can tell this outtake was from early in the set because drummer Dean Spunt is still wearing a hat.
I was grateful for the three songs that we were allowed to stand in front and take photos during. But, especially with a band like METZ, I knew certain musicians were just getting warmed up and that the real rocking out would happen toward the end of the set. In the outtake above, the Sub Pop rockers aren’t even covered in sweat yet. I considered setting up shop in the front row for certain bands’ entire sets but never followed through for hygiene reasons.
Since I’m not one of those guys with a hefty lens trying to get a close-up of the singer’s face, I like to stay on the side where it’s uncrowded and try to get the entire band in the frame. Actually, Charles Bradley was on the fest’s biggest stage so I didn’t get the drummer for this particular shot, but I like how you can see the remaining members admiring the former James Brown impersonator’s dance move.
Too big, too pop, not DIY anymore–punker-than-thou purists are entitled to their harsh opinions about FYF, not to mention long lines, crummy food trucks, and overextended lineups. I happen to think this year’s Los Angeles music festival really is the best weekend of summer (not counting Comic-Con) and don’t have to point any further than the long-awaited appearance of FLAG. Ever since their friends-and-family debut at the Elk’s Lodge, the ex-members of Black Flag had yet to play Los Angeles until this show. I was all over that, and a bunch of other great bands, too, for the bargain price of 99 bucks and a convenient location just 15 minutes away…
Too big, too pop, not DIY anymore–punker-than-thou purists are entitled to their harsh opinions about FYF, not to mention long lines, crummy food trucks, and overextended lineups. I happen to think this year’s Los Angeles music festival really is the best weekend of summer (not counting Comic-Con) and don’t have to point any further than the long-awaited appearance of FLAG. Ever since their friends-and-family debut at the Elk’s Lodge, the ex-members of Black Flag had yet to play Los Angeles until this show. I was all over that, and a bunch of other great bands, too, for the bargain price of 99 bucks and a convenient location just 15 minutes away…
One of the tiniest shops on Sunset, Vacation Vinyl, has hosted some of the gnarliest in-stores, from Converge to OFF! Before this week’s Retox gig in the shoebox-like store, guitar ripper Michael Crain asked my friend Ben and me, “Did you bring earplugs?”