I’ve seen dozens of great shows at House of Blues venues across the country, but have never gotten to shoot any. Finally, my first photo opportunity at a “big-time” venue like the HOB-Las Vegas. I rushed from work to make it in time for the all-ages show which started at 7:00 and ended sharply at 10:00. Much more official then what I’m used to, I signed a legal document and got my briefing: ‘First three songs only and no flashes!’ Nothing like a little pressure for the rookie.
Brazilian Girls, a four piece band consisting of no Brazilians and only one girl, opened with the entrancingly mesmerizing song “Lazy Lover,” and then snapped the crowd out of it with their more recognizably melodic “Don’t Stop.” The Brazilian Girls came to being at Nublu an eclectic Jazz Club ‘cradled deep in the heart of Loisaida (translated Lower East Side) at Avenue C’ in New York City. Check it out if you’re in the area, I know I will. Front-woman Sabina Scuibba floated suggestively across the stage in a flesh-toned bodysuit and two trampoline-like disks hanging like protest signs from her neck. Long bangs covered Sabina’s dark eyes as the band launched into “Sexy Asshole,” a song that must have been penned with a Las Vegas crowd in mind. As the third song closed, the bouncers promptly ushered me out of the pit. I couldn’t help myself though, I continued to clandestinely shoot pics from the crowd of what could only be described as a unique combination of live music and fashion show.
The crowd grew a bit between sets and became slightly more “all-ages” but still not very. The Rapture was great. Their sound is hard to pin down. I’ve seen them described on-line as indie-rock, post-punk revival, electro-indie-dance, neo-post-punk, and so on. As for me, I think they sound like Daft Punk‘s ‘Discovery Album’ with Robert Smith‘s or the dude from The Darkness‘ vocals over top. Then again I’ve never been good at the whole ‘sounds like’ game. All I know is I dig their sound, and so did the crowd at HOB. The Rapture’s unassuming attire of white sneakers, skinnies, and modest (usually horizontally striped) shirts ironically belied the funky and refreshingly full dance/funk sound that these four New Yorkers put out with unmatched energy and geekily cool dance moves. Their set ended at 10:00 per HOB rules, leaving the crowd visibly hungry for more.
Although I wasn’t a fan of the early curfew, the HOB security and management were really professional and made my first photo gig at such a high-end venue an absolute ball. I look forward to seeing and photographing many more shows at this pleasantly intimate venue.
