Photographer: Robert Hanna
Site: Twentythirdhour Photography
Based in: Seattle, WA
Choosing these photos was certainly an arduous task at best, and it was really hard reckoning whether or not to put non-band related stuff here. As this is primarily a music website I figured to opt for all live shots, although so much of what I do photography-wise exists outside of the noisy venue. I also tried to pick ones that had a curious story behind them. Many thanks to the folks at Cvlt Nation for letting me share these with the world, and for being so patient while I paced back and forth in my apartment debating which shots to bring to light.
ONE
Ludicra – Live at Graceland in Seattle, WA – Nov. 13 2004
Ludicra is absolutely one of my favorite bands, and this show was the first opportunity I had to catch them live. I had been taking photo classes at the time and this print was a solarization I did in the darkroom at school. I spent hours working on the print, went through nearly an entire pack of paper, and lost days of my life from chemical inhalation trying to get the right Mackie lines to appear. This is the result, and I love how the image almost transfers from an illustration to a photo. I think technology is great, and Photoshop can be an amazing asset, but to me nothing beats tried and true photo developing in a darkroom.
TWO
Deathraid – Live at Chop Suey in Seattle, WA – May 29, 2011
Deathraid are one of Seattle’s best bands, and this was a particularly great performance as they opened up for UK crust legends Doom at Chop Suey. This was the first shot I snagged of them that evening and it was one of those moments where everything came together perfectly. I like how the colors of the venue stage painted a nice textured background to some serious d-beat!
THREE
Order of the Vulture – Live at Ash Street Saloon in Portland, OR – June 6, 2007
One of the advantages of living in Seattle is that Portland is only about three hours away, so I cruise down there for shows whenever I get an excuse. Order of the Vulture, whom I helped release records for with Aborted Society, opened for one of two select Wolfbrigade shows in Portland, and missing the gig was not an option. However it was on a Wednesday night, and I had to be at work in Seattle the next morning, so I had to painfully drive three hours right after work in rush hour traffic, catch all the bands and manage not to get completely shitfaced, and then at about 2:00 in the morning drove back home. It was an incredible gig, and one of my best nights for live band shots. I love how the Vulture “O” ghosted in this exposure, as well as the crazy distortion on J.J.’s strings, making them look twisted and warped on his fret board.
FOUR
Christ on Parade – Live at Hell’s Kitchen in Tacoma, WA – August 4, 2007
Dissatisfied with the Seattle bill for Christ on Parade’s reunion tour, some buddies and I cruised down to Tacoma to catch the seminal 80’s punk band at Hell’s Kitchen. It’s always good to go to a reunion band show with little to no expectations, because you never know if your childhood memories are going to be tarnished forever. Such was certainly not the case, as COP brought forth some intense energy and nailed their set. The show was great, and it was awesome to see those songs played with the urgency they deserved.
FIVE
L’Acephale – Live at The Know in Portland, OR – August 19, 2006
Another great show and excuse to get out of Seattle, Set Sothis Nox Law and Bloody Rich from Order of the Vulture also play in cvlt black metal/neofolk project L’Acephale, who rarely play live shows. L’Acephale is an intense project and manages to transform the space they are in when playing live. I love this moment in time; there’s both invisible and visible electricity captured here.
SIX
Pit during Cro-Mags set at Vera Project in Seattle, WA – August 21, 2011
I had never seen the Cro-Mags before and had no idea that their crowds erupt in to some seriously sociopathic behavior. This is a shot of my friend Rob back flipping into the pit. The moment they started I realized my equipment was potentially going to be destroyed and had to break for higher ground as flailing and kicking bodies were surging through the air. A part of Seattle Soundfest, the Cro-Mags were sharing a headlining bill with classic 80’s punks Zero Boys. It was one of the most fun shows I’ve ever seen in Seattle, which is a town sometimes known for sleepy crowds. I love all of the action, random shoes, and eye gazes in this shot.
SEVEN
Pisschrist – Live at Chaos in Tejas – Emo’s in Austin, TX – May 17th, 2007
Pisschrist were a fantastic live band, and this particular set during the 2007 Chaos in Tejas festival in Austin was certainly no exception. As soon as the first d-beat was cracked, vocalist Yeap erupted into a veritable crust tornado and spent over half the set on top of the heads of the crowd. It was one of the most energetic displays of punk I’ve ever witnessed, and luckily I was there with my camera. I love this shot because at this point he actually ended up in a Christ pose as he was passed along the crowd, like some sort of ironic d-beat messiah. I love all of the expressions and incidental light captured here as well.
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