william a. rice

Bear in Heaven at the Vic Theatre

will — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:07:52 +0000

Bear in Heaven wrapped up their 10-week tour in Chicago on Thursday at the Vic Theatre. The Brooklyn psychedelic rockers were making their second of at least three stops in Chicago this year as they will return for the Pitchfork Music Festival in July. The three lined the front of the stage and pumped out rolling beats that were accented by lead singer Jon Philpot’s vocals that sound so much better live than any recording I have heard. Philpot’s chilling screams were a great compliment to drummer Joe Stickney’s beats that really moved the show forward. Bear in Heaven was opening for Metric click here for those photos.

Bear in Heaven at the Vic Theatre by eight one seven photography May 2010

Metric at the Vic Theatre

will — Fri, 21 May 2010 19:43:51 +0000

Canadian rockers Metric came to the Vic Theatre in Chicago Thursday night to perform to a sold out all ages crowd. Throughout the night lead singer Emily Haines split time between banging notes on her synthesizer and marching around the stage leading the sweaty crowd in their dancing. At times her moves were robotic and anxious as she sang behind a mic stand before ripping it from the stand and exploring all sides of the stage. The band spent much of the night matching Haines’ excitement. Guitarist James Shaw took the show performing the occasional guitar solo that were so feverish it forced the crowd to slow their moves to take in the impressive notes. These were the only times the lower level of the Vic would slow their pace as the band belted out many of the tracks from their 2009 full length release Fantasies.

Metric at the Vic Theatre by eight one seven photography May 2010

Josh Ritter at The Vic Theatre

will — Mon, 17 May 2010 05:26:36 +0000

Josh Ritter

Vic Theatre

Chicago, Il.

May 15, 2010

Josh Ritter rolled through town with six giant light bulbs, four bandmates (The Royal City Band) and a lot of energy Saturday night to the Vic Theatre in Chicago. This was my first experience seeing him live after listening to his albums for several years now. I never would have guessed how much fun one of his shows would be. Ritter was joking with the crowd during many of the breaks between songs and during some of his songs. He rolled on the floor, jumped up and down, popped his collar and at one point he dropped to the ground to do a few pushups. His character and show were both very refreshing.

Josh Ritter at the Vic Theatre by eight one seven photography

Coheed and Cambria at the Congress Theater

will — Mon, 17 May 2010 04:58:08 +0000

Coheed and Cambria came to Chicago on the heels of releasing their 5th studio album but the album actually is a prequel to their first album. Yes, their albums are all conceptual and take on the form of a science fiction tale that is written and narrated by lead singer Claudio Sanchez using the lyrics of each album to tell another chapter of The Amory Wars. While all of that can be a bit daunting to try to take on as outsider looking in, one thing doesn’t fail – the band can put on one hell of a show! Sanchez spent much of the evening hidden by a full head of curly hair that hung in his face while singing. His hair flung around all night as he danced around the stage in a flash of lights. Many will try and label the band but the truth is they fall under many genres and even create their own but what it was for me was good old rock n roll played loud and fast with some wailing guitars and screaming fans.

Coheed and Cambria by eight one seven photography May 2010

Further reading….Opening act Torche’s van was broken in to and robbed of more than $10,000 in equipment was stolen and had to cancel the rest of their tour. Read more here.

Circa Survive at The Congress Theater

will — Mon, 17 May 2010 04:57:00 +0000

Circa Survive came through Chicago with Coheed and Cambria as well. I normally don’t post separate blogs for all the bands but I was really happy with this night went. For starters, the Congress Theater wasn’t kicking the photographers out of the pit after the first few songs. So being able to stay as long as I want and have fun with composition and waiting for something to happen instead of following the bands every move was so much more rewarding. I feel the pictures speak for themselves…venues should change the rules to the first two songs and the final 15 minutes of the show and encore. I am open for discussion on this guys but I feel these shots of Circa Survive and Coheed and Cambria show how your concerts and your venue in a much better *light.

*that pun was terrible.

Circa Survive @ Congress Theater by eight one seven photography May 2010

Further reading….Opening act Torche’s van was broken in to and robbed of more than $10,000 in equipment was stolen and had to cancel the rest of their tour. Read more here.

Torche in Chicago (then robbed)

will — Mon, 17 May 2010 04:11:06 +0000

Miami’s metal scene came to Chicago as Torche came through Chicago with Circa Survive in support Coheed and Cambria Friday night at the Congress Theater. Torche had a nice set but their trip to the windy city was soured after their van broken in to and more than $10,000 in equipment was stolen. According to this report from their label Hydra Head Records ‘…the quick rundown is that equipment, guitars, laptops, passports, personal belongings and, sadly, more was taken.’ Full Story Here They had to cancel the next night’s show in Detroit and since their passports were stolen had to cancel the entire Canadian leg of the tour they were scheduled to do with Coheed and Cambria. They are trying to do some quick DIY shows in order to make some money to replace their gear and try to get back on the road and accepting donations via paypal.

Donations can be paypal’d to TLCforTorche@gmail.com

Stay classy Chicago.

A list of the equipment has been released from Torche’s publicist and can be found on the Chicago Tribune’s webiste here.

Torche @ Congress Theater by eight one seven photography May 2010

Banksy in Chicago (Pilsen). ‘You concrete me’

will — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:05:15 +0000

I had all but given up on finding another Banksy in town when I saw a little chatter and thanks to a tip on Flickr by Molly I heard the ‘You concrete me’ piece was in Pilsen. Everything I had seen before said this piece was in San Francisco (with some of his best US pieces in my opinion). It’s fun. It’s cute. But again I wanted something a little more than comical. According to his website this is a Banksy but like all his other pieces I dont know and neither do you so let the debate begin.

Banksy 'You concrete me' 2010 eight one seven photography/william a. rice

Banksy in Chicago

will — Tue, 11 May 2010 03:33:24 +0000

Banksy in Chicago? Some people are doubting Banksy stopped in the “City of Big Shoulders” but his website has a picture from this same west loop location and the same buggy on it so many are assuming it’s legit. But can you ever really know? There is one thing for sure it will not be there forever.

I think it’s fun but he has put out so many pieces with such better themes or a message. There much more he could do in Chicago. Perhaps one with a message (or at least a clearer one). Chicago and America are full of things right now that seem like easy targets for Banksy. There is police and political corruption running rampant in this town, two wars and an environmental catastrophe. There is so much to talk about that doesn’t pay homage to Kevin Costner. C’mon Banksy where are the rest?

I am hoping for another to turn up real soon….

Until that happens here are some pics during the day and then I returned for some night shots too. You be the judge.

Banksy or Bunksy?

Also I am offering some free downloads for your desktops, iPhone and iPad here

Banksy in Chicago by eight one seven photography May 2010

Moving Day.

will — Tue, 04 May 2010 05:06:42 +0000

I was riding my bike north on Damen Avenue in Chicago the other day when I came across this guy. Lucky for me I had my camera in my bag, but at the same time it was in two pieces. I immediately turned around and rode back over the bridge that I wanted to get a shot of him crossing. I knew I had a little time because the bridge is at a pretty steep angle for the load he is carrying and he would be forced to slow down. I quickly dropped my bike and through my lens on as quick as possible and completely guessed on the ISO and shutter speed (which is why it is a little blown out) but I already knew I wanted to shoot it at f 2.8 to try and make him pop a little more. Now this guy is either moving across town or came across the ULTIMATE free sale in an alley! Either way I commend him for his effort and admire his dedication. I wish there had been more time to explore this picture and follow him a little more but I was getting close to being late to an afternoon appointment so this is all I could get.

moving day. eight one seven photography 2010

Cymbals Eat Guitars at The Metro

will — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:38:48 +0000

Cymbals Eat Guitars

Metro

Chicago, Ill.

30 April 2010

In a strange turn of concert scheduling my April was bookended by concerts featuring Cymbals Eat Guitars. I saw them at Schuba’s on April 4 and at the Metro April 30. I am really glad I got the chance to see them at the Metro because the lighting is s0 much better and they actually had a photo pit for this show which is always a bonus.

Cymbals Eat Guitars - April 30, 2010 by eight one seven photography