Yesterday, I was lucky enough to be among the few 94.9 Insiders who got to see the Hold Steady play a lunchtime show at Strate Sound.

They only played four songs (“Sequestered in Memphis,” “Magazines,” “Both Crosses,” and something else that I’m not remembering at this moment), but there was a great vibe in the room, and afterwards all the guys hung out for a bit to sign autographs and talk.

I’ve always loved the way that Craig Finn puts lyrics together, and having grown up Catholic in a smallish town, his subject matter usually hits pretty close to home. Not so much the drugs as the general angst. So it was quite a treat to get to meet him and all the other band members.

I thought my photos wouldn’t amount to anything, given that the lighting was all dim and red (why is it always red?). But I kind of like the grain in these black and white shots. Much better than the glossiness of the ones I took at their show that night with my point and shoot camera. I should be posting those soon.