Anthony J. Merced

Rockumentaries have been around since the 60’s, chronicling the life, times and music of some of the most famous artists in their prime. Lately, we’ve seen this breed of documentary slip away from the public eye and end up on the far end of the DVD rack. Many times, the films are thrown together as a tool to sell more albums, leaving music and film fans wondering why they waste their time viewing such lazy works. Luckily, even though those terrible concert videos still exist, it seems that we are moving away from such things. 2004’s Some Kind of Monster and 2008’s Shine a Light still prove that you can create something that doesn’t just sit on a shelf as an add-on to an album.

Iron Maiden: Flight 666 is one of those rockumentaries that looks to entertain instead of advertise. For those that have not been gifted with the ear for metal, Iron Maiden is one of the most prolific metal bands of all time. They’ve sold millions of records and currently sell out concerts nearly twenty years past their prime. Actually, if it weren’t for a few stray gray hairs and some wrinkles, you wouldn’t be able to tell that many of the band members are pushing sixty. This documentary shows you just how vibrant, energetic, and passionate very successful musicians can still be after years of touring.

The movie starts with an introduction to Ed Force One, the 757 jet that will ambitiously carry the band, crew and equipment around the world over the next six weeks. Front man Bruce Dickinson, a very capable pilot, dawns his flight uniform to guide the band on their first trip from England to India. Right from the beginning we see a potential for major disaster. A cabin full of rowdy crew members, heavy metal legends, and a large imprint of the band’s signature mascot Eddie on the back of the plane lets you know you’re not in for the usual concert film. Fortunately for the audience, the film doesn’t deteriorate into a bunch of egotistical arguments and late nights at the bar. Instead, the film shows us how loyal the crew is, how young and rabid their international fans are, and just how disciplined the band is to maintain the rigorous schedule they place on their calendars.

The tour takes them from India to Australia, from Japan to Alaska, from Mexico to South America, and finally from The United States to Canada. Along the way there are laughs and a few close calls. Including a golfing mishap that nearly ends the tour. Like any great concert documentary, it is the live performances that keep the piece interesting. Their energy is infectious and the formula never becomes dull. The same routine of travel, song, travel is replaced with interesting tidbits about the individuals that not only make up Iron Maiden but that also make up their loyal fanbase.

While Iron Maiden: Flight 666 won’t end up on a list for greatest rockumentaries of all time, it definitely provides insight and light entertainment to a genre that has been filled with social messages and egos. If you’re a classic metal fan, you owe it to yourself to check this piece out. If you’re a documentary fan, take heed in that everything doesn’t need a somber or sobering message to fit into the genre.

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to shoot the band April’s End at Gramercy Theater in New York. If you’re a photographer in New York City, you know the problems that come with shooting musicians at poorly lit venues. Luckily, Gramercy Theater is better than the average club. The lighting is usually very consistent and allows for some great opportunities. This time around the lighting was challenging but not for the usual reasons. The band was not evenly lit but it seemed to be more of a stylistic choice by the lighting guy rather than just a lack of lights. This didn’t make things any easier. When I returned from shooting, I found most of the photos to be bathed in color. I haven’t been shooting still photos very long and found it a challenge to compensate for the seemingly erratic color changes. In the end I relied more on post processing to either embrace or eliminate the issues. Let me know what you think.

Here are some of the better shots:

If you’d like to see more check them out here: www.flickr.com/attitudeajm

So! If you couldn’t tell… things are a bit different around here.

With the new website comes a new blog and new things to talk about. I’ve taken the last six months to bare down and focus on different aspects of my life and art. Now I’ve reemerged, focused and ready to conquer all. I’m working on a series of shorts that begin shooting this month. As time passes this blog will be used as a production diary as well as a place for me to place strange stories that go on in my everyday life. Speaking of which:

Did anyone else see Eminem get tea bagged by Bruno? That was ridiculous! While I laughed loudly at what I say, I can’t help but think of how I would have reacted had a 160 pound man fallen face first into my crouch. Come to think of it Eminem’s reaction was actually pretty tame compared to what I would have done. Its always funny until its done to you. Truthfully, I think the whole thing was as staged as a wrestling match including Eminem’s reaction. Go MTV. They finally succeeded after twenty million attempts at shock television. Lets hope they don’t try it again.

Tonight felt like the dawn of a new era… of sorts. I’ve been considering a return to school within the next year and a half. Working for peanuts in non profit theater isn’t quite what I envisioned myself doing with a college degree. Granted, I’m only a year removed from college, it just never sits well when you’re not doing what you spent four or more years learning to do. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t expect to graduate from college and land a multi million dollar film deal on the first swing. But I spent a long time working in theater and film so that maybe I wouldn’t have to work for peanuts. Unfortunately it seems that focusing on marketing was a bad idea considering that’s the area where most people are getting laid off. I should be grateful that I have a job, and I am. But to say that I am satisfied with my work would be a flat out lie.

So Conan O’Brien took over The Tonight Show. And not surprising, this was the first time I’ve ever watched a full episode. Not only did it feel like one of those crazy must watch tv moments, but my favorite band performed on the show as well. Pearl Jam played the new single off their upcoming album. The best part is that I’ve been so out of the loop that I didn’t even realize they had a new album coming out. I expected some oldie to come out of the band. Instead what I got was a fantastic first single… at least that’s what I think it is. I modeled much of what I wanted to be like as an artist after what Pearl Jam managed to accomplish. They’re a band that never sold out to the mainstream and made the music that they were inspired to make. Hell, the band fought Ticketbastard for Christ’s sake! I still envision myself as an artist that will never need to compromise what I want to do just because it’ll make a buck. Great artists bring the mainstream to them. And watch Pearl Jam go out there in their t shirts and jeans still proves that its possible. While other band… Green Day… go out there in mascara and black leather (an image they never would have taken up five years ago) Pearl Jam continues to be the same awesome band they started out as twenty years ago… Has it really been that long?

Anyway, expect more entries and expect more updates as things start to pick up this summer!!!