Claire's Blog...

HOSTILE - New band line up

2011-10-26T13:28:00.001-07:00

Newest Black Country Metallers HOSTILE, met myself at a secret steel factory location, to create some new images for them as they now have a new line up. Introducing new guitarist Jack Young! They have their debut album coming out on 31st October so hurry and pre-order yours!

They will also be holding an album release party at Birmingham's O2 Academy on the 29th October. So get yourself a ticket and come say hi, i will be there with camera in hand snapping away all night!

Hope to see you there! |,,|

SHEFFIELD TATTOO CONVENTION...

2010-10-18T11:13:00.000-07:00

Just over a week ago now, i attended Sheffield's, 'City Of Steel', Tattoo Convention. This was the first time i had actually been at a tattoo convention and i had a great time! I went around checking out all the artists' work and taking some shots of them too....im sure i will attend other conventions in the future. Looking forward to it!Unfortunately, there was a 'celebrity' amongst us.....might i add a very talentless celebrity. And, of course, she was there as part of the judge panel! A bit insulting to criticise hard-working artists' work considering that she has NO capable drawing skills, respect and did i say 'talent' of her own....my friends...i'm talking about the one (and only) Jodie Marsh.......!

But, 'jokes' aside....being part of the tattoo industry, as i also work in a studio myself, is great as you get to meet some decent people with interesting things to say and have passion about their art! I love it and always have and will continue to have a very strong interest in tattooing......past and present!

Check out more images from the convention located on the galleries page...!

BOWLING FOR SOUP AND THE TWO BIG WHITE BALLS...

2010-07-13T08:12:00.001-07:00

After finding out that Bowling for Soup had added an extra date to their tour, I couldn't help by grabbing me a pass to go check them out. Never had they failed to amaze me live.
Very tight, very funny, very sharp......its just great to catch them when they come around...!

It was extremely hot in the venue, so being down in the photo pit was more gruelling than usual, but once i got my shots i headed up towards the balcony to finish watching the bands set. I gotta say, it wasn't much cooler up their either!

But it was a great gig so i left on a high....!

If anyone wants to catch them, they are playing at the Birmingham Acedemy on 13th October 2010. Might just see you there...

Heavy at the Slade Rooms..

2010-06-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

So, first time i covered a gig at The Slade Rooms tonight. i gotta say, i was pleasantly surprised. The sound was awesome, and the room was a descent size, enough space but also great for bands to get up close and personal with the crowd!
Three bands on tonight are: Adrenaline, Slab and Hostile.
Unfortunatley, a silly mix up as the doors were advertised to be open at 8:00pm but Hostile came on shortly after 7:30pm. So most people missed the first half of their set! Not good promotion, but not the bands fault im aware though!
Anyhow, the whole night was pretty cool and like i said, the sound was awesome!
I shall have no problem in covering another band there, plus the lighting was really all that bad, considering!

Metal @ the Masses.....

2010-05-27T01:58:00.000-07:00

Round 10 for the Metal 2 The masses Tour!

Held at The Queens Hall, Nuneaton, for bands to battle it out for the chance to take to the stage at this years Bloodstock open Air festival.

I was there to catch all 4 bands and was very surprised to see how hard it getting as more local bands are stepping up and producing some awesome sounds!

The bands that were taking part were: Amongst the Survivors, Infury, Reigning Fury and Hostile!

Once the submitted votes had been counted, Simon Hall, BOA promotions, announced that the band going through to the semi-finals, was.........HOSTILE!!!

So ill shall be there covering the gig again for Midlands Rocks for the semi-finals! Looking forward to it. There will be 7 bands competing so im guessing itll be another awesome night!

Crowded House @ Symphony Hall

2010-05-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

Last night i covered Crowded House @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham. They have been around for quite some time and only now got the chance to see them. Unfortunatley, i wasn't there long enough to hear the ovbious tracks that got played over an over, but still i thought they were great to watch. I also missed out on when they had the crowd brought down to the front of the stage, but having a photo pass at the Symphony Hall, means only having time for 3 songs and THATS IT!!
Maybe next time around eh?

Wakefield Festival...

2010-05-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

I headed up to Wakefield over the weekend, on 16th May. The whole event was in aid for the Hospice Charity. There were some great bands playing over the weekend, such as; Inme, Pitchshifter, Panic Cell, Hostile, Heavens Basement, etc...! I shot four of the bands as i was travelling up with Hostile and we had a tight schedule to travel back. However, it was a great weekend for a great cause!

Well done to those who pulled together and made it happen!

Also cheers goes out to Wayne who sorted out my pass...! ,,

Francis Rossi...

2010-05-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

It was great to have been able to grab some shots of Francis Rossi on his first ever solo tour away from Status Quo. To be honest i have never even seen 'Quo before but still it was great to have been apart of his experiance on his own.

Well....maybe just one more time...

2010-04-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

So from last time i trekked down to Eddies in Birmingham, i wasn't impressed to say the least but second time around was much better! Besides 2 bands dropping out, 3 bands enjoyed the extra time on stage. First up was London based 'Kyrbgrinder'. I never saw them before and i was pleasantly surprised. I would go and see them again if they are around the Midlands. The drummer, Johanne James , was obviously the heart and soul of the band. Not many drummers can pull off being the drummer, the singer and the full lime light all at once! It was great to watch!

I didnt get to see the second band, unfortunately but the headlining band, Black Country based Metal band Hostile, stormed on stage and performed yet another awesome show! These guys are surely only made for larger venue stages as the energy they have needs to be showed to more than just a couple hundred crowd pleasers! ,,

Eddies....no more!

2010-03-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

I was looking forward to shooting this evenings gig. Flymore, a Russian band, very influence onthe very early days of Korn. With support from Midlands based metal band Hostile.

I had heard a bit about Flymore and was hoping for some good excitement at the gig.......

........what was it again.....bad promotion from the managers, or bad promotion from the venue...or etc, etc!

I never got to check out the original venue, Eddies, but this 'new' Eddies, isn't much to boast about! Half the room didn't even fill to see this gig! It was a very big shame, i don't think Flymore were impressed much with their management either!

I shall say this.........that was the last time i shall go to Eddies!!

CHRIS REA

2010-03-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

Shooting Chris Rea @ the Symphony Hall - Birmingham, was an experience. It was the first gig that i have shot when all the crowd were.....sitting down! But, even though i was ducking and hiding between the isles of chairs, i actually enjoyed it. There wasn't any 'standing on feet' or 'knocking other togs' equipment'. I got some good shots too......which wasnice! :D

Wishbone....how many?

2010-02-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

Ok so, i hear that Wishbone Ash has been around for quite some time.....but during shooting this gig, all i heard were songs being played by; Wishbone3; Wishbone 4....and so on. How many line-ups were there of Wishbone Ash?!
Anyhow, they played up to the camera, which is always a good hting, stops us togs from getting a little bored! :p But noetheless, it turned out to be a good gig, despite lack of crowd.

Bonecrusher Tour

2010-02-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

The Bonecrusher Tour @ O2 Academy 2 - Birmingham! There were plenty of hard core/death metal and downright 'in your face' bands! The atmosphere of the night was incredible, its not often i get to shoot a gig when the crowd are so hooked up to one another through the music alone! Here's to the next awesome gig!

All hail to the great AMON AMARTH!

2010-01-20T03:12:00.000-08:00

What a brutal gig! What else can i say? The first time of catching these guys, and id like to see them again! Plenty of great lighting and the crowd went absolutely crazy for them!
It was a heavy night in Wolverhampton that night!! :)

Death in the Wulfrun

2010-01-17T14:45:00.000-08:00

What a gig? The last time i saw Napalm Death was in 2005 at Download Festival. I managed to get on the disabled stand, with some help from one of the guards, and saw these guys tear up the crowd. There must have been 10-12 mosh pits and they were only in the tent!
Unfortunatley, things weren't the same at the Wulfrun hall in Wolverhampton, but still, they put on a great show!

Meltdown @ The Asylum

2009-12-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

A great night down at The Asylum, Birmingham. 'Meltdown Records' were hosting a Xmas Mini-Metal Festival with a bunch of their signed bands. Including: I Hate You More, Godsize, Nocturnal Resurrection and more. With a group of Burlesque dancers too.....what more could you want...oh, and beer! :D

Bringing HELL to the NEC!!

2009-11-10T02:39:00.000-08:00

The NEC brings you a two-day music festival......otherwise know as HELLFIRE FESTIVAL.

I covered the second day and got to see some great bands....new and old!

It was great to see Anvil and Saxon showing the crowd that they still have what it takes to keep going strong...!

The festival was spread over three stages, so my feet were kinda hurting once i'd finished the night! :p

PAPA ROACH @ THE CIVIC HALL...

2009-10-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

Yes you read rightly.......i was there, in the photo pit for Papa Roach! In the recent years i haven't really spent much time checking them out, as i thought their new direction was a little like othe bands...slimming down, more tattoo's, etc. But being a fan from when they started out, even before they released 'Infest', i felt like being a kid again! It was great! I got some great shots too to add to my portfolio which is even better! As it was great being there, withing touching distance, it wasn't so great being more or less spat on by Coby! He sweats like a bitch too!

They're support acts were great too! Madina Lake especially. They are constantly moving around so i felt like i was at a speedway waiting to pan my shots! Might i add that i was kindly kicked in the back of the head by a crowd surfer too.....oh and had a jug of water whisk by me and nicley soaking my back......which kinda felt good as the lights were extremely hot and i needed a cooling off!

First to take on stage though was Heavens basement. I have heard so much about them and was great to finally see them and take some shots too! They were a great band and im sure they will go far...!!!

Go check out the reviews of all three bands and check out the pics at: http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/

Also, go see them in my galleries and let me know what you think...!! ,, . . ,,

3-DAY METAL FEST AT LOCAL VENUE...

2009-09-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend myself and other contributors of Midlands Rocks, attended MetalFest 2009 at JBs, Dudley. During the whole weekend, we covered a great set of bands and acts. Some were interesting, some needed parental guidance but others were just simply amazing!

I spent the whole of the Saturday snapping away and enjoying how many people crammed into JBs. It's such a rare occassion these days! The headliners for this day were Primal fear, never before have i seen them live and since that fine day of metal......i now own a couple of they're albums!! for all images and reviews of the bands, from the whole weekend, go to http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/

Cheers! :)

Sunset at Worfield...

2009-09-21T14:19:00.001-07:00

Finishin work and on my way back to my car, noticed how cool the sky looked, i couldnt resist in taking a shot! I only had my 3 mega pixel camera phone on me so it had to do!!

SHINING ON THE RIGHTEOUS...

2009-09-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Another year gone by and its time again for Bridgnorth's annual Music festival! The festival is spread over 10 days, with around 20 venues and over 100 artists, ranging from belly dancers to recitals and the live bands in the High street....! The fun started on 28th August 09 and doesn't

finish till 5th September...! I caught a few bands on the Sunday and shall be trekking over to Bridgnorth again on Saturday to catch the last of the festival on the Castle Ruins...so if anyone wants to join me and the rest of Bridgnorth......go check out: www.bridgnorthmusicfest.com

MUSIC IS NOT DEAD....!

2009-08-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

Worcester Music festival, spread over 21-23 August 09, I, in fact only caught the last day and only three of the bands.....long story! But, the venue was surprising very welcoming and the slight sigh of relief of people in Worcester still enjoying live music..! (as it can get a little stale around the Midlands at times) So big up to Worcester...lol!

Anyhow, i caught the bands: FURY, HOSPITAL OF DEATH (very entertaining!) and HOSTILE.

The night went very well and hung out at the top of the venue overlooking the stage at most times was pretty cool! Go check out the pics in the Live album....! ,, . . ,,

Bulldog Bash 2009....!

2009-08-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

Hey all.....just came back from shooting the Bulldog Bash 09! Its the first time iv attened this event, always wanted to go as my other passion is cars and bikes, but never found the time.....until this year! I had an amazing time, the atmosphere was great too, awesome custom cars and bikes and the drag strip was entertaining to say the least! Luckily i was out of the way from the controlled explosion they had!
I got some great shots too.....
Of course there was bands playing throughout the weekend and they were all great. But some were more interesting than other, in their own right of course. I got to see Motorhead too for the second time. Memories of the first time i saw them at the NEC, kinda sent me a little weiry as i nearly fainted due to their over the top strobe lighting......but this time being in the photo pit and struggling to battle to get spaces from all the bikers who crammed in there, i was alright and managed to get some shots and still leave without falling on my back! Thank god im only small and couldn't reach to see the strobes. Anyhow, check out the images from Bulldog Bash, including the custom cars and bikes...oh and of the drag strip..! Enjoy! :)

Brit Fest 2009...

2009-07-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

Hosted at JBs in Dudley, Brit Fest is an annual indoor festival and just for one whole day, you get to check out some great bands! Everything is very casual, no hassle like any other festivals, you can go get a beer, grab some food and watch the bands at ease and not worry about if you can't see or not....! Something i personally have a problem with at times. I got there as the first band had started (Upon Descent), so i got snapping straight away......i don't think i stopped until the event ended at around 12ish...! There were a few bands who were on last year's bill but a few new-comers too, who included: Saxon (oliver/dawson), New Generation Superstars-which put on a great show! I took just over 220 images and they're all located in the live galleries section..so go check them out!

Sweet 16...

2009-06-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

I got asked to photograph another prom day today.......and guess what...it was raining yet again. Unfortunatley, it never held off so all images were done inside, but they turned out pretty well. Go check out all the images from the gallery list...!

Great weather, great bands.....it must be Download festival '09...!

2009-06-17T04:52:00.000-07:00

Hey, so it's back to normality, since squeezing through the crowds just to get that perfect spot to check out your fave bands.....! Yes, im talking about Download Festival! Only those are foolish enough to miss out on the awesome atmosphere in the most loudest fields in Donington1 There were some amazing bands there this year.....i tried my best to see the majority but theres always one band that you have to leave early for, just to catch another band finishing their last few tracks of their set...a nightmare, i know but....it always happens! Can't complain too much though, the weather was great, although, i did get a little sunburnt...

....i traveled up with Hostile, a local Black Country metal band. I took some great shots of them from the pit and from the side of the stage. There is also a few of Sylosis too. So check them out in my Live gallery and leave me a comment on what you think of them! Cheers...x

All the way from US...

2009-06-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

Another night at JBs......and with another three metal acts on! We were joined by two bands from the US; the long lived Prong and their support act Di-So-Fluid. The opening act was Hostile. Unfortunatley, there happened to be 3 drums kits on stage when the Black Country lads opened but they done their best and carried their set through. It was a hard crowd to beat and with bad sound from the engineer, all three bands performed well, with the opening act performing a much tighter set! All images of the night are in the Live Album...!

Heroes of the day...

2009-06-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

On a very early Sunday morning......and what seemed to be travelling for miles, i arrived at a home studio to do some Promo shots of a cover band called Audio Heroes. After fiddling around with my gear and supping a great cuppa, we all got down to business and took some good shots! The lads were very helpful and the time just flew by......a great time to spend a Sunday morning i think!

Metal mayhem....!

2009-05-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

Usually when i go to JBs, a metal club in Dudley, its mostly quite as people don't tend to go out on a Sunday as they have work the following day....bleurgh.....but last night was awesome!! 3 great metal bands, plenty people flowing through the doors...the sound was great too....! I shot all 3 bands and got some great images...! All the bands performed great too. they were: Through Her Eyes, Demise and the almighty Hostile!! ,, . . ,,

Check out the images in the Live Album gallery...!

At the Prom...

2009-05-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hey, i was shooting a Prom just a few days ago......not too far from where i am based. It was a group of five girls and wanted to celebrate their last day at high school in style, so they ordered a lovely horse and carriage. Despite the fact that half and hour before the cariiage turned up, it was pouring with rain....so it was kinda touch and go with the shoot, but at the right time, there was a sudden break in the clouds and the photoshoot went ahead....and they loved every minute of it! It was great!! Im sure they were the talk of the night...! :)

Warming up for weddings...

2009-05-04T02:47:00.000-07:00

I've decided to take the plunge into wedding photography, i have been thinking about it for a while now but i somehow managed to get other things in the way to stop me progressing......so, no more!

Today i took a young couple out into bridgnorth, just to take some random shots of the two of them together. This will help me towards the photographs being taken at any wedding or engagemnet photoshoot. I want to capture the intimacy of each couple and to also to portray a bit of fun that they both can have with each other too.

The images that i took of Jay and Jodie are up on the site already so take a look and let me know what you think...! :)

Published on Download Website...

2009-04-25T05:46:00.000-07:00

So, i checked out this years line-up at Download today and i see that 'Hostile' are playing there again this year..Awesome!!

I also noticed that my work has been used on their page....even better!!! Go check out their myspace page: www.myspace.com/hostileuk1 to hear their new album teaser....it kicks ass, plus you cn check out the rest of the work i have done for them!! :)

Scars from the wounded...

2009-04-23T04:07:00.000-07:00

Hey, as some of you may know, i had a car crash about 3 weeks ago, which totalled my car.....anyhow, im having to deal with solicitors and insurers and the police to sort out my personal injury....etc, but i wasn't expecting a phone call from another solicitor asking me to take photographs of one of their clients. So, yesterday, myself and my Nikon, drove to the clients house and i took a few shots. I was expecting the worse....but i was releived for the scar not to be too daunting. The accident happend from a bathroom sink, which fell and as it broke, the porcelain sink torn into the clients muscle of his leg, near the ankle. As a result, he can't feel much in his toes, but im guessing after so many years, he will soon be ok....!

While i was in town one day...

2009-04-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

I was heading into Shropshire today, in a little town called bridgnorth. It was quite sunny and dry, making a change for our usual dull weather. I grabbed my camera and just happened to shoot objects that caught my eye. I visited a small cave, from when i was a young child, i used to go there with friends and just get lost with the scenery and eery trees around us, and i took an image of part of a tree that i used to always sit near. Taking photographs of this town is just a reminder of the simple times i had when growing up and all the activities i used to get up to...!

Chinese empire...

2009-03-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

After being touted from another job at the end of 2008, from Yoko International, i counted how many images that i took over a two session shooting and was shocked at how trigger happy i was! The only thing that i thought of after that was....i have to edit these images....ARGH!! Luckily, i didn't have to edit much, it was more like having to sort out the images with had the best angle, lighting, etc....which can be gruelling especially when our looking at a few hours sitting in front of the screen being fed caffine to stop the fatigue! I managed to get through it and sent off the the images within a few days!

New photoshoot...

2009-03-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

I had a whole day today of shooting a band that i take plenty of images of. Their called Hostile, awesome music and ready to storm the industry sometime this year! With this being a second photoshoot that i did for them, there was certainly a bit of pressure as these images had to have a certain look to them....which after some hard work of moving lighting kits, props, etc, etc....i got the look i needed! They were used for promotional use of the band and had made an impression to say the least! So, all is good...! You can check out the rest on my galleries tab on my website!!

A little mystery...

2009-03-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

Well, i was thinking one day about delving into the 'nude' area's of photography, but the hardest thing really is able to get models who find it comfortable enough to bear all!....After thinking waaaay too much, i grabbed the nearest person to me....my dearest mother lol! I think they turned out pretty well, i just snapped four quick images, to get a taster really!

Now im on the prowl for more models as i want to progress my ideas into reality......Anyone up for it??

Fathers and sons...

2008-12-15T13:14:00.000-08:00

I had a great time today, i was shooting two boys with their father for a suprise for their mother. It was an idea that the father had given to me one day, he wanted something a little extra to add to the xmas list the mother had wanted! Who else wouldn't be proud to have their two sons on the wall for others to see...

....As the father can be a bit of a hand full, at times, i incorporated some rope for the lads to hold onto while i wrapped it around the father. It was great fun and the images came out great too!! :)

Cold and windy on the frieght site...

2008-12-05T13:19:00.000-08:00

I was contracted today to take some PR shots of a company called Hales frieght. Like any other end of the year, the weather was awful, cold, damp and very windy. Luckily i shot all the images on a two-part schedule, due to having to take shots of the vehicles when they wasnt in use and so i gladly spent most of the first session in doors. Phew! But in the second session, the weather was just as bad so i sisnt get away lightly. The images turned out well considering the conditions but was a good turn out and was great to chat with the staff, which proves why you have to have some kind of upbeat humour while working with such great pressure!

Advert Published...

2008-11-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

Today i had an advertisement published in a local Medical centre. It was great to pop in to see it there for all to see. Im having a great response from it too, which im glad i made a right decision in getting it published. After careful thought, i opted for a full page spread and to be added onto the appointment cards too.

Competition time...

2008-10-15T05:26:00.000-07:00

I had started a competition from around a few local pub's a while ago now, where people would enter their details with a £1 entry fee and could win a free photoshott and prints worth up to £250 (10p of that would go to a charity.) There was a lot of response and good quality customers too. So today was the day where i took the photoshoot. The winner was Alan Rogers from West Midlands....he was pleasantly surprised! The photoshoot was a laugh and the images came out great. I designed a composite for them and Alan gladly had that as an extra print. Another great day in the studio!!

Hours of fun...

2008-09-12T05:15:00.000-07:00

To get a phone call asking to take photographs of more than two toddlers at a time, you usually start thinking if it will go ok and nothing will get broken or or that one falls asleep or starts crying etc, but i was booked to photograph 5!........Once i got to the parents' house, i set up all my gear and started doing a light test, etc.....once ready i got the kids sat down and just got them to relax and to gain their trust....it worked great, they were all well behaved and to be honest, they loved the camera on them.....the older two girls, had put on dresses so they can do their own poses too....! Great! The parents loved the images so much that they brought the whole lot of prints, ranging from all different sizes. It was an all round great day! Excellent!