The Mix Tape

The works of Stephen Abbas.

[stephenabbas]

I have awesome family.

[stephenabbas]

I dont remember the last time that I posted on my beloved tumblr.  Sometimes I think to myself, freaking why?  But here is Tiny Moving Parts.  They were so good, they just released a new album and it is really amazing.

[stephenabbas]

It’s that time again, lets see if this picture makes it to the dance.  Kings Art center, lets dance.

[stephenabbas]

Of all the bands that I love to listen to, and grew up listening too.  Hum would be on that list of Bands that I would never of thought that I got to take pictures of.  Hum was one of those bands in the 90′s that had one song on the radio, I liked it allot so I got the album.  Turned out to be an amazing album,  This show was awesome, just pure good music.  Being able to take pictures of bands that you grew up listening too, is a amazing blessing.  Its late at night, my girl has been tripping on me today, my brain hurts.  Please enjoy the images.

[stephenabbas]

I never really put senior portraits on my tumblr, but Nathan is the exception.  He is the first senior portrait that I took were the model never smiled, except for the first pic.  Now here is the crazy thing, Nathan is one of the funniest guys I know, and this photo shoot was one the the funniest I have had.  We were cracking jokes the entire time.  I am trying to think of something funny to end this post,  but I cant really think of something deep, profound, or funny,  um, has any seen the Box troll movie, is it any good?

[stephenabbas]

Freaking Norma Jean, I still remember the day I walked into a music store and listened to their first album.  From that day I have always been a Norma Jean fan and every album they come out with I love them more.  Seeing them on their latest tour was awesome, they were doing anniversary of the album “O God, the aftermath.” I never thought that I would hear “Disconnecktie” live, and they performed it Awesomely.

Josh from The 68 and who was Norma Jean’s first singer came out for the last song, and they did “Memphis will be laid to waste”  The pure awesomeness broke my camera.

[stephenabbas]

When I went to go see Norma Jean a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea what amazing show I would be seeing.  I had never heard of the 68 before, but when they started setting up, I asked the guy next to me, “Is that Josh?”

He said yes and this was his new project.  Josh was the first singer for Norma Jean, then he moved on to do vocals for The Chariot.  The 68, like his past bands, were also amazing to watch, I am very thankful I was there.

[stephenabbas]

I am pretty behind on posting images.  This is the 68, amazing band that I got to see open up for Norma Jean.  If you don’t know who is in this band, I will let you know when I am done with the images.

[stephenabbas]

The only album i ever went to get at a midnight release at Tower Records was,  EndSerenading by Mineral.  I was just tagging along with some friends, mostly to go to Tower Records, that place was awesome.  I was a fan of MIneral, but my friend TImm was a big fan of them, and was always playing them when ever we rode in his car.  I learned their music.  For me, Mineral was the first emo band, and for me, when people talk about emo music, Mineral is what I think of.  Awesome emotional music. 

The band broke up and I never got to see them.  Then a couple years ago I saw that they were doing a reunion tour, Oh my awesome camera finger.  The  chance to take pictures of a band that helped shape my musical taste.  But I had to be at a wedding that day.  Then I saw that they were doing another tour, and this time with Hum, another band that I love.  Those pictures will come soon to. 

Being able to stand next to the stage, sing along with every favorite song, taking pictures, and waiting for the band to play that one note and just being thankfull I get to do it.  Mineral I will always be a big fan and I hope to see you perform again, And thankyou Timm for making me listen to awesome music.   

[stephenabbas]

Finally got some free time to work on the back log of images that I have been taking.  Dem Atlas was a couple weeks ago in Fresno.  Hip hop is one of those musical styles that just sounds better live, and Dem Atlas is one of those MC’s that knows how to do it.  

[stephenabbas]

I never thought that I would have the awesome privilege to take pictures of Mineral.  This was a band that my friends loved and listened to every time I was in their car.  I grew to love them, and 15 years later, awesome.  This night has a big story behind it, and I am sorry that I am behind on my beloved tumblr.  But I mean, Freaking MINERAL, and they opened for Hum.  Holy crap.

[stephenabbas]

Dem Atlas played in Fresno this past week.  It was my first time seeing him and mostly the first time hearing him.  He was awesome.  Listening to hip hop live is always better.  More images coming the soon.

[stephenabbas]

So i read in some music news a couple weeks ago that Foxing while on tour had their trailer stollen.  I feel for them or any band that is out on the road living their dream and working their rears off trying to make the best show possible.  To have some jerk off steal from you on the road, oh, I wish that on no one.  Foxing I hope you guys recover, you are a awesome band.

[stephenabbas]

I have seen Mewithoutyou perform 3 times now I think over the years.  Now here is the crazy part, I don’t have any of their albums, but I am a fan of them. Every time that I have seen them, they put on a awesome show, and if you have a chance to see them, it will be an awesome time.

Awesome story time, one of the times that I saw Mewithoutyou was about 11 years ago when I lived in Santa Barbara, they played in Ventura at a skate park with Haste the Day.  At that show I got one of their t-shirts, and threw life I have a difficult time throwing away any of my music shirts.  So for this show at Strummers, I was standing up front as they got ready wearing that decade old shirt I got long ago.  I hear the drummer yell something and as I look up he is looking at me and yells again, “Where did you get that shirt?”  At this time I take a quick look around and the entire band stopped setting up and is looking at me, thinking  I yell back, “Ventura with Haste the Day.”  Some of the band members smile, the drummer gives me a good thumbs up, and the show shortly starts.  After their awesome set, I am walking back to my car threw the ally and a girl runs up to me and says I have to see the shirt, nice. 

[stephenabbas]

At the start of this year, my younger brother and I took a trip back to Michigan to see our older brother and celebrate his 40th birthday.  On the way back, we somehow ended up in Anaheim, California, when we were trying to get to San Diego.  While we were at the airport waiting for his wife (awesome sister in-law) to pick us up, my brother tried one of his jumps.  My brother is a high school volleyball coach, and is always working on his jumps, I was impressed as always.

[stephenabbas]

The Mewithoutyou show images are coming soon.  This was a epic show.

[stephenabbas]

I honestly hope that you had an amazing 4th of July.  For me, every 4th of July is judged on one thing.  To see a firework show and while it goes they play the song “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles.  Ya, I know that it is the scene in the movie “Sandlot”.  But truthfully, it is one of fewest thing that will make me put my camera aside and just sit in awe and watch.  I wish I could say that this year was awesome.  But, they needed to turn the music way up, they started before it was even dark, and the kids right next to me would not shut-up.  

I am still thankful for this country I live in and the freedom and the men and women fighting for our freedom.  Also the freedom to complain about stupid kids who cant be quiet during a fireworks show.