SmithJ Photography

08/08/2024

Hollow Point Facelift at Midwest Metalfest 3 in Quincy, IL. Loved what these cats brought to the stage. Thanks for the chat after the show.

08/08/2024

Midwest Metalfest 3 in Quincy, IL and Message From a Raven from St.Louis. They showed up and knocked it out of the park at Midwest Metalfest 3.

08/08/2024

MISERY from Rolla, MO at Midwest Metalfest 3.

08/08/2024

Midwest Metalfest3 was a blast with lots of new bands discovered and friends made. This was Qunicy, IL own The Juggernaut Agenda. Solid groove-based metal. Looking forward to seeing them again soon.

06/08/2024

Midwest Metalfest 3 in Quincy, IL at Maverick's. The photo dumps start with the Torchlight Parade. What a fantastic but exhausting day. Many new bands discovered, friends made, and fun had. It was LOUD, Aggressive and OH so much fun. I would like to thank all the bands for letting me up close and all around. Midwest Monster promotions, Maverick's Landing Zone, and all the bands that made this happen.

15/07/2024

Burning Witches @ Diamond Music Hall. While I've only been a fan for a fairly short time this show was simply amazing. These Five ladies are incredibly talented at what they do and know how to bring it. Not sure when or if they will tour the U.S. again but if they do get out and see them.

15/07/2024

Conquest @ Diamond Music Hall July 12-2024. Thanks again to Derrick Brumley , Lee Skyles , Rob Boyer, and Mike Crook for again letting me capture these type of moments. Conquest played loud and proud Friday night and it was another amazing show. Until next time....

14/07/2024

20/05/2024

Mental Fixation - May 11-2024 at Pops Concert Club in Sauget, IL. Great showing from these guys on the Beyond-FM showcase show on May 11th. I'd never seen these cats before and was impressed with their show. Looking forward to seeing them again soon.

20/05/2024

Fantastic Evening of Worship rock both electric and acoustic. What a blessing Missionary X is to see them do what they do. It was a true blessing and you should get out and see them if you get a chance.

15/05/2024

The Many Colored Death @ Pop's May 11, The Trio from Columbia, IMO they are one of most well rounded bands musically from the area that I have ever seen. The musicianship each members displays and brings to the stage is simply awesome. It's like a car crash, when they are playing you just cannot help but turn your attention to the stage and cannot look away until it is over. Thanks to Shea, Preston, and Brent for putting on another incredible performance and also for letting me grab these shots.

14/05/2024

Divine Sorrow – May 11 @ Pop's NightClub in beautiful downtown Sauget, IL. Thanks to Beyond-FM and Pop's Nightclub for putting this show together with so many great local bands. Thanks to Divine Sorrow and the other bands for letting me up in your faces all evening.

04/05/2024

Chemical Dependency @ The Sinkhole, May 2-2024. If you like it loud, aggressive and tight sounding these guys deliver. Incredible set from this local thrash band. This will not be my last time seeing them. thanks for letting me grab some shots while trying not to block anyone else in the packed crowd.

04/05/2024

Lightning Wolf at The Sinkhole May2-2024. Another solid performance by these guys. Top notch energy and performance from one of the best metal trio's in the area.

04/05/2024

May 2-2024 @ The Sinkhole. Headliner Mean Mistreater from Austin, TX first time seeing and hearing them. Nothing short of incredible. One of my favorite live shows so far this year. Hopefully they will be back soon. Thanks to Midwest Metal Punks and The Sinkhole for bringing them through the STL.

18/04/2024

Southside 5 at The RED FLAG. A fantastic venue that I always struggle with. Southside 5 always puts on a high energy performance packed with songs you know. They have some shows coming up with the soonest being Cinco DeMayo af the Offtrack Saloon. Always a fun time with these guys.

16/04/2024

I wasn't sure what to expect during Sunday nights evening with Aaron Hagar event at the Funnybone St. Charles, but whatever my expectations were this turned to be far above. It was an intimate look inside the life of one Aaron Hagar, yes the son of rock royalty Sammy Hagar, and for a little over an hour he shared personal stories and photos from his life with well...just dad as he often referred to him.
Aaron's stories were bookended..(is that even a word?) by St.Louis' own Divine Sorrow band. They kicked off the show with a quick 3 song warm up set and then after story time they closed it out with a handful of Hagar/Montrose songs with Aaron on vocals. This was the first time I have ever seen anything like this done and I think it went over really well as everyone in the crowd as well as on the stage were having a blast as you can tell by the photos.
The show was a sold-out weeks in advance and being in a comedy club venue offered it's own set of challenges. I'm used to shooting in a music venue, usually near or in a mosh pit or large crowd of some time where everything is moving. Not this time...I grabbed the best shots I could as shooting something like this in a venue like this was a new experience for me.
I always do my best to try not block the view of any of the fans because they are there to see the talent on stage and for sure not big behind. I did the best I could within the situation and I personally love the shots that I was able to get.
I want to thank the guys in Divine Sorrow for the invite, Ron Matthews and the team at the Funny Bone for their hospitality. In all the choas Ron made sure I had a seat that would work best for what I needed. The dude was all over the place but somehow kept it all together, and last but not least Aaron Hagar for taking his time to do something like this for the St.Louis fans and family. He said several times this is not a tour that he is doing, there are no other dates like this it was a special one off type thing for the St.Louis family. Oh yeah, lets not forget KSHE-95 as a whole for EVERTHING they have done to keep the STL rocking for so many many years.
For better or worse here is a bit of what I saw Sunday night. I hope it brings back memories for everyone that was there and even those who were not there. I tagged just a few people with the intent they will share with the masses i.e Aaron, KSHE, anyone and everyone else.
Much Love----JDS

14/04/2024

All Fired Up at Kenny's Bar and Grill

05/04/2024

I've shot this band a few times and they are the real deal. Give the new song a listen I think you'll like it. Also, get out and check them out. When you can they are fantastic live. Joey, Leo and the rest did a fantastic job with the new tune.

Provided to YouTube by DistroKidDark Season · StormrazorDark Season℗ 2117467 Records DKReleased on: 2024-04-05Auto-generated by YouTube.

23/03/2024

Mongoose March 16th @ Heavy Anchor. Mongoose put on a fantastic show to a packed room. It was my first but not last time seeing these cats. Great Stuff.

23/03/2024

Lightning Wolf - March 16 @ Heavy Anchor. How did I not know about this band until now? Completely blown away by this 3-piece band's opening set. If you are in the STL area check out https://www.facebook.com/LightningWolfUSA.

23/03/2024

Thicc Lizzie March 16 @ Heavy Anchor. Great set from Local STL band THICC LIZZIE. Get out an check them out.

07/03/2024

Just a few shots of the Ex Cathedera band from The Platypus last night. These guys have progressed quite a bit since I last saw them last July. Great night of music.

07/03/2024

Bleed Black may not be in everyone's music wheelhouse but they put on an incredible high energy show last night at Platypus in Tower Grove. There was no shortage of loudness and bodies a flying around. Thanks to the guys for letting me grab these shots between the moshing.

14/02/2024

Happy Valentines Day to all you beautiful people. If nobody else tells you today I love you and am glad that you are in my life in whatever capacity it may be. Do something special for yourself or someone else today. I'm here if y'all need anything.

12/12/2023

New to these gents and they did not disappoint. Split66 put on a super high energy performance at the Toys For Tots show last Saturday at Red Flag. Looking forward to seeing these guys again in 2024. Thanks to Split66 for letting me in your faces all night to grab some great shots.