Behind The Scene: 760coremedia Zooms In On His Journey As A Live Gig Photographer

Fisheye lens shot of the crowd at the *Underground Uprising* gig, organised by @theakar.co (Credit: 760CoreMedia)

Welcome to Behind the Scene, a mini–series spotlighting the unsung heroes who help preserve our local music history. From photographers to zine-makers, these individuals ensure that the stories of our scene will continue to be told for generations to come.

On October 1, 1992, The New Paper released an article that would shake up the entire punk and underground scene in Singapore. Plastered on the cover page is a picture of a mosh pit at a Rollins Band gig. The accompanying headline reads – “WILL YOU LET YOUR KIDS DO THIS?”.

Cover page of *The New Paper*, 1 October 1992 (Credit: NLB)

Misreading punk etiquette for bedlam, the tabloid painted an ignorant picture of the local punk scene, using words such as “violent”, “dangerous” and “slam frenzy” to describe the crowd at the show. The scare tactic worked – Singaporeans were aghast, parents were afraid, and the government reacted by slapping a hefty $2,000 deposit on show organisers, enforcing a strict no-mosh rule at gigs. Cops became a frequent fixture at music venues, and the article succeeded in seeding greater otherness towards the hardcore punk scene.

The irony is that you have to read between the lines – literally. Compare the accompanying photos in the article with those taken at our local gigs today and you will find the similarities uncanny. Despite the media’s moral crusade, any seasoned gig-goer can attest that the photos in the paper were not a display of violence or anger, but rather camaraderie and trust. Stage diving isn’t akin to throwing yourself to the wolves. It’s more like a large-scale trust fall, where hands reach out to support you as you dive backwards. These are just the rules of the mosh pit; there’s no need for moral panic.

The ban has since been lifted, but this snapshot in time will always be remembered. The photos in the article, eerily similar to those taken at any hardcore or punk show today, serve as proof of the scene’s consistency and persistence to thrive against all odds. Narratives are easily twisted, voices silenced, and words forced down an unwilling throat. But an image hardly betrays. That’s what makes the medium so crucial to the documentation of our music history.

In the first instalment of this mini-series, we speak to 26-year-old Muhammad Syukri Bin Jamberi. Under the moniker 760CoreMedia, he is an avid photographer who shoots at various gigs and shows across the island, with a focus on the hardcore scene. This is his story.

26-year-old Muhammad Syukri Bin Jamberi, who photographs under the moniker 760CoreMedia (Credit: 760CoreMedia)

From capturing bigger shows like the Alex Blake Charlie Sessions to smaller gigs at venues such as ROOM 526, you’ve made quite a name for yourself in the local gig photography scene. Can you share more about your photography journey and how 760CoreMedia came about?

I started taking photos in 2017, when I was still in ITE. Back then, I was in the dance CCA, and I would use my phone to take videos of my CCA and make edits for them. From there, my passion grew, and in 2018, I bought my first DSLR and started shooting CCA roadshows and performances, as well as taking photos of my friends. That’s how everything started.

I only got into gig photography later, when I entered Polytechnic and met a friend who introduced me to the local music scene. I see 760CoreMedia as a hobby, and it’s an account that I created specifically for music photography.

For the gigs that I shoot at, most of the time, if there’s a band that I like, I will just buy a ticket and go down. Most of the shows that I capture are hardcore ones because that’s the scene that I’m in. For other softer indie scenes like shoegaze, there are other photographers like Jesryn, who is my friend and a photographer whose style I admire. I also shoot for local gig organisers Firstblood Productions and Gid Wreck Unit. They are also my friends, and I’m basically their media guy, so I help by shooting videos and taking pictures at their shows.

Besides Jesryn, who are some other photographers that you look up to and inspired your style?

When I first started, the local photographer who really inspired me was Bryner. I really like how he edits his work and his perspective of capturing shots and moments, and also oberving how his style has evolved over the years. Like Jesryn, another photographer whom I’ve become friends with and admire is Wayne. There are also some overseas photographers such as @saraholickphoto, @shotbyhvnter, and @ja m escoffmanmedia, who have signature looks and edits that inspire me.

But speaking of style, I don’t really have one. I prefer to experiment with different things. Now I’ll try this style, and another year, I’ll try something different. For example, I used to shoot portraits, taking close-up shots of people and bands. But now, I’m experimenting with wide angles and fisheye lenses, and discovering how to use flashes to create different kinds of effects. Currently, my photos have a lot to do with capturing movement, so I prefer shooting shows with fast-paced music, as there’s a lot of crowd movement and moshing going on.

Is it challenging to capture movements in a show? What are some other challenges you encounter while shooting, and how do you overcome them?

For me, the difficulty lies in the size of the venue and how packed it is. If it’s a fully packed gig, then there’s not much space for me to move, and I have to figure out a way to get to the front or find the sweet spot to get the perfect shot. This is very common for smaller venues, but I’m used to it by now. When capturing people moshing or going through a crowd, I’ll just protect my camera and let them hit my body haha.

There’s also inconsistent lighting, which is unavoidable for live performances. As such, I’ve learnt to play around with flash and edits during post-production. I just shoot first and then pray to the Lightroom gods that the photos come out okay.

In terms of movement, something people might not consider is that it involves a lot of anticipation, especially for bands that make very fast-paced music. One example is jumping shots. Band members usually start hopping before they jump, so when that happens, I have to prepare myself and be ready to capture the action. But honestly, it’s also luck sometimes. There are days where I’ll go back home and when I see the photos that I took, I’m like, oh shit, I captured that?!

Jumping shot of Singapore punk bad Iman’s League, performing at the 10th Edition of *Rock Central* by @AVPM (Credit: 760coremedia)

What are some of the most memorable shows that you’ve captured? And who do you hope to photograph in the future?

DESTINY’s EP launch show was a good one (referring to local melodic hardcore band DESTINY’s ‘To See Another Day’ EP launch show in 2024). There’s this photo that I really like – it’s of people singing the lyrics to the song with their hands in the air. You can also see that the vocalist has their hands in the air, and in the middle, there is someone stage diving and doing some sort of backflip.

760CoreMedia’s favourite photo from DESTINY’s EP launch show (Credit: 760CoreMedia)

I love capturing moments like that – when the artist interacts with the crowd and everyone just goes crazy.

Another favourite is the (US hardcore punk band) Stick To Your Guns show, as they are a band that I really like. Both Stick to Your Guns and DESTINY played at the Aliwal Arts Centre, which is a venue that I prefer shooting at, as there’s enough space for me to move around.

That said, the dream is to photograph a concert held at a big stadium or to be a designated photographer for a touring band. While most of my favourite bands are unlikely to tour in Singapore, I have managed to capture some, such as Stick to Your Guns and (US Metalcore band) As I Lay Dying. There are also others coming up, but I won’t mention them as the organisers haven’t announced the shows yet.

Memorable moments like that inspire us to keep going. Is there anything else you hope to achieve with your work?

To be honest, there’s nothing much that I hope to achieve with my photos. I just want people to enjoy the photos that I take and leave the bands and members with sick photos of their shows. Just seeing people’s smiles and knowing that they enjoy my work is what keeps me going.

Lastly, any local music recommendations to share with our readers?

My favourite would be post-hardcore band Caracal, and others that have disbanded, such as metalcore bands Villes and Of Thrones. These are the bands that I grew up with and started my local music scene journey with.

Today, there are other hardcore bands such as Wreckonize, Mystique, Agenda, Destiny and many others that I can’t think of right now haha. If I like how the music sounds, then I like it. There’s no other reason.

Also, a self-plug, but check out my band Angulimala!

This feature is the first of a three-part series. Follow 760coremedia on socials to stay connected.

This contributor feature was written by Cherie Wong.

Cherie is a human whose life revolves around music – except, you know, playing it. Ask her for the lore on any band and she’ll give it to you. Just don’t ask her to sight-read. You can find her at @shuhreee_ on IG.