SLIPKNOT AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR

It was a history making event as Slipknot headlined the Iowa State Fair with LB on hand to interview and photograph the band, as well as act as stage emcee.

The group had dreamed of playing the hometown event for twenty-years, but a variety of factors kept them from making happen. However, on Saturday August 10th, 2019, it finally happened. The gig, which occurred the day after the new album “We Are Not Your Kind” was released, was completely sold out with French metal gods Gojira opening the proceedings. Lou was given the honor of announcing the band at this momentous occasion, having been introduced to the crowd by his friend Andy Hall from longtime hardDriveRadio affiliate Later 103.3 in Des Moines. He gave a short, emotional speech on his love for the band and the importance of live music.

Before the show, Lou conducted at 30-minute interview with the band’s Corey Taylor which covered every aspect of the new album and latest tour cycle. He then photographed the concert from the photo pit then ended the night joining the band backstage. In the days leading up to the concert, Brutus drove the diehard maggots into a frenzy with limited-edition stickers commemorating the show featuring the fair’s legendary butter cow, which is literally a cow carved from butter. Droves of fans combed the fairgrounds in search of LB calling out the phrase from the sticker “You can’t see Iowa without the butter cow’s eyes!” The stickers are now completely gone.

THE ROLLING STONES

Brutus was honored to once again photograph The Rolling Stones and spend the evening backstage at their “Stones No Filter Tour.” This latest show was the July 3rd stop at FedEx Field outside of Washington, DC. Lou last joined the band at Twickenham Stadium in London in June 2018. He posted some thoughts regarding the band…

“‘Ladies and Gentlemen, The Greatest Rock N Roll Band in the World: The Rolling Stones!’ With that wonderfully boastful declaration the guys showed why they are still on top 57-years after it all first began. Later, I’ll post some show reviews that are more eloquent regarding the current tour than I could do currently. For now, allow me to say you are out of your head if you miss what could be your last chance to see one of the most significant chapters in the history of popular music. I laugh in the face of people who make jokes about the ages of the Stones members. Those people are fools. When you see how Mick Jagger works the stage and the crowd you simply can’t believe it. I couldn’t move like that when I was 16. The guitar interplay between Keith and Ronnie is like few other things you’ll ever hear. It’s a joy. And through it all Charlie Watts sits there like a Rock N Roll sphinx keeping it all together, moving it forward. Of course, he’s always been the band’s secret weapon. The other musicians, including the legendary Chuck Leavell and Daryl Jones, are spot on. Special mention should also be made of backing vocalist Sasha Allen who gets to shine with Jagger during “Gimme Shelter.” Finally, while the stage production is magnificent, it still comes down to the songs. Every single one will make you crazy and happy and sing and play air guitar. I truly hope you have plans to see #StonesNoFilter. If you don’t, make them. Now.”

LB will look to make other stops on the tour including the final show in Miami on August 31st. In the meantime, you can check out his pics from the tour in the Images of the site as well on his verified social media accounts. Many thanks to Lou’s old-time tour friend MW for the hospitality!

SONIC TEMPLE

A debt of gratitude to everyone involved in my weekend at the Sonic Temple Festival. The artists include Disturbed, Papa Roach, Ghost, Bring Me the Horizon, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Chevelle, The Struts, The Hives, The Interrupters, The Glorious Sons, Palaye Royale, Halestorm, Tom Morello, Parkway Drive, Beartooth, Avatar, Starset, Bad Wolves, Badflower, Killswitch Engage, Architects, Fever 333 and others I’m forgetting as I’m running on fumes. Thanks to the tour managers, label staffs, crews, techs, security, drivers and additional people who make rock shows run behind the scenes. Props also to the people from both DWP and Mapfre Stadium for the hospitality. Major kudos to the hardDrive Radio crew including Paul Spagna and James Shefferman for being the boots on the ground while Bill Powell handled tech and social media offsite. Finally, the biggest thanks go to the fans who come out to slog thru the heat and rain to bring it all to life. Let’s do it some more!

PLAY BALL!

Major League Baseball is back and Lou has returned to the on field photo pits for his 12th straight season.

For Opening Day he was in our nation’s capital getting images of his beloved New York Mets versus the hometown Washington Nationals. The Mets took the game 2-0.

Look for Lou at various stadiums around the league this season. He’s hoping to make some locations he’s never shot before including Atlanta, Cleveland, Boston and St. Louis.

The images are used by MLB Network Radio.

See you at the park!

A DECADE OF DARLA

Happy Birthday messages have been pouring in from around the world for Darla the Wonder Dog!

As his constant companion celebrates her tenth birthday, Lou wants to thank everyone for their love and well wishes. Darla celebrated her big day with breakfast, rubs, a Cheerios snack, more rubs, second breakfast, a nap, lunch, a walk, peanut butter treats, more napping, dinner, another walk and then a birthday party including a custom made “pupcake.”

Later in the evening, Darla took control of Lou’s Twitter feed answering questions from fans before retiring for the evening with more snacks and rubs.

Thanks again to everyone for reaching out to Darla and following the hashtag #aDecadeOfDarla.