| Outside The Camp Photoshoot: Part II |
This Saturday, we headed to historic Deep Ellum in downtown Dallas with one of our favorite local bands, Outside the Camp to continue our photoshoot. Last time we took the guys to the haunted Mills Cemetary.
With a culture as rich as Deep Ellum we were blessed with many options, lots of color and of cours our own passions about the historic neighborhood to work with.
To check out all the images, click on more images on the top of this posting
| The Nothing and Everything Tour |
When it is two hours before the doors open and a line of fans wrap around a building, you know you are going to be in for a treat. This was the case on Jan. 15 when The Door in Dallas hosted The Nothing and Everything tour featuring headliner Red and tour-mates Pillar, The Wedding and Me in Motion.
The smell of maple filled your nose before the smoke from the fog machines arrived; it is a telltale sign of a rock show in the making. As the lights dimmed and Grammy-nominated rock-bad Red took the stage the crowd knew they were in for a show. The band, which is touring in support of their Innocence and Instinct record, rained down on the crowd with heavy drums, blazing guitars and a bearded singer.
In 2008, I saw this band three times, and for the first time I felt the absolute passion transfer from their album to the stage. It might be that I was sitting on a bass speaker directly below lead singer Michael Barnes, or it might be the charisma of the venue.
“It was a pretty intense show,” guitarist Anthony Armstrong said, recalling the last time Red played at The Door, “Texas fans are just some of the greatest fans in the world, no joke, [it’s hard to hold a candle to Texas].”
Sitting on my bass speaker, it was hard for me to imagine another crowd in the world as involved as this one. Hands stretched out in desperation, singing the lyrics as if they belonged to their heart. It was clear how this music affected fans.
“They just kind of spill their guts to us, and it’s a big responsibility for us to handle. There’s kids out there that are latching on to this so tightly, it’s keeping them from doing harm to themselves. To turn to music is probably why we are doing this for a living because that’s what we do,” said Armstrong.
Over the course of the evening the band continued to deliver driving and in-your-face tracks such as recent single “Death of Me.”
“You’re talking about yourself,” Armstrong said while describing the song. “You’re talking about that side that every single person has. It’s something you’re fighting, and if you don’t fight it, [it will end up being the death of you].”
Slowing down the evening with a live showcase of their hit, “Pieces” filled the room with an indescribable moment. The track’s slow and melodic harmonies were a beautiful addition to the set, and a nice break for the rowdy crowd.
Red closed their set with their most successful track to date, “Breathe Into Me” and after one last fist-pounding rock song, the band left the stage leaving the crowd breathless.
| The Consciousness Tour: Smile Empty Soul |
In support of their fourth studio album Consciousness, California-based post-grunge rock band, Smile Empty Soul, took to the road with tour-mates Burn Halo, The Last Vegas and Frequency Fifty-four. Stopping in Dallas Dec. 8, at the newly renovated Tree’s, the bands performed for a packed house of die-hard fans.
Opening the show, Dallas-based Adakain took the stage, with a comanding presence. With heavy instrumentation and loud vocals, these local boys prepared the venue for an interesting night of rock.
Taking the stage next, Frequency Fifty-four proved to be a solid opening act for the tour. Over the years, this band has become a staple in the Michigan music scene, and is currently receiving regional success with their latest single “Last Call.” The bands sound is wonderfully accented by the lead singer’s vocals, and despite a slow start, Frequency Fifty-four was a well-placed addition to the tour docket.
Words cannot describe the next band to take the stage. With sleazy glamorous looks, Last Vegas, a hard-rock band from Chicago, smashed the stage with songs from their album, “I am Bad.” After winning a record deal at the Guitar Center, Your Chance to Make Rock History contest, the Last Vegas has continued to impress critics and fans with their unique stage presence. Not immune to their stage powers, the crowd at Tree’s spent the bands set dancing and banging their heads in time with lead singer Chad Cherry’s hips.
Following three high-energy opening acts, Burning Halo took no mercy as they respectfully assaulted the crowd with pulsing guitar riffs and scratchy vocals. In remembrance of their first tour with rock-band Avenged Sevenfold, who recently lost their drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, the band took time out from their set to remember their lost friend. The excellent showcase of the bands talent and classic hard rock sound fully prepared the crowd for the main act, Smile Empty Soul.
The now three-piece band from Santa Clarita, California wasted no time addressing the crowd with their angst-driven lyrics and emotionally-fueled instrumentations. Their set included songs from their latest offering Consciousness, such as recent single “Don’t ever Leave,” a song the band jokingly said was about cheeseburgers.
“Well, it could be a lot of things. It could be a song about a messed-up relationship or about being dependent on something that isn’t good for you, or you can take it however you interpret it,” lead vocalist Sean Danielsen said.
However, “Bottom of a Bottle,” was the crowd-favorite of the night. It created frenzy in the crowd as they pushed towards the stage, pumping their fists in the air and screaming, “I did it for the drugs.” To some this song might represent an anthem about getting high and drunk; however, listening to the lyrics and delving into Danielson’s previous battle with drugs and alcohol, this song represents a mockery to those who live their lives for drugs and alcohol.
Danielson, who now celebrates over two-and-a-half years of sobriety from hard drugs and alcohol, reflects on darker days touring in Dallas during an interview before their set.
“I stayed up the whole night before (the show) doing drugs,” Danielson said, “I was so absolutely out of my mind, and hadn’t slept or anything by the time we went on. I was still drinking from the night before and just out of it. I could barely play.”
This story is a perfect example of life imitating art because at that time in his life Danielsen seemed to be “doing everything for the drugs.”
A lot has happened in 2009, and there were so many good times that I cannot possibly imagine what 2010 have to offer. I close my eyes and think of all the things I have done, and all of the friends that I have met. It is so amazing to me. It is so unreal. I think of all the road trips Donielle and I have taken, and all the bands we have seen. Music is defiantly the mascot of 2009.
Sitting in Deep Ellum Pizza with Shady Little Road, it was really good to hear all the stories of 2009, both the sad ones and the special ones. It is very clear that 2009 is special.
The journey of Shady Little Road has been like a dream. I am so grateful for all the doors that the Lord has opened. The amazing bands that I have photographed, the passion for writing and the reviews have been over the top. This year I have heard artists like Switchfoot and Flyleaf go over and above what they have ever done. It has been such a blessing to be a small part of it all.
This year I was dipped into a holy water as I gave my life to Christ. I shared this beautiful event with the best friend I have ever had and a group of people who have become my family. Lori, Stevie, Rachel, Eric, Phillip, The Patricks, I love you all. You are my family, we will forever be bonded. I cannot explain how special it felt to hear Lacey and Joshua sing for us as we cried and offered all we had to God. I will never forget that day.
2009, you were such an amazing year, and 2010 you have really big shoes to fill. I cannot wait to see what this year has to offer, and I cannot wait to share it with you.
Love
Bianca Montes
With strong Texas routes and an ageless following, it was without question that Tree’s in Deep Ellum would sell out their venue when The Toadies toured in Dallas. It was with great admiration watching the band pack the house for two nights of rock rather than one.
Starting off their career in Ft. Worth in the late 80’s, The Toadies signed to Interscope Records and released their first full-length album Rubberneck in 1994 which landed them 6 singles including their most successful track “Possum Kingdom.” With extensive touring and regular appearances at Edgefest, The Toadies became the band to see in the mid-90’s post-grunge scene.
Three years into the rebirth of The Toadies, fans lined the streets of Elm in downtown Dallas awaiting a night of epic proportions. Escaping through the walls of the venue, sounds of opening acts Decender and The Lions poured into the streets as they performed a pre-show sound check, offering a taste of what was to come.
Not to diminish the welcoming sounds of their sound check, opening-band Descender, a Dallas local band made-up of four extremely talented musicians, amazed the crowd with innovative guitar riffs as well as thunderous bass lines. A lack of crowd interaction might possibly have been the only downfall of their performance; however, they still left the audience with a memorable performance.
Returning from Europe, where they recently recorded and released their latest album, Austin-based band The Lions took the stage with rolling guitars and gravely vocals. Where Descender lacked crowd interaction, The Lions shined. Taking every available moment to interact with the crowd, their sound filled the room with a strong energy leaving the crowd fully prepared for The Toadies.
As the clocked neared midnight the venue was filled with fans buzzed with excitement and beer. With a few strums of notes, the crowd went wild and stayed wild for 2 full hours of music. Hitchy guitars and driving drums filled the room, as the band and fans shouted out the lyrics to hit song, “I Come from the Water.” Strong passion and love filled the room setting the night off to a strong start.
Gifting the audience with an unforgettable performance of “Possum Kingdom,” a dark and distorted sound that re-tells ghost stories from lead singer Todd Lewis’ childhood, there was on thing that was certain, The Toadies have withstood the test-of-time and continue to make countless fans and crowds happy.
| Rooney: The Wild One Tour |
Following a long intermission between their second album Calling the World, recent free agent rock band Rooney geared up to release a new, limited edition EP, Wild One in early 2010 and set out on tour. During the tour fans received a first listen to the EP as well as an opportunity to purchase it exclusively at the shows.
Before the end of the tour, the five-piece rock band from Los Angeles stopped in Dallas, Texas Dec. 20 at The Granada Theater on lower Greenville with tour mates Tally Hall and Crash kings.
While the opening act of the night, Crash Kings filled the room with heavy bass and strong vocals which provided and interesting blend of sounds, secondary act Tally Hall made it painful to stick around. The over embellished harmonizing of the five-piece rock band was almost as juvenile and forced as their trademark matching neckties.
With a kick back to 1980’s pop, Rooney embraced the crowd with fun guitars and crowd involving lyrics.
As the thick guitars and steady beat of “I Don’t Understand,” a song off of their current offering Wild One, reached the crowd they sat back and enjoyed the new material with open arms.
“Suckceed,” a stand-out track from the upcoming EP, was quick to latch on to the crowd offering catchy lyrics and a vibe reminiscent of The Clash circa “London Calling.” With a political observation into all people to do succeed, the track is sure to open an eye or two.
With an overall feel of a mixed tape made for an old friend, “Wild One,” will surely make a great addition to any musical library, and possibly offer a taste for what a new album will sound like.
| Skillet: Awake and Alive Tour |
Packing the grounds of The Palladium Ballroom, the “Awake and Alive Tour” cruised through Dallas with a line up of epic proportions. Opening up with female-fronted rock band The Letter Black, the evening’s course was set with their powerful lyrics and bone-chilling growls.
Following the short but addicting set of The Letter Black, North Carolina based rock band Decyfer Down took the stage. The powerful and emotionally charged lyric of radio singles “Crash” and “Fading” were quick to spread through the lips of nearly every member of the house. Sitting down with drummer Josh Oliver for an interview it was awakening to hear his proclamation that the members of the band “are just average regular guys,” who want to interpret their faith through their music. With lyrics addressing what it is like to fade into an addiction, these guys shine a light on the power to overcome.
Hawk Nelson was the next act to take the stage, Nelson was an obvious crowd favorite with their catchy and punk-pop beats and hooks that were perfect for the younger members of the crowd to dance and jump along to. While the bands famous kazoo did not make an appearance on the Palladium’s stage the crowd still managed to enjoy themselves.
Highlighting the evening was Grammy-nominated band Skillet. The excitement and anticipation filled the crowded air as the lights dimmed and the first notes of their set echoed through the halls. Their set was filled with in-your-face rock, wedding proposals and a ruff cover of Flyleaf’s hit single “All Around Me.”
Overall, the Dallas stop on the “Awake and Alive Tour” was a tremendous night of rock that delivered exactly what the crowd was looking for.
1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8
With a strong love for music, and a passion for the arts, Donielle was almost made for photography. Her ability to see in people what most people do not is what makes the images that she creates one-of-a-kind.
Their fall tour with indie-band Say Anything has come to an end, but Tyler, Texas native rock-band Eisley continues to leave their fans in anticipation for their soon to be released album thanks to the tour-exclusive EP Fire Kite.
