It was October 17th, 2017. The American alternative rock band from Chicago 'Shellac' played a gig at the Fleece in Bristol. The band's members were Steve Albini on guitar and singing (RIP), Todd Trainer on drums and Bob Weston on bass. I went with my wife, her brother and friends and took my camera along to document the event. The show was stunning; the music was great and the sound engineer had done a fabulous job with the levels. I snapped away like Henri Cartier-Bresson on coke.
Steve Albini died on May 7th, 2024 at the age of 61. It was far too early for such a giving person. If you get the chance to read about him, including his own writings about the music industry, I'm sure you will agree - his loss is a loss to the world of music. Rest in peace Steve Albini.
The 'Short version' slideshow is 9 1/2 minutes long and displays my favourites only.
The 'Full Monty' slideshow is about 3 times longer and contains every photo I took starting with a drink in a pub before the gig, the gig itself, the pub drink after the gig, some of our hotel room and a couple the next day as we were walking to our car. It includes me warming up (photographically), mistakes, rubbish shots, duplicates . . . everything.
I do have a confession to make or more accurately an apology to the band. At ome point Bob Weston asked for photographers to turn off their red lights as it was distracting and I thought "what idiot has left their focusing light on". During the slideshow you will see shots of me looking down at my camera to check mine was off (I was convinced it would be). The shots continue as I came to terms with the news that I was indeed that idiot. Bob, Todd, if you are reading this, my apologies.
A couple of those shots show Steve Albini in the background behind me, doing his thing; with every cloud, there's a silver lining. Or as my sister used to say "every silver lining has a cloud".
Turn your lights down, put your favourite Shellac album on and enjoy the gig.
