Henry Demos

Henry Demos | Again

You describe yourself as being shaped by DIY shows and dirty basements. Can you tell us about those early environments and how they formed your visual language?

I grew up reading every music magazine on the shelves. I idolized those huge rock and roll behemoths. Unfortunately, the only chances to see music was in a filthy basement. The thing is the small touring bands playing there gave everything. They moved and were wild. There was no restraint. That era in my life taught me to take huge chances and risks in my art.

Being fully self-taught and “always a student” suggests a continuous process of experimentation. How has learning outside formal institutions influenced the way you approach photography?

My approach to photography has been pretty straight forward: try everything and see what sticks. From home film development to cobbling together DIY lenses, nothing is off the table. My journey is just about joy. If it rules, you bet your ass I am going to keep doing it. Right now concert photography has me in its grips and that is fine by me!

Henry Demos | Again

There is a raw immediacy in your work that feels almost confrontational at times. What are you chasing in that moment when you press the shutter?

I appreciate that! I wish there was more more to it than… I just want this moment to never end.

Henry Demos | Again

In Slackers, you focus on The Slacks as both ordinary workers by day and “agents of chaos” by night. What first attracted you to this duality?

Aren’t we all attracted to duality? The lie? I have seen The Slacks be wild animal degenerates. The fact that these guys have day jobs makes no sense in my brain. How can these truly free people work for the man? Holy hell that is interesting.

The energy in these photographs feels explosive and intimate at the same time. How do you  position yourself within such chaotic spaces without disrupting the authenticity of the scene?

Even one second can totally mess that feel up. You are exactly right. My actual method is just take my camera right into the mouth of the beast and be as wild as any other concert goer. My presence could be seen as annoy with all my use of flash but… the way I slam dance makes up for it. I haven’t lost a camera yet… Though I did lose my glasses last week!

Henry Demos | Again

You mention wanting to show that Japanese culture is “far more than meets the eye”. What misconceptions or surface impressions are you responding to through this project?

Japanese kids are just as wild as anyone on the damn planet. Give the some beer, some mics, and amps and you better believe chaos will happen.

Henry Demos | The slacks

Punk ethos seems central to your practice. Beyond music, what does “punk” mean to you today, especially in the context of contemporary Japan?

Punk ethos is just getting it done no matter what. Nothing will hold it back. It might be beat up around the edges but the message is clear. There are a lot of young kids in Japan that live this attitude and hot damn is it inspiring. Japan is going to have a renaissance pretty soon I assure you.