Three books in five years. Over 1300 pages in total. That’s more than a page every other day. Tim Hackemack won’t get bored anytime soon. His third photo book “Hit the Stage” has just been released. This time the focus is on music, more precisely punk rock. And taken in the picture where it belongs and of which not so much could be heard this year, but above all seen. “Who would have thought that you would miss sweaty half-naked men on stage? Corona is the defining topic of the year. All over the world, ”says Hackemack.
After his two books “More than fashion” about punk kutten and “Yesterday’s Kids”, which deals with punks over 40 and what has become of them, the 41-year-old shows bands from different countries on stage in different shops: Hamburg , Berlin and of course Münster. For example the Veggers from South Korea, who played in Münster: “A young band that masters their instruments in a world class”, raves Hackemack. Or Shandy from Australia, whose singer, influenced by the glam rock of the 70s, offered a ten-minute dance lesson for the audience before the concert: “By the way, for me the best live band in the world.”
Donate for a good cause
Hackemack has lived in Altenberge for years and also has a favorite in town with the Sputnikhalle. He also organized concerts in June and July to support the event location during the corona pandemic.
Anyway: Support and social issues are his hobbyhorse. There are four different editions of “Hit The Stage”. “There are also different editions of vinyl albums, that inspired me. And I have agreed with the four bands Razors, Agnostic Front, Discharge and Third Choice that in return they can decide what my author’s fee will be donated to. Discharge and Third Choice donate to Sea-Watch, Agnostic Front to SO36 in Berlin and the Razors for the Monkeys Music Club in Hamburg. ”
Pop-up exhibitions planned
Hackemack’s photo book is not about the big show at all: “Bands that are currently on the rise are actually posing for the photographers standing in front of the stage. Just look at how many guitarists still jump in the air after the photographers have left. ”He brings back memories of emotions and ecstasy. His photos show what is missing during the lockdown: the quenching of the longing for sweat. After all, you don’t like to sympathize through streams. There are also interviews with the bands – in both German and English. Whether intimate black and white or action-packed color photos: the focus is on the musicians on stage, the audience is almost never seen. The photographer looks ahead, not back.
“I am really very satisfied, both with the selection of pictures and the bands as well as with the book itself,” says Hackemack and is also planning pop-up galleries. If you can’t admire performances live, then maybe short-term exhibitions. Otherwise, “Hit the Stage” comforts with wonderful snapshots of musicians over time, until the art is allowed to get louder again.
Tim Hackemack: Hit the Stage. Hirnkost Verlag, 400 pages, 40 euros.
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