Reverend And The Makers Newcastle And Sunderland

I saw Reverend And The Makers at The Roundhouse at The Crisis Charity gig at Camden Roundhouse in December 2008. I thought they were their energy and enthusiasm dragged me in - on the back of that gig I bought their debut album which I have enjoyed.

A photo pass for the appearance at HMV had been arranged but I also thought it would be good to document the guerrilla gigs in Sunderland and Newcastle.

They played the first gig outside The Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland - this was announced that morning by Jon McLure on Twitter

Later in the afternoon they moved up to Newcastle and played a half hour set on the main shopping street ( Northumberland Street) before continuing to the gig across the road at the official gig in HMV record store.

It was reminiscent of Joe Strummer and Paul Simonen from The Clash busking in Newcastle back in May 1985.

My photographs of the busking were picked up and used on the front page of The Sunderland Echo and also by the NME - hallelujah

DW

New York Dolls Glasgow 20 July

Since my last blog I had a photo pass for New York Dolls at Glasgow Garage on 20 July.

They are on my Flickr site here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwala/sets/72157621649794087/

or on my website here

http://www.davidwala.com/gallery_256548.html

The band made a connection with the crowd early on and the bond lasted for the whole 90 minute set.

Back in the day I saw Johnny Thunders numerous times and the performances were always erratic but never boring. They were delivered with panache which cannot be taught - you either have it or you wish you had it.

It has been five years since the comeback gig in London since then they still have their integrity. It might have been easy to rely on their back catalogue and cover versions then collect a pay cheque for each gig. This is not how they operate since June 2004 they have made two acclaimed studio albums and toured constantly .

I was so proud to receive an email from Sylvain complementing me on my photographs from the gig and saying they would like to use some of them.

I am already looking forward to their gig at The Forum in London on 4 December 2009

L.A.M.F

DW

Back To Blogging Last Week Paul Rose, The Holloways, And Brian Wilson

I have been very busy with photography and I have neglected my blog - which I will try and get back to updating regularly.

All being well I will recap all my activities in the past months in a separate blog.

Last week was a busy week it started with a photo shoot in the studio with guitar virtuoso Paul Rose. It was an experimental shoot using the painting with light technique. Overall I was pleased with the results and it will be an avenue I will explore further.

I have put some of the images on my Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwala/sets/72157621230793994/

Last Thursday ( 9 July) I made a visit to Carlisle and to one of my favourite venues The Brickyard - there is always a good atmosphere there and the people who run it are always cool. I was there to shoot The Holloways who were playing some summertime gigs before the release of their new material.

I ran everything through with their PR Stephen who arranged for me to shoot the gig and get a portrait of the band. The band Alfie, Bryn, Mike and Edwin , as well as roadie Barbs could not have been more helpful with sorting out the portrait before the gig and generally keeping me in the loop.

The gig was rocking I put a short review of the gig on Last FM - the link is here:

http://www.last.fm/user/davidwala/journal/2009/07/10/2uy880_band_and_crowd_as_one

I also put some photographs on Flickr and I will be putting them on my website. The link is here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwala/sets/72157621091342573/

Last night I was the only person granted a photo pass for the legendary Brian Wilson at Gateshead Sage - it was an all round night of two hours of good vibrations. Last night I made some new friends from his crew and would like to thank them Chopper, Randy and John - as well as my old friend Michael for making it happen

I have put a few of my images on my website I will be adding more soon. The link is here:

http://www.davidwala.com/gallery_253326.html

I have been submitting my images to newspapers and magazines and it made me think of a famous Woody Allen quote:
"show business is dog eat dog ? It's worse than dog eat dog, it's dog doesn't return other dog's phone calls."

Anyhow I will be updating my blog again soon

Latest News

My Peter Doherty photographs and reviews from Newcastle and Edinburgh have been published on Glorious Noise the link is here:

http://www.gloriousnoise.com/features/2009/peter_doherty_live_in_edinburg.php.

My photographs/review of Peter's gig from Glasgow was the third most popular item on their website in March - the full list is here:

http://www.gloriousnoise.com/shorties/2009/most_popular_march_2009.php

I enjoy working with Glorious Noise the people I feel the people their have integrity and have built the website over the years through their love of rock n roll. They have 35,000 individual visitors a month.

Reviewing my words above I hope that I do not sound like a braggart - I fell I have some way to go with my photography career and I am trying to head in the right direction.

Last week I was also in Paris and was pleased to visit my favourite bar Cafe Bergerac it is a normal non glitzy non touristy Parisian cafe/bar with out any pretensions just a friendly welcome. I always meet interesting people there. I always feel proud when I see some of my photographs on the wall there




A photograph of Jill, Me and Nacim on a previous visit.

Anyhow have to go. Tomorrow I am photographing Doors Alive at Newcastle Academy

Happy Easter

Back From Peter Doherty In Edinburgh

The gig tonight had an end of term feel  this being the last date of the tour outside of London. Peter and the band were sporting a more casual dress - with Peter without his usual dapper suit and hat took to the stage in Jeans and long sleeve top. The whole band looked ready to have an end of tour knees up

However it was a rowdy Friday night crowd - many of whom were intent to throw glasses of beer and other stuff at the band from the start. What is all that about? It reminded me of the rednecks in the Blues Brothers - next time Peter plays here he should put up some chicken wire in front of the stage

Chicken Wire screen - for Peter Doherty's next gig in Edinburgh?

It was a frenetic set which seemed only one step away from chaos - but Peter and the band held it together and rode out the tide of missiles. 

Peter mostly seemed to be having fun and one point dived into the crowd. fans also gave him CDs and other trinkets - including bizarrely a Coal Not Dole badge from the 1984 miner's strike.

I enjoyed the gig more than last night it is a pity about the morons throwing stuff and just behaving like ...... It was a similar set list to last night  from what I remember he played Don't Look back Into The Sun and Can't Stand Me Now instead of What A Waster and Tell The King.

The encore was cut short after a wild Time For Heroes where everyone was going for it - I do not know why I was expecting they would play Fuck Forever.

Anyhow a few photographs from the gig  are below. I will post more on my website soon

    

                                              Toilet roll decorating the mike stand

Until next time

David

Peter Doherty Newcastle, Brilliant Mind, And The Runwells

I have had a hectic time lately and I am still catching up on work and have loads of photographs to sort out. I was photographing on location three days last week.

Tonight I was at Newcastle Academy to see Peter Doherty who put a solid gig - it was one of the best crowd reactions I have seen at Newcastle Academy the place was bouncing. Apart from the songs from the new album which I love hearing live with the full band including strings, one of my favourite Libertines songs is Tell The King which Peter played tonight - I have also included a clip below. I did not take many photographs but I will upload some to my website and hopefully have a review and images published.

         

Adam & Drew                          Peter Doherty  Newcastle Academy 26 March 2009

A Clip of Tell The King Newcastle Academy 26 March 2009

Last Monday  went to see the first gig by Brilliant Mind who have evolved from local favourites New Vinyls - it was a  high energy set which suggests a bright future I am looking forward to seeing them again soon - for more information see:

http://www.myspace.com/brilliantmindmusic

Brilliant Mind The Cooperage Newcastle 16 March 2009

Another local band which I enjoyed were The Runwells at The Cluny last Saturday.

The Runwells The Cluny Newcastle 21 March 2009

http://www.myspace.com/runwells

Anyhow I have to go I need sleep - I am travelling to Edinburgh in the morning to see Peter Doherty again.

David

Carl Barat, Spies In Limbo, And Other Stuff

This week I photographed Spies In Limbo in our photo studio which was fun but I am still sorting the images. They are a real talent and I  hope they will get a break. Check them out at www.spiesinlimbo.com.

I realised how difficult it is to photograph five people in a small space using a Colorama background. It was a good learning experience and I am sure we have some decent results.

On Saturday I photographed a friend's wedding. I have never shot a wedding before and did not realise how hard it is but my research paid off and I got all the shots my friend wanted... and then some. Wedding photography is something that previously I have no interest but now I realise how difficult it is. However,I would now consider doing more weddings in future.

Sunday was not a day of rest - it was a day to see Libertine Carl Barat at Ku Bar in Middlesbrough. The crowd had a feeling of post weekend blues but Carl did his best to lift the mood and a good time was had by all including the wanna be Penny Lane who was dancing around in a short summer dress as if she was the main attraction. I noticed she was thrown out of Carl's dressing room in double quick time.

My review of the gig is on GLONO here:

http://www.gloriousnoise.com/features/2009/carl_barat_stockton_on_tees.php

Since my last blog entry the fifth anniversary of The Libertines ending their last UK tour the last night was of the tour 7 March 2004 some photographs are below:

     

The 5th March saw the 27 years since John Belushi's passing sadly missed and his work still makes me laugh.

Until next time

David

Studio Shoots, Viz, Ex Vinyls, And Other News

I have done two photo shoots in the studio recently which I will put on my website soon

One of the Ex New Vinyls  this is one unedited image from the shoot

 

One shoot with the Viz Co-Founder Simon Donald and his new characters - some unedited photographs of his new characters are below. For more info and details of his upcoming shows check out his website www.simondonald.com

Dominic Farquhar

Barry Shithouse

Bingo From Benton

Tonight I am going to photograph Simon Donald at a live gig performing as Barry Shithouse. Tomorrow I am hopefully doing a studio photo shoot with Spies In Limbo then if time allows off to see Daisy Riots at The End bar. Friday I will be at Adam Bomb at Trillians.

Saturday I am shooting my first and possibly only wedding as a favour  for a good friend Phil - I am more nervous about this than anything else this week.

Sunday I am going to see Carl Barat in Stockton - I hope I can get some photographs from this one.

I will check in next week with a review of Carl's gig.

Dave

x

My Review Of Peter Doherty Glasgow Gig Published

My review of Peter Doherty's gig at Glasgow Barrowland has been published on the magnificent Glorious Noise website the link is here:

http://www.gloriousnoise.com/features/2009/peter_doherty_live_in_glasgow.php

Off to see Wild Beasts tonight at The End Bar supported by top local band Spies In Limbo.

Back From Peter Doherty At Glasgow Barrowlands

I got back from Glasgow at 3:00 this morning to find our house was without electricity due to a power cut.

Anyhow power is restored and I have just added some images from the gig here I will be adding more soon:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwala/sets/72157614336581143/

It was a spectacular night at a sold out Barrowlands It was a well balnced set with new and old songs. Peter had a full band with Adam, Drew, a brass section, and  Graham Coxon who features on the new album Grace/Wasteland.

Needless to say the Glasgow crowd are the best in the UK they were all up for a night of Arcadian revelry

x

Sorting Some Photographs Of Peter Doherty From Liverpool

I have got round to sorting some of my photographs of Peter Doherty's acoustic set at the opening of Studio Nightclub in Liverpool - happy memories of the summer it was one day that it did not rain. although Peter may have been feeling the cold wearing his natty overcoat. I put three of the shots here http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwala/sets/72157614245903433/ all being well I will add more soon.

I particularly  like this shot with  the audience I think he was playing Up The Bracket - I can see two crooked fingers:

It reminds me this shot I took at a gig in Glasgow in July 2004

Anyhow his solo album is imminent Grace/Wastelands check out the official Myspace for info

 http://www.myspace.com/gracewastelands

Currently preparing for a studio shoot with an up and coming local band - I only hope for one thing from today - that is they turn up!

The Durutti Column Photographs

It was a night of backing tapes and evocative songs, as well as an impromtu version of Albatross - an entertaining night.

I posted some photographs from the gig here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwala/sets/72157614114427751/

and here:

http://www.davidwala.com/gallery_212374.html

It is a day late but just thinking it was four years ago yesterday that Hunter S. Thompson took his own life. There are some moving tributes here 

http://www.flyingdogblog.com/2009/02/20/ralph-steadman-and-george-stranahan-remember-hunter/

I remember at our local library Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas was only allowed to be leant out in the presence of the head librarian - I knew then I had to read it. I will be drinking one for the great doctor this weekend

D

x

Calling Any Up And Coming Bands For Photo Shoots

I am doing a project on up and coming bands primarily in North East England but all are welcome. Please contact me via this blog or from the contact form on my website:

www.davidwala.com

My idea is to shoot some portraits on location or in a photography studio  , and if agreeable do some shots of the band members doing their day job.

I am shooting the following local bands in the coming week  if you get time  check them out :

Spies In Limbo

http://www.myspace.com/spiesinlimbo

The reincarnation of The New Vinyls 

http://www.myspace.com/newvinyls

The Runwells recent winners of the Jack Daniels unsigned band competition in Newcastle

http://www.myspace.com/runwells

On a more personal note I love this photograph of my old school Vans 

I am off to see The Durutti Column tonight - I love this quote from his website "Vini Reilly is The Durutti Column. It is 2008, he still has control and does all kinds of ridiculous things"

x

Incident Room - Allotment Wars

A photograph from a project I have been working on - a mafia style hit between feuding allotment owners

Carbon Silicon Review Now On Glorious Noise

I am pleased to see my review and photographs of the Mick Jones ( The Clash B.A.D.) and Tony James ( Generation X Sigue Sigue Sputnik) are now online - hoping to see more of them in 2009.

It is here

http://www.gloriousnoise.com/features/2009/carbon_silicon_live_in_london.php

I am busy sorring out more photographs which I will put online soon.

Jesse Malin Review & Photographs Published On Glorious Noise

I am so pleased to see one of my reviews please seee my link above

Happy New Year

Happy 2009 to one and all

In 2009 I am planning to self publish a photo book of my Peter Doherty/Babyshambles photographs from 2004 to 2009 - covering the five years since the demise of The Libertines. I suppose if I put it in writing I will strive to get it done.

Anyhow here is a video clip I took of Peter Doherty doing White Riot at Oldham Castle on New years Eve four years ago (2004). This is the time he played four gigs in one night.