Matt Anker has been a professional photographer based in London for over 20 years. Born in Epping, Matt grew up in Kent and acquired his first camera at age 10, and began experimenting with a 35mm camera as a teenager, playing with distortion and colours. This led to his attending what was then the Medway School of Art and Design to study advertising and editorial photography.
His first job was as an assistant to Jill Furmanovsky, which led to stints with Mel Yates, Nick Yates and Normski, eventually Matt was able to secure his own studio with Mel Yates.
During the early 1990’s, the ’indie’ music scene in Britain was in a transitional period, on the cusp of exploding into the mainstream. Small fanzines and indie magazines with obscure circulations documented bands such as Blur, The Inspiral Carpets and Carter USM, one such magazine, Lime Lizard, gave Matt his first break, and he was able to photograph the early careers of bands such as Pearl Jam and Nirvana and others associated with the ’Grunge’ movement.
Matt began working for the major record companies, and took many memorable images of artists, as varied as Blur, Motorhead, The Orb, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Massive Attack, Nick Cave and Napalm Death.
Matt’s style has been informed by such diverse influences as comtemporary artists such as Rothko and Dali and the great reportage images of the 1920’s and 30’s.
At the time of shooting this assignment,, Blur were one of many 'indie' bands. Little did we know how successful they would be."
Nirvana photographed in a stairwell at the Astoria, London in November 1991.
Outside the Hilton Hotel, St John’s Wood. I didn’t know who they were, but the lead singer came to the front.
Punk icon Sid Vicious reading MAD magazine in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during the Sex Pistols one and only US tour in January 1978.
Bono from U2 performing live on their Joshua Tree Tour in Rotterdam, Holland in July 1987
Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays captured in Yellow 2 Studios, Stockport in 1986
Johnny Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice and a trademark look, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black"
The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960 and widely regarded as the most influential acts of the rock era.
As a self-taught composer and performer, Zappa's diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often difficult to categorize.
Sir Elton John is an English pianist, singer-songwriter, composer & pop icon who has sold millions of records and won countless awards.
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