Music Photography Blog

by Adam Elmakias

Catch Ya Round Tyson Stevens, You Were Nice To Me

Tyson was the lead singer of Scary Kids Scaring Kids. I grew up listening to this band. I still remember the first time I heard of them. I was in my friend Dan’s car on the way to Camp Shalom, where we worked. I thought his voice was weird at first but it grew on me. Fast forward two years I photographed Scary Kids for the first time outside a concert in Texas. Dream come true for 18-year-old me to be quite honest. Over the next few years I did a Warped Tour with them and a week or two in a van across the west side of the states.

The Loft in Madison Wisconsin on August 18th, 2007
The Loft in Madison Wisconsin on August 18th, 2007

Tyson was always good at letting me take photos of him, patient, with me as I wasn’t quite as quick back then. He was also one of my favorite people to photograph, as his skin always made my images look nice – he was just a photogenic guy.

Last time Tyson emailed me. I fucked up and didn’t email him back in time.

Tyson’s death wasn’t a surprise. I don’t know if that’s an okay thing to say, but sometimes people struggle with addictions and there is nothing you can do to help them. You just have to be there for ’em when you can and then let them go do their thing. It’s a sad reality. Going to miss having him around.

First shoot/ first time meeting Scary Kids Scaring Kids in Texas by Adam Elmakias
First shoot/ first time meeting Scary Kids Scaring Kids in Texas
Scary Kids Scaring Kids in Texas by Adam Elmakias
Scary Kids Scaring Kids in Texas
Scary Kids Scaring Kids in Texas by Adam Elmakias
Scary Kids Scaring Kids in Texas
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego for Warped Tour rehearsals
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego for Warped Tour rehearsals
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego for Warped Tour rehearsals
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego for Warped Tour rehearsals
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego for Warped Tour rehearsals
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego for Warped Tour rehearsals
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego
Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego by Adam Elmakias
Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego by Adam Elmakias
Tyson of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego by Adam Elmakias
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego
Tyson of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego by Adam Elmakias
Tyson of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids in San Diego
Tyson, Mike of Pierce The Veil, and Manny
Tyson, Mike of Pierce The Veil, and Manny
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids - Warped Tour
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids – Warped Tour
Bus drive, Tyson, Tanner in the back of the bus
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids - Warped Tour
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids – Warped Tour
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids - Warped Tour
Tyson Stevens of Scary Kids Scaring Kids – Warped Tour
Tyson and friends in Memphis, TN for an off day from Warped Tour
Tyson Stevens and T-Mills
Tyson Stevens outside a venue in Cali
Tyson Stevens outside a venue in Cali
Tyson Stevens in Anaheim, CA - aftershow smoke
Tyson Stevens in Anaheim, CA – aftershow smoke
Tyson in Anaheim, CA – aftershow smoke
Aftershow smile, legit happiness
Great smile wish he showed it more
Such a cool face too
Soundcheck with Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Soundcheck with Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Asleep in the van on tour, I slept next to him on the ground
Scary Kids Scaring Kids - outside a venue in Dallas, Texas
Scary Kids Scaring Kids – outside a venue in Dallas, Texas
Scary Kids Scaring Kids - outside a venue in Dallas, Texas
Scary Kids Scaring Kids – outside a venue in Dallas, Texas
Scary Kids Scaring Kids - outside a venue in Dallas, Texas
Scary Kids Scaring Kids – outside a venue in Dallas, Texas
Tyson and Derek Smith / Mod Sun
Scary Kids Scaring Kids at Emo's in Austin
Scary Kids Scaring Kids at Emo’s in Austin
Scary Kids Scary Kids - Austin, Texas
Scary Kids Scary Kids – Austin, Texas
Scary Kids, Scaring Kids – Austin Texas
Tyson smoking a cig at bands last show – San Diego, CA

Thanks again for everything Tyson. Rest well.

Me and Tyson a few years ago, I think I was 20 or 21