Photos: Pennywise @ Knitting Factory Concert House

Pennywise @ Knitting Factory Concert House

I can safely say that Pennywise’s headlining performance this past Friday evening at Knitting Factory Concert House in downtown Reno, NV was the single-most memorable show I’ve ever shot, hands down.

The factors of such an event include, but are not limited to:

a) A contact lens popping out of my left (viewfinder) eye during the first five seconds of the opening song
b) Technical difficulties with the Nikon D7000 locking up during the last minute and a half of the shoot
c) Dim stage lighting and red floods coupled with a beyond energetic performance
d) A pit full of (tall) photographers and extra security staff members

That having been said, this show ranks at the top of all of the performances I’ve had the pleasure of taking in during the past 15 months while reporting for I Shoot Reno.  With melodic hardcore filling the venue and a don’t give a f—, just have fun attitude sloshing around the dancefloor, it was a great evening to be in Reno.

The best part?  Whether you’re a die-hard punk rock lifer or not, Pennywise’s newest release, All Or Nothing (2012, Epitaph) is filled with a slew of quality tunes that merit repeat listening and volume pumping punishable by a court of law.  It’s already made our list of top releases for the year, and we’re not even halfway through.  Jus sayin.

As per settings on my Nikon D7000 + AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED body and lens combo, a steady aperture of f/2.8 and shutter speed (1/250th of a second) along with a variable ISO range (3200 >> 6400) seemed to do the trick, all things considered.

Now to send this 1-year old Nikon D7000 to El Segundo for servicing.  Well, at least they’ll clean it for me.  Smiley face.

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Fletcher Dragge of Pennywise @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-06-01
Fletcher Dragge
Byron McMackin of Pennywise @ Knitting Factory Concert House in Reno, NV 2012-06-01
Byron McMackin
Zoltán Téglás of Pennywise @ Knitting Factory Concert House in Reno, NV 2012-06-01
Zoltán Téglás
Randy Bradbury of Pennywise @ Knitting Factory Concert House in Reno, NV 2012-06-01
Randy Bradbury

Camera(s) Used:

Nikon D7000

Lens(es) Used:

AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED


Go On, Treat Yourself to Something Nice!

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Photos: Afroman @ The Underground

Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28

It’s not too often that early 2000’s Grammy-nominated west coast rapper, Afroman rolls through Reno for a headlining set at The Underground, and upon navigating through the impromptu street fair of concert goers gathering outside, and confirming with security that my camera bag contained no weapons, we were inside.

That being only half the battle and knowing that this packed wall-to-wall club has a bar with a more ‘chill’ behind-the-scenes area which I like to use to setup camera gear before heading up front, we made our way through the entrance, where we were greeted by Dan Hubbord of 775HipHop.com and continued on down the hallway and into the main room, where we met up with another security check.  This time for ID.  No problem on our part and to the back corner of the club we go for a quick setup.

Ear protection inserted, gear assembled and Kata KT DW-495 strapped to my waist, I make my way past security and through a couple hundred(?) people to find a spot stage right, about ten feet out behind a protruding black wooden box of sorts.  Standing alone in the crowd with my lens hanging out did not satisfy my need for photographic domination of the evening.  I did notice however, a small pathway between a couple people in front of the box, continuing on top of the box, and on the edge of the stage between a monitor and floor fan guarded only by two or more small children, presumably six or younger.

You know I had to… C’mon, what woud you have done, just sit there in the crowd and take mediocre photos or go for the gold?

Using an unsuspecting young (and thankfully friendly) gentleman’s left shoulder to launch myself up onto the box, then continuing to the edge of the stage where I would perch for the duration of shooting the photos included in this album, I took a leap of faith and in the crowded club followed the “Donnie Darko” and made my way into the opening to secure what was my only chance at capturing a series of shots worthy of posting.

Beyond any heroics on my part and much more importantly, there are three things I learned about Afroman that evening.

1) Afroman wields a wicked, multi-necked axe… 

2) Afroman don’t need no stinkin’ DJ, he can do that shit himself, and…

3) Afroman requires three or more 24oz. cans of Colt 45 when performing


This information alone might not be all too impressive, but when combined with a sold-out performance in Reno… ladies and gentlemen, we have liftoff!

When Afroman took the stage, he spent a moment or two setting up his iPod, then five or more minutes unpacking and tuning his gleaming pearl white, multi-necked guitar, the later of which he rocked unbelievable instrumental versions of favorites such as “Because I Got High” and “Crazy Rap” on, with full-on soloing reminiscent of, dare I say it, somewhere between Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters.  I felt as if I had unknowingly attended a blues concert hosted by that guy from the Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back music video.  It was pretty much mind-blowing.

One other point of interest that I distinctly recall standing out was the added verse on “Because I Got High”, where Afroman ad-libbed, “Now I’m spending the night in Reno, and I know why-yyy-yyy / Because I got high, because I got high, because I got hi-iii-gh”.  I really hope somebody recorded that.

As per the settings dialed in on the Nikon D7000 + AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED camera and lens combination used to shoot this set, I didn’t do a whole lot of knob twiddling.  In fact, I did absolutely zero during Afroman’s set, and came out with a series of shots that I’m actually proud to present in a public forum.  Fixed settings for shutter speed at 1/200th of a second, a wide open aperture of f/2.8 and boosted ISO at 6400 sealed the deal, with minimal processing taking place in Lightroom 3 before uploading here for your viewing pleasure.

If you enjoy the selections on this page, you’ll surely love the full gallery.  If you find an image that you can’t live another day without having by your side, go ahead and order a print.  We’ll ship it right to your doorstep.  Promptly.

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Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28

Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28

Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28

Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28

Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28

Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28

 

Camera(s) Used:

Nikon D7000

Lens(es) Used:

AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED


Go On, Treat Yourself to Something Nice!

Do you buy stuff online? Do you buy camera stuff online? If this post or anything else on ishootreno.com was helpful to you, please consider supporting this site and making your next photo gear, music or general purchase through one of our affiliate links:

Every time our readers buy new gear through our affiliate links, it helps us bring to the table more of that which brought you here in the first place — the ‘money’ shots!

The best part?!  It doesn’t cost our readers anything extra to show their support!

If our readers do pick up some new gear, please drop us a line … we always love to hear about your new additions!

Comments, Praise, Feedback?  We’re all ears!

Please let us know what you thought of this post on ishootreno.com!

Super Happy Fun Bonus Pics!

Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28

Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28

Afroman @ The Underground, Reno, NV 2012-04-28