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CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY: Evan J. Thomas recently covered Black Label Society at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL - Check out his bad ass photos - CHECK IT OUT HERE

10/20/2021

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CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY & REVIEW: Mongolian metal band The Hu recently played the Park West Theater in Chicago, IL and Evan J. Thomas was there to capture the spectacle - SEE IT ALL HERE

10/19/2021

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Another highly anticipated show for me in 2021 was here and this time it was the buzz around the Mongolian metal band The Hu. Using traditional Mongolian instrumentation including the Morin khuur, the Tovshuur and Mongolian throat singing the band calls their style of music "hunnu rock", hu inspired by the Hunnu, an ancient Mongol/Turkic empire, known as Xiongnu in Mongolia. Some of the band's lyrics include old Mongolian war cries and poetry. Thank you Wikipedia for that info!

With a band like The Hu and their eclectic sound, it was only fitting for the crowd to be as diverse in nature for as many shows I have been to in recent years. Now lets talk about the show. Unfortunately I wasn't able to photograph the show from the photo pit since there apparently wasn't one so I had to photograph from the crowd so I wandered around the Park West trying to get the best angle as i'm rocking out to the bands set. The Hu moved the masses kicking off the show with "Shoog shoog", and bringing us their cross over favorites "Yuve Yuve Yu" and my personal favorite "Wolf Totem". The Hu finished their set and walked off the stage to thundering applause for an encore and the band didn't hesitate to come back and go all out with their rendition of the Metallica classic "Sad But True".

I love the whole aura of what the band brings, I think they have 9 members in the band including 2 drummers. The various traditional Mongolian instruments and the throat singing is something I have never experienced before and it was a bad ass change of pace. Great band, great energy! Rock On!

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CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY: Evan J. Thomas recently covered guitarist Bobby Keller and his band New Dilemma, check out his bad ass photos! - SEE IT HERE

10/15/2021

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CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY & REVIEW: Evan J. Thomas covered Joyous Wolf and Of Limbo at Top Fuel Saloon in Braidwood, IL, check out his photos and review - SEE IT ALL HERE

10/12/2021

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This was yet another show that has been circled on my calendar since the day it was announced due to the fact that Joyous Wolf is one of my favorite live bands over the past few years and the boys know how to put on a rock show. Secondly, Of Limbo, a rock band out of Long Beach, CA who I have been dying to see since i've heard of them and did some work with them earlier this year.

Of Limbo survived a horrible van accident a few years ago just days before I was supposed to see them at The Forge in Joliet but they finally made it to the Chicagoland area on this Tuesday evening. Meeting vocalist Jake Davies and guitarist Luke Davies, bassist Rob Gravely and drummer Christopher "Bug" Bristol prior to the show was a lot of fun to get to know the guys before their set. Of Limbo live show is highly energetic and they bring the party to the stage as they rocked out to their single "Get On It", and their cover of the Beastie Boy's favorite "Fight For Your Right" and to finish off the set a bad ass rendition of fellow Long Beach rapper Warren G's "Regulate".

Capping off the evening was one of my favorite bands, Joyous Wolf as Nick, Blake, Greg and Robert brought one of their best performances I've seen to Top Fuel Saloon. Vocalist Nick Reese is an incredible frontman as his distinct voice belts out "Quiet Heart", "The Mechanic" and their new single "Fearless" throughout their hour plus set that had the masses rocking and bobbing their heads. Nick has a knack for being "fearless" on stage as he is known to climb scaffolds (he didn't do that this show), jump off stages and is limber enough to do flips and the splits during Blake's guitar solos.

Bad Ass rock and roll music with great stage presence and a party like atmosphere gave this show everything I was hoping for. I go into shows without expectations but when you have seen some of the best out of bands recently I have gotten a bit spoiled with what I have been experiencing. Rock On!

OF LIMBO

JOYOUS WOLF

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CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY & REVIEW: Evan J. Thomas recently covered the Sold Out Badflower show at Bottom Lounge in Chicago, IL - Check out his bad ass photos and review - CHECK IT OUT HERE

10/5/2021

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One of the fastest rising bands in the hard rock genre, Badflower, made their way to Chicago, IL on an early October Saturday in front of a SOLD OUT raucous Bottom Lounge.

I had first seen Badflower in 2019 at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville and was able to catch their mid afternoon set. Badflower is a band who connects with their fans through their incredible lyrics that delve into subjects that hit deep with emotions like suicide, mental health, sexual abuse, addiction and other topics that are tough for many to discuss.

On the heals of releasing their brand new album "This Is How the World Ends" the band emerged to the darkened stage as they got the masses lathered up with one of their many new rockin singles "Fukboi". After a brief technical issue, Josh broke into their mega hit "30" which I absolutely love and the video is awesome as well. For the next hour and a half we were treated to "Jester", "Stalker", "Family" and the intense and emotional song about suicide "Ghost" among others. That song is amazing and to see them play it live just gives you the chills. Badflower finished off their set with "My Funeral" to a rousing ovation.

I was able to bring my son Brandon along with me and with his limited knowledge of the band and their music he told me how energetic and great the show was and how well Josh connects with the audience. I would have to agree with him on his assessment. Incredible lyrics and music, fun and energetic live show, a connection with the audience... isn't that what we want as live music fans? I do and Badflower gives it to you. Rock on!