My images of iconic club kids and pop stars
My images of iconic club kids and pop stars
I'm a photojournalist, which roughly means that, erm, I'm a journalist as well as a photographer. That way, I tend to combine the two skills whenever possible. So when I'm commissioned to interview someone, I like being asked to do the photo shoot too, and vice versa. Not to mention that, when I'm sent to the ends of the earth for a feature, I'll naturally want to bring back heaps of images.
Just in case you were wondering, I specialize in music and nightlife but won't turn my nose up at miscellaneous pieces such as travel, green-related or general issues.
A selection of my photo archive, recent published work, features, interviews, reviews, interests, lifestyle - and then some - can be seen on the quite extensive website that I built last year www.alexgerry.com Check out the vibrant Technicolor world ... It's more or less a mini encyclopedia of 80s/90s/00s music and nightlife, with an emphasis on clubland's past and present shakers and groovers. Note that work is in progress at present as I'm about to redesign the site from scratch. It's just a matter of finding time to do it all - not to mention all the uploading that is constantly involved in such enterprises - but, all going well, it will be done soon.
I've been a music fan and a club kid since the word dot, to the point that my friends and family call me a walking, talking music/club encyclopedia. A lifetime spent in a parallel world of 'disorientation', exhilarating music, recreational pursuit and glamour beyond the call of duty can only broaden the horizon and expand the mind of a party animal. And for someone who's lived and breathed music since childhood, could there be a better place to be? I'm still looking ...
The website has already attracted substantial worldwide interest. I've had a lot of press, some of it I've not even seen. It's always nice to get appreciation and recognition for your work, so adds/comments from like-minded browsers are obviously welcome here.
Some of my recent photographic work is presently being shown at Village Soho, 81 Wardour Street, London W1, across the three floors, in an exhibition entitled 'Club & Music Icons'.
For more pics/biog, visit the amazing Blitz Kids site. Copy and paste this URL: http://www.geocities.com/pleasureandthebeast/updatesdec07.ht
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You can also email me here
This slideshow features some clubby/party pics of me from way back ... up to today. Go and click on View My Pics at the top left of the page to enlarge them, laugh (hopefully) at the captions, read the details and add your comments (I'll return the favour!). That's what it's there for.
Feature in PHOTOICON, Nov 2007, issue vol. 2 issue 3
QX International Magazine review, issue 655, 19-09-2007:
Interview in I-D Magazine, Issue No 276, May 2007:
Interview in DIF (Portugal's best style magazine), Issue 46, March 2007
MySpace Interview in Boyz Magazine, Issue 25-01-2007:
Review in AXM, Issue 121, March 2007:
PLEASE NOTE, FRIENDSHIP AIN'T A ONE-WAY STREET.
YOU CAN ONLY BE IN MY TOP FRIENDS - BELOW - IF I FEATURE IN YOURS ...
I've lived and breathed music since I was in my school uniform. And anyone who's travelled as much as I have from childhood could only have a very eclectic taste. At home, I often listen to vintage garage punk, YeYe, bossa nova, exotica and quality electro lounge. I love the legend that is Mina, the goddess that is Francoise Hardy, the deity that is Marc Bolan and so many others besides. A list of all my favourite artists would take forever to dress. Don't worry, I'll spare you the usual arm-long pretentious, name-drop column that no one ever reads on these files.
A cinephile by nature, I made a point of seeing all the arthouse-cum-mainstream classics and a lot of curios from around the world in my younger days. Nowadays, I still haven't had the time to watch one tenth of my huge DVD collection.
Music, music, music ... even though there's less and less of that on the box. The swines ...
Yes, please! The more, the better. I ain't Victoria Beckham, thankfully.
I have a lot of respect for all the anonymous people who tirelessly - and against all odds - campaign for a green, cruelty-free world. They never get any recognition or positive media coverage, let alone OBEs and awards.
In complete contrast, I feel sorry for people who only live to gain, take, exploit, destroy, without a conscience or any consideration for others or the world, mostly because they think they're "worth it" or, as they so often say, because they have a "family to feed". Mind you, it's easy to kill dead their lame arguments by replying: 1) "No one forced you to breed if you can't afford to bring up a family." 2) "No one forced you to take a job that involves destruction, torture and/or murder."
I reject the institutionalized anthropocentric falsehood that maintains the oppressive hierarchy of mankind over animals. I can't bear cruelty to animals. They're not bio-machines for us to abuse, eat, wear, experiment on or exploit in any way. Their presence on this planet is as valid as ours. They suffer pain as much as we do. They are the voiceless and defenseless and we have a duty to respect and protect them.
Animal abusers who make a living out of abusing animals - they love their job! - like intensive farming (the gruesome meat and dairy industry), fur farming, the leather trade, poaching, blood sports, the needless and callous use of animals in laboratory experiments (and circuses), the horrific whaling, etc. are nothing but sadistic psychos who don't deserve to live. Whatever the excuses and lies they perpetrate, never doubt that dairy, meat and fur/leather are only the end product of the ruthless torture, confinement and murder of the innocent. Purchasing products tested on animals only means that you're funding the torture and murder of millions of them in useless, hideous experiments. Never doubt that these tests only exist to further the careers of a few inept "scientists", to push more dangerous drugs onto the market and provide yet more profit for the drug companies.
Unfortunately, most people turn a blind eye to the barbarism that goes on all over the world, every minute of the day, and that includes our governments. Corruption is thriving and the big corporations rule, all in the name of vested interests and big bucks.
More than ever it is paramount to keep informed (everything is documented on the net, YouTube and MySpace) and act. Read the bulletins, watch the videos, sign the petitions and get involved. Don't just say "I can't watch these videos, they make me sick". If you wear fur and leather and eat meat and dairy, then at least have the guts to see what it's doing to the world and make your own decisions. You can start making a difference by boycotting all products which involve exploitation and cruelty (see links below). And if you can't help being a flesh eater, then try to cut down on meat to save lives and improve your health, and always buy organic. Look at healthier alternatives like soya products. It's easier than you think and we all have a duty to do it, if only to save our world. There's no excuse for ignorance and apathy anymore.
Here are links to the most informative and significant MySpace profiles that everyone with a conscience should visit and add ...
WWF
VIVA!
Do Something Fuckers
Friends of the Earth
Freedom For Animals
Boycott McDonalds
GREENPEACE
PETA
Animal Rights
Nili and Animals
DAIRY
Shut Animal Laboratories
VEGAN
V&V Foundation
JENA
Animal Cruelty In China
Save The Dolphins
Action For Animals
LIBERATE
Voice of the Voiceless
Vegan Society