Shot in the Dark Cover
David Arnoff will be in Los Angeles this weekend launching his epic photography book, Shot in the Dark: The Collected Photography of David Arnoff.
In his stunning catalogue of the nascent punk scene, Arnoff has captured the essence of a period which spawned many young artists who have become icons – underground characters who have become essential to the development of legions who have followed in the footsteps of these giants. From a baby-faced Nick Cave and The Birthday Party, and fledgling legends, the Cramps, to Los Angeles’ beloved X, and the wonderfully loud and rude of many varieties, this book is a delightful romp through the devil’s playground, with in-your-face concert shots, candid moments with no less than Joan Jett and Blondie, along with brilliant album covers, like the Cramps’ Songs the Lord Taught Us.
Nick Cave in Shot in the Dark
One of the best rock photographers of his generation, David Arnoff has been described by Lydia Lunch as a “A renegade misfit from the Rust Belt shooting outcasts who congregate from one ghetto to the next in search of other miscreants to make mischief with.”
This strictly limited edition of 1500 hardcover (faux-leather bound and embossed hardcover) collects for the first time over 150 of Arnoff’s raw black-and-white photographs and vividly captures the dirt, sweat, altered states and “ungodly sounds” of some of rock’s most potent players. Shot in the Dark collects the cream of the crop, both classic & previously unpublished. It is 186 heavyweight pages of in-your-face concert shots & intimate portraits all in one big volume. Volume – as in LOUD.
This deluxe package is supplemented by personal insights and eye-witness accounts from many of the prime suspects including Motorhead, Nick Cave, X, Jayne/Wayne County, Walter Lure, & the Dead Boys, plus a new conversation between Arnoff and Lydia Lunch.
The weekend begins with a launch and photography exhibit at Lethal Amounts in Downtown Los Angeles on Friday, March 4, at 8pm, followed by a slide show presentation and interview with Pat Thomas at Book Soup in West Hollywood, on Saturday, March 5, from 4 to 6pm.
David’s Los Angeles tour will culminate at La Luz de Jesus Gallery with a launch party and reading, signing by the author, and record party featuring rare vinyl spun by DJ Lee, with a full DJ setup, comprising of late ’70s and early ’80s punk 45s, many by artists in the book, on Sunday, March 6, from 4pm to 7pm.
