I recently got to shoot the 2009 US Air Guitar Championships for the Associated Press. It was totally awesome and totally metal. Who needs real guitars when you’re faced with talent and showmanship like this?

Ryan Layman, stage name Stryker / Dreamcatcher, of Denver, Colo. smashes beer cans together during his set. My camera got a little sip, but I can’t complain too much.

Cami Phillippi, stage name Airisol, of Minneapolis, Minn. She brought some gymnastic / acrobatic talent to the stage and was my personal favorite of the night. She was robbed.

Justin Hypes, left, stage name Steve Lavender, of San Francisco, Calif., reaches out to an audience member during a free-for-all audience participation air guitar version of the song “Free Bird.” This was by far the coolest part of the night. Everyone totally let loose and hammed it up.

Matt Cornelison, stage name Romeo Dance Cheetah, of Chicago, Ill. gestures post-performance. I loved this guy’s costume. My eyes were drawn to his… belt for most of the night.

Andrew Litz, stage name William Ocean, of New York, N.Y., poses for a picture after winning the 2009 US Air Guitar Championships. He did rock it out pretty hard and involved the audience with gusto.

Lance Kasten, stage name Shred, of Severna Park, Md., throws up the sign of the beast post-performance. ‘Nuff said.

(Post originally appeared 8-25-09)