ION INDIE MAGAZINE August 2016 Volume 27 | Page 19

On May 23, 2016 here in The French Quarter at none other than THE HOUSE OF BLUES, I had the pleasure
of covering BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE with supporting act ASKING ALEXANDRIA.
Not a huge fan of either of these bands, but I knew that this show would be a sellout--and it was. I have shot
BFMV before in El Paso, Texas, and that show was fantastic. Before I was a concert photographer, I used to
work across the street from TRICKY FALLS. On a certain day, I noticed that people were lining up at one o’
clock in the afternoon at Tricky. I couldn't help but ask who they were there to see--and it was Asking
Alexandria. So between both these bands, I knew it was going to be one hell of a show!
Asking Alexandria hails from North Yorkshire, England, with 4 albums in 4 years. They have also had a bit of
a line-up change when DANNY WARSNOP (lead vocals) left the band to concentrate on his other band WE
AS HARLOT. He was replaced with DENIS STOFF--who in my opinion, as the new front man, did a fine job.
Bullet For My Valentine also hails from the UK (Wales, to be exact), with 5 albums in 10 years.
These type of shows draw a younger crowd (I like to call them “Kid Metal Shows”), but regardless of that,
both bands put on a great show and believe me, the audience just loved them!
Again, not really my cup of tea, if you will, but if you like Post/Metal/Hardcore music, this is the show to see.
You just cannot ask for a finer line up. I say this because I also feel that these type of acts are “cookie cutter
bands”…but at the top of the heap, Asking Alexandria and Bullet For My Valentine are the bands that all the
others are doing their best to copy. But to be honest, it going to take quite a bit to knock these boys off that
heap--they are hands-down the best at what they do!