The Adventures of Ashley Maile

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:52:00 +0000

Retouch to infinity... It never ends!

Went out for the evening with Gez for some twiddly nonsense, I mean virtuoso guitar playing from Paul Gilbert. Great show and an absolutely amazing player! But I wanted to see some drill action and the only time he did it I was in the toilet!! Thank god for you tube...

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:40:00 +0000

Got picked up by Darcy and Gary from Telegraphs today. We then met up with Toby and the rest of the band before driving off to a secret condemned location for our shoot.

Was really good fun and because of our mission impossible precision didn't get caught by any security... Had a great shoot and then went for a little wander. Wish there were more bands up for going to locations like this!

Went for lunch and a few drinks and after the pub some peeps came by to get the fridge so a very productive day in the end.

A pic from the secret location...

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:41:00 +0000

DIY was the name of the game today. The Harries family was supposed to come for a visit but apparently the roads were shit as there was snow in the London area.

Finished loads after doing the errands that needed to be done. Started most of the painting which needs to be finished before Thursday. It shouldn't be a problem as the jobs for the week have been booked at the beginning and the end... Would have preferred the dark and windy walk that happened last weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:42:00 +0000

After having a late breakfast pretty much lunch Phoebe made her way home and we got on with all the usual weekend activities. Was a fairly relaxing one as I think most of the real work will be done tomorrow.

A shot of Atreyu that will be running in a Kerrang! near you...

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:57:00 +0000

A day of negotiating and catching a company in the middle of lies. Fucking nailed you MFI! Lying twice in one day you fuckers, well kitchen will hopefully be finished next Thursday because of calling them on it and telling them about themselves.

Phoebe came for a visit and we ended up ordering in some of the best Indian food from Spice Nutriment. And she wanted to make me look like one of her friends who shall remain nameless so she had a play with the hair...

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:03:00 +0000

Posted some of our old appliances on a few selling websites. Why do people feel the need to text rather than call when they have questions? Annoying! It's a deal, it's a steal, it's sale of the fucking century...

Did a re shoot with the Hot Melts today. Went well and managed to get it right this time as they had instruments with them... Only took 20 frames as everyone was on it especially Jack who could probably get a job as a contortionist if his day job doesn't work out! Started chatting to Toby about a shoot for next week which sounds like it will be interesting trying to get into the location.

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:14:00 +0000

A day of errands and dealing with shit over the phone. The man at HSBC didn't like my response when he told me so you know about the charge to deposit foreign cheques... How you rip us off and have the cheek to call yourself the world's local bank? Patience level zero with these people!

Right the next matter and please forward this on to everyone you know. DO NOT I repeat DO NOT order a kitchen or any product through MFI. They have basically fucked themselves by not paying their suppliers of all the goods they sell. So now the suppliers won't deliver and people like us are stuck with half a kitchen... Brilliant! I might do a bit of picketing out front the store and get a news piece out of it next week! Beware you cunts you will get yours...

Went down to the Engine Rooms with Carly for a bit of In Case Of Fire and the Telegraphs. Here's Kerrang! from this week taken at Download 2006.

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:58:00 +0000

Last day at the office and have now heard the Chinese Democracy a few times... Not a bad record just wish it finished as strong as it starts. Popped on a hat I had bought in China that was still in the office and was told I had to wear it for the entire record.

At least Simon was nice enough to join in!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:59:00 +0000

Second last day of the office work, looking forward to returning to my regular routine! Well as regular as that is... Walked by a musicians looking for musicians wall and it looks as if Simon's been looking for some mates!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:49:00 +0000

Woke up to a lovely painted room courtesy of the lionesses Fish, and Carly. Ran a few errands before spending the day at the computer editing loads of images for tomorrow. Might I add that the two lionesses had an 8 hour Friends marathon. Not a show that does it for me but from it's silly scenarios I can see why it's popular! Henry Rollins did pose a good question that no one really speaks like that in real life!!

A pic from almost a month ago and to be honest not much has changed because of all the missing products... DO NOT buy from MFI!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:50:00 +0000

As the Slipknot song goes, people = shit! If only all British people could experience customer service in North America they understand how bad it is over here. Too add to it I fucking hate banks here who charge outrageous fees to do nothing. The fees are a rip off and HSBC can fuck off with it's lying slogan of being the world's local bank! LIARS!

Did the forever journey up to Alexandra Palace way earlier than showtime to do a shoot with Black Tide. They were well up for it, asked them to do some lighthearted shots and had the most interesting interpretation with side ponys and the like! Dropped off all the gear and came back to the venue for the show. Stage was a little too high but managed to get some decent shots... Bullet's light was great and made it very nice to shoot. Timed the late running trains perfectly and made it home in less than an hour and half from Ally Pally...

A shot of BFMV this evening, something about Scream, Aim, Pyro!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:51:00 +0000

Was hoping to sleep on the train journey into town from the Chich but had a very talkative old man chat the whole way.

A very slow day at work but made it through with the help of a chocolate buzz and a little Relentless! Passed out to Scuzz's top 50 videos of the 90's which were rubbish! No Pearl Jam, or Alice In Chains, c'mon what you playing at!

A peaceful shot from our windy walk last Sunday...

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:52:00 +0000

Started off today helping the Fish by sorting some props. Of course on the way to the shoot the PR phoned and said I thought the magazine was sorting the clothes! Great, luckily the Fish had brought a few things. Get to the studio and when the band turned up the clothes that were essential to the look of the shoot were not to their liking so after probably not realizing how close they were to having a cancelled shoot the lovely Fish went around the corner and saved it while Paul did a killer job on the makeup. In the end it turned out really good thanks to the Fish, Paul, and pair of manky old shoes!

I'm still a firm believer in Scandinavian bands being the best to deal with. Did a shoot with Enslaved after who were very easy going and great to work with. Really couldn't go wrong as they turned up and just looked so metal!

We had a really nice relaxing evening in Portsmouth with Anna, Ian, Steve, and of course Alter Bridge! Ended the evening witnessing some effects of the credit crunch with a single parent cab driver who took us to Chich and had his daughter in the front seat hopefully our fare helped them out a little...

A shot from today's shoot of Enslaved which will be in the magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:53:00 +0000

Another day at the office, taking care of business and the like...

A pic of Angus from today's Kerrang!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:53:00 +0000

Had a one minute silence today at the office. It's a day off of Remembrance in North America. Not in England as everyone seemed to be very busy with their respective work days...

Looks like a re shoot will be scheduled from yesterday's shoot as the not having any instruments just didn't work... A shot from the train in this morning.

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:54:00 +0000

Back to the office and joining in with the 845ers (the Fish's mates on the morning train) Had a good break from it today as after getting soaked in the pouring rain on my way to Retna Studios did a shoot with the Hot Melts. They were up for the idea but were missing some key props so we'll see what happens... Finished the day off looking for a few different non-existent pics!

A pic of the Bronx which is out on Wednesday in Kerrang! If you look closely I managed to keep a tiny Big Ben in the background for the band...

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:54:00 +0000

Tried to go out for a lovely roast after a few errands but our efforts were thwarted as the food was uncooked and not good at all. How can you screw up a roast? I guess they weren't defrosting things well enough. Which is annoying as we love the views and ambiance of that pub... Won't be back for a good while now.

Decided to go for a nice long walk along the seafront which was an adventure in itself as the wind almost blew us out to sea. Made it back to the marina by dark and jumped on the 49 passenger Double Decker limo a few blocks from home...

Managed to get quite a bit of work finished while the ladies watched their too many episodes of Friends.

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:55:00 +0000

Had a relaxing Saturday as it's good to get when you can! Took a round about way to Victoria through Lewes and once arrived headed for Brixton Academy. Tonight was Alter Bridge and the line-up to get in went around the block. Hadn't seen one that big in ages! Met up with Anna, Ian, Scoot, and Steve. Took in a few songs of Hot Leg and couldn't believe how bad the crowd was towards them. Justin seemed to do well despite the projectiles and abuse that was thrown his way. Went over the road for a quick Nando's (as chicken is all that seems to be served in Brixton) and then back in time for Alter Bridge... Great show and it was really refreshing to see a band command the crowd and enjoy doing it.

Had a few drinks after the show where the Fish managed to do her normal just jokes routine with Myles and Mark. At the end of the evening caught a ride to Clapham Junction where we shared a bench with a man organizing his papers and jolly humming a classical song to himself...

A pic of the warrior who took a load of abuse tonight!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:56:00 +0000

Day number 2 of the office work. Had a nice break in the day with a quick shoot of Vincent from Anathema. Nice guy and I didn't even have to try to make him laugh. He couldn't stop as soon as I put the camera in front of him for some reason.

Ended up in HMV at the end of the day and watched Fish make the worst purchase I have ever seen, 10 seasons of Friends, Jesus! But I liked the fact that even Iron Man gives the old Metal Grapefruit pose! Black Sabbath probably wouldn't have it any other way...

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:57:00 +0000

First day at the office which consisted of the typical pranks. You need a set of eyes in the back of your head to work with the artist Simon Young! Had a good day because as usual Scarlet had sorted out almost everything for the week. Just need to make sure I can do the same for her return...

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:57:00 +0000

Last freelance day for the next week or so as I'm doing a fill in job at the K! photo desk. It usually is a good laugh... Found this mag which I'd never heard of, at least they are putting the FFAF press shots to good use!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:10:00 +0000

Had a very busy day with three shoots today. Started off with Aiden's Wil who is over as his alter ego William Control. Did a very interesting Valentine's themed shoot and as we finished subject number two turned up.

Matt from FFAF was right on time and on great form, even did a few of the Fish's favorite horn honks. Headed over to the Astoria 2 for a shoot with Fell Silent. Always great when a band is missing a member for 40 minutes of your shoot time, looking like they can't be bothered and then having to rush it because they need to load in gear. Not ideal at all and wonder why people dis-organize things the way they do!

Once home finished off a few things and passed out watching the results polling in... A pic taken by Tom in Vegas of a band (Hinder) that give a shit even though they have a few drinks along the way!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:36:00 +0000

Was in early but had a shoot cancellation which was unfortunate but looks like it's rescheduled for tomorrow. Had a quick lunch with Paul, Scarlet, and the Fish which was nice and then the Fish and I went onto the Green Carnation in Soho for a shoot with Alter Bridge. Always a pleasure to work with them as they are very easy going. And it's refreshing to hear how into music they are as they talk technical scales and what not between shots.

Was too tired to do anything once home so went to bed nice and early think the Vegas trip is still playing with my sleep... Here's another pic from Vegas of the pool on the 34th floor of the Palms hotel in the Hugh Hefner suite.

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:56:00 +0000

Ended landing about an hour and a half late in the end. It just seems the service is a bit shit on a Virgin flight out of Gatwick. Almost as if they treat it more as a charter than say if you fly from Heathrow.

Tried to have a mellow recovery day but helped a little with ripping out the old kitchen to discover a lovely cat piss smell!! Finished the evening off with a little bit of work as need card space for tomorrow.

Here's a pic of Steel Panther and myself to which I was accused of being the 5th member after it was taken! C'mon I'm missing a headband!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Maile) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:15:00 +0000

Stayed at the hotel for most of the day as the all night wander with Tom left me with little energy! Had a nice lunch with Tom and Anna and then had a quick visit with Gareth formerly of FFAF. It was great to see him doing well and I'm sure our paths will be crossing again soon as he has a few things in the works.

After a few drinks we packed up and headed for the airport only to arrive and find out our plane was delayed by 2 hours. So we took a cab back over to the MGM Grand where Tom was staying on to do more work. Hung out in his very swank suite and then back to the airport where there is absolutely nothing to do!! Once the flight finally took off utilized the fantastic movie that Hancock is to fall asleep...