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Ross Halfin bashes PJ's Crew (once again)

PidelloPidello Posts: 35
edited September 2009 in The Porch
from his current diary:
September 21

Simon Price in the Independent has had a go at James Hetfield about telling the crowd at the 02 to stop taking photos and filming the band on their phones. I had a conversation with James before he went on, talking about how the vibe of the show with the "Kids" was ruined by everybody holding up phones and doing just that. Which is why he said something - it has nothing to do with the band being paranoid about the internet.

At the David Gilmore show at the Olympia in Paris the whole front section of the crowd was French wankers holding up phones filming, who I argued with while trying to shoot from the stalls after David's Nazi-style PR company gave me a whole two songs to shoot from the crowd. Still, the worst of the lot has to be Pearl Jam who seem to want to be seen as the "People's band", yet employ the biggest bunch of cunts on earth to work for them. At least U2 and The Stones have people who do it in a nicer way. So, James Hetfield, I'm with you - 'put your fucking phones down!'

http://www.rosshalfin.co.uk/diary/september-2008/diary-september-2008.php

similar words here:
http://www.rosshalfin.co.uk/pearl-jam/pearl-jam01.php

enjoy! :)
"...I don´t believe in Beatles!" John Lennon
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • tvismyfriendtvismyfriend Posts: 2,118
    Isn't it the venues people that usually enforces the no camera policy?
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    tvismyfriend wrote:
    Isn't it the venues people that usually enforces the no camera policy?

    :confused:

    Halfin is a professional photographer... every venue normally has a press pit for these guys.

    i actually cant work out what your post means.
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,345
    i've never heard of this guy, but let's not get him the attention he is clearly seeking from the pearl jam community.
    www.cluthelee.com
  • tvismyfriendtvismyfriend Posts: 2,118
    dunkman wrote:
    :confused:

    Halfin is a professional photographer... every venue normally has a press pit for these guys.

    i actually cant work out what your post means.
    Well the Metallica part was about using camera phones during a concert. I just assumed the rant about Pearl Jam was that the security at their shows were being douches to people with camera phones.
  • chimechime Posts: 7,839
    2-feign-reluctance wrote:
    i've never heard of this guy, but let's not get him the attention he is clearly seeking from the pearl jam community.

    Honestly I don't think he cares what the Pearl Jam community think of him. He's a well known and long serving photographer. I read his diary regularly for amusement. He speaks that way about the PR etc of bands he's friends with as well. Will say if he hates their new music or if a show he was shooting wasn't good ... will be interesting to hear what he has to say about Cornell's latest stuff as he's friends with him.

    Grohl has said it was Halfin that managed to get Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones to play at Wembley with the Foos as he's friends with all those guys.

    ... and to tvismyfriend Pearl Jam have a couple of members of their own staff/security in front of the stage as well as the venue security usually
    So are we strangers now? Like rock and roll and the radio?
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    tvismyfriend wrote:
    Well the Metallica part was about using camera phones during a concert. I just assumed the rant about Pearl Jam was that the security at their shows were being douches to people with camera phones.

    why did you assume that? :confused:

    from the link the guy gave.
    "... Still, the worst of the lot has to be Pearl Jam who seem to want to be seen as the "People's band", yet employ the biggest bunch of cunts on earth to work for them

    he means the staff who work for them are cunts... as he quite clearly stated... not fans with cameras.
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • tvismyfriendtvismyfriend Posts: 2,118
    dunkman wrote:
    why did you assume that? :confused:

    from the link the guy gave.
    "... Still, the worst of the lot has to be Pearl Jam who seem to want to be seen as the "People's band", yet employ the biggest bunch of cunts on earth to work for them

    he means the staff who work for them are cunts... as he quite clearly stated... not fans with cameras.
    I didn't say that he said that the fans were douches :confused:
  • NMyTreeNMyTree Posts: 2,374
    I beleive it is the venue's security who enforce those policies. But maybe it's different in some venues or maybe different at international venues.

    All I know I've never had a problem with Pear Jam's "cunts " at any of their concerts.

    No one ever bothered me about anything.

    But then again, I wasn't doing anything that could draw attention to me.

    I will say this, this whole holding up your cell phone and filming is so gay. Not the people who do it for a minute or two. The people who spend the whole concert with their stupid cell phone up in the air.

    So annoying. It's bad enough if there are people taller than you in front of you; but to have a whole mess of them holding up their arms and holding cell phones makes it more irritating. It's like trying to see the band through a field of erratic, waving corn husks.

    For god's sake, shove your cell phones up your ass and just enjoy the fuckin' moment, lol:D Stop blocking my view with your drunken, herky-jerky arms and cell phones.
  • U R A Crazy BreedU R A Crazy Breed Posts: 8,370
    Chime wrote:
    ... and to tvismyfriend Pearl Jam have a couple of members of their own staff/security in front of the stage as well as the venue security usually


    when i was front row at Mansfield this past tour i got to meet their body guard-head of security (big bald guy) and he was cool as shit so i doubt he is talking about him.
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    tvismyfriend wrote:
    I didn't say that he said that the fans were douches :confused:

    yeah its get confusing... basically thinks PJ's staff are not nice people.. if you read both of the OP's links that will be quite clear.
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    Crazy Breed wrote:
    when i was front row at Mansfield this past tour i got to meet their body guard-head of security (big bald guy) and he was cool as shit so i doubt he is talking about him.

    ROSS HALFIN is not talking about PJ's security team. he just isnt.

    "...while trying to shoot from the stalls after David's Nazi-style PR company gave me a whole two songs to shoot from the crowd. Still, the worst of the lot has to be Pearl Jam who seem to want to be seen as the "People's band", yet employ the biggest bunch of cunts on earth to work for them."

    so first of all he talks about David Gilmours Nazistyle PR company, then he goes onto mention PJ... he means their people! PJ's PR folk are awful to work with.... not the security!


    :rolleyes:


    in the other link

    "...Shot in the band's rehearsal studio. The idiot from the record company said in all seriousness "Hey! You've got five minutes!" He thought he was doing me a favour. Idiot! Managed to stretch it out for 20 minutes. Apparently I'm now banned from shooting them again for this awful crime. Also he hated the fact I called Eddie Edward and Jeff Jeffery. It's a hard old world being in a successful band.

    Can't work out if they like me. They are superficially friendly, especially Eddie. Then again everyone says he's the problem. The people that work for them are very hard work....but maybe that's Eddie, who knows?
    April 24, 2006.."

    again he talks about how PJ's people are hard work.
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 42,484
    who is this guy?

    seems to me like he thinks he entitled to access, and by nature aren't PR people "HARD WORK"?
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • MohabMohab Posts: 310
    pjs business side can be ugly, same with a lot of great bands.
  • chimechime Posts: 7,839
    Found this in the diary for the 2006 shoot:

    We set up in Hyde Park... the band look as happy as a child going to the dentist... After about ten minutes I think fuck it, thats enough. I take Edward aside... 'For the people's band, you have more rules than the army'... he thinks for a moment 'What do you want to do ? '... I finish with Edward happily posing in his Who t-shirt... the PR and entourage not looking very pleased. As I leave the sun is shining...
    So are we strangers now? Like rock and roll and the radio?
  • gozzo5058gozzo5058 Posts: 611
    "biggest bunch of cunts"...wow!
    s

    Montreal/98, Toronto/00'03'05'06x2, Brad Toronto/02, Buffalo/03, Kitchener/05, London/05, Hamilton/05, Late Show Taping/06, Cleveland/06, Pittsburgh/06, Bridge School Benefit Concert/06, Hartford/08, Mansfield 1/08, EV Montreal/08x2, EV Toronto/08x2...
  • Gonzo1977Gonzo1977 Posts: 1,696
    Ohh
    Poor Sad Photo Guy.

    Someone hurt the Poor Sad Photo Guys feelings.

    What nerve Pearl Jam and the "Cunts" that work for them must have...not being 100% jolly English and in good moods all the time.

    Everybody should be happy to get their pictures taken.

    Photo Shoots are Such Jolly Fun.

    Poor Sad Photo Guy

    Somone get him a tissue.
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 42,484
    yes tissue and some tea
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • SoonForgotten2SoonForgotten2 Posts: 2,245
    From what I understand Halfin hates pretty much everyone. I know a PR guy here in London who has dealth with him a fair share and I've not heard a decent thing about the guy. I'd probably be more alarmed if Halfin did have something good to say about the band or its crew.
    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmgphotos/sets/72157600802942672/">My Pearl Jam Photos</a>

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmgphotos/4731512142/&quot; title="PJ Banner2 by Mister J Photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1135/4731512142_258f2d6ab4_b.jpg&quot; width="630" height="112" alt="PJ Banner2" /></a>
  • 100 Pacer100 Pacer Toronto, ON Posts: 9,079
    Crazy Breed wrote:
    when i was front row at Mansfield this past tour i got to meet their body guard-head of security (big bald guy) and he was cool as shit so i doubt he is talking about him.

    sounds like you met Jake, if the "big bald guy" you're describing is a white guy - he's actually in charge of venue security for PJ and not their head of security. the reason i stress his exact position is because, from my experience, EVERY single member of PJ's personal security detail (Pete, Jessie, Bailey, JT) is the NICEST, most generous and courteous person a fan can ask to interact with, no doubt why the band chooses to keep them so close. Jake, on the other hand, is just a *tad* too ego-driven, again from my experience dealing with him,...
    To quote the 10C from Newsletter #8: "Please understand we have a lot of members and it is very hard to please everybody. If you are one of those unhappy people...please call 1-900-IDN-TCAR."

    "Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."

    1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore - 2025: Hollywood X2, Atlanta 2, Nashville X2, Pittsburgh X2
  • ChrissybChrissyb Posts: 122
    maybe I'm just cold but it sounds like this Halfin guy is a baby..

    "wwwwaaaaaa, I can't get a picture, so everyones a cunt"
    **find what you love, love what you find**
  • mjbmjb Posts: 1,315
    100 Pacer wrote:
    sounds like you met Jake, if the "big bald guy" you're describing is a white guy - he's actually in charge of venue security for PJ and not their head of security. the reason i stress his exact position is because, from my experience, EVERY single member of PJ's personal security detail (Pete, Jessie, Bailey, JT) is the NICEST, most generous and courteous person a fan can ask to interact with, no doubt why the band chooses to keep them so close. Jake, on the other hand, is just a *tad* too ego-driven, again from my experience dealing with him,...

    Was it Jake at the eV Toronto shows standing at the front of the house, arms folded scowling at the crowd during the encores? That dude was intense.
  • KatKat Posts: 4,931
    Pidello wrote:
    from his current diary:
    September 21

    Simon Price in the Independent has had a go at James Hetfield about telling the crowd at the 02 to stop taking photos and filming the band on their phones. I had a conversation with James before he went on, talking about how the vibe of the show with the "Kids" was ruined by everybody holding up phones and doing just that. Which is why he said something - it has nothing to do with the band being paranoid about the internet.

    At the David Gilmore show at the Olympia in Paris the whole front section of the crowd was French wankers holding up phones filming, who I argued with while trying to shoot from the stalls after David's Nazi-style PR company gave me a whole two songs to shoot from the crowd. Still, the worst of the lot has to be Pearl Jam who seem to want to be seen as the "People's band", yet employ the biggest bunch of cunts on earth to work for them. At least U2 and The Stones have people who do it in a nicer way. So, James Hetfield, I'm with you - 'put your fucking phones down!'

    I hope I don't get into trouble for saying something but when I read these comments, all I heard was Wahhhhhhh. :P

    I know these women and they are anything but that misogynistic word he used. They are good people doing a difficult job.

    So many people want so much...and everyone gives what they can give and that's all there is to give. It's just in their natures and people see it everywhere in what they do.

    I guess that's all for now...

    Love,
    Kat
    Falling down,...not staying down
  • 100 Pacer100 Pacer Toronto, ON Posts: 9,079
    mjb wrote:
    Was it Jake at the eV Toronto shows standing at the front of the house, arms folded scowling at the crowd during the encores? That dude was intense.

    it was Jessie, without any doubt the BEST security member you could ever deal with. he always looks intense when he's "on" but he couldn't be any more laid-back, relaxed, and respectful toward all PJ fans and people in general,...
    To quote the 10C from Newsletter #8: "Please understand we have a lot of members and it is very hard to please everybody. If you are one of those unhappy people...please call 1-900-IDN-TCAR."

    "Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."

    1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore - 2025: Hollywood X2, Atlanta 2, Nashville X2, Pittsburgh X2
  • 100 Pacer100 Pacer Toronto, ON Posts: 9,079
    Kat wrote:
    I hope I don't get into trouble for saying something but when I read these comments, all I heard was Wahhhhhhh. :P

    I know these women and they are anything but that misogynistic word he used. They are good people doing a difficult job.

    So many people want so much...and everyone gives what they can give and that's all there is to give. It's just in their natures and people see it everywhere in what they do.

    I guess that's all for now...

    Love,
    Kat

    i think you should forward his comment to NV for her consideration,...perhaps in the future, Mr. Halfin should be passed over for a press/photog pass ;)
    To quote the 10C from Newsletter #8: "Please understand we have a lot of members and it is very hard to please everybody. If you are one of those unhappy people...please call 1-900-IDN-TCAR."

    "Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."

    1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore - 2025: Hollywood X2, Atlanta 2, Nashville X2, Pittsburgh X2
  • PJPixiePJPixie Posts: 3,026
    Kat wrote:
    I hope I don't get into trouble for saying something but when I read these comments, all I heard was Wahhhhhhh. :P

    I know these women and they are anything but that misogynistic word he used. They are good people doing a difficult job.

    So many people want so much...and everyone gives what they can give and that's all there is to give. It's just in their natures and people see it everywhere in what they do.

    I guess that's all for now...

    Love,
    Kat

    Agreed 100% Kat.

    I've met some of PJ's security guys. Jake and JT are 2 of the nicest guys around. I've NEVER EVER had a bad experience at ANY show. Maybe it's being a FAN that makes the difference.
    The best use of Life is Love.
    The best expression of Love is Time.
    The best time to Love is Now.


    I'm never as good as when you're there.........
  • dcarelli23@verizon.netdcarelli23@verizon.net Posts: 10
    2-feign-reluctance wrote:
    i've never heard of this guy, but let's not get him the attention he is clearly seeking from the pearl jam community.

    He is only probably the highest regarded photographer in Rock N roll. Heaven for bid he doesn't LOVE every member of PJ's crew. How dare him. He didn't say anything about the band, and I have a pretty good hunch who he is talking about. And I agree with him.........
  • KatKat Posts: 4,931
    Dank wrote:
    He is only probably the highest regarded photographer in Rock N roll. Heaven for bid he doesn't LOVE every member of PJ's crew. How dare him. He didn't say anything about the band, and I have a pretty good hunch who he is talking about. And I agree with him.........

    You are saying this mysterious someone is a cunt. Is that what you mean to say?
    Falling down,...not staying down
  • dcarelli23@verizon.netdcarelli23@verizon.net Posts: 10
    Kat wrote:
    You are saying this mysterious someone is a cunt. Is that what you mean to say?


    Don't put words in my mouth then use your communist powers to ban/silence me. Thanks.
  • Piper At The GatesPiper At The Gates Posts: 460
    Maybe he should have a little respect and spell David Gilmour's name right.
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    The Pearl Jam policy regarding professional photographers with passes... as I understand it... is they get to shoot as many photos as they want for the first 3 songs. At the conclusion of the 3rd song... they must vacate the photographer's pit immediately.
    This is done to let the fans in the front row have a clear, unobstructed, uninterrupted and view of the show with a minimum of distraction... while at the same time, letting the photographers with press passes get their shots for their papers, blogs, etc... A Pro with professional equipment can fire off a ton of photos during 3 songs.
    ...
    Now... photographers tend to bring a lot of shit to the gigs and have to gather it all up and clear it from the pit. I am certain that Pearl Jam's security tries to make them get their asses in gear and probably have to get a bit forceful at times with some of them. I mean, if you're in the photographer's pit... wouldn't you want to try to stay there as long as you can? Take my time packing my camera... messing with my camera bag... look for my jacket... putting on my jacket... then, the Pearl Jam guys come up and say, "Get out... NOW!" Therefore, THEY are the cunts... not me... taking my sweet time... mulling in the pit... being a distraction to the paying customers... not folowing the agreed upon rules.
    ...
    Moral: Assholiness is in the brown eye of the asshole. If you don't want people to treat you like shit... don't be an asshole.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
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