Pepper @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2011

Pepper @ Knitting Factory Concert House 2011-05-15
Bret Bollinger of Pepper crankin' out the rip-roarin' bass lines with a fury of energy...

I’ve seen some pretty energetic bands before.  Though, nothing in my fifteen years of concert-going had prepared me for the experience of photographing Pepper at the Knitting Factory Concert House in Reno, NV on Sunday, May 15th 2011.

Having got a taste of the pit and stage-to-photographer height difference during Iration’s opening set, I knew that this would be more challenging than shows where the line between stage and audience blurs into nothingness.  This would be pushing the limits of myself as a photographer, and even more so myself as a fan who wants nothing more than to portray a favorite band with style, professionalism and a touch of grace.  What I ended up with as the final product could very well exhibit one or more of these qualities … of which the final say is really up to you, our readers.  What do you think?  Please feel free to share your comments below or give us a shout on Facebook or Twitter.

The music of Pepper is heavily reliant on the solid three-piece band structuring found throughout the entire spectrum of rock ‘n roll’s lifespan and is made unique through a high-energy show filled with hints of punk, rock, reggae and an overwhelming sense of fun-loving sun-drenched collaboration between friends.  Front men Kaleo Wasman and Bret Bollinger hold down the amplified electric string instruments (guitar, bass; respectively) while Yesod Willams backs up vocals while pounding out the golden speedy rhythm on his drum kit.  The huge banner behind the drum set hangs proudly, reminding the audience that they are catching a show from a major touring band that does not mess around when it comes to pleasing their fans.

I’ve personally been a fan of Pepper since their 2002 release, Kona Town, but would also recommend checking out their other albums on Amazon to fill up that summertime playlist: Give’n It, Stitches EP, In with the Old and Kona Gold will get y’all started.  Complete the set with No Shame and Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations.

VIEW THE FULL PEPPER GALLERY HERE

Pepper @ Knitting Factory Concert House 2011-05-15
Kaleo Wasman in full stride while careening through those 'Kona Gold' guitar licks...
Pepper @ Knitting Factory Concert House 2011-05-15
A true testament to the energy levels found at Pepper's live show...
Pepper @ Knitting Factory Concert House 2011-05-15
Kaleo: Tall, dark and silhouetted...
Pepper @ Knitting Factory Concert House 2011-05-15
Bret spelling out secret code with his fingers...
Pepper @ Knitting Factory Concert House 2011-05-15
Yesod Willams of Pepper behind a massive drum set on-stage at Knitting Factory Concert House...
Pepper @ Knitting Factory Concert House 2011-05-15
A man who truly enjoys what he does...

 

Camera(s) Used:

Nikon D7000

Lens(es) Used:

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D


Go On, Treat Yourself to Something Nice!

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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 Pic!!!

Pepper @ Knitting Factory Concert House 2011-05-15
How to play the bass guitar really, really fast: 101...

Iration @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2011

Iration @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2011-05-15
Adam Taylor of Iration in full groove and right on time with the wicked bass line...

Recently, there have been a lot of ‘firsts’ for myself in life … especially here in Reno!  Our coverage of Pepper’s headlining set at Knitting Factory Concert House this past Sunday, May 15th was our first official shoot at the Knit, and has been quite difficult to get off the brain as the week progressed.

Opening for Pepper is a band that has way more ‘Likes’ on Facebook than we’ll care to admit not having known too much about before shooting…  The band plays a mixture of punk, pop, reggae and rock, hails from Santa Barbara, CA and all members originate from Hawaii.  Can you guess the name?  Iration … and don’t you forget it!

Another first for us in Reno was the slender yet amazingly effective photo pit between the audience and the stage which stood about 4.5 – 5 feet high.  This photo pit allowed myself and several other photographers (Metromix Reno, we’re looking your direction) the freedom to move from side to side of the stage without having to battle our way through (what looked to be) a sold out show.

The rules for shooting were as follows: a) first three songs from the pit, and b) no flash.  While this might seem like a challenge to most photographers… Just kidding, this is *the* infinite hurdle of concert photographers, it’s nothing new.  We did, however, make good use of our time (and our prime lens) during this three-song window into the the inviting sounds of Iration, of which we will now happily recommend to anyone seeking that fun-loving summertime sound that could easily fit alongside many previous greats in this arena.  Think bands like 311, Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Living Dred or … Pepper!

Check out Iration on Amazon: Time Bomb, Fresh Grounds, No Time for Rest, Sample This, New Roots

Iration @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2011-05-15
Kai Rediske of Iration deep in delivery of his sweet vocal musings...
Iration @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2011-05-15
Micah Pueschel of Iration delivering those thick, reggae-flavored licks...
Iration @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2011-05-15
Cayson Peterson of Iration kickin' up funk on the multi-leveled keyboards...
Iration @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2011-05-15
Joe Dickens of Iration pounding out those summertime beats...

VIEW THE FULL IRATION GALLERY HERE

 

Camera(s) Used:

Nikon D7000

Lens(es) Used:

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D


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 Pic!!!

Iration Crowd @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2011-05-15
Jam-packed crowd taking in Iration's set (and loving every second of it)...