I'm "Old School" when it comes to my music...
I was the kid screaming in delight with his head in the speaker cabinet at the AC/DC concert while Bon Scott roared in approval. I'm the guy that has an "eleven" on my guitars
and my Fender Twin.
When Hendrix is playing in my Van, I'm playing along on my air strat. When Skynyrd is playing, I'm singing at the top of my lungs, playing Billy Powell riffs on my dashboard...John Bonham solos on my steering wheel...Music is meant to be felt as well as heard, and images of musicians should be felt, as well as viewed. Music is passion...and that's that.
Snapshots are for families on vacation.
Imagery of performers has to capture melody and mayhem.
Although "loud" doesn't always have to be about "volume."
Loud can simply be the power of the music reaching your soul...the power of an image to move you. I was raised on 70's rock, Thin Lizzy, Jethro Tull, AC/DC, UFO, Zeppelin...but rarely does a music lover feel limits.
New Bands, new sounds, new songs...
Punk, Heavy Metal, Alternative...names and labels don't really mean shite.
If it moves you is all that matters. I can listen to Van Morrison, Southern Culture on the Skids, Black Sabbath, Concrete Blonde, the Donnas, Bob Marley, Loreena McKennitt, Sara Brightman, Otis Rush, Albert King and Brudda Iz back to back and drink in every note with the same passion and pleasure.
Shitbirds...I like country too...both kinds!
Back in the day, I worked sound as well as played in bands, so I know what kind of dedication goes into it...and it ain't easy, but Musicians are a tough lot.
There is a lot of spirit and soul to be captured in a live performance,
and I want to capture that in every image I freeze.
I have been shooting bands since 1990, from thrash and punk bands in tight clubs, where the sweat and stench of beer go hand in hand, to stadium and arena shows.
Shot for newspapers and magazines, which doesn't mean shite if you don't think I can capture YOU, or YOUR band!
I'm not a businessman, I don't write about myself on here in third person yammerin' about how "professional and courteous Mark is..." and spewing credits, I'm an artist and a craftsman, it's what drives me, it's my passion.
I'm not a wedding photographer, and I don't shoot corporate ad spreads...
I shoot wildlife in my beloved Africa, people and places all over this amazing planet, or
you'll find me leaning on a stage with my Nikons and a shit eatin-grin spread over my face...
sucking in life note by note, riff by riff...turning your music into a visual gift for your fans...
So please take your time, peruse the gallery, contact me with any questions...
Peace, and Happy Trails...Mark Dickey
