Backlit Memories

Backlit Memories
The Band’s First Photo Shoots

The very first picture that ever appeared on Your Favorite Enemies’ MySpace page… That was back in 2007… If not before??? I am not sure exactly… But I know that this is a long, long time ago!!!!

That picture has been taken in Varennes’ church, city where the band was living at the time… I never realized it before… But now, looking at this, it amazes me how the band went to doing a photo shoot in a church to living in a church…

I mean… Who would ever think of having his own studio inside of a catholic church? Playing there, with speakers all around you, with more guitars than you can count, and with distortion? We’re talking catholic church here! This is not a sight you see every day! Yet, here we are, today, years after this picture was taken, in our very own catholic church turned into a studio… Where distortion is a daily canticle…


The Sainte-Élisabeth pub is well-known in Montreal… With its traditional European pub flair, Alex fell in love with the place a long time ago, and when it was time for a band photo session, he immediately thought of that place! A little bit on the darkish side, this picture is however the representation of what Your Favorite Enemies always said… No matter how dark of a place, there is always a light somewhere… You just need to look around to find it!!

I had the privilege of being there at the time, during the photo shoot (call it assistant if you wish, I still am sorry for Miriam, as I couldn’t do much for her back then! lol)… Everyone is much more relaxed now when it’s time for pictures… Back then, nobody knew how to act, “staying natural” just wouldn’t work as everybody was stressed, most of the guys were wearing a permanent frown for we never understood what reasons, and well… Let’s just say that being 6 in a band adds to the challenge of having a good picture of the 6 members at the same time… lol

One thing that did change are the haircuts… everybody’s haircut! But notice how Alex is already wearing bracelets, something that is so characteristic to him today!


Picture taken in Montreal’s metro… We went in pretty late, took pictures inside some of the stations… As old and obsolete as it is, some call it the longest art gallery in the world. In fact, each station has its very own work of art, having been designed by local artists. From benches, to murals, to paintings, stained glass and sculptures, the stations sometimes offered and interesting background for pictures… Yet, this picture taken inside the train (far from anything artistic, I must admit), was one of my favourites back then… and still now… I like the natural feel of the scene… Reminds me of the scenes from the tour bus, after a show where you spent the very last drop of energy you have…

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Comments (5)

  • Nina Dammers

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    It feels so great to see these pictures again, the first one from 2006, the year we were introduced for the first time. In a way, it feels like yesterday, even though so much has changed. 6 years, that’s commitment, baby! Love you so much.. Xxx from your Dutchy Nina

    Reply

  • Vanessa

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    Ah man!! That is the picture that changed my life!! Why? Well I was denying every friend request coming from a band since I hated all the generic spam messages I would get. So going on a deny spreed… I stopped at Your Favorite Enemies because I was intrigued by their photo… so I decided to click to see their page and get a better look at their photo… I ended up loving the music and thought “I might as well encourage them.. plus they are from Montreal!” So I added them and never once did I think that at that moment, I made a choice that would change my life!
    I am thankful for that picture and glad I made that choice! 🙂

    Reply

  • Nina Dammers

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    The website ate my comment, so I’ll try another one 😉 In a way these pictures feel like yesterday.. the first picture from 2006, the lifechanger 😉 The year I built relationships with you.. it’s been a blast! I was intrigued by your page, and the first notes of ‘No Time Left For Confusion’ captured my attention immediately. Who would’ve thought that one friend request in MySpace would change a life like that 😉

    Reply

  • Mallan

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    I like

    Reply

  • shinsuke.

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    こんにちは!皆!MySpaceにいるshinsukeだよ!
    アレックスかっこいい!

    Reply

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