Austin PsychFest April 26, 27, 28, 2013

I am flying to Austin Tx for this 3 day event. I think the last time I was at a 3 day festival, and no I was not at Woodstock, well I think it was the US Festival in California, 1983. I learned a lot there, and saw some great bands, and took some photos, but what is foremost in my mind is STAY IN A HOTEL. There is camping this year in Carson Creek Ranch where the music will be, but sleeping on the ground, I think not this time.

The Clash headlined the opening night at the US Festival, press area was a mile away from the stage, it was really hot. They held a press conference before they went on stage. They were aware that the headliners on metal night, and the last night were being paid more. They were not asking for more for the Clash, but the difference be donated to the poor, to feed people in L.A. I was late to the press conference and took this photo from behind the event.

The lineup for Austin is amazing and growing. Here is an early version.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Black Angels
Deerhunter
Tinariwen
Clinic
Warpaint
Black Mountain
Boris
Spectrum
Man Or Astroman?
The King Khan & Bbq Show
The Growlers
Acid Mothers Temple
Quintron & Miss Pussycat
The Soft Moon
White Fence
Diiv
Dead Skeletons
The Warlocks
Vietnam
Goat
Black Bananas
The Black Ryder
Lumerians
Elephant Stone
The Laurels
Gary War
Woodsman
The Cult Of Dom Keller
Golden Animals
Holydrug Couple
Vinyl Williams
Ttotals
Dreamtime

I have seem some of these bands and will post photos, and look for music links and post here also. Here are some more added to the already amazing list.

THE MOVING SIDEWALKS featuring BILLY GIBBONS OF ZZ TOP • OS MUTANTES • ROKY ERICKSON • THE RAVEONETTES • OM • SILVER APPLES • KALEIDOSCOPE (UK) • TAMARYN • SUUNS • BESNARD LAKES • INDIAN JEWELRY • BASS DRUM OF DEATH • NIGHT BEATS • NO JOY • YOUNG MAGIC • WALL OF DEATH • HOLY WAVE • RIDE INTO THE SUN • HEARTS IN SPACE • 

This photo is of the lead singer of Deerhunter, Bradford Cox crowd surfing to the Black Lips at the Commodore Ballroom July 23/24, 2009. Deerhunter opened for the Black Lips that night.  One of the things I love about digital photography is that I could show this photo to him when he came back on the stage and into the wings. I am looking forward to hearing them again in Austin.

This is Oliver Achermann from a Place to Bury Strangers. If you have not seen them live you would not know that they play in darkness, with a strobe light and some visuals projected behind the drummer. Now the thing about a strobe is that if it is on the photos are pure light, and yes if it is off pure black darkness. What I had to do is shoot for the transitions, coming on; going off. This one caught that magic moment. 

I have two cats, and nothing sends them running upstairs faster than the Black Angels streaming through the ground floor speakers. Their music is amazing but not to my cats.
This photo was taken at the sound check when they were here May 9, 2011. Alex Maas, the singer walking across the stage and the light show is amazing, it is hard to believe that is a flat backdrop behind them. Listen to the Black Angels, trust me look them up on Youtube and listen. They are playing Vancouver May 14, 2013 at the Commodore, you really should see them live.

Acid Mothers Temple are from Japan. This photo was taken the first time I saw them. This band is amazing and I always drift into a trance. I seem to be able to take photos in that trance. Ha

Anton Newcombe took us on Dead Tv to see the Warlocks in Berlin at the Bang Bang Club. He broadcasted live on Ustream. We were not close to the stage, but the sound was very good. I took this photo of Anton talking to Bobby on the stairs. Just to the right of the image you will see us all chatting. I love Dead TV. I have seen the Warlocks live and have photos, but this is closer to my heart.

Well decided to add a live shot of the Warlocks from Richard's on Richards, June 10, 2008 when they opened for the Black Angels. Yes great show. 

This is a photo of Ringo Deathstarr when they were playing at The Electric Owl. I went to the sound check and asked them to come out back for some photos. My friend Lawrence Alexander had ask for some photos for his band blog website Portable-Infinite. I am not sure if he used this photo or not. I enjoyed the band that night and am looking forward to hearing them again in their hometown Austin Tx.

The Electric Owl is the old American Hotel, out front you would never know, but when you get around to the back, the vibe and sign of the American Hotel still lives. This photo was taken at the back.

The King Khan & Bbq Show is a bit of a mystery to me, yes I saw them May 22, 2009 at the Commodore. I stood in amazement taking photos. Visually Doctor John came to mind. This was one of those shows where I was allowed to shot as much as I wanted, but when he took his head gear and little Richard's style jack off I was finished taking photos. I stayed for the music.