Duke Football vs. Cincinnati: 34-48

This was Duke football's first bowl game in forever.  And though Duke lost, there was every reason to believe that Duke would win.

First, broke out to a 16-0 lead.

Second, Duke fell behind in the third quarter, but fought back to take the lead in the 4th.

Third, their running game was looking powerful.

Why do I think Duke lost?  Dumb headed turnovers, especially the last fumble with less than 2 minutes in the game.

Is this something the Duke team can build upon next season?  I think it is hard to tell.  They are losing their starting quarterback.  One can still hope that the 2013-2014 season delivers better results.

Up on Intraffik: November/December Playlists

I'm up on Intraffik with November and December Playlists.

Check it out.  Bands.  Songs.  Photos.  Video links.

Up on Intraffik: October Playlist

I'm up on Intraffik with an October Playlist.

A little later, but whatever.

Bands, songs, photos, video links.

I'm Up on Intraffik: September Playlist

Better late then never. I'm up on Intraffik with a September playlist.

Bands, songs, photos, video links.

Up on Intraffik: August Playlist

I'm up on Intraffik with a very delayed post of my August Playlist. Bands, songs, photos, video links.

Big Black Delta at The Satellite

Big Black Delta was the headline band at The Satellite on a recent Saturday night.  A little over a year ago I saw them at The Satellite for their residency.  Just like a year ago, their fans were wild for them on this night. In fact, I was a little worried that I might end up with a black eye as the guy beside me was moving his head in a manner that could potentially have cause some damage.

It is interesting how certain memories pop up.  As a photographer, it is seriously difficult to photograph this band.  They like the stage lights off and replace it with their own strobe light show.  A number of times my camera photographed nothing but black.  Hey, it makes it interesting as a photographer.  Memories:  I remember last year there were two or three other photographers and one talking about how she was sneaking in the flash, hoping that no one would tap her on the shoulder to tell her to stop.

The below photo, no flash, just light timing.

Merry Christmas 2012

Lavinia Slaughter at The Satellie

Lavinia Slaughter. I've been waiting to see this new project from Lauren (Rocket) White for a very long time.    I initially thought their first show was to be in November, but was later told it was shifted to December.  Was it worth the wait?  Yep.  Lauren dressed in black, mesmerized; her arms extended at times, piercing the darkness.

Dekades at The Satellite

I walked into The Satellite and was met with the heart pumping sound of Dekades.  It looks like they're a rather new band.  Watch out for this band.  They'll knock your socks off.

X-mas with Rob Z

It was X-Mas with Rob Z.  Does it look like it was a fun show?  Yep.  Keep it in mind for 2013 and keep a yuletide log at the ready.

 

The Henry Clay People at The Satellite

The Henry Clay People hit the stage before a crowded house. There was a call out for beer, which resulted in 3 beers being brought up. And there was a mosh pit induced by the lead singer.  Two songs included guests/friends.  The night was electric.


 

Songs for Kids Foundation at The Satellite

The Satellite had a break in the music on Monday night when Songs for Kids Foundation hosted a comedy set by four comedians:  Matt Dwyer, Jonah Ray, Sklar Brothers and Matt Braunger.  Matt Dwyer, politically incorrect.  Jonah Ray, worried about his age.  Sklar Brothers telling a hysterical tale about running into Richard Simmons at an airport.  Matt Braunger making fun of twitter attacks.

The Sklar Brothers stole the show with their Richard Simmons story.

Josh -- Founder




Matt Dwyer



Jonah Ray



Sklar Brothers



Matt Braunger

Incan Abraham at The Satellite

Incan Abraham opened up the night at The Satellite.  Dual vocals.  A bassist who plays it cool.  And don't mind the borrowed drum set that argues that maybe the photo below is of The Henry Clay People.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys: 24-27

1.  You'd think the Steelers would be really pumped up to beat their arch-Super Bowl rival.
2.  You'd think Big Ben would be back to his old self after getting one game under his belt.
3.  You'd think the Steelers would know to keep care of the ball.

It wasn't to be.

Is the season falling apart?

I'm up on Intraffik: Silver Linings Playbook

I'm up on Intraffik with a review of Silver Linings Playbook.

Jhameel at Bootleg

Jhameel had the crowd dancing at The Bootleg.  Solid vocals.  Distinct image art.  Crowd pleasing.

Young Hunting at Bootleg

Young Hunting refused to tell the crowd their band name, but I was able to track them down.  This band is calmly thrilling.

Comment exchange of the night:

Crowd:  Yeah.

Band:  You saying you hate this?

Yeah can sometimes sound like hate :-)

Mind the Gap at Bootleg

Mind the Gap was first up at the Bootleg.  I was able to catch half the set.  The lead singer doesn't stop moving.  In fact, his movements across the stage were so constant that I wasn't able to capture a decent shot of him under the low lights.

 

Pacific Air at The Echo

Pacific Air held court on a Friday night at The Echo.

Their music makes you happy.

Comment of the night:  There is some space here by the photogs.  Come closer, make them work for their shots.

Night Terrors of 1927 at The Echo

It was off to see a friend in a new band called Night Terrors of 1927. This was only their second show.  This band has a couple songs out there that will just hook you immediately:  "Watch the World Go Dark" and "Dust and Bones."  If you head off to see them, you will be mesmerized by their set.  There is a wonderful flow to their music that drives you towards the conclusion.  The two front men are also backed up by the two awesome women that form another band, The Child.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Diego Chargers: 24-34

Okay, let's put it up to Big Ben coming back and being a little rusty.  For most of the first half they couldn't even move the ball.  Of course, I'm not sure it was all Big Ben's fault (I suppose fault isn't the proper word, it is more shaking off the rust) as there were a couple deep balls that one could argue that the receivers should have caught.

Duke Basketball vs. Temple: 90-67

This was a game that Duke never looked like it was in trouble.

For someone who is injured and from what I read doesn't practice a lot, Seth Curry sure doesn't seem to have lost his shooting touch or conditioning.

Mason Plumlee was solid.  The only negative I see is that he couldn't hit his free throws in this game.  Hopefully, that is just a one game issue though some of those shots didn't look all that great.

Alex Murphy got a few minutes of play.  It looks like he can score, but I swear he seemed to get beat every time on defense.

I've read that Plumlee number 3 will be playing in the next game.  From what I've read, he's more of a banger versus a scorer so it'll be interesting to see if his presence means even more rebounds and blocked shots for the team.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens: 23-20

This was a hard fought game with Pittsburgh winning it.  A nice revenge for the game two weeks prior. 

I didn't catch the Cleveland game, but from what I've read Charlie Batch looked pretty bad in that game.  For this game, he didn't look like Big Ben, but it did seem to me that he was always just about ready to take the Steelers to victory.

To me, it just felt like:  is there enough time left in the game for Charlie Batch to start clicking.

Well, there was enough time and we squeezed out a win.

From what I've read, the Steelers are unlikely to bring Charlie Batch back next year.  It was nice to see him get a victory.  Now Pittsburgh just needs to keep on winning to get to the playoffs.

Pu$$y Cow at Three Clubs

Pu$$y Cow played Three Clubs in Hollywood. You better like spaghetti.

The Blackhands at Three Clubs

The Blackhands played at Three Clubs recently. They're a punk band with a stand up bass. Unique and awesome.

In the Valley Below at the Bootleg

In the Valley Below played the Bootleg in November as the residency band.  It was a tad dark at the Bootleg when they played, but see the below picture and what stands out:  the hands.  The hands tell the story with this band.

LA Font at Bootleg

LA Font hit the stage at the Bootleg in November.  The lead singer moves on stage.

Comment of the night:  Come on, stop drinking.

Birds of a Black Feather at Bootleg

The sister duo Birds of a Black Feather hit the stage at Bootleg on a recent Thursday night. This band has beats that shake your body and vocals that sooth.

Battle Tapes at Bootleg

Battle Tapes hit the Bootleg with their electro synth rock sound.  I never think I saw someone ever attack his synth like the lead singer of Battle Tapes.

Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.

Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.