In terms of photography, it was a tough shooting night for me. In terms of performance, it was an incredible night for American Head Charge. The Whisky was jam packed with local fans, a crew of hard core Minnesota fans and some AHC family, but no worries I got pictures.

I started shooting from side stage because there were fans pressed right up to the stage, but there was very little light so that wasn’t going to work. After a couple songs I moved up to the balcony. If you’ve been looking at pics from the other dates on the tour, you’ll see the difference in where I’m shooting.

What you won’t see, or get from these photographs, is the way American Head Charge took the insanely chaotic energy of that Whisky crowd, breathed it in and fed it back out to them. Of the nine shows on the Tourette, that was the crowd that stood out; energetic, engaged, in sync; accepting new songs and singing old ones back. It was just amazing to be a part of it…

Enjoy the photos!

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Somewhere between Orangevale and Fresno, with Cameron driving, we pulled over, he jumped out of the car, ran into this apple orchard and climbed this tree. I, of course, followed with my camera.

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Images courtesy of American Head Charge superfan Alice Hennings-Arnold (who we saw at 4 out of 9 west coast shows)!!

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“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”

- Oscar Wilde

Picking a set list this time around was quite difficult. We always start out with this over-ambitious, 2 hour Bruce Springsteen set, which lasts for about 3 shows until we wise up and cut 4 or 5 of them. But trying to give our albums equal time while also including 4 new songs and a cover was a hard balancing act. There’s always going to be songs that I want to play (or the crowd wants to hear) that unfortunately won’t make the cut. It is the nature of beast.

Crowd response to brand new songs they’ve never heard is always strange to witness, at least from the stage. The overall energy level drops, but at the same time becomes more cerebral; they’re paying attention and soaking it in. It is a very different feeling to play “Sand” as opposed to “Loyalty”. I have to remind myself that these crowds don’t know our new songs, especially when they end on a dime and the silence becomes deafening until they realize the song’s over!

Thank You,
Chad Hanks

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas… Unless you have pictures of it.

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You know you’ve made it when, after shaking your hand, a fan remarks, “This is better than meeting Ricky Martin!”

It’s even better when that fan has flown in from Argentina to see you play. And not just to see you play at the Cheyenne Saloon in Las Vegas, but the next night at the Clubhouse in Tempe, Arizona as well (just a short six hour drive down the road).

And if you’re wondering if the band notices, they do.

“The fan’s response to American Head Charge’s return has been phenomenal. Fans are traveling from as far as Italy and Argentina, and are criss-crossing the country to attend multiple shows. We couldn’t ask for a more dedicated and loyal following, and we more than appreciate the fans that have been rabidly spreading the word of our return. ” – Chad Hanks

And don’t be confused. Yes, that’s Karma on bass.

“Mr. Hanks was en route to Vegas from the NAMM show so I figured I’d throw on the bass and soundcheck for him.” – Karma Cheema

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