Dancing in the Pale Moonlight: The Photography of Sandy Carson
Leatherface, Doom, Snuff, Hellkrusher, Sedition and more!
It is perhaps unfair the extent to which the early '90s lives in the shadow of the 1980s punk scene. There are many reasons for this, and although we would never argue that the quality of the early '90s matches that of the '80s, there is an allure to the early '90s that gets overshadowed. Perhaps it's because it was some of the last gasps of culture prior to the need for round-the-clock documentation and instant gratification.
For those who do champion the era, particularly bands from the U.K., Leatherface, Snuff, Doom, Sedition, and Hellkrusher represent some of the finest of the period. Their records hold up well, and there's a comfort in the sentimental attachment they bring. Leatherface, in particular, conjure feelings of connecting a certain emotional longing to their songs.
Photos from the time can elicit a similar response. One of the many faces in the crowd armed with a camera was Sandy Carson, a young Scottish fan with a penchant for DIY gigs and BMX bikes. Sandy managed to capture some great live shots: up front, sweaty, and intimate moments in crowded show spaces. The bands he captured on film perfectly encapsulate the enthusiasm of the time and demonstrate a raw charm.
A short time after these were taken, Sandy moved to the US to pursue BMX, where he blossomed into one of the best street riders of the time. Riding for some of the premier companies in the late '90s and into the 2000s, including the likes of Standard Byke Co., King Bike Co., Primo BMX, Little Devil, Etnies, and more, he appeared in many videos such as Road fools 1 and 2, Little Devil's Seek & Destroy, Etnies' Forward, and Standard's Domination.
On a personal note, Sandy's part in Standard's Domination had a massive impact on me as a teenager. I remember buying it at the cult skate shop Eastern Boarder and endlessly hitting rewind on his part. With a soundtrack that featured Sandy riding to The Police's "Message In A Bottle," the video was loaded with guys who were heroes to a teenager like myself, such as Keith Terra, Punjab, Jerry Bagley, Robbie Morales, and Standard's owner Rick Moliterno.
Today Sandy remains active in BMX, while also working extensively in art and photography. To date he has published five(!) books, hosts exhibits, and runs an indie film production house called Family Band, among other ventures.
Sandy has allowed us to share some of his early punk photos here, and we could not be happier. In chronological order, here they are…
Leatherface and Snuff at King Tuts in Glasgow, Scotland — May 1990
A very young looking Dickie Hammond
Photos of Leatherface: Frankie Stubbs (1), Frankie Stubbs (2), Dickie Hammond, Dickie Hammond, and bassist Rob Bewick live 1990.
Snuff bassist Andy Crighton and drummer Duncan Redmonds
Snuff crowd shot
Sedition, Hellbastard, Doom, and Anarcrust at Clyde Cavern in Glasgow, Scotland — May 1990
Anarcrust from Holland raging out
John Doom and Pete Nash — always fashionable
Scotty from Hellkrusher
Sedition blasting their brand of 'Kiltcore' and looking every bit as their records sound — brilliant
Fudge Tunnel at the Camden Falcon and Shepherd's Bush Opera in London — 1990
Fudge Tunnel
Leatherface in East London — July 1990
Frankie Stubbs already with the impassioned look he became known for
Leatherface bassist Rob Bewick, who played on the "Cherry Knowle" album and "Smokey Joe" 12" wearing a great Sofa Head shirt.
Check out Sandy's website for more of his work, purchasing his books, and much more at: SandyCarson.com.
Sandy is also on Instagram.
He plays in a current band called Skloss, and is "a heavy psyche, noisey post rock duo based in Austin Texas." This is excellent, and they have a 7" out now, which you can order through their bandcamp site at: Skloss bandcamp
Also a video of Sandy's band Glue, which was a melodic hardcore band, is available to be viewed online here: Glue live in 1992
Sandy's ticket stash!
My original copy of Standard's Domination vid. Pic taken by my mom who went and found it in my old bedroom (thanks mom).