Full moon, dirty hearts
August 21, 2011 by Bruce · 7 Comments
I was looking back through my archives tonight.
WAY back.
And I came across these images.
Yes, that IS legendary Aussie rock band INXS with the then still very much alive (and larger than life) Michael Hutchence.
In a really small club!
The Canberra Theatre Centre.
I will never be 100% sure of which show it was, now. They played 2 nights. February 8 and 9, 1994.
I remember making the decision to sneak my SLR into the gig and try to get some decent shots.
Remember, this was long before digital. I wouldn’t know what I got until I had the film developed.
Knowing that, I loaded up on some black and white, probably 3200iso Kodak.
Why black and white?
Because I didn’t expect there to be a lot of light to play with (there wasn’t!), and black and white grain tends to be a little less offensive than colour grain…. at least, to me. It’s subjective.
So, with my 3200iso black and white film, my Minolta Dynax7000 and my 100-300mm kit lens (oh, to go back to that night with just one tenth of what I know now!), off I went.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the album they were touring to promote (Full Moon Dirty Hearts), but I did love their back catalogue.
I remember trying to be very discrete, lifting the camera for a shot, then dropping it back down in the hopes that security wouldn’t see me. Thankfully, they didn’t.
It was a long time ago, and it’s a foggy memory now. In fact, it would be almost completely forgotten without these pics.
So, why publish them now?
Well, I’ve been carrying these shots around for almost 20 years, quite proud of myself for getting such decent images when I really knew so very little…. proud of the shot of Michael holding hands with someone in the crowd, a nice personal ‘connection’ moment between rock star and punter… and I figure so what if every INXS fan comes and pilfers these images from my site?
I’d rather that those fans get to see some unique images (these have never been seen by anyone other than close photography-minded friends of mine) of their heroes. What’s the point of me keeping them forever and not letting anyone see them?
So, call it altruistic, call it foolish, call it what you will.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… INXS!
About Bruce
Great series … Love #6
Bruce truly a trip down memory lane. You got some nice captures.
Bruce – thank you, amazing pics.
Thank you Bruce. INXS is all about Michael Hutchence. The more I see his videos – the more I believe he is still around. There can and never will be another Michael Hutchence.
Canta -( Bombay, India)
Excellent Bruce. Thank you!
You give us INXS and what a gift it is. Thank you, Bruce! Cheers for getting these pictures. With Michael gone now, I have a feeling that anyone who loves him, from his family to his bandmates would probably be grateful that you got these shots. Once someone’s gone, there can never be enough pictures of them. Pictures tell a thousand words and they give a glimpse into the life and character of the loved one now gone. Every picture is a reminder of what was lost, bittersweet, yet treasured beyond measure. From his attire, it seems Michael was influenced by Eddie Vedder (the shorts with work-style boots). The timing of these photos (’94) would fit with that idea. Thanks again, Bruce. These are fantastic.
thank you Bruce!