I love Mondays. I truly do. They’re my favorite day to walk to my studio, thoughts in tow. Today I made my usual promenade up Huron and down Manhattan Avenue- I find that by the time reach Calyer is when thoughts form into plans. Today’s plan involved picking specific music for the day: a throwback to high school.

The first band that came to mind was Fuel- oh how many shows I waited in line for and tried to sneak a camera into. How many photographers I spoke with after the show to see how I could be one of them. 

Then, thinking about how much of Fuel I could possibly tolerate nowadays, I remembered Chevelle. Which of course reminded me of one of happiest days as a budding and eager music photographer. I had gone to one of their shows in early ‘03 and afterwards on my way to the car noticed the bassist hanging out back. I walked into the gathering circle and began to speak with him, mentioning how much I’d love to photograph their next show. He indulged my request and wrote down their manager’s number, said to let him know Joe passed it along and to get me a photo pass. I probably skipped all the way back to my car.

I remember nervously calling up the manager soon thereafter for their show at the Wiltern, I believe. No clue what I said, but when I showed up there was a pass, sure enough. I can’t find the rest of the film, but I found the above few on an old drive…not my finest work, though I’m pretty sure I was just stoked on the fact that I had obtained my first pass and was finally doing what I’d dreamed of.

If you’ve got a Spotify account, this was my favorite album of theirs, and gotta say still pretty damn good (I don’t think that’s just the nostalgia talking either): Chevelle – Point #1

6 February