It’s hard to believe, but after living in DC form the last 7+ years I had never seen Ian Svenonius perform until last week’s Chain and the Gang show at the Black Cat. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but i can say without reservation that I absolutely loved this show.
The band’s stripped down, rowdy punk sound made a nondescript weekday gig seem like a genuine event. Svenonius was in fine form, taking the piss out of all the development in DC that’s happened over the last few years. “What’s a guy have to do to find a bar with a flat screen TV so I can watch sports?” he asked the crowd, tongue firmly in cheek. “Why is it so hard to find a nice, Belgian import beer? I’m going to open a bar called Duke’s, for all the miscreants and non-conformists out there. I’m going to show all Duke sporting events, all the time. Particularly lacrosse.”
Since this show was in the backstage of the Black cat, lighting was a bit dodgy outside of a few spots on stage where the lights were aimed. I actually like shooting in the backstage room, it’s a bit of a challenge, and I find it very satisfying when my photos turn out better than all other photogs there popping their flashes off every 5 seconds and bugging the shit out of the audience all the while. Yes, it’s pretty much impossible to get a proper action shot in these conditions, but it’s always good to shoot in conditions that keep you on your toes.
If you haven’t checked out Chain and the Gang, I highly recommend you do so. They are on tour throughout the US through the end of April.
Full photo set below. As always, click on any photo to purchase prints.
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