ONTARIO HARDCORE PHOTOGRAPHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Photographers in the Hardcore scene are a fundamental component to the community. They are possibly the most underrated but most deserving of praise. We had the absolute privilege of interviewing five Hardcore photographers who have made an imprint on our community, five who have captured the true passion, emotion and dedication that is Hardcore.
TERA || @SHOT.BY.DEMON
Photo Cred 📸: @shot.by.demon
Documenting shows since 2003, Tera has definitely made their mark in the Hardcore community. Their black and white photography and videography encapsulates the emotion, energy and spirit that is the hardcore scene. Not only are they unbelievably brilliant, they contribute so heavily with their positive energy and we are so fortunate to have them as one of our own.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO FILIMING AND PHOTOGRAPHING LIVE BANDS?
I started taking photos when I was a little kid. I was one of those people who always had a camera on them and when I went to my second show when I was fourteen, I started taking photos and videos. I used to sneak a digital camera in to the shows because a lot of the times big shows did not allow that back then. It was just something I enjoyed doing for memories. Then my friends were in a band and I got to promote them.
I think that’s one of my favourite aspects of doing band photography, I have an unquenchable thirst for new music and being able to share bands so that they can inspire people and have more listeners.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT FILMING THE HARDCORE SCENE?
For me, there’s no other community like the hardcore community. I have never fit in anywhere or have been so welcomed like I have in the hardcore community. Not to mention the community’s energy and passion. A lot of the times people misunderstand it and classify it as scary and violent but we are just dancing and having fun.
If somebody hits you they’re going to catch you or they’re going to hug you or say sorry. You don’t get that in other pits.
WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE ONTARIO BANDS CURRENTLY?
That is a very VERY hard question for me to answer. I have had the privilege of working with a crazy amount of bands all over Southern Ontario. We have some very talented people here, but some of my favourites are: Reality Denied, the nicest human beings and just the sickest beat down, always one of my favourite bands to film. I don’t think I could capture their energy the right way by taking photos; they are just a band that deserves to be filmed.
A few others to mention, Mile End, Rust, Camaro, Street Justice, Cold Shoulder, Loose Teeth, The Slime, Die Alone – I am just missing so many more bands in our amazing community. Not to mention, all of the bands that have come from Quebec and other places that have played that are just truly incredible.
“TERA’S RELENTLESS DEDICATION TO THEIR CRAFT CEMENTS THEM AS A UNIVERSALLY RESPECTED AND UNSTOPPABLE FORCE IN THE ONTARIO ALTERNATIVE MUSIC SCENE. THEIR DETERMINATION PAIRED WITH THEIR INFECTIOUS POSITIVE ATTITUDE SERVES INSPIRATION TO BANDS, ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS ALIKE! RD CHALLENGES ANYONE READING THIS TO FIND SOMEONE WHO’S DOCUMENTED MORE SHOWS IN THE LAST YEAR THAN TERA. GOOD FUCKIN’ LUCK. A PILLAR OF OUR COMMUNITY, AN ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTOR OF ONHC, AND GENUINELY ONE OF THE NICEST PEOPLE YOU WILL MEET. LONG LIVE THE DEMON!”
- MATT AND ANDREW, @REALITYDENIED
JOSH AND KOHLE || @SCUMCOLLECTIVE
Photo Cred 📸: @scumcollective
Josh and Kohle are the duo that make up Scum Collective. This talented pair is such an integral part of the hardcore community. You’ll find them right up front documenting bands as well as the pit. These two have captured insane and raw moments that truly capture the energy and spirit that is hardcore.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHING LIVE BANDS?
We talked about it after going to a few shows and decided we wanted to capture those live moments again starting in June.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF FILMING THE HARDCORE SCENE?
Meeting new friends and new people, seeing the raw energy of hardcore shows, capturing the scene’s excitement, being apart of such a great welcoming community.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ONTARIO BANDS CURRENTLY?
In no particular order; Reality Denied, Gavel, Rust, Mile End, Trauma Model, Die Alone, Spirit of Vengeance, Sicayda, Friction, The Fact, Temper Tantrum, Fight on Sight and so many more.
“ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT JOSH AND KOHLE ARE KIND WORDS. THEY’VE ONLY BEEN GOING TO HARDCORE SHOWS SINCE JULY, NOW THEY ARE AT ALMOST EVERY SHOW. INCREDIBLY FRIENDLY AND HUMBLE DUDES. THEY REFUSE TO BE PAID; THEY’RE REALLY IN IT FOR THE LOVE OF THE CULTURE. ONE TIME WE TRIED SLIPPING THEM MONEY IN THEIR CAMERA BAG, AND WHEN THEY FOUND OUT THEY E-TRANSFERRED IT BACK (WE HAVE AUTO DEPOSIT SET UP SO HAD NO OPTION TO REFUSE IT).”
- JORDON MCGOVERN, @STEELCITYHARDCORE
CARLY BOOMER || @CARLYBOOMER
Photo Cred 📸: @carlyboomer
Carly Boomer, originally from Winnipeg has taken the Ontario photography scene by storm. With her radiant energy and incredible talent it was no surprise that ONHC welcomed her as one of our own almost instantly. Her incredible photos have documented some of the best moments we have witnessed in the scene and we can’t wait to see what else she has in store in the future.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHING LIVE BANDS?
Since I was around 13-14 I would bring point and shoot / disposable cameras pretty much everywhere I went, including shows I would attend with friends. I’ve been passionate about photography, art and music in general for about as long as I can remember, so combining those things came pretty natural to me! Around 2017ish was when I began to take music photography a little bit more seriously and intently when I started shooting friends’ bands.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF FILMING THE HARDCORE SCENE?
Oh man it’s hard to narrow down a favourite part. High-energy shows where everyone is moving around and going nuts are my favourite kinds of shows to photograph in general, and you don’t necessarily always come across that in live performances with other genres. Overall I’d have to say the community is probably the best part; without that there wouldn’t be shows period or any of the genuine energy and excitement to capture. The hardcore community here does have a unique added layer of welcoming, inclusivity and coming together that is hard to find in other communities, which I really appreciate as a generally introverted person haha. I know going into a hardcore show that:
1. I’m going to have a good time
2. The community is likely going to go hard as fuck while the bands are playing
3. I’m going to interact with wonderful and inspiring people throughout the night whether I know them yet or not. The people active in the scene definitely make it what it is.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ONTARIO BANDS CURRENTLY?
Again, that’s tough to narrow down, haha! I guess currently I’d say Mile End, Friction, Die Alone, Temper Tantrum, Judgement and Single Wound!
“SHE SETS THE BAR PRETTY HIGH, SHE DOESN’T MISS. IF WE GET A FOLDER FROM HER AND IT HAS 50 PHOTOS, 50 OF THOSE PHOTOS ARE BANGERS, HAHA IT MAKES IT HARD TO CHOOSE WHAT TO POST, BUT THAT’S A GOOD ISSUE TO HAVE, SO SHOUT OUT CARLY. SHE ALSO HAS A UNIQUE STYLE FROM THE REST OF THE PHOTOGRAPHERS YOU SEE AT SHOWS AND HER STYLE STANDS OUT! THE MILE END CHAT WAS BUZZING WHEN SHE HITS US UP ASKING IF SHE COULD SHOOT OUR SET! SHE’S DOPE AS FUCK!”
- JAKE THOMPSON, @MILEENDBAND
DAVID PRAPH || @DAVIDPRAPH
Photo Cred 📸: @davidpraph
A staple to the hardcore photography family, David Praph has been in the hardcore community for the last decade capturing remarkable moments that are truly unable to be duplicated, not only is he a great friend, he is remarkably brilliant in the work he does, and we are very fortunate to be able to consider him a part of our community.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHING LIVE BANDS?
Photography and hardcore have always have been a passion. I started shooting a handful of shows back in 2013 after meeting a few friends in college that introduced me to the southern Ontario hardcore scene. I’d say the big shift was in 2021. Rust reached out to get a few shots at the Killroom and that night sparked an entirely new love of capturing moments for Ontario Hardcore.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF FILMING THE HARDCORE SCENE?
Honestly - it’s seeing the entire scene uplifting each other. That one friend you met at a show is now on stage yelling mosh calls. Getting an unreal shot of your friends doing what they love is such an insane feeling.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ONTARIO BANDS CURRENTLY?
This is such a loaded question haha. There’s way too many to list off, but a few would be Die Alone, Rust, Fight on Sight, Gavel, SOV, Friction, Camaro, Reality Denied - I know I’m missing so many more..
“PRAPH IS THE HARDEST WORKING PHOTOGRAPHER I’VE EVER MET. LITERALLY STRAIGHT TO EDITING PHOTOS AS SOON AS WE’RE IN OUR VEHICLE LEAVING A SHOW. IF NOT BY THEN, STRAIGHT WHEN WE GET TO THE HOTEL OR WHERE WE’RE STAYING FOR THE NIGHT. NOT ONLY DOES THE GUY TAKE INCREDIBLE PHOTOS, HE HAS AN AMAZING EYE FOR VIDEO AND HAS AN INSANE VOICE AS WELL.
ONE OF THE SWEETEST, FUNNIEST AND MOST HUMBLE GUYS EVER, VERY BLESSED TO KNOW HIM AS WELL AS I DO”
-TOMMY WOOD, @RUSTHXC
MG || @MGMPHOTOCO
Photo Cred 📸: @mgmphotoco
It’s hard to know where to begin when talking about MG. They are a friend, a family member, a photographer and an all over asset to the hardcore community. MG is one of the most recognized photographers in our community, photographing and documenting bands all across the ONHC scene. Capturing the energy and the spirit with the absolute right timing, MG is an unbelievable force to reckon with.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHING LIVE BANDS?
I started band photography when I was 16, there was a little basement venue in Ajax, ON where Punk/ Hardcore/ Metal bands would play. I shot a couple shows with a shitty camera that ended up breaking, but that May I got a rebel T3I or a couple hundred bucks and fell in love with band photography.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF FILMING THE HARDCORE SCENE?
I love the energy and the chaos! It’s so intense and super fun because you have to pay attention to the bands, the viewfinder, and also what’s happening behind you so you don’t get cracked in the head hahaha. I love the danger!
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ONTARIO BANDS CURRENTLY?
My top three are definitely Gavel, Mile End, and Deadly Game. They’re all really different from each other but all are so good in their own way.
“MG WORKS HARDER THAN MOST PEOPLE TWICE THEIR AGE AND THE EFFORT SHOWS IN THEIR WORK. EVEN OUTSIDE OF THE HARDCORE SCENE MG IS ALWAYS AT GIGS ALL OVER THE MUSICAL SPECTRUM. I’M CONVINCED IF MG COULD BE AT MULTIPLE GIGS AT ONCE THEY WOULD BE, BUT WHICHEVER ONE THEIR AT IT’S GUARANTEED MG IS THERE SPREADING THEIR INFECTIOUS SMILE”
-IVAN MONDRAGON, @PANICRESPONSE
Stay updated with ONHC : @ontarioxhardcore
Writer : @bertnay
Editor : @just_reidz
02/20/23
