Search Results for: Bobby Mahoney
Event: Bobby Mahoney at CBGB L.A.B.
When the phrase “iconic music club” is used, the old CBGB in New York may be that the very top of the list.
The full name is CBGB and OMFUG. Almost sounds dirty, but the letters really stand for “Country Blue Grass Blue and Other Music For Upstanding Gentlemen”. That’s a mouthful so CBGB is much better.
Anyway, the club closed in New York City on October 16, 2006 – Patti Smith closed it – and is now the site of a John Varatos fashion store. Yes, he keeps the legend of CBGB still alive in the store…but it’s still a high-price fashion store now. Oh well, capitalism.
An offshoot of CBGB has been the CBGB L.A.B. – Lab and Bar (this franchise loves its initials, don’t it?) at the Newark International Airport in New Jersey. And, though an association with Tito’s Vodka and the Asbury Park Music Foundation, a number of local NJ acts are playing sets throughout the summer there.
Back at the end of July, it was my buddy Bobby Mahoney doing a solo set there. I wanted to help out the APMF and shoot the event and help give it some exposure. Bobby and his band have had a good year – they opened for Bon Jovi at The Rock in new Jersey, and then he helped out Asbury Park’s Williams Honor when they opened for Bon Jovi at Madison Square Garden, too.
But despite those big stages, he still picks up gigs where he can get them to help get the word out about his music. And this stage definitely was not big.
Basically, it was a small platform, but more than enough space for him to plug in and roll through some of his original songs as well as some really cool covers.
It was an interesting experience for me on a couple of levels. First, we had to get issued something that looks like a boarding pass and still go through security, even though there was no plane to catch. It’s a little weird walking though an airport with an escort but without having a plane to catch.
When I fly out of Concourse C at Newark (it’s actual name was changed to Liberty International Airport after 9/11 but it’s still Newark Airport too all of us), I often grab a bite at this CBGB. So while I’ve been in CBGB there, I’ve never really paid attention to it.
There’s a whole merchandise area with everything from CBGB t-shirts to harmonicas to actual vinyl albums (more on that in a bit). Whereas the original CBGB made its name (at least in later years) as hardcore punk rock, this outlet was pretty commercial. Make money anyway you can, I guess. Maybe Hilly Kristal (who grew up not far from me in Hightstown, New Jersey) wouldn’t have had a problem with that.
Anyway, it was a little surreal covering this. And while I usually have problems getting good sight lines during a Bobby Mahoney club show, here it was wide open. Almost too open – I had to search around for some interesting looks.
I even went to “back of the house” – well, into the terminal basically – pulled out the long lens and grabbed some shots from there. Which was illuminating – not many people were actually paying attention to Bobby: They were on their phones, trying to shovel down a burger before flying, or trying to keep kids occupied. I would akin it to being being at an open-mic night at some joint where there’s a bunch of things going on around the performer.
But when you’re performer, you have power on. And to Bobby’s credit, he did. He played for a good hour and a half or thereabouts, passing on taking a break to keep playing.
I think he got the best reception – meaning people actually payed attention – when he did a cover – Tom Petty, Chris Cornell, Neil Young, Johnny Cash (he did Folsom Prison via my request)
It was all a little surreal. Even at the end, when Bobby signed the pillar, almost like tagging a spot in the original CBGB.
When Bobby was done, and before we rolled out, I had to do a quick portrait session with him in the record section of CBGB L.A.B. I asked him to pick out a vinyl album that meant something to him, and we’d do a Danny-Clinch-Shoots-Patti- Smith-Holding-Coltrane type shot.
He went with The Rolling Stones Some Girls which I thought was an interesting choice since Springsteen’s Darkness On The Edge Of Town and Southside Johnny’s Hearts of Stone – Jersey guys, of course – were nearby.
And with that, we non-travelers headed out into the post-rainstorm, muggy early evening. Definitely one of my more interesting shoots. Probably one of the more unique gigs for Bobby, too.
Flo liked it, though.
For a little travel-related tunes, checked out Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son doing “Empty Passenger Seats”…and look for a very brief cameo from yours truly.
© Mark V. Krajnak | JerseyStyle Photography | All Rights Reserved 2018
Flashback: Bobby Mahoney
“What’s the point of living if you ain’t on the run?” ~ Bobby Mahoney, Infamous
The New Jersey music news of the weekend is that Bobby Mahoney & The Seventh Son have a new release out today.
Click here to check out the new EP on Bandcamp.
You may remember, back in late August of last year, I photographed Bobby for my “Musicians & The Mosaic” personal project.
I then photographed him later that week in August at his House of Independents show and, still later in the year, at The Stone Pony, when he opened for Gaeten Matarazzo’s band.
Center: James McIntosh Rear (L-R): John Shepard, Andrew Saul, Bobby Mahoney, Zack Sandler
Bobby and his band puts out some very solid New Jersey rock ‘n roll. For a cat so young (he’s just in his early ’20s) he’s well on his way to putting his imprint on the Jersey Sound.
In light of this new EP release this weekend, I went back and pulled a few other photos from that August shoot.
Portraits were done with natural light, of course, outside of the Empress Hotel, right on Ocean Ave in Asbury Park.
For two of the portraits, I used a simple black tri-fold poster board that you can get at Staples, WalMart or a crafts store, as my background. Had it clipped to a lightstand and viola! – An easy and cost-effective, clean background.
And here’s a fav from that show in late December at The Stone Pony. Bobby already know how to work the stage and have fun with is audience.
If you’re looking for some good New Jersey rock ‘n roll, go check out Bobby Mahoney & The Seventh Son’s new EP. I think you’ll like it.
© Mark V. Krajnak | JerseyStyle Photography | All Rights Reserved 2018
Event: Bobby Mahoney And The Seventh Son At House of Independents
Sometimes things work out well.
I had been in touch with Bobby Mahoney earlier in August about doing a Musicians & The Mosaic shoot together. He was up for it, but asked if we could hold off. He was busy working rehearsing, and getting ready for an EP release show at the House of Independents later in the month.
I said that was fine. But also suggested we do it closer to the HOI show so that we can do a bit of pre-promotion for it. Plus, my friend, Zack Sandler, who plays sax in Bobby’s band, asked me earlier in the summer if I could shoot this performance.
And that’s how it worked out for all of us. We did the mosaic shoot, and thus were able to prime the pump for the August 31 show in Asbury Park.
Here’s the thing: The mosaic shoot is a personal project. I’m reaching out to these cats, and they are taking time to do this for me. And while I don’t pay them, I do buy some of their merchandise (CD’s, t-shirts.) Me giving back to me – it’s only fair. They are giving me their time and I appreciate that.
But then, I’m more than happy to help promote them a bit. I’m not shooting bands with these huge marketing budgets. These are singers that are working full time and doing what they love in their free time, getting their hustle on up and down the coast. I really respect that. Hey, I work full time and do what I love in my free time. I have no qualms about helping promote them a bit.
Even when I shot Bobby for the mosaic shoot, I could tell he was amped for the HOI show. He’s played some big venues already and, at 22, has shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, Jesse Malin and others. He plays the Light of Days shows every year. He’s well on his way. But this HOI show was going to be a big one for him and the band.
The cool part was, I’d have all-access: Backstage as well as the performance. I feel some of the best rock ‘n roll images, from Jim Marshall, Henry Diltz, or Danny Clinch, come from backstage, when the nervous energy of the performer is reaching a peak.
I really like the shot above. Bobby was warming up (note the shorter haircut compared to the mosaic shots), singing “Black & Mild” acoustically. His guitarist, Andrew Saul, is in the left of the frame. His drummer, James McIntosh is in the backwards baseball cap, and Zack is on the right. I’m only missing his bassist, John Shepard, who was seated against the wall on the left.
Yes, I’m caught in the mirror as well, but I really like this shot. Bobby was singing louder, warming up his vocal cords, and the band was chiming in. I got chills, actually. And I knew he was ready to hit the stage.
A couple more from backstage…
Right before they went, Bobby asked for a group shot. Got lucky with the light, as I really like this one too.
Then it was showtime. I switched back and forth shooting with my Canon 70D in color, and my Fuji X100T in B&W.
Overall, I was pleased with the shots I got. There was a couple of other photographers there, guys that cover a lot of the Asbury Park music scene. One, Jeff Crespi, has been shooting performances for years and he has a particular look to his photos. Very stylized. He’s a Jersey Shore institution.
I saw his pics from this performance and, frankly, part of me wished mine were cleaner, no so grainy (though, on the other hand, I like the grain). I certainly don’t want to shoot like Jeff…but I wonder if the performers prefer what he does over mine. Would that matter to me? I don’t know. Perhaps I should ask them and see. And maybe I will. It’s all part of my learning, my education, I guess.
But overall, a great experience.
Click here to see more images from the performance.
Very fun night. Bobby and his band rocked it. I wish them continued success and I certainly hope to work with them again!
© Mark V. Krajnak | JerseyStyle Photography | All Rights Reserved 2017
Musicians & The Mosaic: Bobby Mahoney
Another young artist, another one that’s had a really busy summer.
I’m trying to think of when I first met Bobby Mahoney. A little over a year ago? I know it was on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, when a mutual friend introduced us and a handshake was exchanged. But can’t quite remember when that was.
Met him again when a cold, wet winter wind was blowing through Little Eden (Asbury Park). He was part of A Set For Vets, the event I photographed for my saxophone-playing buddy Zack Sandler (who often sits in with Bobby’s band, The Seventh Son.)
But Bobby, like Georgia, has had a busy summer. He graduated from college earlier this spring, has been working full time, hitting the road solo and with his band, teaching guitar, and has, lately, been rehearsing and prepping their big show at the House Of Independents in Asbury Park…TONIGHT!
With all that going on, I was happy to be Bobby for a few minutes last night. He was big into helping me out with my Musicians & The Mosaic project, but the question was of when he could do it. Like I said, busy guy!
But last week, we were able to get on each other’s schedules. He was on his way – with his best gal and two other friends – to the Stone Pony to see The Bouncing Souls, The Metzingers and Lucero. This after taking a day off from working and rehearsing to have some fun at Great Adventure.
I knew it was going to be a good shoot because of a good omen: When I parked my truck on Ocean Ave in Asbury Park, and was getting ready to feed the meter, I looked up to see this sticker on the lamp post.
Bobby and I had been trading text messages for the afternoon, trying to lock down the time. As it turned out, he was going to hit AP sooner than I expected, so I had to hustle to get set up. In fact, he was feeding the meter right across from me when I pulled in. I was lucky (again) and got a spot almost directly across from the mosaic. Still, I had to hustle. I don’t want to keep my subject waiting.
Luckily, having now down this a few times, I was able to set up rather quickly, dial in my exposures and have him step onto the set. What made this a bit challenging for me was…it was just him. No guitar, no props. He couldn’t bring anything since he was out all day (well, maybe he could have, but I didn’t ask since I knew he’s be out all day and was heading to the show. I didn’t want to ask him to bring his guitar or anything he’d have to lug around).
And while I’ve been trying to stockpile props, I didn’t have anything for him this time. So my goal while making these portraits was to continue to shoot while I talked to him, to get different expressions or gestures.
So, that’s what I did…shoot and talk…shoot and talk.
I did pull out this old bar stool I have to give a different position rather than standing.
And then I pulled out my black background for some portraits.
My one big miss was not getting his girlfriend and friends into a group shot. Not sure why I whiffed on that, but I should have done it. Especially since they were watching and he was playing off them a bit. I heard his girlfriend loves this one.
And, of course, to close out the shoot and get Bobby off to The Bouncing Souls, Flo had to help out.
And, the final close-out shot:
Bobby Mahoney and The Seventh Son bring the Jersey rock ‘n roll like musicians twice their ages. Check out their music on Bandcamp and support them if you can!
© Mark V. Krajnak | JerseyStyle Photography | All Rights Reserved 2017
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