Griever Live Gallery @ Cavern Club, Exeter

I was sent to photograph a metalcore band called Griever on behalf of RAMzine magazine at their gig in Exeter. As my live review is being posted over on their website, I though I’d take the time to share a few of my favourite images from the gig and a few photos from the promo shoot I organised before the show.

Above are the live images of Griever, which I edited in a slightly different way to what I usually do. For the black and white images I used much darker tones within them, the shadows and blacks are a low lower to create that dark moody look.

The band were inspired by Loathe and Lotus Eaters style of photography for the coloured images. They asked me to focus the colours around a blue palette, so thats what I did. I used Lightrooms white balance to create a cold blue tone to the photos and experimented with the split toning mode a little when a bit extra blue was needed.

I am immensely proud of the promo images above. I used a speedlight attached to a boom arm to create the lighting, which has just made the photos what they are. If the lighting was straight on the photos wouldn’t have been as good as they are.

The band have the perfect gothic, grunge look to suit the location. The harsh textures in the wall and the grittiness of the background suit the style of the guys perfectly.

Griever are going on tour this October, so I’d suggest you go and check them out if they play near you as they’ve some truly fantastic guys and a brilliant band.

Newton Faulkner + Charlotte @ The Great Hall, Exeter 23.04.19

Back in the Great hall after recently shooting https://www.marthafphoto.com/blog/2019/4/17/papa-roach-nothing-more-the-exeter-great-hall-140419 . This show was a different kind of challenge to shoot and review, big stage but intimate performance. Unlike a full band lineup, all the focus was on the solo musician, which gave me more time to capture them exactly how I imagined as I wasn’t rushed during the allocated 3 songs to capture 5 different musicians. The acoustics of the hall complimented the big and immersive sound throughout the night.

Charlotte was the support act for Newton Faulkner during this tour. She has played a few shows with him in the past and she is the perfect artist to open the gig for him. She is a solo artist with session guitarist. During the set there were lively numbers on guitar, ballad's on the keys and a stunning vocal range. Charlotte performed with an immense vocal power showcasing lots of sustained vocal parts. Her voice sounds huge. Even during technical difficulties (a stage prop smashing), Charlotte didn’t lose her professionalism. There was great banter in between songs and an overall lovely demeanour from both Charlotte and her guitarist.

Newton created a beautiful atmosphere from the first note. His stage set up was extremely impressive and I found it fascinating to see how he performed the songs I’ve listened to for the past 10 years live. As I imagined his voice was even better than recorded, like a true professional of doing what he does best for 10+ years. During the set he would move between the larger set up and just using his acoustic guitar.This expert use of minimal equipment achieved that high quality sound fans have come to expect of him. From beginning to end, he gave a brilliant performance, responding well to hecklers and interacting with the crowd, especially during the infamous kazoo parts of the show, where he got the crowd to kazoo along to parts of the set. My favourite part though, was that he chose to drink tea on stage, there’s nothing more Newton that that.

Shot for https://vulturehound.co.uk/


Wreckage 12 @ Exeter Cavern 18.04.19

It was a pleasure to be asked back to photograph Wreckage 12. Wreckage events are ongoing DIY punk gigs. They are hosted by the Cavern in Exeter and organised by Hena Larkin, a well known face within the local scene. The Wreckage shows are immensely important to the local and the South West punk scene, without people like Hena putting their blood, sweat and tears into organising such events, the scene wouldn’t exist, let alone thrive.
Fluff, a solo artist, with a raw punk vibe, mixing dynamic guitar tones which complement the brash tone of the electronic drums. The set took my by surprise upon opening, as I’ve never seen electronically tracked drums at a punk show before. It was brilliantly unique and a solid opener for the rest of the night. Check out his music here - https://www.facebook.com/FLUFFTHEBAND/ Also Fluff has recently joined On the House and you can see his profile here - https://onthehousemusic.co.uk/fluff/
It’s always a delight to watch Henas lyrically powerful songs and spoken word pieces. He isn’t afraid of talking about crucial topics which need to be talked about, such as mental health and the political climate. My personal favourite song of his is his rendition of Woody Guthrie’s legendary song “ All You Fascists Bound To Lose”. Henas cover has such power to it, he’s able to make the song his own without losing the message behind it. Give his music a listen here - https://www.facebook.com/henasolomusic/
Dead Frames (Plymouth based) are local punk rock at its finest! They contrasted nicely against Henas set, with fast paced, drum heavy tracks. The band have a natural talent for writing lyrics that a complete newcomer to the band could pick up quickly. Utilizing what they have, their drummer Lee has vocal parts during their set, he differs from front man Jim, as they have a heavier shouty quality, but when unified together, my god it’s good! Check out their music here - https://www.facebook.com/DeadFrames/
Kearney’s Jig are a 4 piece punk band from Bristol. The band describe themselves as “50% Vegetarian 25% Cheese Intolerant 100% Intolerable” for fans of NOFX and ABBA. Kearney’s Jig were remarkably individual from beginning to end, with their varied age range from member to member. This band definitely bought the party to the stage, and were a brilliant main support to the chaos later to follow. Check out their music here - https://www.facebook.com/Woodewooo/
Where do I even begin with trying to put Red Terrors set into words. This band are quintessentially punk performers through and through. From the first track I could see how well the band interacted with not only the crowd but with one another. Bouncing off each other (and the floor) for whole set, they showed such drive. The smaller sized stage proved incapable of housing the band as they couldn’t be contained, there was crowd surfing, walls of death and absolute chaos. Utter carnage are the words I’d use to describe this band, seriously go and check them out at - https://www.facebook.com/RedTerrorUK/

Papa Roach + Nothing More @ The Exeter Great Hall 14.04.19

Papa Roach and Nothing More, Exeter Great Hall. First time photographing at this venue on behalf of Vulture Hound and I was immediately struck by the theatre like quality to the venue. 
Upon arriving to the show, I instantly noticed how accommodating the security and venue staff were being towards me, this helped me ground myself nicely to the venue and figure out where I had to be and when. 
I want to quickly give a shout out to my fellow togs who I had the pleasure of sharing the photo pit with. Firstly, Grace Chapman-Duke who is a fellow female photographer who I worked with at last years Burn It Down Festival in Torquay, Grace has a real talent for capturing those moments other togs wouldn't notice, she's a good egg. Secondly, Rob Wilkins (Celtography) who is a brilliant photographer who approaches all those he meets with a charming nature and a happy face that I've seen next to me at quite a few South West venues. Thirdly, Steve (MusoMuso) who I've not actually worked with before, so it was brilliant to put a face to a name especially when its someone who's got serious talent behind them. Finally, Hannah O'Brian who is the owner of Exeter Uncovered which is a unique magazine showing of the best of music Exeter has to offer. What Hannah is doing for the local music scene is crucially important and I support her in everything she does and might or not might not be discussing a collaboration soon! 
Nothing More opened up the stage with hauntingly beautiful stage production, singer Jonny started the gig atop what can only be described as a 10+ ft ladder with an air raid siren on the top of it. This entrance made the wait (of no support) worth while and let the crowd know what they were in for. A rig like this was brilliant to see in a slightly smaller venue and kept the show interesting and unique. Jonny simply didn't stop moving throughout the show using every inch of the stage to engage as much of the crowd as possible. He was challenging to photograph due so, but I liked the challenge, but Jonny didn't over shadow the rest of the band in the slightest way. The whole band worked incredibly well together interacting with each other and the crowd. Nothing was lost from taking songs from album to live show especially when it came to things like the backing vocals and other elements (Jonnys amazing drumming rig). Nothing More are like no other band I've photographed and I was very impressed to say the least. 
Papa Roach know their crowd, opening up with "Last Resort" which set the crowd on fire. which as a tog I was hoping for, so I was able to photograph the legendary single. Singer Jacoby Shaddix can only be described as a crowd master, he didn't stop during the whole set which was amazing to witness...does he actually age?! Papa Roach kept the crowd hungry for more from beginning to end, mixing their newer tracks like "Elevate" with the powerhouse classics like "Between Angels and Insects". I appreciated Papa Roach decided to do this as it kept each fan happy no matter what era you're into. The lighting team did a brilliant job throughout the show, the stage was bring and happy, rotating colours and mental strobing which opposed some of the heavier songs but it was good to see the band didn't want to do the usual kind of lighting when it comes to rock and metal shows. 
In an era where we need champions to talk about mental health, Papa Roach as always can be relied on to set an example. Covering "Firestarter" by the Prodigy following a heart felt tribute to Keith Flint.