As I found myself amidst the chaos of punk fervor, I was whisked backstage by none other than Pela Scb, lead singer of Marky Ramone‘s Blitzkrieg as D.I. finished their set with their timeless anthem “Amoeba.”
Shortly after I was beckoned upstairs for some impromptu photographs of the artist and his band we were all there to see, Marky Ramone. Upstairs in the green room before the show, I unleashed memories of punk royalty to the legend of drum beats and master himself in the form of a torn-out full-page from the proof copy of my upcoming book “Subject: PUNK,” and presented this photograph I captured of Marky and Joey Ramone onstage in June 1995 for his signature, which he graciously signed and personalized “to Maggie.”
Embracing the DIY spirit that characterized the punk rock scene, I gathered Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg together for some photographs, no fancy lights, nor props, just my camera and I as I aimed to capture the essence of this legendary figure during one of the final stops on his US tour.
The crowd was ready and you could hear “Hey Ho! Let’s Go!” chants echoing from the audience eagerly waiting to see the band live.
As the anticipation mounted, I joined for a moment on the side of the stage, to capture some photographs as the band kicked into “Do You Wanna Dance.” Immediately identifiable by the drum beats at the beginning of the song. Every beat, and every chord stirred my soul. Fueled by the atmosphere, I ventured into the photo pit and then the heart of the crowd with my people, abandoning the confines of the VIP area to immerse myself as one with the energy. The flavor was there, the camaraderie, the sweat, and the lyrics sung by those in attendance. Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg sounded and looked as beautiful as ever.
From the adrenaline-thrilled frenzy of “Havana Affair” to the pulse of “Lobotomy,” the Ramones classics were alive through the packed venue, eliciting an ecstatic response from the devoted fans. True to the Ramones iconic style, sound, and form, the band kept the audience on their toes, and delivered a relentless collection of punk anthems that ignited the club with unmistakable energy. Hit after hit, with no breaks in between.
The spirit of the Ramones united fans in a celebration of classic punk rock energy through an unforgettable evening. Catch Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg as they tour the world, next stop, Spain. “Hit it, Marky!”
Article and Photographs by Maggie St.Thomas
You must be logged in to post a comment.