Opening for Iron Maiden at Shoreline a few weeks back was Coheed and Cambria.

I had previously seen the band 3 (or Three) open for Opeth in Oakland. Coheed and Cambria are somewhat similar. Both bands sound great live, but their studio work doesn’t do it for me. Coheed’s last three songs on this evening were particularly good. They did a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell” followed by their two heaviest and most Maiden-like songs (“In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3” and “Welcome Home”).

Posted on August 24th, 2012 under Other. Tags: concert photography, nikon d7000, sigma 85mm f/1.4 lens. Comments Off on Coheed and Cambria

I have listened to the koto many times in Japan, but the chance in the USA is pretty rare. When Mitsuki Dazai comes down from Eugene, Oregon to play at the OSF Green Show I try to be there. Here are some more photos from her performance last Saturday night in Ashland.

Posted on August 14th, 2012 under Japan, Oregon. Tags: concert photography, Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Telephoto Lens, nikon d7000, people. Comments Off on Mitsuki Dazai on the Japanese koto (琴)

I have a few hundred more photos of Iron Maiden’s show at Shoreline last week, but for those of you who couldn’t care less I’ll move on to other pics starting tomorrow.

Posted on August 9th, 2012 under Other. Tags: concert photography, iron maiden, metal. Comments Off on Wrapping up Iron Maiden with a bang

Happy birthday to Bruce Dickinson today.

Today’s top photo is of Bruce at Shoreline this past Friday night during “The Trooper.” The photo below is the crowd reaction to Iron Maiden’s amazing performance and perhaps one of Bruce’s trademarked, “Scream for me ________.”

After a few “Scream for me Shoreline” lines Bruce paused and said, “Where is Shoreline anyway?” I had to laugh.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Bruce. May you whip crowds into a frenzy for another 54 years.

Posted on August 7th, 2012 under Other. Tags: concert photography, iron maiden, metal. Comments Off on Scream for me Shoreline!

Iron Maiden has the rather strange situation of having three guitarists at the moment in addition to founding bassist Steve Harris. I say “at the moment,” but Janick Gers has actually been in the band for over 22 years now. He came on board to fill in for Adrian Smith, but has stuck around despite Adrian returning more than 13 years ago.

Posted on August 7th, 2012 under Other. Tags: concert photography, iron maiden, metal, nikon d7000, sigma 85mm f/1.4 lens. Comments Off on Iron Maiden guitarists