A nice lazy Sunday... Watched a few movies today. Stand By Me, and Little Miss Sunshine which were both amazing films.
After the laziness walked down to the Concorde 2 for the Eastpak tour and met up with Sonic Syndicate who were on good form again. Last saw them in Stockholm which was a load of fun. They were playing with Soilwork, Dark Tranquility, and Caliban. We also gave new meaning to the term Brighton Rock by filling Robin's bunk full of pebbles from the beach!

Forgot to post this from the meal extra in Hamburg...

Took an afternoon flight back to Heathrow from Hamburg. Was weird as it felt like we were doing the approach to Heathrow after 30 minutes into the flight!! A few circles in the air as we landed back in the pouring rain.

Was lucky enough to get a ride home with Scarlet and Kevin!! Took it pretty easy after drinking too much sake for dinner with a little Bingo & Wii sports...

A pic from last night of a drunken Nick Ruskell and his new girlfriend!!

Beat the sunrise up to catch a bus over to Heathrow. Met up with Nick, Jon, Dave, and Tony and we flew over to Hamburg for a secret Nightwish gig. Arrived pretty early so went for a wander around the Reeperbahn. Went for a walk down this street where women are not allowed to go!! (pictured) I was told it was exactly like Amsterdam as you do a little bit of window shopping and then make the deal!!

Went for a steak and Jon got a snail on the side!! Hilarious though as you tell the staff and they just take it away as if it was never there...

Over to the venue, met up with the band and everyone who were all very nice. The access was great for Sushi Patrol which was the name Nightwish were playing under. Could shoot from anywhere which was great. After the gig we all went back down to the Reeperbahn and found a bar called Heavy Metal... Playing all the classics you would want to hear it was way better than the Crobar! Was funny watching the hookers with Umbrellas enticing all the men to this place across from the bar. Was weird as you never saw any guys leave, perhaps they were robbing them naked and kicking them out the back door!!!

Played the role of carer today with a little bit of p-shop thrown in for good measure!! A little more of this tomorrow...

Landed into Heathrow around noon and did the car, train routine... Basically passed out for the rest of the day. Shouldn't take long to get back into the flow as I didn't sleep in LA!! Back to Heathrow on Friday for an evening trip to Germany, should have really just setup camp there... A little preview of the Avenged news pic in next week's Kerrang!

No sleep 'til London! Again up nice and early, not being able to sleep! Rocked through a load of work on the computer and even started sorting edits on the Avenged shoot which is looking good. Checked out of the hotel and then went over to Serj's beautiful house. The complete opposite of what we went to the other day... A very nice warm, calming place and came out with some great shots as Serj was willing to go through all the expressions. Top guy!

Hurried back into to LA to drop off the gear at Samy's who moved as fast as the waiters at the horrortel restaurant. Noticing a theme over here... Then did the double security go through at LAX when we realized there was nothing to eat on the other side... Beautiful sunset as we took off, middle seat = no pictures! Here's the air-con at the horrortel describing the place perfectly!

Woke up at 2am and really didn't go back to sleep, put in a few hours on the computer and then went down to breakfast which is the only good thing about this hotel (food not service)!!

Hopped in the van with the crippled mermaid and followed Susan, Phoebe, and Tom over to the Serj Tankian's house. Had a quick look around for the shoot tomorrow and then the lovely Dr.Serj came out to the car to check on the Fish. After a quick decision decided to go down to the ER so a doctor could give her the OK for her to fly tonight. After 5 and half hours of waiting, a crazy chat with a lady convinced she was a movie star alongside John Wayne in the High and the Mighty finally got into the ER!! US medical system... Umm yeah slow and you pay for it too!! Once the Fish had an ultrasound and the OK from the doctor to fly, took her and Dan out to LAX and they made their flight which we almost cancelled twice!!

Went back to the horrortel to a couple of drunks sitting two tables over from the Arctic Monkeys. Caught a cab to an ok Sushi restaurant and then caught up to the drunks after a few well earned sakes!!

Didn't sleep much due to Viagra boy upstairs and some pricks next door cranking David Bowie around 4am. Standard Hotel = Shit! Phoned the front desk 3 times before they would send security over to quiet them but by that time the sun was rising so got up. Went to the restaurant which was staffed by a load of forgetful snails!! Would have been better off staying on a friend's couch down the road...

Collected up the gang and then went over Samy's do get all the gear for the shoot with Avenged Sevenfold. Went out to Synister's house which was like walking through an episode of MTV's Cribs. Pool table, massive fish tank, and a big Hefner style grotto in the back yard. Ran through a few setups and finished off on the beach. Big thanks goes out to our crew plus Rob who rocked with some killer light holding!! Went to the noisiest bar for dinner but Phoebe promised it would be good as she billed it as Jimmy Page's favorite place to eat in LA. And yes it was very ah-nice!!!

Up early to pack and get over to Heathrow with the crippled mermaid!! Went over to LA with Phoebe, Dan, Rob (from TG) and the Fish (who was on crutches!) Managed to flag down one of those little golf carts at the airport to get her comfortably to the gate after they wouldn't sort a wheelchair!!

A very long flight that dragged with a lame selection of movies. Watched the Fantastic Four, followed by three part three films all that weren't very good. Could go for a meeting in Hollywood over the next few days and fill them in that Pirates, Ogres, and Heists with bad story lines have all been done before!!

After landing and waiting to get through customs for 2 and a half hours picked up the rent-a-car and headed off to our hotel. Welcome to Cuntville should have been written on the door at the Shit Standard! A women behind the front desk in a glass box, a shit DJ, and some of the most pretentious people probably in LA. I think we would have preferred the Travelodge!! I don't understand how people get away with calling shit decor retro! I think Phoebe said it best at the front desk, I don't like it here!!! Went straight to bed...

The entire morning and afternoon was at the p-shop finishing off images before tomorrow's trip to LA. Leaving late afternoon and won't be back in England until Wednesday... A taste of a late summer? I hope so as rumours of above 25C are on the cards!

Did a shoot with the Blackout in the early evening at the Brighton Sewers. Apart from the smell it all went according to plan. James (who was rocking the new chops!) managed to slip twice on the rounded tunnel walls, Gareth conquered his claustrophobia, and they all did a fantastic rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody while walking back through the long massive overflow pipe!! After the smelly shoot we went for a curry which had hilariously rude waiters, and being the great guys that the Blackout are they even bought me dinner!! Give it an hour or so and I should add to the rivers I saw earlier this evening...

Took a few too many trains after all the delays today. Once I finally made it over to the new Dean Street Studios, did a quick "in-the-studio" shoot with Matt Tuck from Bullet For My Valentine.

Thought I'd go back to pics of the animal kingdom from last weekend's visit to the zoo!!

Did a shoot with Meet Me In St.Louis this afternoon. Great bunch of guys who were definitely troopers as they didn't mind braving the hurricane winds of Brighton beach!

We were told to move along at one point on the beach by some guy with a pair of binoculars. Blah blah blah about a seal that might beach itself. (C'mon dude they are smarter than that!) Perhaps he knew I was Canadian because everybody knows what happens when seals and Canadians collide...

A computer catch-up day today!! Here's a pic of Sonic Syndicate (depart from the recent animal kingdom theme!) taken in Stockholm a few weeks ago and out tomorrow in Kerrang!

Watched the Godfather tonight, just trying to see all the classics I have missed out on over the years... Reminded me of Lord Of The Rings. Too many names and a little too long. Part 2 tomorrow after a the late evening shoot?? Why not!

Over to the Universal offices for a quick shoot with Alter Bridge. Myles the singer formerly of Mayfield 4 and the rest of the band used to be in Creed! Did it on the rooftop which was quite challenging as the wind really kicked up by the time we started.

Another pic from Sunday's excursion to the zoo. How about a couple of Red Pandas? Saw another great movie this evening. In The Name Of The Father have to admit I had seen it before...

Today the Fish and I drove out to Port Lympne Zoo and spent the day there. Was fantastic to see all the animals and most of their areas were pretty big apart from the lions and tigers... Bit sad but I've been told to read Life of Pi so I'll look at it differently!! Baby lion cubs were definitely a highlight and a couple of tiny Rhinos were hilarious. Most intimidating animal of the day goes to a few of the Gorillas that stare you right in the eye, very intense. Smelliest animal of the day hands down to the pictured Ocelot. Imagine your pet cat's piss smell but a million times worse!! Could be many animal pics this week...

Once back from the day trip sat down and watched The Shawshank Redemption, which I have never seen before! Ok ok I get why everybody always bangs on about it being such a good film!! Why can't every film have good story telling where you actually care about the characters!?! I might watch a few more movies then. Dear Hollywood, Please can you stop messing up good stories with all the effects that look shit anyway?!?!? Yours truly, A Maile.

Up really early today to do a bit of location scouting... Well shit finding more like!! Went for a tour around the Victorian Sewers of Brighton for an upcoming shoot next week. The smell was unbearable until you went lower down oddly enough. Found a couple of good spots and hopefully it doesn't rain otherwise we would be washed away down there!!

Spent the rest of the day with the Fish strolling around Brighton, went up and down the pier and the like. Hit the Ghost Train which was the most rubbish ride ever made!! Terrible!!

For the evening of entertainment went to the Concorde II to see (hed)pe who were great, but were incredibly bitter on stage. They did mention the good line of "Friends don't let friends listen to Emo" which I had to laugh at! Had a chat to Jahred after the show who was nice but hadn't heard a musician that annoyed with the industry in a while. I can see why as it's weird how some bands just don't stick. Their songs are great and have so much more energy than most of the crap that is out there now!!! Do bands really need an emo euro mullet hair cut to be cool??

Slept in nice and late today and really didn't do too much... Bumped into a few people on the facespace (I guess you can say that now!) Including Big E, who tour manages The King Blues amongst many things!! Here's a shot of them that ran in Kerrang! a few months back.

Had a very late shoot with 30 Seconds To Mars this evening... They were busy doing rehearsals for their show tomorrow and had planned to be at the shoot at 9:30pm, so when 1:00am rolled around it was let's get this done nice and quick!! Luckily I had a good book and an entertaining Fish to hang out with.

They were very apologetic when they arrived but ran through all the shots as quick as possible. Jared probably would have been there all night, guess he's used to doing nights from working in the film industry. Even in the wee hours he was full of stories about the rumours everyone asks about him and some insightful info about Hitler... Shots turned out not bad but will have to look better tomorrow when I am less sleepy!

"Let's get on with this fucking piece of shit!" Was the phrase uttered too many times by Jerry Sadowitz this evening!! Went to the Bloomsbury Theatre with the usual suspects to see what was billed as his only London date this year. Another hilarious show and managed to again have a go at everybody, highlights included the immigrant alphabet, the latest news stories, oh and of course the magic which makes a mockery of all the other "illusionists" out there!!

Earlier in the day went up to what's becoming an over used location at Hampstead Heath. It's great because you don't get bugged by anyone!! Had the High Wycombe quintet Tonight Is Goodbye jump through some hoops and eat honey for me. Idea should turn out well...

And today here's the shot of Glamour Of The Kill in Kerrang! this week which was last time I was on the Heath. I know Mr.Hughes I'm cheating!!

Did a load of boring computer work today. Tried to sort out a shoot next week for a US mag but we shall see if it comes together.

Here's a shot of the punk band Set Your Goals that will be in Kerrang! tomorrow...

Royal Albert Hall was the venue today for Scarlet Page's opening of her "Your Child" Exhibition. It was a star studded event and met some interesting people. Scarlet did a nice little speech and then we strolled through the hallway which is a great place for an exhibition.

Had a funny gang to hang out with too Fishy, Phoebe, and Dani who were all on good form. And the spread of food and drink was also amazing, even though the burgers were miniature!!

The lovely Fish and I went up to Paul Harries for a BBQ birthday. Was nice to finally get to meet his family, only had seen pics before!! Scarlet and Kevin came too which was great, although they mentioned they were scared about the second row tickets we had booked for Jerry Sadowitz later this week!! I can't wait!! Ian Winwood came and I think everyone came to an agreement that 90 pounds for a ticket to see the Police reunion was way too much!!

A pic of one of the many trains we took today. This one in particular doors wouldn't automatically open or close! Couldn't do anything but make jokes about the driver having to get out of the cockpit and open all the doors...

Took it easy and went for a wander round town with the Fish, well actually looked for Birthday presents for Paul Harries. I'm sure my gift will go down a storm as it might make it easier for him to do photo shoots!

Here's a shot I thought turned out well of the Gym Class Heroes going in this week's Kerrang! I think most people I know agree that those four words shouldn't go together!!!

Went over to Laurence's after picking up prints from Elephant and Castle... Entered in the National Portrait Gallery call for entries but as I was told needed a snapshot of an old lady in a bus shelter to win!!

Had a great take-away sushi lunch with Laurence which I think we need to do more often! Both tried out the effects pedal I bought off of eBay that was as good as I remember when I messed around with it last year at Benn's place!! Laurence being against all the effects was even interested by all the possibilities...

Met up with Fishy and we went down to Filthy McNasty's for the new Apocalyptica album playback. Hung out with Matt, Caren, had a quick chat with the band and then disappeared off to a really nice Thai restaurant around the corner. Had an apple beer done by Cobra that wasn't bad but it was more like cider! Had a quick nightcap at a pub across from the now closed down Saaqi which we originally went to only to find it was gone!!

Didn't really do anything today apart from the usual computer madness... Had a good read of the third book in Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy!! Really well written, you actually give a shit about all the characters. Not like other fantasy stories where you just want certain wizards to get knocked off their broom and never be able to speak again!! A mystical little garden I found in Stockholm...

Day 3 and well caught up! Might have to go for a wander tomorrow, going a little stir crazy! Customer service is non-existent in this country, and delivery companies I think are half asleep... Finally got a bed though that is a as long as the eye can see!!

Another day at the computer and waiting for the loudness to finally arrive!!

Sat at the computer the entire day and finished off a load of retouching that has been amounting over the last week. The Glamour Of The Kill shot turned out the best I think, should be out next Wednesday so I'll post it then. In the meantime here's another from Stockholm that I have been pondering the meaning of! How about fill in the blanks... No _____ ?

Awoke fairly early and not hung over so went for a wander around the city. A nice, clean city that's very wheelchair accessible (pictured) but that myth about the women is not true. It's all old brunettes everywhere you look. I think they meant the men as they were the only blonde hotties I saw!

Came back to the hotel and watched the last day of the athletics in the bar. They just leave it live so you can see everything!! Almost missed the express train back to the airport and then waited way to long in two different line-ups. Landed in Heathrow after a bumpy flight, didn't seem to get above the clouds the entire time. After that couldn't be bothered to change on trains so caught a national express bus all the way home. I tell you though nothing express about it!!

A very early rise to catch a flight over to Stockholm this morning. A quick trip to do a shoot with Sonic Syndicate. Another six piece who played up to the camera very well. (seems to be popular number of members per band at the moment!) After the shoot hung out Mike their manager, his other band Blowsight, and watched/shot their show. Pretty good band live and they will be in England at the end of September.

After the show we arranged some taxis (our driver was known as the beardless Einstein!) to drop gear off and go over to the Hard Rock Cafe. When we arrived at the after party of 10 people everyone decided on a different place called Medusa which involved a short subway ride. Because the guards finish at midnight I was told to jump the barrier for a cheap ride!!! (Photo: Fabz)

After a quick jam session with a tramp and Robin from Sonic Syndicate it was off to Medusa which is one of the best hard rock clubs I've ever been too! Can't be bad if they are playing everything from Biffy Clyro to Pantera!! Chatted with Fabz the drummer of Blowsight most of the evening who was a great guy. Be good to get them over to England... Everyone seemed to drop like flies around 3 so wandered back to the hotel and watched the women's marathon before passing out...