Airborne Toxic Event - The Fillmore, San Francisco.

After many scheduling conflicts, the Airborne Toxic Event finally took some time to chat with us at theFIVE10.com last night at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Nice people, great show. And you guessed it... photos!

JC talks with Airborne Toxic Event on theFIVE10.com

JC talks with Airborne Toxic Event on theFIVE10.com

Airborne Toxic Event performs at the Fillmore in San Francisco

Airborne Toxic Event performs at the Fillmore in San Francisco

Airborne Toxic Event performs at the Fillmore in San Francisco

Airborne Toxic Event performs at the Fillmore in San Francisco

All photos by Clay Lancaster (www.claylancaster.com)

Foo Fighters - Oracle Area. Oakland, CA.

Foo Fighters rockin' the Oracle Arena in Oakland. Photo by Clay Lancaster

Click here to view my photos of the Foo Fighters show at Oracle arena on theFIVE10.com!

Marina Plaza Harbor Wedding - Sausalito

Braving traffic last Saturday, I headed to the waterside town of Sausalito, CA to photograph Sean & Laura's wedding the the Marina Plaza Harbor.

This was one of the more quaint weddings I've done (as well as my first time shooting a wedding at a marina) and was a lot of fun. I'd have to say the highlight for me was the groom with his Les Paul, shredding away at the "Wedding March" as his bride walked down the aisle. In true rock n' roll fashion, no solo would be complete without some feedback at the end, followed by the throwing of the guitar pick into the audience.

I was later told that the guitar solo was meant to be even more elaborate, but the bridal party walked too quickly down the aisle so it had to be cut short.

Congratulations to Sean & Laura!

Photos...

Bride and Groom in Sausalito, CA. Photo by Clay Lancaster

Abbey Road Wedding Party. Sausalito, CA. Photo by Clay Lancaster

Bride and Groom in Sausalito, CA. Photo by Clay Lancaster

Smashing Pumpkins - The Fox Theater - Oakland

Last night was a fun shoot for me for a few reasons.

a) I hadn't shot a show in a while
b) I love the Fox Theater. Probably the nicest venue in the San Francisco Bay area
c) the shoot was Smashing Pumpkins
d) I finally had a chance to meet Billy Corgan

Smashing Pumpkins were my first concert ever. My parents weren't keen on me going to shows at a young age, so by the time I finally made it to one, it was January 4th 1997 in Reno, NV. Drummer Jimmy Chamberlain was on hiatus at the time, so the drummer from Filter was filling in. I remember it was super energetic, and LOUD. I was trying to talk to my friends after the show and I couldn't hear my own voice.

In my old band, we used to jam on Pumpkins tunes to warm up, and I practically wore out my copy of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness from so many repeated plays. I also remember getting upset when Disc 2 got a scratch that prevented one of my favorite tracks from playing properly.

Sure, the band isn't quite the same these days. Billy Corgan is the only original member left, and it's really noticeable not having James Iha or Jimmy Chamberlain on stage. The last show I shot was A Perfect Circle a couple of months ago, and Iha is a part of that group now... so at least I saw him this year!

Smashing Pumpkins producer Kerry Brown was a guest of ours on theFIVE10 Radio a while back, and was nice enough to hook us up last night with tickets, photo pass, and after-show passes. Thanks to him, I finally got to knock this band off my list and finally got a chance to meet Billy briefly, who has created some of the best music in rock throughout his career.

Oh, and a drunk Indian woman asked if I had a cigarette for her. When I said no, she started babbling about how no one would give her a cigarette and then called me a racist. Fun times.

Here are some photos!

Smashing Pumpkins perform at the Fox Theater in Oakland. Photo: Clay Lancaster

Smashing Pumpkins perform at the Fox Theater in Oakland. Photo: Clay Lancaster

Smashing Pumpkins perform at the Fox Theater in Oakland. Photo: Clay Lancaster

Smashing Pumpkins perform at the Fox Theater in Oakland. Photo: Clay Lancaster

Smashing Pumpkins perform at the Fox Theater in Oakland. Photo: Clay Lancaster

Billy Corgan and Clay Lancaster backstage.

Boundary Oak Wedding - Walnut Creek

Last weekend I packed my gear and headed with my assistant Isaac to Boundary Oak Golf Course in Walnut Creek, CA. This was the wedding of Chris and Brooke, for whom I had done engagement photos earlier in the year.

The club house wedding was a blast... beautiful weather, awesome sunset, and lots of dancing and wine. What a job I have...

Until I am finished editing, here are a few of my favorite photos from Sunday.

the ceremony site at Boundary Oak. Walnut Creek, CA.

newlyweds at Boundary Oak. Walnut Creek, CA.

We had some down time during dinner, so i stepped outside onto the balcony to see the sunset. I was explaining the process of HDR to my assistant, when I decided to go ahead and try one then and there. Not too bad, eh?

HDR photo of Boundary Oak Golf Course. Walnut Creek. Photo by Clay Lancaster

Goodbye Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Just a quick entry to address the passing of Apple founder Steve Jobs.

Your ingenuity, drive, and innovation has enhanced our world, and the results of your efforts currently allow me to run my business as efficiently as I do.

Thank you for all you've done. I and virtually everyone I know will miss you.

Goodbye Grandpa (1914-2011)

Been in Washington DC for the last couple of days, and currently at the airport awaiting my flight back to San Francisco.

Yesterday we said our official goodbyes to my grandpa: Capt. Norman Lancaster USN. He was born in 1914, grew up on a tobacco farm in North Carolina, used to help his dad bootleg alcohol, got a law degree, joined the Navy, fought in WWII (Pearl Harbor), was one of the original JAG corps, retired from the Navy at the rank of Captain, was married to my grandmother for close to 60 years, and died on April 25th, 2011. at the age of 96. He now rests at Arlington Cemetery, buried with full military honors.

Love you and miss you Grandpa!

Grandpa & me napping

playing in a tent with Grandpa and R2-D2

with Grandpa and Keith (my brother) at their apt. in DC

Grandpa & me at his birthday dinner. Fixing his coat.

Grandpa (center) in his Navy days

Grandpa & Grandma

Service at Arlington National Cemetery. September 14th, 2011.

From The Observer:

Norman Gray Lancaster
Castalia

Norman Gray Lancaster, age 96, retired Captain of the U.S. Navy, died April 25, 2011 at Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, VA as the result of complications from pneumonia.

Captain Lancaster was born in Castalia, NC on October 1, 1914. He graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1938. After graduation and admission to the North Carolina Bar in 1938, he engaged in the general practice of law in Spring Hope, NC until December of 1940.

In August of 1940, Captain Lancaster joined the Navy "V-7" program and attended the Reserve Midshipman School at Northwestern University from December 1940 to March 1941 when he was commissioned an Ensign. Immediately upon being commissioned, he reported aboard the light cruiser USS Phoenix (CL-46) for duty. He remained aboard the Phoenix (which was moored in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked) until June 1943. Captain Lancaster was then assigned duty aboard the light cruiser USS Miami (CL-89) from December 1943 until April 1946. On both ships he served as an unrestricted line officer and was awarded several campaign medals, including the Asiatic-Pacific medal with seven battle stars.

In 1946 Captain Lancaster was transferred from unrestricted line duty and designated a legal specialist by the Secretary of the Navy, limiting his duties to the legal field. In 1967 Congress enacted a law establishing the Judge Advocate General Corps of the Navy, at which time Captain Lancaster became a member of the Corps. He retired from the Navy on June 30, 1975. Among his many and varied duties during 29 years of service in the legal field, Captain Lancaster served as a Senior Legal Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief US Forces Pacific (for which he received the Joint Services Commendation Medal), Fleet and Staff Legal Officer to Commander-in-Chief US Forces Europe (for which he received the Meritorious Service Medal), and chairman of the US Naval Military Court of Review.

Captain Lancaster was also a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner.

His survivors include his son, Norman G. Lancaster, Jr. of Danville, CA, grandsons Clayton Lancaster of Walnut Creek, CA and Keith Lancaster of Reseda, CA, and a step-grandson Christian Pollock of Layton, UT.

Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 9:00 AM at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel on the Fort Myer Army Base in Arlington, Virginia, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Those attending should allow 20 minutes to clear base security. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Shiners' Hospitals for Children.

Published in The News & Observer from June 15 to June 19, 2011