In Memory of Pete

I first met Pete when he was a member this small band from Park Ridge, IL called The Dorks back in 2001. I was asked by a co-worker/friend Chris if I wanted to come and photograph the band. I jumped at the opportunity since I loved music and had never really photographed many bands...I showed up at their practice spot which happened to be in his folks backyard in the "Shed". to photograph. I was kinda shy at the time when I first met the rest of the band, it was a bit awkward since Andy and Brendan seemed to be shy as well. Pete on the other hand was just this care free guy I think he probably showed up late of someone had to go pick him up. I made lots photographs that day one of which ended up on the cover of the album which I thought was really cool I had never had a album cover image before. I have more photos which I will post once I got though them all.....

I would continue to photograph and hangout with the band though out years at shows. This image was from the Last Dorks show at the legendary Fireside Bowl in Chicago 2002 which hosted numerous underground local shows though the years. I was really looking forward to photographing this show, Brendan the other guitar player who had quit If I remember correctly earlier in 2002 or late 2001, who had become a really good friend of mine was going to play one last time. Before the show if I'm remembering correctly I was talking to Pete for a bit and he mentioned that he had just gotten this brand new Epiphone hollowbody bass guitar. He went over to grab the case to show it to me. Even though I wasn't a musician and couldn't play a lick I loved instruments and was kinda of a gear head so I was happy for him to show it to me. I was like "WOW" that thing is going to sound great though the Traynor amp that he had. He was really excited about playing the guitar for the first time out live. Sure enough that hollowbody bass sounded amazing during the show, warm and big sounding! I find out that bass guitar ends up being stolen a weeks later at another show so this image along with a few other images from the show, are probably the only ones that show him playing it...

This one here is one of my favorites. It embodies what Pete was on stage, a Rocker, Cool, he had that Punk rock attitude on stage. Off stage he was a warm care free person, who lived that Rock n Roll lifestyle, lived life on the edge, a goof ball, a good person who had many friends. Pete would be a parties over at Brendan's place and would always chat with him usually about music and whatever else was going on. One time a few years back I had just gotten the Beatles in MONO box set for Christmas. I posted a message on facebook about just getting the Beatles in MONO that I was lovin' and needed to listen more. Pete sends me a e-mail about MONO recordings and how the mixes were butchered when they remixed them for stereo. He recommended me another MONO recording, The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society as another MONO album to check out since the MONO got butchered when remixed for stereo.

Even though I didn't know him as well as Brendan, Chris, and others I heard many crazy stories about Pete. Whether it was getting arrested for spray painting the Real World house or being on the road with the Dorks being all drunk fighting with Chris and putting him though a wall... There was one time it was the first show after Brendan quit the band, the Dorks were playing at this place called the Prodigal Sun in Chicago, and I came to shoot some video and pictures. At the time I was trying to do more portraits and ran into this drunk Punk Rocker girl after the show. I asked to make her photograph which I did. A few minutes later there is Pete making out with the same girl I just photographed! After they were done, I go to Pete I just made her photograph, and he goes something like I just met this girl tonight...I was like damn! The photograph of her is probably one of my fav portraits. I remember he always had probably one the warmest handshakes which suited the type of person he was. I believe the last time I saw Pete was sometime last year 2010 he was playing bass for another band and Brendan and I were going to check them out. He had broken his leg after being hit by a car while riding his bike. Talking to him before the show I hadn't seem him a in long time and we were talking about old times and catching up. When talking about how he broke his leg he just let it roll of his back really like it wasn't a big deal. His leg in a brace underneath his pants he got up on stage and rocked it! Pete tragically lost his life a week ago today. Rest in Peace my friend keep on rockin' you will be remembered in peoples hearts and photographs...