festival ∙ the drummers of Rifflandia 5 · Victoria BC

In photography by webmeister Bud

Closing out my photography of Rifflandia V is a showcase of drummers.

20120925 - the drummers of R5-0001Canon EOS 550D (T2i) · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
90 mm · 1/500 s · f/5.6 · ISO 400

Y’know what I love about outdoor festivals? LIGHT.

It’s such a rarity in a bar/club/arena situation to have enough light to get a good shot of the drummer, so festivals like Riff allow me the luxury to give everyone in the band a chance to shine in photos. And, being a drummer myself, I love trying to predict what other drummers will do.

I’ve gotta start with Scott Ross of The Dudes. He reminded me so much of this drummer at the wrong gig that, once I got a handle on his cues, I pretty much forgot about the rest of the band and focused exclusively on him. And people say I have boundless energy.

20120925 - the drummers of R5-0002Canon EOS 550D (T2i) · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
115 mm · 1/640 s · f/3.5 · ISO 400

Sebastian Keefe of Family of the Year.

A happier drummer I’ve never seen. And he was like this every time I looked over at him.

20120925 - the drummers of R5-0003Canon EOS 550D (T2i) · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
115 mm · 1/320 s · f/4 · ISO 400

Matt Hayward of Band of Skulls.

Anybody gonna hit me if I say that, the moment I saw him on the drums, I immediately thought “Khal Drogo?”

Hrm. Perhaps, then . . . I won’t say that.

But damn, is he ever a pounder on that kit. Plus, his drumset is made by Pork Pie Percussion, which scores about 17 extra awesomeness points.

20120925 - the drummers of R5-0004Canon EOS 550D (T2i) · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
125 mm · 1/800 s · f/3.5 · ISO 400

Nick West of Zerbin.

No, Nick doesn’t look anywhere near that terrifying in real life. I’m sure I just caught him mid-glance. But it’s a funny juxtaposition.

On stage, they were all dressed very similarly, in retro shirts, ties, suspenders, and glasses and, in some kind of fascinating promotional somethingorother, it looks like the Clearly Contacts folks supplied Zerbin’s glasses for on-stageyness.

20120925 - the drummers of R5-0005Canon EOS 550D (T2i) · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
70 mm · 1/200 s · f/4 · ISO 400

Joseph Mirasole of The Bright Light Social Hour.

Ah, blessed “drummer’s hair.” Photographers love it.

20120925 - the drummers of R5-0006Canon EOS 550D (T2i) · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
170 mm · 1/640 s · f/3.5 · ISO 400

Nik Kaloper of The Jezabels.

Aaand this is about how I feel after a week of wonderful Rifflandia recapping. Next week: not a concert.

=)