STORIES BEHIND THE LENS

Many times I have shared stories with friends about my shoots and the bands I have worked with. I enjoy telling stories and on sharing them, people have often told me I should write a book or something. I have so so many fun, crazy and some annoying stories so I figure the best place to start is with pictures in my Portfolio. Here's my fave pics to date and memories behind them..                                                                              
(all images are copyright Marie GC)

 Machine Head, Belgium - June 2007

My first ever pro band photo shoot, in Belgium, they were on tour with Lamb of God. I had just got tattooed and Phil went to hit me on it. Dave and I cracked a beer and had a cool chat. We have been friends ever since. I wonder if they knew how nervous I was taking that picture. I laugh now.

Korn, Download Festival 2007

Taken at Download 2007. After shooting in the pit I went and danced side stage with Ill Nino and Civillian. I tried to sneak a picture of Joey Jordison on drums but got told off by security. One of the best festival performances that year. The set almost got cut as people were trying to pull down the 2nd stage tent to get in.

 Slash, Velvet Revolver - March 2008

The coolest thing about this picture is that the UK smoking ban had been enforced and I never thought I’d get the "Classic Slash" pic... they came out on stage and he smoked for the 1st song. I couldn't stop grinning. I didn’t get many pictures of the rest of the band; I just stood in front of Slash. A week later Scott left the band and I was relieved to have photographed as it would be a long while before Slash returned to the UK.

Exodus, April 2008

One of the best bands I’ve worked with on promos. Rob had an amazing amount of poses and faces which made my job so much easier. They were so chatty too. This was on the tour with Evile who I had just finished a shoot with. Evile stood just out of shot and were trying to make the Exodus guys laugh.

Godsized, Croydon - Oct 2008

This promo was after the video shoot to 'Walking Away' we had heard the song 100 billion times. It was cold and we were in the basement of an old meat market or something. They said to me 'you can't polish a turd'.. I think I did. :)

Alter Bridge, Brixton Academy - Nov 2008

The best live show I have ever seen....and I’ve seen many! I've spoken to Myles sporadically before this as he remembered me from the last London show. It was nice he spotted me and smiled after the first song.

Mikael Akerfeldt, Opeth - Dec 2008

The dressing rooms at Shepherds Bush Empire were rather nice. First time I met Mikael. A very quiet nice man...what did I know then ;)

 Dani Filth, Cradle of Filth - Dec 2008

Dani was really sweet. He met me and Megabeth in the venue and carried my lighting case to the tour bus. We had a cool chat while setting up, he signed some stuff for Ed Stone and we did the shoot, very professional.

 Slipknot, Hammersmith Apollo - Dec 2008

I was at this show with Machine Head. Quite a good venue to shoot at as the stage is low and wide. There was a running theme with all the band guys that it would be tie night, anyone else who didn't know this would wonder what was going on with the stage attire.

Phil Demmel, Machine Head - Dec 2008

Phil with his new custom Demmelition guitar. Ram's horns at the 12th fret. I wanted to ask him why guitarists put hair bands over their fingers like that when they play...hmm maybe next time.

Slipknot, Antwerp Belgium - Dec 2009

In Belgium, on the All Hope is Gone Tour. Machine Head had gone home due to sickness and cancelled the show. The venue was half empty. I was seriously hung over from going to the only rock bar in Antwerp the night before with Glen, some girlfriends and Mud - Dave's drum tech.

 King Lizard, Hellfire Festival - Feb 2009

King Lizard shook that Guava Rockstar Drink all over my photo set and got it on my white soft box. It took me and my assistant over half hour to clean it all up. I still love this picture tho. Rockstar use it in promos. It was worth it.

 Simone Simmons, Epica - Hellfest France 2009

Simone is so fun. I sat in the dressing room with her having a chat while she painted her nails and did makeup. We did a quick shoot before stage and she realised she forgot her wireless pack for her in ear monitors and I had to run back to the dressing room.

 Shinedown, London - June 2009 

This day I interviewed Barry at the Electric Ballroom. I arrived to the venue trying to find how to get in and along walks all the guys from the band trying to get in too! It was a fun day. This picture of Brent is one of my all time fave live shots.

 Dirty DC, AC/DC Tribute Band - July 2009

I spent the day with these guys who were so funny and all didn't like their pictures taken. We talked about steak and beer. I've never seen a band play such a long set and never lose energy or waver in performance.

Mike Portnoy & Mikael Akerfeldt - Oct 2009

Mike told Mikael to hold him up on this shot as he almost fell over on the first one, that's why Mikael is laughing. They were amazing and fun to work with. This shot actually ended up being filmed for the 'Wither' music video by Dream Theater. I had no idea it was being filmed. :)

Chimaira - Oct 2009

Mark is big on band merch and in the other shots I took, he asked if the Chimaira handbags could be in the picture in case people didn't know who they were? This was my favourite shot because of the intense look on Mark's face. BUY MERCH! I’m sure he was thinking.

 Killswitch Engage - Dec 2009

KsE are always fun to photograph. Howard is so smiley and effortless. Adam D pranced around in a pink tutu with spaghetti sauce down his tux t-shirt - I had to edit that out. He also gave my camera a lap dance! Crazy.

 Phil Demmel - Machine Head, Feb 2010

The 2nd time I have taken pics of Phil for Ed Stone. This was at Brixton Academy on their headline tour with Hatebreed. I asked Phil to pose with his Randy Rhoads guitar as I love it.

 Rammstein, Wembley - Feb 2010

I was totally excited to be photographing Rammstein for Terrorizer Magazine. It's one of my aim's to snap a band that uses fire during their show. It was nice and warm at the front! This picture is published in Terrorizer Issue 195. An amazing live performance.

 Trivium, Koko - March 2010

The Koko is such a horrible place to shoot at; you have to push your way through the crowd to get to the pit then climb over the barrier. The crowd were entertaining themselves before Trivium came out by shouting 'Back Scratcher' from Family Guy in the form of a verbal mexican wave. Trivium were good. I got confused when they came out that Kirk Hammett was in the band. Sorry Matt.