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Metric at the Vic Theatre

May 21st, 2010 by will

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

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

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Josh Ritter at The Vic Theatre

May 17th, 2010 by will

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

Josh Ritter at the Vic Theatre by eight one seven photography

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Coheed and Cambria at the Congress Theater

May 16th, 2010 by will

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

Coheed and Cambria by eight one seven photography May 2010

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Circa Survive at The Congress Theater

May 16th, 2010 by will

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

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

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Torche in Chicago (then robbed)

May 16th, 2010 by will

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

Torche @ Congress Theater by eight one seven photography May 2010

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

May 14th, 2010 by will

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

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Moving Day.

May 4th, 2010 by will

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 by eight one seven photography 2010

moving day. eight one seven photography 2010

Cymbals Eat Guitars at The Metro

May 3rd, 2010 by will

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

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

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Los Campesinos! at The Metro

May 2nd, 2010 by will

Los Campesinos!

Metro

Chicago, Ill.

April 30, 2010

After a hectic start to their most recent tour due to rescheduling and canceling shows because of the large cloud of ash hanging over their native country Wales (and most of Western Europe) from the erupting Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland Los Campesinos! is back in the swing of life on the road. The band was in Chicago over the weekend to play for an all ages crowd at the Metro with Cymbals Eat Guitars opening up. The septette crowded the stage of the Metro as lead singer Gareth jumped from every corner of the stage as he sang and screamed into the mic while dancing with the other members and playing the hell out of his glockenspiel! The crowd sweated on the packed dance floor as Gareth and Neil the guitarist both took their turns crowd surfing. The crowd sang along and clapped to the beat all through the encore before being sent out into the warm spring night wanting more.

Los Campesinos! April 30, 2010 by eight one seven photography

Los Campesinos! April 30, 2010 by eight one seven photography

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Freelance Whales at Schuba’s

April 25th, 2010 by will

Freelance Whales

April 4, 2010

Schuba’s Tavern

Chicago, Ill.

I realize these pics are a couple weeks old but they are one of my favorite new bands and really wanted to get the pictures out there for all to see. Also, for those of you in Chicago they will be back in town on May 10 with Shout Out Louds and again on Sunday of Lollapalooza. I highly suggest you check them out.

Freelance Whales April 4, 2010 by eight one seven photography

Freelance Whales April 4, 2010 by eight one seven photography

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