Jingle Bell Rock: Q101's Twsted Fest!!

While many are hearing the bells of Salvation Army workers and cash registers, we are getting ready to hear our ears ring for the next five days. For the 3rd year in a row, we are honored to be the official photogs for Q101's Twisted Fest. This year the line up is simply insane and instead of the typical 3 day affair, this year we have a full five days of brilliant music of bands like Breaking Benjamin, The Used, 30 seconds to Mars, The Bravery, and Rise Against. I'd love to advertise it as something you can go to, but with the exception of Tuesday...its all sold out and has been for months.

To see pics from 2007 with Silverchair, Coheed and Cambria, Silversun Pickups and more click here, here and here.


For 2008 with Scott Weiland, Hollywood Undead and Coldwar Kids, here's Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.

P(R)eview: The Presets/ KDM

Another amazing night at Chicago's musical wonderland, the Metro. Did you know if you're in the front row you can get bar service from a smiling server? When the beers flew past me in the photo pit I realized I have yet to experience many things. Amazing! Despite being completely confused by the opener Golden Filter (I couldn't tell if the lead singer was 22 or 82...nor if any of their songs were their own...) The Presets scorched the crowd with "Talk like that" as their opener followed by "Yippio-ay". I was exhausted by the 3rd song I didn't even want to take pictures anymore. The grandest thing was I couldn't remember the last time I saw so much lighting on stage for 2 guys. They had 14 Entour Mac 250s on stage with a huge light wall and leds for all you lighting geeks. Booka Shade might have had intense strobes, but The Presets had tactile brain destruction rolling out in every color. Beautifully done, mates.

KDM proved to be better than alright with some surprise appearance that made the night: Millionaire$Mano, Hollywood Holt, Caiti G., Jessie Lynne and q101's half-a-Manno. Jimmy O slammed some PBRs, waved goodbye and kidnapped Brandon's girlfriend to New York. This all ended seemingly well with two Irish-American asshole left wing socialists yelling about Obama at 2:30 in the morning. "Hey kids, welcome to the back of RiNo!! Its the Morgan and Tyler minute!" My apologies to anyone who had to swallow that vomit-inducing discussion. I've decided I will leave the politics at home next time and beef up on my Tolstoy or Joyce.

Sneak Preview....Shiny Toy Guns

Last week, Sir Reeves took me out on a date to AK and the Shiny Toy Guns secret show on Hooker Street. As always, trouble ensued and the Wife nearly had me balls in a sling. But there are some highlights comin' tomorrow....Enjoy for now, fellow eyeliners.