Books for crooks, jokes for punks.

   

(Welcome to Concrete @ the Nude Ranch, 5.17.2008)

I was burned out on music photography, taking a break for a week or two, but had to dust off the camera for Saturday’s “books for crooks, jokes for punks” event.

 

The night featured some of Columbus’ best stand-up comedians alternating between punk bands. It was a fundraiser for the Red Bird Books for Prisoners project, and the third successful event Jim has pulled off in recent memory. All this is incredible, not because Jim isn’t capable, but because he just got GTA 4.

 

Holding the show in the Nude Ranch’s garage was not out of the ordinary for us, but it was for the comedians. I guess I take DIY events for granted, but it would be pretty strange to walk into a garage filled with people like us if you weren’t expecting it.

 

The comedians also loved the fact that people were actually paying attention to them (which I guess is rare in a bar).

 

Bands, comedians, punk – everyone seemed to have a good time. As for the photos, I’ve shot better. I’m going to blame it on getting bonked in the face with my camera about three photos in (and not on the two Wild Cats, I am a trained professional, after all). I was kneeling down with my eye to the viewfinder when a stray dancer fell into me. I saw stars and pretended to be alright. 

 

Most photos had a gnarly red haze to them, that’s why two are in black and white. Not my ideal choice, but at least they were salvageable.

 

The night was also noteworthy for Delay’s rowdy set. I guess that’s what happens when you provide a cheap bar at a punk show. I was on the ground more last night then in any other show in my life, but came away unscathed despite multiple head-over-heals-type falls (that I do blame on the two Wild Cats).