The Observatory

On May 25, 2015, Refused performed an intimate venue set at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California, marking their first major U.S. tour following the release of Freedom. Shooting directly for the venue provided pit access to document vocalist Dennis Lyxzén alongside David Sandström, Kristofer Steen, Magnus Flagge, and Mattias Bärjed.

The set opened with “Elektra,” establishing a definitive record of the post-hardcore group’s evolving live presentation. A physical print of this photograph was later presented to Lyxzén during his subsequent return to the venue with INVSN, establishing a direct archival connection between artist and documentarian.

Captured on June 7, 2015, at The Observatory in Santa Ana, this photo documents Matt Skiba during Alkaline Trio’s Past Live tour. The multi-night retrospective featured full performances of their Crimson and Good Mourning LPs.

The shot captures Skiba leaning over his guitar under low, atmospheric stage lights, documenting a key era for the Chicago punk co-founder and former Blink-182 frontman.

Photographed on September 5, 2015, during the Burger A-Go-Go festival at The Observatory in Santa Ana, this stage-level capture documents Kathleen Hanna performing with The Julie Ruin. Frame parameters isolate Hanna in her polka dot dress and beehive hairstyle.

As a foundational figure in the 1990s Riot Grrrl movement through her work in Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, Hanna’s performance history represents a major document in independent music and feminist culture. This print is also archived on display at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas.

Documented backstage at The Constellation Room on December 7, 2021, this photograph stands as the final portrait of San Diego grindcore group The Locust featuring Justin Pearson, Joey Karam, Bobby Bray, and the late Gabe Serbian.

Wearing their tailored full-body mesh suits, the session captured the band’s uncompromising visual identity during their final concert run. This historical print is featured on display at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas.

Photographed on January 31, 2015, at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California, this image captures Davey Havok fronting straight edge hardcore project XTRMST.

Formed alongside AFI bandmate Jade Puget, the live touring unit included rhythm guitarist Josh James (Stick to Your Guns), bassist Chris Sorenson (Saosin), and drummer Val Saucedo. The image freezes a moment from their brief live cycle delivering fast, straight-edge hardcore punk.

Captured on November 5, 2014, at The Constellation Room in Santa Ana, California, this photo shows Geoff Rickly performing with the hardcore supergroup United Nations during The Next Four Years tour.

Formed as an anonymous side project involving members of Thursday, Glassjaw, and Pianos Become the Teeth, the group utilized satirical press materials and Reagan masks to bypass label restrictions. This close-up frame documents Rickly at the microphone during a club set.

Taken on May 5, 2013, during their annual Cinco de Mayo headline performance at The Observatory, this frame documents guitar player Steve Soto (“El Hoakie Loco”) and vocalist Gabby Gaborno (“Jefe”) of Manic Hispanic.

Both musicians have since passed away, giving this stage capture significant historic relevance in the Orange County and Chicano punk archive. The group was renowned for reworking classic UK and US hardcore songs through East L.A. cultural parody.