Backstage: behind the lens
By Mark Roach,
Idealog presents Mark Roach’s photographs inside the Kiwi music industry
Mark Roach has been snapping the bands he’s worked with or known for several years, building up a substantial archive of photographs taken backstage or sidestage at hundreds of gigs.
“I’m a behind-the-scenes person,” says Roach, who has worked as a manager, tour designer and label owner. “As much as I was taking photos of these incredible bands, I was also trying to document and capture a lot of the day-to-day stuff that audiences rarely experience.”
His involvement with our local musicians allows Roach to snap bands from privileged positions (such as this shot of The Datsuns, left) and give a uniquely different point of view to the standard rock shots.
Goldenhorse, Whakatane, January 2005
“This was taken during the always-busy summer tour season. I was heading west with Dave Dobbyn, Lucid 3 and Brooke Fraser, while Goldenhorse, Goodshirt and Pluto were travelling in the opposite direction—bands that pass in the night. Our tours intersected here in Whakatane.”
The Datsuns, Auckland, October 2003
“I don’t think it’s possible to get a bad shot of a band that is this frenetic on stage. I’d love to say it’s all my about my skill as a snapper but really, point the camera in the right direction and The Datsuns will always give you the money shot.”
Pluto, Whakatane, January 2005
“The great thing about the smaller indoor stages like this one at the Whakatane Hotel is that the smoke being pumped on stage hangs around a lot longer, creating a more ambient scene. Pluto was backed with a screen which light bounced off and created this juxtaposition of colours.”
Stellar, Auckland, February 2000
“I don’t generally shoot front-of-house shots but this scenario was too good an opportunity to pass up. Guitarist Chris Van de Geer is silhouetted at left against the ten-metre-high projection of his band mates.”
Stellar, Hamilton, March 2001
“A truck-trailer served as the band’s backstage. Boh Runga was pretty pleased with her new gold lamé top, but unfortunately the simple knots holding it together didn’t work so well and the ensemble threatened to turn into what’s now known as a ‘wardrobe malfunction’—in front of 10,000 people. Stage tech Justin McLaren rescued Boh with a deft bit of handiwork and a length of every roadie’s most essential item—gaffer tape.”
Che Fu & The Krates, Paihia, December 2002
“Che and his band put a lot into their stage show, not least the natty matching attire they’re wearing here. They played at dusk on a clear evening which gave me a rapid succession of backdrop colours as the sun set.”
Dave Dobbyn, Auckland, February 2001
“Dave had recently acquired a scooter he called ‘Jester’ which he’d parked in the wings of the theatre after soundcheck had finished. I can’t remember whose idea it was to ride Jester on stage, but that’s exactly what Dave did, much to the crowd’s amusement. The scooter remained on stage for the duration of the gig.”
The D4, Auckland, August 2002
“A full house of sweaty punters surges towards the band. This was one of the trickiest gigs to shoot simply because it was so packed and the stage was so small. I had to wedge myself in between crowd and monitors—not easy when you’re six-foot-four, but it was handy for guitarist Dion Palmer who mountaineered his way over my shoulders to get to the top of the PA stack!”
Deja Voodoo, Hamilton, March 2002
“This is the infamous ‘10 Guitars Of Death’. Tim Finn (out of shot) strummed his way through Englebert’s classic while members of Deja Voodoo and Betchadupa coated ten acoustic guitars with lighter fluid and set them alight. One by one, each flaming guitar was smashed over the head of the World’s Greatest Stuntman™, Randy Campbell. The last shot shows Randy (who spent most of this tour pumped full of painkillers) with the guitar remnants.”
The Kiwi music wiki
These are just a few of Mark Roach’s photographs. We’ve put dozens more online—and we’re asking New Zealand music fans to share their stories and knowledge. We need your help! We’ve set up a wiki which anyone can contribute to (and edit) and, if all goes well, we’re planning to publish a book with the results. It’s our—and your—contribution to New Zealand Music Month –Ed.
Comments
Mark Roach
Was in contact with Mark Roach (in New Zealand) a while back in connection with One World Beat. I am Mark Roach (in England) and would be interested in getting back in touch with Mark. My email address is markroachonline@yahoo.co.uk
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