Counter Culture The Culture

Nov 1st

2009-10-15T22:40:00.000-07:00

It's already gonna be November! This year has flown by in a flurry of good times and crazy adventures.

Anyway, this show will be awesome so come out. I even heard that Balazo isn't such a shitty place after all(though I wouldn't bet on it).

See ya there!

Tomorrow night!

2009-10-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

friday, october 16
yellow room
(2027 market st.)
oakland, ca 94609

SPIRES (first show back from us tour)
BEAU NAVIRE (demo release show)........Also recently formerly named Life Moves
MONGOLOID VILLAGE...... From Portland
+MORE

6-6:30 pm
donation$

Homeward bound...

2009-09-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

This is our last night in NYC and it has been a perfect end to this trip. It's raining a bit right now and instead of raging all night like we've been doing since we got here, we took it easy. Everyone here has been super fucking cool to us and I can't stress enough how amazing it feels to have met such genuine people so far from home.

Here's to new friendships.

Chicago to NYC 2009!

-AL

Tour/East Coast trip winding down... sorta.

2009-09-23T22:39:00.000-07:00

This post will not have photos. I have retired my DSLR for the rest of this trip and have been using my Yashica FX-3 almost primarily.

We've been kind of locked in New York since Saturday and made the decision to stick out the rest of our time here instead of going on w/ the rest of the tour into Baltimore. Since we got here everyone has been doing their own thing mostly and coming together as a whole only at night when we needed to all drive away for a show. The next show for Spires was gonna be in Baltimore followed by a schedule that pulls them further and further South. With the option of using Brooklyn as a home base after shows no longer available, we bid farewell to our friends and made other plans. Pat of Apeshit! is still being way fucking cool and letting us crash around until Sunday when Anna, Vicky and I head back to Oakland. We have quite a list of things to do before we head home.

Tomorrow night Drunken Boat is playing Oliver's house.
Friday night Apeshit is playing and so is The Jealous Sound somewhere else.
Saturday night Nux Vomica is playing and there will be a mansion party somewhere in Bushwick.

Phew.

Film stuff will be up after I get home.
Although Brooklyn is seeming more and more homey.

-AL

Non Fucking Stop!

2009-09-20T03:18:00.000-07:00

First off... It's 6:19am.
I'm on 4 hours of sleep in the past 24 and waiting out a drunk rather than sleeping it off. Once we got out into NYC and Brooklyn in the daylight we found out that this shit is HUUUUGE! This place doesn't slow down for anything!
The ABC No Rio show was a lot of fun and there was surprisingly quite a few people there for being a matinee show. Those dudes bought the building for $1 and are now using it as a show space. So nuts.
The Glassdoor show was more nuts than anything. Our buddies Omar and Paolo made it into NYC despite car problems and Sanchez flew in just in time for the show. Oliver and Fox who recently moved to Brooklyn came out as well! It was pretty much just a huge hang out and it felt crazy warm.

My ABC No Rio photos were kinda bad and I wasn't really feeling into shooting the entire Glassdoor show. So...

ABC No Rio:

1994!...

Spires...

Malegoat(Japan)...

Algernon Cadwallader...

Right after this show was the show at The Glassdoor. This was a pretty cool place but then again I wasn't really feeling up to shooting the entire thing. I missed 1994! and a couple of others mostly cause I just wanted to hang.

Psychic Limb...

Spires...

Apeshit!...

After the show we said goodbye to a bunch of people we won't be seeing anytime soon which was really sad. A few others we will see soon in Baltimore. Jason, Anna and I tagged along w/ the Apeshit dudes to a bar somewhere in Brooklyn which was actually really fucking cool. We are now at Pat's(Apeshit) warehouse house while everyone is staying at an appt in Park Slope. Tomorrow should be nuts and we gonna be in Jersey by 5.

The sun is up again and so am I.

Don't sleep.
Ever.

-AL

p.s. still lovin life.

Currently in Brooklyn NY!

2009-09-19T02:20:00.000-07:00

I feel as if I'm in some sort of alternate plane of existence where time no longer has a meaning. Days don't have names and the only thing that has any importance is where the next show is and who we're going to be with. Its 5:23am and I'm sitting in a kitchen in Brooklyn sifting through photos from the past 5 days while 6 of the closest friends I've ever had are sleeping around me. We made the drive in at around 2:30am from Philly immediately after the show. The streets in Park Slope were eerily empty and dimly lit. The warm calm air and smiling people we've known until now were replaced with cold strong winds and the first person we see is a drunk guy stumbling down the sidewalk with fresh piss down his leg. I don't really hold onto first impressions very well nor do I take my judgments made at 4am after a night of drinking and shitty food very seriously. If our time here in NYC is anything like our trip so far, I will be completely content.

The past 3 days in PA have been fucking amazing. And that would be an understatement. Everywhere we'd go we were treated as family. We got into Pittsburgh on Wednesday after around a 2hr drive and Garret was already making us awesome rice and fried pepper food. Garret and Ben have this crazy 3 story brick house on the North side of Pittsburgh w/ like 5 bedrooms and roof access.

Leaving Think Tank(Erica seeing us off, thanks dudes!):

View from the roof:

Pittsburgh is an amazing city. There are a two rivers feeding into one and a ton of bridges. A lot of the architecture is very old and has a certain character to it that isn't commonly found on our side of the country. We were all pretty stoked on the city and the housing is CRAZY cheap. Hmmmmm...
Apparently since the G-20 is a week away it has all of Pittsburgh Police on edge and house shows non-existent. Lucky for us one of the Outclassed dudes were able to score a show at a bar called Kopec's. This was an extremely fun night getting to see both bands following the break up of Outclassed and being around so many friendly people. There was free beer to the bands and free food for everyone!

Who Goes There?...

Spires...

Ed Hoculi...

After the show we all went back to John's place and partied down for a bit. Garret took us around a cemetery which was really cool and creepy. Definitely a good break after our party extravaganza in Chicago. Brendan and Zach were some of the nicest/party hard dudes in Pittsburgh. Such good times.

The next morning we all reluctantly got up and packed our shit for another 5hr drive to Lancaster. We were finally due to see Chris and Mike.

Jacob and Vicky(not getting up):

After loosing Brum and me shitting my pants trying to push a fart out, we got on the road. We also decided to make a stop once into Lancaster for some party things to make our arrival really crazy. We filled the van w/ balloons and armed ourselves w/ poppers and roaming candles. We drove around Lancaster for the next half an hour getting lost and stuck in traffic but we finally made it.

Surprise!...

Vicky and Jacob plotting an attack...

Mike showed a few of us around the town a little and I have to be honest, Lancaster seems like a pretty sweet place to live. It was very cozy and homey.

The show was set up at Chris' job, Senorita Burrita. A lot of people came out and all the bands that played were a lot of fun. Even the order the bands were in worked very well. I remember as Slingshot Dakota played, I looked around the room seeing all my close friends and new friends smiling, dancing, hugging and couldn't fucking believe how perfect and comfortable the feeling was for being 3000 miles from home.

We Were Skeletons...

Boys And Sex...

Boyfriends...

Spires...

Slingshot Dakota...

After the show we just kinds hung around for a bit before we headed back to Chris' place for party time. The night was very chill and drunk and I slept in Chris' Pooh suit to keep warm.

The next morning we all went on over to Mike and Stevie's place for breakfast. They have a 4 story loft apartment that is less than $100 more than I was paying for my room in Oakland a month ago. What the fuck. We spent the day eating rad food in even radder company before heading off to Philly for the show.

We finally got to the warehouse that was hosting last nights show almost 2 hours late. But it wasn't that big of a deal I guess. This place was fucking massive! The show space was on the 3rd floor and the roof was just over the 4th. There are about 9 people living there and are too some of the nicest, generous people we've met.

Views from the roof...

Downtown Philly...

Ed Hochuli...

Spires...

Boyfriends...

There were two other bands I didn't shoot mostly cause I just wanted to hang out and not have a camera in my hand for once. We didn't stick around to check out Philly which is kinda lame but I guess the decision was made to sleep not on a warehouse floor. So we're here now in Brooklyn.
At this point the sun is up and it's right around 7:30am. Everyone but me is still sleeping away and I should be doing the same. We've got a full day tomorrow w/ shows at both the Glassdoor and ABC No Rio. There are a slew of people to meet w/ and Sanchez is flying in too! Fuck yeah! Our buddies Omar and Paolo flew in from Southern California yesterday and we got to see them in Philly. They'll be here in today as well.

I outta get some rest now.

Totally lovin life right now...

-AL

Currently in Lakewood Ohio!

2009-09-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

At this moment, I'm sitting on a second story porch in Ohio outside of the Think Tank house who just hosted a show. Alex and Erica live here and are super nice, letting us crash, shower and wash clothes here. They even held the show up for a bit because we got here 3 hours late. This was mostly due to me riding around Chicago, getting lost and passing out on a sidewalk for an hour in my hungover/still drunk stupor. But we made it! I even managed to puke on the side of the van at 70 mph and annoy everyone.
Whoops!
Anyway, I'm totally diggin this slow mid-west slowed down, warm nights, happy people everywhere thing we're doing.

Think tank house:

So Chicago was fucking awesome!
Anna, Vicky and I were up at 3 in the a.m. and we landed in Chicago at around noon. We took a 30 minute train ride into the area surrounding Wicker Park and had a few beers there as we waited for the dudes to meet us.

Waiting in the Airport:

Our plane:

After we meet up w/ the dudes we milled around the city for a bit and got some really good food at Handle Bar. Definitely a good call on Brum's part. The show last night was at the Cunt Collective in Logan Park. This was a sweet sweet place ran by really rad and helpful women. There was roof access and the L was literally 10 feet from the window behind the bands.

From the roof:

The L:

I took a bunch of really bad photos at the show but I have been shooting more film than digital so hopefully those are much better.

Suffix...

Teenage Cool Kids...

Spires...

New Yorker...

This was followed by 90 beers at the Phat Farm or Frat Farm or something. Bad idea.

Anyway, I wanna hang out w/ my friends now so until next time...

We're in Philly tomorrow.

-AL

Packing Packing Packing.

2009-09-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

It's the night before Anna, Vicky and I fly out to Chicago to meet up w/ the Spires dudes and I've been millin about all day making sure things are set. Everything appears to be in order but I think my bag might be to big for carry on w/ my camera bag stuffed inside. I'm trying to pack light but two weeks is a long time to be gone.

The break down:

(Camera equipment and bag^)***missing from photo: lens cleaner, now in bag, yep!***

(Stuff w/ camera bag all packed^)***missing from photo: tooth brush, fuck it.***

(Fancy new Freight Bag nearly maxed out^) ***is actually a lot bigger than shown***

I'm on my 3rd burrito within the past 24hrs and Alkaline Trio has been on loop all day. I'm probably gonna keep Goddamnit on repeat as we come into O'Hare as well haha. It's only too fitting.

Anyway, the itinerary is really exciting. I'm bringing my laptop so I can clear off my memory cards and I'll be updating this as much as I can.
So stay tuned!

I will miss:
Clam

And me bike

-AL

Happenin happenings!

2009-08-31T22:13:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday should be amazing. There's quite a line up at the 10th St house so if you're free be sure to check this out.

Re-posted from Jon:

Also, Wednesday September 2nd!Show at our house with.
The Reed Sea (Portland, indie good times)
The Northern Lights (Oakland, Modest Mouse-ish indie)
Sillian Rail (SF amazing party times!)
Total Bros and Orca Team Split set. (Portland Darlings of fun rock!)

Starts at 7 ish.

1420 10th St(The Hive)
Oakland!

Spread the good word.

-AL

08/14/2009 & 08/15/2009

2009-08-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

So everyone is at Jason and Anna's place right now for some pizza campfire or something. I dunno details and I'm feeling to reclusive to socialize... per usual. So...

This past weekend was pretty full w/ shows at The Dog House and The Hive(10th St house). Both very different, both very fun.
I can't remember the full line up at The Dog House but I only shot Git Some. The other bands I wasn't into and I shoot Spires all the time. I'm sure they can play a set and not miss me blinding them for once.

08/15/2009 @ The Dog House
Git Some...

The next night was a little more cozy. Masturi was just finishing up their long tour and it was their first night back in the Bay Area. There were a lot of strange faces but definitely friendly ones.

08/15/2009 @ The Hive
Jon's new band(no name)...

John Cotta...

Masturi...

I'm feeling pretty lazy right now and I still gotta cook, walk mah pup and take a shower so I'm not including links and I'll have the images on my Flickr later.

-AL

NYC OR BUST!!

2009-08-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

PHILLY OR BUST!
BOSTON OR BUST!
PITTSBURGH OR BUST!
BALTIMORE OR BUST!
CHICAAAAAGGGGOOOO OR BUST!!

Sooo stoked right now!
Why??
Because I bought my fucking plane ticket to Chicago!

I'm getting to tour around for two weeks w/ ten close friends and see several rad cities for the first time ever on Spires' U.S. Tour. We've been talking plans for this shit for months now and it's finally set. I don't think I can full describe how excited I am. I'm completely broke now so figuring out how I'm gonna make it to school, pay rent, bills and get food is gonna be rough but whatever!
SURFS UP!
GO FAST!!

Spires and Get Some(CO) are playing a show literally across the street from my house(28th and Telegraph) tonight. It's a big blue house across from 528.
There's also a show tomorrow night at the 10th St house.
Between Tounges
Masturi
Moldar
and more!

I'll try and get more info up later. I'm at work and not working. Just being hella stoked. But I gotta start working now if I wanna keep this job.

OK bye now.
-AL

08/08/2009 KLAF 5 and 08/09/2009 @ The Yellow House

2009-08-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

OK, I finally have a chance to sit down and sift through all the shots I came back with from the past weekend. This shit has seriously been non-stop. I had to shoot a wedding on Friday, KLAF on Saturday and then the show at The Yellow Room on Sunday.
I'm extremely tired right now and I think I'm getting sick again(would be 3rd time this year). So on that note, I'll just post some photos lacking details(mostly).

KLAF 5 was fucking epic. As it has always been in the past. 11 bands, 350+ people or some crazy shit and the canned food drive pulled in two barrels of canned food maxed out. So sick!
If I don't have photos of your band, it would be for one of two reasons.

1) I wasn't really into the set.

2) I was having technical difficulties.

At the end of the wedding I dropped my camera and in the flurry of trying to catch it before it hit the ground I pushed a button that disabled my camera from auto focusing in low light situations. I eventually figured out what I did halfway through KLAF and fixed it but I had already shot several bands. I was bummed to see good compositions out of focus.

Punch...

Spires...

1994!...

Dead To Me...

Touche Amore...

^^^I could not keep the lens from fogging during this set. So annoying.

Broadway Calls

Comadre

During the break the dudes in Punch wanted me to snap a shot of them to document the day as the end of their 6 week U.S tour...

After that a bunch of us decided to head on down toward the beach which was especially rad because I hadn't seen most of these guys since they left for tour. On the way down I got to meet a few kids from L.A. that had been following the Spires/1994! tour around. These dudes were pretty awesome. Glad I got to meet em...

The following night at The Yellow Room was crazy good times. This marked the official end for the Spires/1994! West Coast Tour and Chris and Mike were flying back to PA the next morning. I don't think I've ever sweated so much in a weekend while standing still.

Unrestrained...

Loma Prieta...

Seasick...

1994!...

Spires...

And to top off the night, Chris showed us how dudes get down in Pennsylvania...

HAHAHA^^

As always, more stuff posted on my Flickr. Stuff from The Yellow Room show I have up tomorrow night. I'm too tired now. Also, Git Some is coming back through this Friday and Punch has some shows coming up. I'll post details tomorrow.

Good.
Night!

-AL

07/24/2009 @ Thrillhouse Records SF, CA

2009-07-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

Ohhhhhh man. I seriously can't remember the last time I was at a show in the city where there was such a good feeling. House venues don't really exist there and the only places hosting shows for these kind of bands are bars. Which isn't bad but definitely a different environment.
Thrillhouse seems to hit this dead on being a centrally located live-in storefront space hosting the show in their kitchen. Not to mention their super rad, super affordable distro makes me wish I actually had some cash to burn last night.
If you get a chance, definitely check em out. They're not for profit and all volunteer ran. All moneys brought in go directly back into sustaining the space along w/ the bands on the label.

Drowning With Our Anchors... pretty fucking amazing paaar usual.
Spires... never a complaint here. Plus we got to hear a brand new song!
1994!... holy shit! I was into these dudes before they came out and have been looking forward to this for a while, but holy shit. I wasn't expecting that. Super fun band and even radder dudes to hang with.

OK... on to photos. Sometimes I feel somewhat self conscious about wielding such a fancy camera and a flash that resembles a mid evil weapon so I decided to shoot mostly w/ natural light. Lots of blur and ghost like figures. Which isn't bad, right? I mean, it's art, right?

Drowning With Our Anchors...

1994!...

^Mike gets really excited.

Spires...

THE SPLIT IS OUT!

More images are up on my Flickr.

Until next time... keep it real.

-AL

This Friday @ Thrillhouse!!

2009-07-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

Spires and 1994! have spent the past several months recording, planning and pulling together a sweet tour/split 12" and it all kicks off this Friday. Spires' songs on this are the first recordings since slimming down to a four piece and they sound great, as they've always have. Anna helped out w/ the album photo and has a lot more similar work up on her Flickr so check it out.

Split record...

Paul put together some rad stuff for the tour poster as well. What a talented bunch haha.

Show details are as follows...

I gotta get back to work so until next time...
spread words.

-AL

OH!! And FYI... Robocop 3 is off this bill. Drowning With Our Anchors are filling their spot. If you missed them last week in Oakland then this is double the reason to make it out. More rad dudes/tunes.

ok bye.

07/17/2009 @ The Yellow House, Oakland CA

2009-07-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

So I heard a while back that Maladie was swinging through Oakland but had forgoten all about it. I caught wind of this show again the day before it was happening and bailed on the SF bike film fest plans. And I'm totally glad I did. They played the next night again w/ Bokanovsky at The Flower Shop in SF and I would have made that too if I weren't too cold and drunk already.

The Yellow House, Oakland CA 07/17/2009:

Maladie...

Bokanovsky...

Drowning With Our Anchors...

Bokanovsky and Maladie continue on w/ their tour till the 29th so definitely catch one if you can.

Drowning With Our Anchors will be playing w/ Spires and 1994! this Friday at Thrillhouse Records in SF. It'll be a split release for Spires and 1994! and the start of their west coast tour so drop your other plans, they're less important at this point. I'll post the info for that tomorrow.

More images can be seen on my Flickr.

-AL