If I'd been assigned to shoot something called "THE BURGER BOOGALOO" back in my Horizontal Action days, I would've been inclined to think it was gonna be some weird porn thing. Juicy hot meat and moist buns, that sorta thing. Luckily (or not), those days are long gone and now we're a very respectable high-end online rock and roll publication and not a filthy rag that gets your hands and brains dirty. Or perhaps still your brain, and who knows just how filthy your mouse and keyboards are? Instead, what I got this time around was a three-day rock and roll celebration from the wonderful folks at Burger Records, a traveling road show of head-shaking goodness.
On Friday night we got there just a tad late and missed King Lollipop. Shame, too, because judging by what many people said, they were excellent. Four drummers and the uber-talented singer guitarist for locals Shannon and the Clams. I did, however, get there just in time for another local band, the Wrong Words. Surprisingly, I don't think I'd ever shot them. I've seen them a few times but have only shot video of them, one of which I've already finished, and the other still a work in progress. Their new record just came out and it's a must have. Check out Ajax's major air time!
Power pop kings the Rantouls were next, leaving everyone covered in sugary sweetness. Delish!
Personal and the Pizzas had a new bass player with 'em this night. Garrett with a circle A. Or was it Gary? Not sure but he certainly had the best line of the whole weekend: "I never knew Pabst was so delicious until I paid $4 for it." Spot on, Mister Circle A. How they found such a perfect match for the band is beyond me. Do they just grow 'em out there in Jersey?
Somewhere between the Pizzas and King Tuff stuff just hit the old shit fan. People went absolutely nucking futz! Stage diving without the stage. Crowd surfing and break-dancing at the same time! My camera bag was getting ripped off my back, I lost my hat to the trampling masses. It was pure beautiful lunacy. The sold out crowd was just going bonkers and here I am stuck in the middle with poo.
King Tuff came on like a rabid Vermont Teddy Bear--you know, the one that all your girlfriends want. With the ever young and ferocious Audacity backing him up, it was a force to be reckoned with. A purely amazing way to end the night.
After the previous night of delight, it was really hard to get there the next day for the two o'clock show. Met some friends for afternoon dim sum brunch and drank a few gallons of green tea to cleanse my liver and get me ready for a long day of shooting, yet still went back home and practically fell back to sleep. Unfortunately, missed most of the daytime show. Got there just as Traditional Fools were getting ready to play. Oh yeah, so it was totally sold out once again, people all but falling out of the club. Since I was a tad late, I wasn't able to procure a decent spot up front; instead, I thought it'd be a good idea to stand behind the biggest dude ever, who, every time I wanted to shoot a photo, lifted up his camera to take a shot too! I've been pretty bad at finding a good spot lately.
Traditional Fools are SF legends of sorts, not to mention many a shaggy-haired garage rocker's favorite band of all time. It showed. The place was absolutely bonkers. My crappy spot actually got me "moshed" right out of the crowd! Seriously, I was hanging out trying to find an opening for some good shots and just got yoinked and boinked to the back of the pit! Decided it was as good a time as any to get a beer and sit back and listen to the magic that is the Traditional Fools, who were better than any other time I'd ever seen, just amazing.
With time to kill between day and night shows, we managed to get hooked up with the organizer of this here mayhem (Total Trash Booking) and scored a bit of a nacho and beer party! Both were badly needed. I'd pissed away any of the dim sum and my per diem was getting quite low for the weekend. Thanks a ton, Mister Marc-O!
I'd spoken to the dudes in Mean Jeans on the previous eve and they needed pics for an upcoming Razorcake interview. I was looking forward to perhaps getting some non-live stuff, perhaps a keg stand or two? But once I thought about how friggin' crazy it'd been the previous night and earlier I took my chance to just plant my ass right up front. Only had one beer but didn't realize that somebody was about to bring the Booze!
I had no idea who these southern weirdos were but it was seriously like a shot of smooth whiskey over some dirty river water ice. Nasty Stones meets Skynard trash... Who knew that could be a sub-genre? Whatever it was, it was damned fun and I really dug it. How's that for an opener?
At one point during the Biters' set, Personal from the Pizzas grabbed me from behind as if he wanted to tell me some serious shit. It went something like this: "MOTLEY CRUE." Yep, the dudes in Biters had a certain Crue meets Heartbreakers thing going and the crowd friggin' loved it. I was jealous of their tattoos. Seriously, I have some stinkers. A few really good ones but not like the beautiful patch work these kids had. The kinda old-school Sailor Jerry flash that will look cool even when it's green and your hair is receding, gray, and thin (wonder what that's like)... All looked new, too. I don't remember the last time I even thought about tattoos. Normally I sorta forget about 'em since I haven't gotten one in well over a decade but I reckon I just liked this band's style, dude. Anyway, good rock and roll that everyone, including me, friggin' loved.
I was starting to get sober from being planted up front for so long and wanted to venture out and grab a beer but knew I'd lose my much-coveted front spot. After having promised Mean Jeans pics, I didn't wanna lose my place and find myself moshed out of the pit like during Traditional Fools. If you haven't seen Mean Jeans then I don't even know what to tell you, 'cept for: Get yer shit in gear! Probably one of the top live bands ever. Pure energy and party nonsense. And I thought the crowd had been a bit bonkers already this weekend. Whooooo boy! Party anthems flying like the loose beers I ducked and dodged. I shot the whole way through. At the end, the bass player decided he should join the crowd surfing party and pretty much used my head as a launching point. Being with camera in hand I couldn't really do much in way of lifting skyward so just fell back and kept shooting. Those didn't turn out so well, just pictures of man butts and beer bellies, mine not included. Anyway, they ruled the place as I had expected, and did what any "real" punk band should do, meaning tthey didn't play too long. In, knock off your dirty socks, and out! Perfect. Party hats off to the Mean Jeans.
After the shock and awe that was Mean Jeans, I needed a drink. Made my way to the bar and got the working man's special: beer and shot for six bucks, which just about did me in for my per diem. I know you probably think a big-time site like this probably hooks up its photogs really well: free drinks, hotels, parties all night long, and what have you. But truth be told it just ain't the same as back in the print media days. So with money gone and no friggin' possible way of making it up front for Davila 666, I stood in the back, finished my beer, and cherished the wonderfulness that is the Burger Boogaloo.
After note:
Sorry I couldn't make the Sunday show. Out of gas and money. I'm sure it was great, though.
Thanks to all involved. Can't wait for next year!
Oh, and in case you're wondering why it's called "5 shots" and there's 15, I reckoned it was OK, since it was a three-day event, to post 15 even though I only went two days. Sorry if it offends any of you, but just remember that the views expressed by any of the columnists don't necessarily reflect that of its owners or affiliates.....
