Jenny Lens Punk Archive/Photos, 1976-1980 (LA, NY, England, etc.)

jennylens.com/blog MY NEW BLOG

2006-10-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

jennylens.com/blog.

OK, I've had it w/Blogger. It won't post right away, I can't format, so I'm moving on. Yahoo Blogger has 24/7 tech support!

CBGB's: Patti, Ramones, Blondie, Television et a

2006-10-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Patti I knew, but haven't heard since 1976, was on Sirius, live from CBGB's -- their last live show in NY. I'm finishing a huge stack of photos for a book submission, and coincidentally working on shots of her from LA's Roxy, November 11, 1976. Tonight she covered Television, Blondie, Dead Boys and when taking a bathroom break, the boys covered da brudders. Cos of all the bands CBGBs spawned, who is more influential and universally beloved than the Ramones?

Patti put on one helluva show. Amazing. Wonder what Danny Fields was feeling/thinking? He is one of my all time fave people. I just wish I had some idea who he was when I knew him. I can’t wait to hear back from friends in the audience. But the drag is: how do you put a night like this into words? And how can those words ever replace not being there?

Last night I walked to an art opening down the street. The first comment when I pulled out a flyer w/my pix was, "so you shot at CBGB's, NY." I steadfastly shot down any and all suggestions I show my photos at CBGB's gallery the past couple of years. I felt it would be dishonest -- I've never even flown over NY, let alone set foot there. I'm a LA gal, and those bands played here, you know?

Anyway, you know how so many people talk about how much the Ramones changed their life, whether seeing them or hearing them? For me, it was Patti. "Horses," November, 1975 on my turntable. January, 1976, live at the Roxy. I can't begin to explain how I felt standing in line, waiting that cold winter eve, then seeing people come in when the doors finally opened. I swore to myself I'd figure out a way to be first in line. I can't sing, manage, or write songs, but I just knew this was my life. I planted the seeds to become a rock photographer, although even when I shot the Ramones the following August -- because I loved Dee Dee Ramones' cheekbones -- I still didn't have a clue I'd take some of the most iconic and beloved punk shots. I never imagined being published, let alone working on Patti photos 30 years later.

Back to Patti -- by the time I found a seat at the Roxy that cold January night, the club was packed (I realize later lots of people stayed over from the first show) so that I couldn't even see her perform. But her presence, her voice -- so memorable. Truly life changing.

She's talking about Lenny. Oh Lenny, talk about an icon! I was so shy and naive I had NO idea Lenny's writing/music background. The last time I saw them, August, 2001, the Roxy yet again, he hugged and kissed me. Patti hugged me outside during sound check. I remain stunned.

“Redondo Beach” dedicated to Jane Friedman. I often wonder where is she? I have some lovely backstage shots of Jane. Jane was one of the sweetest, kindest persons I met in rock. Lovely to hear her name.

I last saw Patti at the Troubadour, October 15th last year. Those last two times were disappointing -- hard to hear her lyrics. Tonight the mix is the way I like it: her voice up front and clear, the musicians in the background. Like Barbra Streisand. Some singers are stars on their own and music drowns them out. No offense Flea, Jackson, Jesse and others. I just wanna hear Patti and tonight, it's magic.

Oops, missed the last hour, thank goodness for DVR, cos I’m taping it via my Dish. Had to see “Desperate Housewives” live and it was better tonight than it’s been in ages. Poor Susan, does she have bad luck or what? How is she gonna convince Mike after Edie’s brainwashed him? Edie can be so convincing and Susan sounds like she’s lying when she’s telling the truth. Poor thang. Gabby is outta her mind. She and Carlos were perfect for each. What’s the deal with Bree’s husband Orson and Mike? Will Tom be able to run a pizza parlor? Will Lynette ever say what she really feels?

Back to work. I've been in a funk. Last night I kept dreaming about Dee Dee. I tried to contact him after his first painting show in LA. I didn't try hard enough and I still feel so guilty about it. I think he would have loved seeing those early photos. Maybe some would have inspired him w/his paintings.

It's awful, awful to have nightmares like that. I kept tossing and turning, trying to get those images/feelings out of my dreams. The guilt of not showing him photos, not finding him. I was in such a bad place in my life until recently. And the darkness always surrounds me, threatening to take over my life again. But the photos are the light that keep me going. I know I'm depressed cos my scanner died. Gotta finish these photos and pray I license enough to get my desperately needed scanner.

Although Patti is singing about a Gitmo prisoner born the same year as her son, so many of us have invisible chains. Now she's talking about satellite radio and operas.

One last thank you to CBGB’s and those early bands. What a different world we’d inhabit if there had been no CBGB’s and the bands who congregated there. Everyone in a band or thinking of being in a band has a lot to live up to. Between the Ramones legacy and Patti’s still amazing live shows, punk is certainly not dead! They may close doors, tear down venues, but the music and musicians live on. Rock on!

And yes, I’m one of the lucky few to have seen those bands early on. Memories, stories and photos to share with the rest of the world. It’s a heavy burden, and I struggle every day to do my part.

Duck Soup

2006-10-13T02:46:00.000-07:00

Ohmygawd, it's almost 3 AM and I'm still working. Just saw last half of "Horse Feathers" and all of "Duck Soup" on TCM. I love the Marx Brothers. I truly think it's in my genes. My mother always said she didn't know where my sense of humor came from, but it's gotta be a Russian/German Jewish thing. I love that scene in Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" and he's felling suicidal. He's walking around and enters a theatre. What's playing? "Duck Soup," the perfect antidote to the blues.

Saw 1969 episode with Groucho on Dick Cavett on TCM earlier tonight. Groucho was 79 years old, singing, dancing and saying the wittiest remarks. I remember seeing that the first time. I was in college and "Duck Soup" was re-released around that time, having been out of circulation for at least 3 decades. Considered a flop when it first played, but praised as a timeless classic during the Vietnam War by '60's teens and college students.

That's when some of us actually took to the streets and marched locally and in Washington, DC until the government finally had to throw in the towel. People truly had more power then because they exercised their power. Not like today, where they don't mourn the death of Habeus Corpus. Check out Keith Obermann if you don't get him on cable/satellite. He brilliantly demonstrated how all but one of the Bill of Rights have been eradicated by the current regime. I don't just blame the Repugs -- the Dems have been sitting on their asses and long-time enablers to the Rethugs.

OK, TCM is playing a Daffy Duck/Porky Pig cartoon. It's time to hit the hay before the sun comes up. One last thought: when I was in high school and college, I watched not only Dick Cavett, but Mervy Griffin, Mike Douglas, and David Frost. They LISTENED to their guests, who were THE stars of the day, whether John Lennon or Bette Davis. I will never forget when Merv's guest was Orson Welles, who opened up to the public as he never had, and passed away that night. Or Katherine Hepburn, who NEVER gave interviews til Cavett. I truly wish ALL those episodes were available. That's entertainment.

By the way, if these posts appear a day or two after I've written them, don't blame me. I don't know why Blogger is not posting these right away. Well, just gotta laugh about it!

Campus Ladies and Death of my Scanner

2006-10-13T00:08:00.000-07:00

Ohmygawd, I love "Campus Ladies." "Desperate Housewives" no longer makes me howl. But "Campus Ladies," now that's funny. I also love "Sex and the City" reruns, although running them out of order is sooo distracting. TV programmers obviously don't get the women change over the course of time, as do the fashions and men. They don't care, just slap one episode after another, who cares if so much is lost.

What a fucked day. My slide/neg scanner finally died (I literally laid my head next to my keyboard and cried), high res scans I eagerly waited for (from a major project) are sharpened to the point of excess pixelation (what the fuck?!), and a few other problems. Of course centered around money or the lack of.

I dug up awesome 999 shots with tons of punks dancing/moshing on the Whisky stage, Magazine, Lene Lovitch, Ian Drury at the Masque and others for a book submission, but no, they shall stay buried in my drawer. I turned down going to a party at Shooting Gallery, who is currently showing a few of my photos. Gotta work.

But life goes on, and I work with what I've got. Which is a lot of work, so back to it. Because I've wanted a decent, long lasting slide/neg scanner since I first started using a computer. In 1988. That's a long time, so I gotta work harder. Or find someone with a good connection w/Nikon. Nikon 9000, is that too much to ask? So people can really see what I shot?

Thank goodness for comedy, especially those wild and crazy Campus Ladies. Cos I can't begin to express my sadness. Damn that scanner, couldn't wait til I could afford to replace it. Now that I'm in a big work mode and now that people are finally coming to me for major projects. Ah, the glamorous life. Thank god for my memories. Cos it sure hurts, knowing what I've got and not being able to bring them to life. Yet.

Problems w/Blogger

2006-10-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

OK, I've tried and tried to update this bloody blog to include crediting MS MAGAZINE. I've approved the moderated comments (have to moderate cos otherwise I get spammed). I need to move my blog elsewhere, but too busy.

I also prefer formatting, but gave up cos it often wouldn't allow me to post any of my blog when I started to format it. So I apologize to those who wrote and your comments not posted. I apologize for not posting more blogs. I've taught all the major computer programs in colleges throughout the '90's, so I know my way around the computer. I've written tech support and of course I never get anything but canned answers. So that's the number one reason I don't blog often.

Take care, GO TO MS MAGAZINE AND SIGN THEIR ABORTION PETITION.

VOTE DEMOCRATIC AND HOLD EVERYONE'S FEET TO THE FIRE!

I HAD AN ABORTION

2006-10-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything in months, although I continue to write many long emails every day. Things are heating up and life could not be better. However, I must respond to a very hot issue that is gaining momentum via the net and press. I am so glad women are coming out and not only admitting they had an abortion, but they have NO REGRETS.

Add my name to Ms. magazine's list. I got knocked up at the Whisky, in the upstairs backstage bathroom. Doctors always told me I could never get pregnant, and the ONE time I didn't use birth control, it took. I can never remember the year -- either Fall, 1978 or '79. I always have to look it up and I can't be bothered. But if I had that child, my life would haven been ruined. And the child would be a mess.

Don't believe that crap women have regrets or all women were destined to be mothers. It's bullshit.

Think about this: if I had that child, there would be no Jenny Lens Punk Archive. Which is more valuable: my archive (which extends beyond punk) or another unwanted child?

Second topic: Mark Foley, Hastert and the GOP cover-up, the party of "Values." Discuss amongst everyone, and vote DEMOCRATIC!! As a registered Green, I say let's hold both parties feet to the fire, which begins with Democratic control of Congress.

OUR LIVES ARE AT STAKE!! Ok, back to work!

Take care!

2006-06-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

I haven't written anything in ages cos I'm really busy. But I want to respond and add to something Roger wrote me re the previous post. What about the San Diego race to replace jailed Repug Duke Cunningham? The voting irregularities of that make the outcome questionable. The fact precinct workers kept the voting machines at their homes the night before the election is very suspect and very scary. Why are the Dems quiet about that?

It doesn't matter about campaign reform -- there's always ways around that. It's a reality of today's economics that yes, one has to raise tons of money to be elected, and hence beholden to those who elected that person, not the individual voters. I can't get into ways to reform it because unless Dems learn to assert themselves and each person's vote is actually counted, nothing matters.

I really think the Repugs will keep their majority in both the House and the Senate because of the Diebold machines. No paper trail, history of Repug wins in areas usually dominated by the Dems (since 2000!) . . . It's great Robert F. Kennedy Jr published his massive article in Rolling Stone, is available online, and he's been making the TV news circuit. But does it change anything? So what if the NY Times agrees Kerry won Ohio?

Kerry is still a senator, not the rightful Prez. That's the real problem. AND the Dems have yet to come out fighting. There's tons of offenses by the Repugs, but their contributors control the airwaves, whether radio, local news or cable/satellite stations; print is meaningless and local broadcasts a waste of time.

I watch CNN, HNN, Fox, MSNBC, and CNBC several times a day when I eat my raw green smoothies or exercise. I want to know what's being reported -- or NOT reported. NOTHING about upcoming election problems.

Are the Dems so brain dead they think presenting their ideas, as Nancy Pelosi did w/Wolf Blitzer the other day, is gonna change anything? As long as the GOP can and do block Dem phone banks on the day of election (look it up, the dude behind it was found guilty, but what about the fact he called the White House several times that day?), as long as the Dem precincts don't get enough voting booths, forcing people to wait HOURS to vote (what is this, some third world country?) while Repug precincts vote in a matter of minutes, as long as THERE IS NO ACCOUNTIBILITY regarding each person's ballot, we are just fooling ourselves thinking we have a democratically elected system wherein everyone's vote is counted.

OK, back to work. But this is why it's so hard for me to focus. I am seriously concerned. Tragic so many people refuse to realize what's going on. What an irony: in the mankind's greatest age of accessible information, Americans have never been less informed. We get the government we deserve. But what about those of us, speaking out -- the Cassandras of our day? We're the ones being taken down. And by putting this online, will I be taken away in a decade? An enemy of the people? A risk I'm willing to take.

Repug flab: the other white meat!!

2006-05-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

If only I could focus on MY work. Yesterday I cried and cried about Haditha massacre and the Big Nine’s decision that public workers, you know, the ones who work for OUR government, working on OUR behalf (as if!), have NO First Rights protection. They can’t speak out at work when they see injustice, waste, whatever. Yeah, the very day after Memorial Day, when every American has lost someone in a war somewhere defending those very rights. Just taken away by 5 Conservatives. Nice going, eh?

So when I read the responses to a post on http://www.crooksandliars.com [note: I only posted a few remarks and rearranged the order, to put more of the food comments together and removed names. I DID NOT change text] re Sensenbrenner, one of the many Repugs alarmed the FBI removed files from a Dem’s home, I finally laughed at:

"Repug flab: the other white meat."

"This guy ought to be the poster child for constipation."

As someone who has struggled with weight issues for over 50 years, and now finally not only losing, but keeping off excess weight since becoming a very strict raw foods vegan, aka fruitarian (I only consume fresh fruit and veggies), I’m gonna throw bricks at my glass house. I know that most overweight people eat incorrectly and don’t exercise enough. It’s very hard to limit one’s food intake as to type of food and quantity. But if you’re gonna eat crap, you’re gonna look like crap. As a person who will ALWAYS have weight issues, I don’t care how that comes across. Take personal responsibility. For ALL you do: eating, drinking, drugs, playing, partying, working AND voting and standing up for your beliefs.

The food comments mingle with the political comments. You didn't think I'd put all the funny stuff first? From crooks and liars:

Sensenbrenner: "I think that we want to make sure that when the next Congressman is investigated for illegal activity that the procedure done by the Justice Department is right..."

You know there's something up when the GOP comes to the defense of a dem.

Key words in the quote: "Next Congressman" That'll be a repug.

Saw this on a taped copy of Countdown from last night after which Mom said, "There shouldn't even be a next time!!!"

The "next time" the FBI goes to the Rayburn office building, there won't be any usable evidence (that's where Bob Ney, Jerry Lewis and Duncan Hunter's offices are, by the way). They all had a nice 3-day weekend and a "shooting scare" to make sure of that.

As some have said....the only reason the GOP is outraged about the 'raid' is because with all their wrong doing they could be next! But they should know this executive branch will only do that to them if they don't play by the rules.

It's all the free lunches from lobbyists.

They should have their congressional cafeteria cards taken away. At least then taxpayers wouldn't have to foot the bill for their out-of-control appetites.

True. Thanks to their GOP grease machine, we could cut off their free gov't lunches and they'd still put of weight faster than prize pig at the county.

White Porkers Unite!

Sensebrenner is obviously enjoying more than his share of pork.

The Repugs sure have a lot of fat white guy pols, don't they.

I think the more chins you have the higher they promote you within the Rethug Party.. look at Hastert and Sensenbrenner.

Sensenbrenner looks like he was fattened on the same feed lot Dennis Hastert was. Separated at birth, or what?

So that's what Sensenbrenner looks like. Another bloated politico with a schmuck face. I thought Hastert was bad. Well at least they look the role of corrupt, corporeal scumbags.

"How do these obese right-wingers get so...obese? Are they taking weight-gain drugs or get fat pills? And these are the people who run the country when they can't even keep themselves under 300 lbs?"

That's because lobbyists are allowed in the Congressional Gym. How the hell are you suppose to concentrate on toning those sexy abs when there's some guy from K Street walking up and down in front of you with a wheelbarrow full of cash that he says can be all yours if you would just tag an amendment onto a defense appropriations bill that allows an native american tribe to add 50 more acres of casino space?

They couldn't give a sh*t less about Jefferson, except to keep the story alive as long as possible.

Funny, they didn't worry about our privacy when they passed the Patriot Act, but when their privacy is in question they raise hell.

The Newt Gingrich/Tom Delay/Karl Rove/Chimpy GOP Congress...the worst in US history. The bums should all be thrown out in November.

Republican goals:
1. Keep Democrat Jefferson's name in the news as long as possible.
2. Displace Republican crooks from the news.
3. Stifle investigations that might require searching the office of House and Senate Republicans.

So far they're reaching all three goals. Every minute Jefferson stays in the news, every minute Democrats argue against searching his office WITH A WARRANT, every minute WE spend fuming about it is a minute we are not actively on the attack against a whole host of crooked Republicans.

This is why we have to Clean House in 2006. If it smells Vichy [French collaborators with the Nazis during WW2] or dirty, get rid of 'em. America's government today is infected with a deadly level of corruption. When Republicans and Democrats alike make noises that their offices are legally immune from legal searches, I start to wonder just how many bags of cash are sitting in those offices.

WHY I SPOKE UP

2006-05-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

Why I Spoke Up
Jean Rohe
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
jean-rohe/why-i-spoke-up_b_21358.html
05.20.2006
[emphasis and extra paragraph breaks added by me]

When I was selected as a student speaker for the New School commencement about two months ago I had no idea that I'd end up on CNN and in Maureen Dowd's column in the New York Times, among other places, when it was all over. One day after the big event I'm still reeling from all the media attention and emails from professors, students, and other supporters from all over the country, so forgive me if my writing is a little scattered.

In my speech yesterday I had hoped to talk about social responsibility in a time of war, but in much more oblique terms. I wanted to speak about communication, and how I have found that one of my strongest and most enjoyable methods of communication is music. I wanted to talk about the New York City public school preschoolers with whom I work each week and how they've been empowered through music, how they've been able to learn linguistic and social skills by singing together. I wanted to talk about my grandfather, who, despite the fact that he has Alzheimer's disease and cannot remember even my name, still knows all the songs he sang in his youth. I wanted to talk about music as a powerful tool for peace. I wanted to encourage everyone to identify his or her talents and to always use them for the greater good.

Unfortunately, a certain not-so-dynamic duo of "centrist" politicians foiled my standard graduation speech and forced me to act. Until just the day before commencement I really hadn't understood the gravity of the situation. I suppose I should tell the story.

On Thursday I attended two graduation ceremonies for my two degrees, one at the New School Jazz Program and one at Eugene Lang College at the New School. The Lang graduation was a pretty raucous affair, owing mostly to the dissenting voices of Elijah Miller, a student award recipient, and Mark Larrimore, a religious studies professor and our keynote speaker. Through the cheers at that event I got a sense of just how widespread the student outrage was.

Forgive me now if I seem out of touch with my student body, but as a double degree student who had spent the last month in hibernation working on her recital and her thesis, in addition to working with the preschoolers, I hadn't done anything else for weeks. At some point that day I was introduced to Irene, a student who was involved in organizing pins and armbands for students to wear during commencement the next day. We figured out a way to get me and the other student speaker armbands before the event. This same day all of us in the platform party got an email from the event organizer letting us know that certain media representatives would be in attendance, among them Fox news and National Public Radio. The situation seemed pretty serious.

When I got home Thursday night after a rehearsal, I decided I needed to at least insert a line in my speech about the armbands. And I would've left it there, had the other student speaker, Christina Antonakis-Wallace, not reminded me in a telephone conversation that night that I should read John McCain's speech from his other two speaking engagements which was conveniently posted on his website. Of course! I had to do my research. I checked the schedule for the ceremony and realized that I would be speaking just before the senator got his award. And that's when the idea for a preemptive strike began to brew in my little stressed-out brain.

What if I tore McCain's speech apart before he even opened his mouth? After reading his speech a couple of times I picked out a few particularly loathsome sections--and believe it or not, none of these actually came from the extensive section where he defends his position on the war in Iraq--and I began planning an attack against him using his own words.

At two in the morning when my boyfriend came home I hadn't even started writing yet. I was in a terrible state of anxiety. What if it didn't work? Didn't my earlier speech make my position clear enough? I told him my new idea. "Jean, you have to do it. You'll kick yourself later if you don't." "But it's two in the morning. There's no way it's going to be any good." "Jean, do it. You'll have nothing to regret."

So in the wee hours of the morning I set out to revise my speech, re-saving it as "mccain speech subversive.doc". And at three o'clock in the morning I woke up my other roommate as I practiced reading it in our living room. She wasn't upset. "Sounds like you're running for president," she told me. We all agreed that I had no choice. It was the only thing I could do at the commencement. And so, tingling with nerves, I tried to go to sleep.

The morning of the event I shared my speech over the phone with my mother who predictably enough, cried. She gave me her words of encouragement. And moments later, in the driving rain, I set off alone for Madison Square Garden.

The entire afternoon leading up to my speech I imagined that everyone who saw me knew what I was up to. I felt like an infiltrator. I wanted to go home and I was sick to my stomach. But when I heard an organizer on her walkie-talkie speaking nervously with another coordinator about the students outside who had leaflets and armbands, I knew that I would have my supporters. Later, John McCain arrived in the green room, and with the encouragement of Laurie Anderson, another honoree, Christina and I introduced ourselves to him.

I almost wanted to warn the guy that I was about to make him look like an idiot so that he would at least have a fighting chance and an extra moment to change his speech to save himself. But he didn't even make eye contact when we shook hands, so I figured I didn't owe him anything.

The rest is a blur. I didn't have a high school graduation, so I was kind of looking forward to the whole ceremony of it, but all I remember is suddenly being in a robe, walking down the aisle of the MSG Theater to the cheers of my friends (who, incidentally, had no idea what to expect) and then I was on stage staring out at thousands of people and trying not to vomit. Eventually I spoke, and everyone loved it. And McCain spoke and we all had a bit of déjà vu. Then some other people spoke and I tried to pay attention but I couldn't stop gawking at the protesters in the audience. And just before the end of the ceremony Bob Kerrey asked if I wanted to walk out with McCain. I said that would be OK. Kerrey led me over to him as the recessional music began, and I took McCain's arm.

"I'm sorry, man," I told him, "I just had to do it." He mumbled something about it being alright, but I think he probably would've rather not had me there. It really wasn't his fault that he got invited into a pit of very well-educated vipers, and it really wasn't my fault that I did what I had to do in the situation.

Had he been speaking at something other than our graduation, or had he spoken about almost anything other than his life and his position on the Iraq War and Darfur it might have been OK. But what did he expect? Campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination at the New School is like trying to catch fish in a swimming pool. It was just totally out of place. Many thanks go to the people in the audience who managed to capture with a few yelled and widely-quoted phrases, just exactly what was going on there.

I suppose I've written enough already, none of which has been particularly journalistic. But I do feel that I need to respond to a couple of things that have been floating around in the news. It's been noted in several columns that anti-McCain sentiment coming from the left may actually help him to garner support from the conservatives by giving him the opportunity to paint us as extremist liberals, so we should all keep our mouths shut.

I say we need some "extremist liberals" if we're ever going to get our democracy back. Others have said that he's a moderate at heart and that we should let him continue pandering to the religious right so he can get the vote. Once he gets into office he'll show his true colors and be the centrist he always was.

I don't buy that. People who truly care about human beings don't vote for an unjust war, among other things, simply as a political maneuver. Enough said.

More importantly, I feel obligated to respond to one thing that McCain told the New York Times. "I feel sorry for people living in a dull world where they can't listen to the views of others," he said.

This is just preposterous. Yes, McCain was undoubtedly shouted-out and heckled by people who were not politely absorbing his words so as to consider them fully from every angle. But what did he expect? We could've all printed out his speech and chanted it with him in chorus. Did he think that no one knew exactly what he was about to say? And it was precisely because we listen to the views of others, and because, as I said in my speech, we don't fear them, that we as a school were able to mount such a thorough and intelligent opposition to his presence.

Ignorant, closed-minded people would not have been able to do what we did. We chose to be in New York for our years of higher education for the very reason that we would be challenged to listen to opposing viewpoints each and every day and to deal with that challenge in a nonviolent manner. We've gotten very good at listening to the views of others and learning how to also make our views heard, even when we don't have the power of national political office and the media on our side.

I think we must remember that as big as this moment may seem to me today and perhaps to other supporters who are reading this article, this is a very small victory in a time when democracy is swiftly eroding under the pressure of the right wing in this country.

We all have much work to do, and for the most part the media do not represent us, the small people who don't hold any special titles but who feel the weight of our government's actions on our backs each and every day. I never expected to get the opportunity to speak the way I did yesterday, but I'm so glad that I did. I hope that other people found strength in my act of protest and will one day find themselves in my position, drawing out their own bravery to speak truth.

Here's my commencement speech:

If all the world were peaceful now and forever more,
Peaceful at the surface and peaceful at the core,
All the joy within my heart would be so free to soar,
And we're living on a living planet, circling a living star.
Don't know where we're going but I know we're going far.
We can change the universe by being who we are,
And we're living on a living planet, circling a living star.

Welcome everyone on this beautiful afternoon to the commencement ceremony for the New School class of 2006. That was an excerpt of a song I learned as a child called "Living Planet" by Jay Mankita. I chose to begin my address this way because, as always, but especially now, we are living in a time of violence, of war, of injustice. I am thinking of our brothers and sisters in Iraq, in Darfur, in Sri Lanka, in Mogadishu, in Israel/Palestine, right here in the U.S., and many, many other places around the world. And my deepest wish on this day--on all days--is for peace, justice, and true freedom for all people. The song says, "We can change the universe by being who we are," and I believe that it really is just that simple.

Right now, I'm going to be who I am and digress from my previously prepared remarks. I am disappointed that I have to abandon the things I had wanted to speak about, but I feel that it is absolutely necessary to acknowledge the fact that this ceremony has become something other than the celebratory gathering that it was intended to be due to all the media attention surrounding John Mc Cain's presence here today, and the student and faculty outrage generated by his invitation to speak here. The senator does not reflect the ideals upon which this university was founded. Not only this, but his invitation was a top-down decision that did not take into account the desires and interests of the student body on an occasion that is supposed to honor us above all, and to commemorate our achievements.

What is interesting and bizarre about this whole situation is that Senator Mc Cain has stated that he will be giving the same speech at all three universities where he has been invited to speak recently, of which ours is the last; those being Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, Columbia University, and finally here at the New School. For this reason I have unusual foresight concerning the themes of his address today. Based on the speech he gave at the other institutions, Senator Mc Cain will tell us today that dissent and disagreement are our "civic and moral obligation" in times of crisis. I consider this a time of crisis and I feel obligated to speak. Senator Mc Cain will also tell us about his cocky self-assuredness in his youth, which prevented him from hearing the ideas of others. In so doing, he will imply that those of us who are young are too naïve to have valid opinions and open ears.

I am young, and although I don't profess to possess the wisdom that time affords us, I do know that preemptive war is dangerous and wrong, that George Bush's agenda in Iraq is not worth the many lives lost. And I know that despite all the havoc that my country has wrought overseas in my name, Osama bin Laden still has not been found, nor have those weapons of mass destruction.

Finally, Senator Mc Cain will tell us that we, those of us who are Americans, "have nothing to fear from each other." I agree strongly with this, but I take it one step further. We have nothing to fear from anyone on this living planet. Fear is the greatest impediment to the achievement of peace. We have nothing to fear from people who are different from us, from people who live in other countries, even from the people who run our government--and this we should have learned from our educations here.

We can speak truth to power, we can allow our humanity always to come before our nationality, we can refuse to let fear invade our lives and to goad us on to destroy the lives of others. These words I speak do not reflect the arrogance of a young strong-headed woman, but belong to a line of great progressive thought, a history in which the founders of this institution play an important part. I speak today, even through my nervousness, out of a need to honor those voices that came before me, and I hope that we graduates can all strive to do the same.

Corp Hiding Where they Outsource Jobs

2006-05-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to move my dish reception to my work room. I called about upgrading features, which turns out to be more expensive than I'm willing or able to spend. They've gone from selling equipment to leasing, gouging their customers more every day.

I must have dish or cable cos this apartment has no regular antenna. And how could I live without my new hero, Stephen Colbert and that nice Jewish boy, Jon Stewart?

At the end of a long conversation, and thanking the customer service rep for his help, I asked where I was calling.

"Due to security reasons, we can't tell you."

I laughed and said, "Oh, you KNOW everything about ME, my address, and banking info, and you won't tell me if I'm calling India or if you're an Indian working in California or Iowa. You and I have NO PRIVACY but CORPORATIONS HIDE the TRUTH from their customers. They outsource jobs and won't tell us. It's not as if I'm gonna get on a plane and bother you. I'm way too busy. I'd tell you what I think, but I'm a lady."

FUCK that SHIT!! Now companies won't even tell us where they've outsourced their customer service cos of "security reasons."

What a load of horse crap. Back to scanning slides.

Online News Sources

2006-05-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

I get emails from people asking where I get info I post. Simple: the INTERNET. Here’s some clues, explanations, etc, but please, do the work yourself! It’s easy, it’s empowering, it’s something to share w/everyone you know! Especially BEFORE the next election, which will set the course of our lives either into more debt, higher gas prices, more wars, more pollution, more taxes or maybe, just maybe, a little bit back to those of us working so hard and struggling because the rich get richer (the Dils’ “I hate the Rich.”)

I've started watching CNN, HNN, MSNBC and yes, Fox on my dish satellite. I read the LA Times and NY Times online and am stunned that NONE of them cover 98% of what is amply covered in great detail on the internet. Ever notice how TV shows say for more info, check our website? That’s where most of the news is buried.

Start with huffingtonpost.com, truthdig.com, rawstory.com, opednews.com, crooksandliars.com and tompaine.com. They ALL show videotape w/W, Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Rice, broadcasters, etc. They all link to MAJOR papers/broadcasters who bury these stories.

"Bush Brags about Breaking 750 Laws": someone asked for more info. I first read about it online weeks ago. Just do a Google search "Bush 750 laws" and you will see many reliable news outlets who covered this story in more detail.

From the Boston Globe, april 30, 2006:

"President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.

"Legal scholars say the scope and aggression of Bush's assertions that he can bypass laws represent a concerted effort to expand his power at the expense of Congress, upsetting the balance between the branches of government. The Constitution is clear in assigning to Congress the power to write the laws and to the president a duty ''to take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Bush, however, has repeatedly declared that he does not need to ''execute" a law he believes is unconstitutional."

This is a man who barely made it through college, IS NOT A LAWYER and HIS interpretation of the Constitution that reigns over us. NOT CONGRESS, NOT THE PEOPLE, but HIM. Remember, he's "the decider."

What’s appalling is the Repugs are on a mission to destroy the Dems as of now. Mary Cheney said her father is “ethical” on Fox News last night. My mouth dropped open so quickly that I almost lost the salad I was eating. She’s all over John Edwards for his remarks. Never mind what her father or his admin have done or said about gays.

Americans see ethics scandals as bipartisan problem. There’s a HUGE difference between accepting bribes, gambling and prostitutes at the Watergate hotel by the party who stands for family values and comparing that to whatever any Dem has done. The Dems worked alone (usually siphoning off some money). Compare that to CIA former director Goss and 3rd man in charge Foggo (both of whom just resigned), Cunningham (former San Diego Congressman in jail for 8 years for his part in all this), Wade (the contractor) and the list goes on (hey, it’s all over the net, I don’t have time to explain who all these people are).

Throw in HAYDEN -- just one of the “brains” behind warrantless and illegal wire tapping on US citizens, breaking the 4th Admendment -- and now he might head the CIA? At least the Dems didn’t make a big deal outta “Family Values” and Christian ethics, which is the Repugs platform.

And don’t get me started on this Impeachment Issue. It’s all over Fox, I mean, Faux News. The American public doesn’t want an impeachment. We don’t want Mary’s father Dickie for Prez.

But we want ACCOUNTABILITY, we want the laws to be obeyed, enacted and funded. We want our piece of the American Pie that we’ve worked hard and deserve. Do you think the Dems can take the issue of “GOP Tax Cut Deal to give Middle-Income Household $20 on average, Wealthy $42K,” (tompaine.com) and get voters into booths this November? That’s the most troubling aspect.

Will the Dems get it together and deliver effective messages so voters know who, what and why they are voting, and in significant numbers to affect change? We know the Repugs are scared -- top RNC advisors are concerned Dems could take back the House. So that’s why they are coming out with all kinds of nasty, OLD issues, as well as distorting and burying the current Dems election issues.

We can only pray the Dems get as aggressive as the Repugs. Cos if the Dems blow it, when the Repugs are falling down like dominoes, then we are doomed.

Where do I get this info? We still have lots and lots of news online. It’s not that hard to find. Get to work and spread the word. And save our country from the rich and powerful. There are more of us than them.

First of all, contact your representatives and all press, print and online, and fight to PRESERVE “Net Neutrality.” A Republican-dominated congressional committee is hell-bent on destroying the First Admendment of the Net. Higher cost access (be prepared to PAY ALOT MORE for email and net access) and CENSORSHIP. The only ones to benefit are the huge telecommunications network who will increase cost of internet access and the government, who will work with those companies to CENSOR what is posted. The government knows the net is the most effective tool to keep tabs on them, and they are scared.

Fight for an open internet. Not this bogus “net neutrality” crap. OK, you’ve got your homework assignments. Have fun and spread the word!

CIA, Military and the beat goes on!

2006-05-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Well, silly me for wondering the "method behind the madness" at in-fighting between the CIA and John Negroponte, the Director of National Intelligence. Negoponte has quite a history as Ambassador to Honduras. Maybe you'd care to check out his "human rights" background. Something about convert funding of the Contras. Those of you too young to remember the Iran-Contra situation under Reagan might find it either entertaining or scary. Guess it depends how much you care for the laws of not only America, but international laws.

If Hayden is comfirmed, ALL US intelligence will be under MILITARY CONTROL and CONGRESS HAS NO OVERSIGHT (not that they do much with the powers they have). OK, think about this: an Administration who brag about breaking 750 American laws with an intel gathering done by the military.

Yahoo: "If Hayden were confirmed, military officers would run all the major spy agencies, from the ultra-secret National Security Agency to the Defense Intelligence Agency." So now the suggestion is he retires from the Air Force. I pray Congress doesn't fall for that ploy!

Is this still a democray or . . . I'm not gonna spell it out to you, but I'll give you some hints . . . it starts with "F" and was very popular amongst the Germans and Italians, particularly during the 1930's. One could argue the French were willing collaborators during those times.

Another top CIA dude resigned, Kyle "Dusty" Foggo. He and Goss are thought to be involved in the bribery scandal that sent former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham to jail for 8 years. Prostitutes, gambling, bribes: GOP Family Values under the spot light. Throw in Ralph Reed, formerly of the Christian Coalition, Abramoff, Scanlon, and a few others. The FBI is investigating the CIA!

Watch the dominoes fall. Help give them a shove! They've been shoving us around for too long.

What does that have to do with punk? Punks don't ignore such things. And you won't be alone. Imagine this: top Dems and GOP leaders are "questioning the wisdom" of Hayden.

Join the fight. It's your future.

Sopranos/Heroin vs. Desperate Housewives/Heroines

2006-05-07T18:47:00.000-07:00

Briefly taking a break from labeling slides while eating some raw foods, I quickly viewed Sopranos. Anyone see the size of the syringe used to inject heroin? We always used needles for diabetics for both speed and junk. It's a tiny, thin short needle and skinny plunger. They used a really thick long needle. Ouch, that's gotta really hurt!

Ok, you all know it's really stupid to shoot drugs, right? The speed of 25 years ago was way different, took longer to destroy one's body. But Christopher -- what a fool. Can you believe they robbed Lauren Bacall for her awards goodie basket? What hoods! First he marries his pregnant girlfriend and then shoots up. Feeling a little guilty about helping to kill the only person who ever really loved him?

I'm really hooked on "Big Love." Tonight Nickie drops the $60K bombshell on her husband, Bill. I sure wouldn't want to be in their shoes! I don't understand the negativity towards "Desperate Housewives." Last week, when Gabrielle and Carlos lost yet another baby, I was stunned and crying.

When their cowardly boss told Lynette her husband Tom had to be fired, I thought: time for you two to find other jobs. They should start an ad firm in their home. And file some kind of lawsuit. There's gotta be something they can legally do. How about sexual harrassment, the way the boss made Lynette pretend to be him and flirt w/his wife? Lynette's so good at turning things around, usually blowing up in her face.

How about for once she is the heroine? I love how Marc Cherry balances the absuridity of life with humor and tragedy. Back to my slides.

Clash and CIA

2006-05-06T23:56:00.000-07:00

[I created a formatted version -- much easier to read --but it won't let me post formatted blogs although I use its software.]

Are you punk enough to do something about your country, your lives? What would the Clash do? The Dils [Class War, I Hate the Rich]? X [Year One]? Joey Ramone was justifiably enraged when then-current Prez Reagan visited a cemetery full of SS Officers, the ones who killed Jews like him and I. Angry enough to write and sing about it, originally called "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg," [Bitburg being the cemetery and Bonzo after the Chimp that starred w/Reagan and his wife in a 1950's movie], til conservative Johnny insisted in a new title, “My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down.”

I often wondered what why NO Germans knew about the 6 million people sent to "concentration camps" to be gassed and starved to death. NO ONE knew what happened to their former neighbors, co-workers, merchants, etc. And if you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you. Well, we know what YOUR government is doing. So what are YOU doing about it? You think the comparison far fetched? You haven't been reading the news.

Did you read the part about the 750 or so laws Bush has broken? And the Admin's position that BUSH IS ABOVE THE LAW. Above the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Does that bother you? If so, what are you doing about it? Any idea what Jefferson would do? [hint: he'd fight back, along with Adams, Franklin, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine and others.]

Prez George Herbert Bush once RAN THE CIA. Now his son has broken it. As much as I am opposed to the reality of the CIA, a government MUST have some kind of agency gathering, analyzing and reporting international current events so our govt formulates foreign policies. I just read an excerpt from Ray McGovern, a 27 yr CIA vet who is outraged at all the admins since Carter have corrupted our intelligence community. I am so livid I can hardly type this.

How was it broken? The director and others are implicated in a sordid scandal. Remember when the Repubs frothed at the mouth over a blow job? It could be about gambling, prostitutes and bribery and a few other unsavory details. And/or shipping prisoners to countries who torture or secret prisons, in violation of American and International Laws. Talk about running on Family Values? Double-speak.

Those of you who haven't read "1984" better run out the library -- use a false ID so they can't trace you -- and read it. It's not too late, not yet, I pray, so wake up, wise up and DO SOMETHING!

The mainstream media and BOTH political parties don't get how ANGRY the citizens and residents of America are. Let them know. As the Clash, Ramones, X, Dils, Anti-Flag, Rise Against, Pete Seeger (Springsteen just cut a CD covering his songs), Woody Guthrie, DYLAN, John Fogerty (Fortunate Son) and SO MANY others SANG, NOW it's YOUR TURN TO DO SOMETHING.

Me, the life-long progressive proud LIBERAL (some would say radical) upset at the dismantling of the CIA? Instead of spying on other countries, our government is spying on you and I. They're more interested in YOUR Google searches. Bravo to Google for refusing them. Are you upset the courts decided in the Government's favor, violating YOUR free expression, your privacy? At least Google didn't roll over and play dead like other search engines. Yes, Google did give in to Chinese censorship, but at least they fought YOUR government, the one whose Veep, Cheney, just gave a speech in Vilnius, Lithuania about freedom and democracy, while curtailing YOUR RIGHTS at home.

Former Prez Bush the 41st was the CIA DIRECTOR from November 1975 to January, 1977 under Pres Ford. Doesn't Bush the 43rd EVER LISTEN to his father? Does his father bother to advise him? Where was Bush the 43rd when his father ran it? Did they ever discuss it over the dinner table? How can Bush Sr stand by and see this happen? What about momma, Barbara? Does this bother her "beautiful mind?" Her son is ruining the very agency her husband ran. Laura and the twins Barbara and Jenna are proud of spouse/father? WTF!!

Talk about a dysfunctional family. Add the Clinton’s sickening cozying up to the Bush dynasty, and the big question remains: what would the Clash do? The answer is: Anti-Flag and Rise Against and others are raging against this deceitful machine. Even former conservative Bush supporter Neil Young couldn't wait for CDs to be pressed/distributed. He posted a full CD of songs, the most powerful being a call to IMPEACH BUSH. But that's not enough, cos who wants Prez Cheney or Rice or ?

Of course you never hear them on the radio (rare exception being Chris Morris on Indie 103.1's Watusi Rodeo, Sunday mornings, 11 -1 PM PST, and online indie1031.fm, but NOT archived), but now the government and Congress are quickly moving to censor the net, the last place you can hear/read the news and protests, mobilize and sign petitions and so much more.

Wake up! We live in a banana republic. And simply voting in November is not enough. Indie had a new DJ last Monday who said the way to effect change is voting in November. Oh no, that's not enough. Cos voting in a Democrat Congress is too little too late. They are complicit in all of this!

YOU gotta let them know NO MORE crap, and being a Democrat is NOT A FREE PASS for "same ol', same ol'."

As the Who sang, "meet the new boss, same as the old boss."

YOU have to affect change in the way news is being reported. Or more accurately, NOT being reported. You've got a lot of work to do. Stop saying/writing you wish you were at the Masque with me. Seeing the Ramones, Blondie in LA, the Clash in England. IF you don't take back YOUR country, forget free speech and rock 'n' roll.

Think I'm an alarmist? Read huffingtonpost.com. Follow all the fall-out over Stephen Colbert's COURAGE to speak the truth just a few feet away from Bush and how the media IGNORED and RIDICULED the BRAVEST MAN in America, Mr. Colbert. And all the retired Generals and West Point graduates and others against this regime and others.

If you say it's too late, if you rather do something else, you have no one to blame but yourself when we all go to hell right here on earth. As someone wrote on huffingtonpost.com today, the worse part of all this are the people who are doing the most they can and know that when this ships sinks, WE ALL ARE GOING DOWN. The Titanic or Colbert's right-on reference, the Hindenberg, will be nothing compared to the fall of this once-beautiful country.

It's not the "Star Spangled Banner." It's "America the Beautiful." That's the song that brings tears to my soul and heart. Check out those lyrics and do something. NOW.

"Purple mountain's majesty" now chopped off, ruining Appalachia's streams, rivers and land. Forests cut to raise $1 billion for American school when tens of billions wasted in Iraq, over-billing by Halliburton and others.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The iceberg that is tearing this country apart. Do you realize that in 6 years of the Bush regime whole environmental policies are destroyed, gas rising and more. Most of you are too young to remember the ridicule of Carter in a similar position concerning gas shortages, caused by the OIL companies in cahoots with the Middle East. Carter, unlike Bush, actually tried to remedy the situation, but he didn't cause it and the Republicans made sure Carter couldn't fix it.

Yes, that was when punk was first emerging. Coincidence? I think not. DO SOMETHING. NOW. Are you PUNK ENOUGH TO TAKE THEM ON?

Stephen Colbert and Jerry Casale

2006-04-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

Jerry Casale is one of the most brillant men in a rock band or anywhere. Articulate and sharp as a razor, he cut through the optimism of many at Beyond Baroque last night. We have indeed devolved to the point that people don't want to think, don't know good advice, and are basically lemmings.

I was very conflicted, especially when interviewed later. Vale, our host, mentioned women and punk. The interviewer, Carlye, said she's heard men mention that women were involved in punk, but never said by women. Ouch, ain't that the truth!

I said something, very impassioned and loudly (no surprise) and NO ONE in the room bothered to say, oh, that's one of the earliest LA punks who also extensively photographed the scene from within the scene. No, to many in the room, I was, yet again, just some loud woman. People are clamoring to know the real history, but we're bombarded by many who weren't even there, saying all kinds of things that fly in the face of those who not only were there, but helped CREATE PUNK.

That is why it's so hard for me to go to these events. I sit there like an observer, when I was and am a participant. It's not my ego, it's the truth of what I say. I remember, I have photos, people who were there write to me, I share those stories, those memories, those facts. But until someone validates I speak from authority, and don't just rehash mindless theories floating about, then my words have no weight. And that drives me crazy. It's so sad: this history will be lost and distored if people don't pay attention to those who CREATED PUNK.

Maybe I should introduce myself, but would that be taken as egotistical? Maybe the problem is I'm too polite. I should not rely on men to do the right thing and give credit where credit is due. I gotta work on that!

At one point a woman said she's 16 and Jerry and the panelists will die in 30 years. He thanked her for giving him those many years. One point he was making was although the old method of record distribution doesn't work as it did before (and as punks found out, never worked that well for us 30 years ago), the net is not much better. His last comments were that iTunes won't play his music. You can't hear Jerry Casale from Devo on iTunes.

Wait, didn't Disney just release Devo 2.0, a cover version aimed for younger audiences? But Jerry can't get his current music on iTunes? Although, as the young woman said, "there are thousands of sites to hear music," where does a fan start? And you better believe that I try to hear as much new music as I can, but to do it properly, I'd work less than I do (not a good thing).

I mentioned the fight for "net neutrality," and these women, who live on the net and know of moveon.org, never heard about that bill. I wanted to add this battle is one wherein corporations (whom Jerry rightfully criticized) are on OUR side. Amazon and AOL don't want slower access and less info posted because their revenue streams depend upon easy access and readily available info. You'd think they'd be able to take on Congress and the telecommunications monopoly, but this new bill caught everyone by surprise (like aspects of the Patriot Act). This Admin and Congress act without public discourse, with the help of the press, asleep at the wheel (and bought off).

This morning I laughed and cheered at the tape of Stephen Colbert sticking it not only to the Pres, but the PRESS CORP. I mentioned seeing Helen Thomas next to him at the dais before running off to the punk gathering last night. She played a vital role in his presentation. Over and over, Helen asked: "WHY DID WE INVADE IRAQ?" Too few in the media ask that question and all settle for no answers. Except "doubting Thomas," relegated to the back of the press room. Yet little of what Colbert said was mentioned in the MSM aka mainstream media.

He too spoke truthfully, or using his fave word, with truthiness. Punk and politics, as I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it, are related.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. How many more chances do you think you'll get to get it right? What good is the net if it's censored and more expensive? Don't think it will happen? Happening right now.

Valerie Plame and Laura Bush: together at last!

2006-04-29T17:33:00.000-07:00

While getting ready to go see/hear Jerry Casale and Vale [Search and Destroy, the SF punk fanzine] in celebration of James Stark's updated SF photo book, Punk 77, at Beyond Baroque, I caught part of the Washington Correspondents Dinner. I'm taping it to see just how much Stephen Colbert sticks it to the man.

But how weird is it to see a blonde, radiant, yet outed CIA agent Valerie Plame and her husband, Ambassador Joe Wilson, in the same room as a smiling, always talking Laura Bush and her spouse, looking rather uncomfortable and isolated?

Did you know the Bush administration wants to criminally prosectute JOURNALISTS/REPORTERS for leaking info that may be detrimental to them? Doesn't matter if his Admin is breaking the laws of our great country. All that matters is if they leak info those in charge don't want leaked.

Isn't that the role of the press: to uncover crimes against citizens when perpetrated by the government? Or big business? Or increasingly, when both OUR government and big business conspire against US. Read more about it online, starting with the NY Times and huffingtonpost.com.

Who is on the right of Mr. Colbert? None other than one of my all-time heroines, Helen Thomas. Ms. Thomas, covering the White House since before many of your parents were born, has been quite visibly ill-treated by those in power in DC. But it hasn't stopped that under five foot, over 80 year old woman!

If you haven't been paying attention, special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is investigating who divulged Plame's name in retaliation for Wilson's published reports that Iraq was not buying yellowcake from Nigeria. That revelation contradicated the current regime's basis for invading Iraq. It's why Rove has been brought back 5 times to answer questions. Remember when W said he'd fire anyone involved? Now it turns out they have to be found guilty before he'd fire ol' 'turd blossom' (W's term of endearment for Karl Rove.)

Is W wondering what he's going to have to endure tonight? I bet he'd rather be home drinking Diet Coke? He won't be able to walk away from the press, but of course, the press won't be able to ask him questions either. Aren't we just too, too polite these days of $4 a gallon gas, of shrinking incomes, of mass walkouts planned across the US on Monday? Oh, we are so civilized.

I'm glad I'm off to celebrate my punk past, although the focus is on San Francisco -- the MOST political scene of that whole early punk era. Thank goodness early punk was in-your-face! How are we to resolve any issues if we lie or hide behind tuxedos? "People sleeping, like Washington DC." ("Year One" by X).

Mick Jagger vs Dubya in Austria

2006-04-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

"Mick Beats George to Suite"

Forty licks ... Jagger refuses to give up room for Bush
Stony reception ... Jagger has grabbed Imperial booking

By Thomas Whitaker,
Online Sun, Showbiz Reporter,
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006180696,00.html

President George Bush can’t get no satisfaction — after Mick Jagger grabbed [ha, planned ahead!] his hotel room.

The Rolling Stone splashed out £3,600 [approx $5K) a night for the suite days before the US leader tried to book it.

Now Mick, 62, who has been a fierce critic of the Bush-led war in Iraq, is refusing to give it up.

The veteran rocker hired the luxury Royal Suite at the five-star Imperial Hotel in Vienna, Austria, for June when the Stones are due to play a gig in the city.

Bush’s aides then tried to book it to tie in with a summit meeting.

But Mick put his foot down and insisted he was keeping the booking.

A source close to the millionaire singer said last night: “White House officials wanted to reserve the suite and all the other rooms on the first floor. But Mick and the Stones had already booked every one of them. Bush’s people seemed to be under the impression that they would just hand over the suites but there was no way Mick was going to do that.”

The classically-designed suite is said to be among the top 100 hotel rooms in the world. It boasts a 7 ft 4 in bed, chandeliers and oil paintings.

Former presidents Ronald Reagan, John Kennedy and George Bush Snr all stayed there while they were in office.

The hotel last night admitted US secret service agents vetted the accommodation — and confirmed that Bush would no longer be staying there.

An American Embassy official refused to say where he was now staying for “security reasons.”

Mick takes a swipe at Bush, 59, on the latest Stones album “A Bigger Bang,” savaging his Iraq War policy.

[my comments: Rock is mighter than W!! What if enough people said, "HELL NO, WE WON'T GO"? Remember, the PUBLIC caused the Vietnam War to end, not the government.]

ROY ORBISON's 70th Birthday!!

2006-04-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, young punks: you all familar with Roy Orbison? If not, you are missing a true treasure. What a voice! Did you know he wrote many of his most memorable songs? An inspiration for countless singers, a difficult life, a trouper til the end. "Anything you need, you got it." And he continues to give to his public.

For some of us, he WAS the man in black. According to liner notes from the Rhino release, "Roy Orbison, For the Lonely: 18 Greatest Hits," he wore black to set himself apart from another early southern rocker, Elvis Presley.

As Bruce Sringsteen said, while inducting him into the second Rock Hall of Fame Awards, "Everybody knows that nobody sings like Roy Orbison . . . Roy's ballads were always the best when you were alone and in the dark . . . they addressed the underside of pop romance. They were scary. His voice was unearthly."

Is that punk enough for you?

I grew up during the height of surf and motown, the British invasion, summer of love, glitter, then finally punk. Roy Orbison's voice, soul, lyrics, and arrangements were the one constant voice, the one who always stunned me with his poignancy, brillance, and even now, writing these words, I'm fighting tears for all the emotions Roy tapped.

He let us know "only the lonely knows how he feels." Aren't we all lonely and alone, really? Isn't the heart a lonely hunter? (from another southern writer, Carson McCullers).

Happy Birthday, Mr. Orbison!!

Detailed Steps to Stop Junk Mail

2006-04-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

More about stopping junk mail:

The local store ads MUST be accompanied by a heavier paper, about 1/3 of a regular-sized paper, that lists your address and who sent it.

It will probably have ADVO on it, and in my case, another from PennySaver. I Googled junk mail, and lots of sites popped up. DO NOT PAY anyone to do this! It's easy enough to do yourself. I called the marketers and was told it takes several weeks for them to take your name off their list. Some marketers even have a dept to opt-out, so they know the law. If not, get heavy with them and tell them you will report them. No need to be rude, just firmly tell them they are violating consumer laws.

I called the Post Office, who explained they can't stop the delivery until we take that first step.

Then calendar it, and collect all the cards that have your neighbor's address on it (if you get those). Put a notice on your mailbox so the delivery person knows you contacted the marketers and if they are being delivered, it violates your consumer rights.

If two months go by and you are still getting the local ads, grocery/drug stores, auto places, carpet cleaning, etc or you are getting a card that does not correspond with your address, contact the post office again.

At that point, it might be another hurdle and have to contact the marketers again as well as file a complaint with the USPS consumer affairs department. The Post Office is NOT allowed to deliver local mailers without that address card.

However, I'd first put a note on the mailbox and call your local Delivery Supervisor, tell them what date you received the mail, so they can notify the delivery person.

When you get credit card or other offers, take the return postage paid envelopes and mail it back to them. Write on the "offer" you don't want to be contacted. If nothing else, you will cost them postage money! You can also contact all the credit card companies and stores wherein you have a charge account, and "opt-out."

The drag is the law allows them to send mail you don't want, and you have to take the steps to stop them.

The net is an invaluable source for finding the simple steps to deal with this crap, as well as contacting the offending companies. Write letters to the companies and whenever possible, cancel the charge account and let them know why you are cancelling the account, both by sending back their own postage-paid envelopes and via email.

Sometimes you just have to recycle the crap. I got several free subscriptions when I used an online service to book a flight to Vegas for the Magic fashion show last August. One is Elle, which is a trip, but not something I've ever pay for (and one month it never arrived), the other a food mag, Saveur or something like that. I contacted the company who offered the subscription, who said I had to contact the mag itself, which I did. But I am still receiving it and immediately dump it. I'm a raw foods vegan and the recipes, restaurants, etc they cover are so fattening, so disgusting that I can barely stand to touch the mag.

All you can do is try the best you can, and cause as much legal trouble and expense for them, but using their postage paid envelopes, writing them, and recycling. Thanks to Jason (and others) for writing me and recycling.

Iggy's Birthday, Earth Day and Black Flag

2006-04-21T18:12:00.000-07:00

Iggy is 59, born April 21, 1947! And Earth Day is April 22, 1970. Iggy has risen since I shot him 1977-79, but the Earth is plagued by more troubles than 26 years ago.

Lots of Iggy stories and pix, but for another time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to both!

What did or are you doing for Earth Day? Today I finally contacted both the PennySaver and ADVO/Shop Wise, who stick tons of grocery/drug store and local ads in my mailbox. As someone who NEVER buys from those stores (except drug store for things like q-tips and cheaper generic store brands whenever available), I HATE what these brightly colored ads do to our environment.

I researched the net, contacted them and the Post Office, and will follow up to to assure they don't even up in my mailbox! Do you know if you have a PO Box, you don't get that crap? Why inflict unwanted junk mail upon us?

Consumer laws give and I the right to refuse that junk mail. Assert your rights! It's easy!

As an artist, I've always recycled. As a raw foods vegan, I've cut way down on packaging. My apt doesn't have a recyling trash container, but the homeless go through the trash. Some tenants leave bags of beer bottles for them. I take the few plastic containers from supplements and raw food powders back to my local Santa Monica Co-Op for recycling (when I have time/money to drive/go to Co-Op), but otherwise, I let the people who recycle for survival have them.

WHY do YOU carry around bottled water? How did so many manage to live so many years without bottled water? Do you know the plastic leeches into your water, especially when hot or frozen? Do you know how the quality of YOUR HEALTH, our air, our planet SUFFER cos of so many little water bottles?

Have you seen the TV ad for "Stick It"? My pal, Sandy Espinoza, who knew Black Flag back in the day (she lived near the Church and many hung at her place), told me the lead is wearing a Black Flag t-shirt EXCEPT the four vertical bars are blocked out by an irregular black box. I saw it and it's obviously Black Flag, even if all you see is the word "Black" and the big black blob.

Can anyone tell me WHY they did that? If you are going to wear a recognizable image, why hide half of it?

I don't know why I try to figure these things out. Do yourselves a favor. DO SOMETHING FOR EARTH DAY. EVERY DAY. The planet you save IS yours. It doesn't belong to the Republicans or the Democrats. It doesn't belong to Wal-Mart or the Chinese. It most certainly does not belong to governments nor big businesses IF YOU ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS.

"This land is your land, this land is my land." Protect it!

X SONG ON SOPRANOS!!!

2006-04-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

"Hey, baby, it's the fourth of July." Those of you who've read my stories on my site, jennylens.net, know I wrote about that song on the 4th of July, two years ago. What did I hear while watching the very end of tonight's Sopranos? The wonderful harmonizing voices of my very fave band, John and Exene.

OHMYGAWD. Yes, I know an X song was on "Six Feet Under" and other shows, but is this too cool or what? I believe the song was written by Dave Alvin. Too bad Slash mag threw out all my Blasters negs -- I believe I had the first ever Blasters shot published.

John Doe autographed one of my many X song books: "it's been a long time since La Jolla," and that was only December, 1979! I hung out with them in their apartment on La Jolla, with Farrah Faucet-Minor ("she had to leave Los Angeles" and the one who named me "Jenny Lens"), behind Circus Books, an inspiration for "Adult Books," just around the corner from the Starwood on Santa Monica and Crescent Heights. That was spring, 1977. Well, we've all come a long way, John! And they just played the Canyon Club this weekend.

Mazel Tov! What a nice Passover/Easter gift. X on the Sopranos! Which means when Little Steven does yet another Sopranos tribute on his Underground Garage Rock, he better play it!!

Wow, I am so happy for them. Yes, after 29 years, they are still my all-time fave band. I've got so many incredible shots of them. My faves aren't just the live ones, but from their apt on La Jolla and later, Genessee, Farrah's Good-Bye Party and their debut, the Masque, Screamers parties, backstage with the Go-Go's and so much more. "It's who you know." I'm glad I know them and their music.

Generic Names for Viagra: mycoxafloppin

2006-04-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

I am SO addicted to Huffingtonpost.com. I just had to post an edited blog [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-peter-rost/
convincing-men-that-they-_b_18934.html] and comments for suggested generic names for Viagra (R). Then go pour yourself a stiff one! LOL!

Convincing Men That They Can't Perform
Dr. Peter Rost, 04.11.2006

Pfizer is worried. Not enough men think they have a problem in bed, so Pfizer plans on launching a second campaign to make them understand that they just don't have what it takes.

The problem for Pfizer is Viagra's sagging sales. ["sagging" sales?]

Meanwhile, an Inaugural Conference on Disease-Mongering is starting today in Australia.

"Disease-mongering" promotes non-existent diseases and exaggerates mild conditions in order to boost profits for the industry, according to the online journal Public Library of Science Medicine.

"In pharmacology, most drugs have 2 names, a trade name and a generic name. For example, the trade name Tylenol has the generic name acetaminophen; Aleve is naproxen etc.

The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra. After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it settled on the generic name of mycoxafloppin.

Also considered were mycoxafailin, mydixadrupin, dixafix, and of course, ibepokin.

Also, in a suprise move, Pfizer Corp. announced today that Viagra will soon be available in liquid form that will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one. Obviously, we can no longer call this a soft drink and it gives new meaning to the names of "cocktails" "highballs" and just a good "stiff drink."

Pepsi plans to market the new concoction under the trade name of "Mount&Do."

It's a joke :)

By: RnR on April 11, 2006 at 06:18pm

Desperate Housewives and Sondheim

2006-04-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I wrote Sondheim is a fave of mine. I'm an old film fiend, so much so people think I'm "part of the industry." Tonight I videotaped a recently restored 1929 silent "Piccadilly" starring the incandescent Anna Mae Wong. Tomata du Plenty loved Anna, I'm sure Exene does, as do I. I missed "Desperate Housewives," so I went online to find a summary.

I had no idea most of “Desperate Housewives” episode titles are based on either a Sondheim song title or lyrics. Especially funny because Carol Burnett will guest next week as Bree's stepmother. Ms. Burnett has performed in "Company" and various Sondheim special events. "The ladies who lunch" indeed! (although that is Elaine Strich's signature song).

"Being alive." One of these days Sondheim should inspire a punk tribute release. Most would start with "Sweeney Todd." Give me "Assassins": "there's another American anthem" which is exactly how most punks (and others) feel.

Inclusion doesn't happen in the ballpark, it happens in the rock club. If you feel alienated from the both the political and social landscape of our country, check out the lyrics. I’m with the narrator, that violence is not the answer. Sondheim gets beneath the violence and expresses universal feelings of alienation, dislocation, discontent in this land of plenty for some, and not enough for most.

"Assassins" did not do well when first produced (never made it to Broadway). It was scheduled for Broadway revival during September 2001. It would have been a hit, but was pulled for obvious reasons. Too bad, cos it would lend illumination into the wayward thinking of many Americans.

I am thorough believer of writing letters/emails/calls to congress, newspapers, and sharing info, all thanks to the net. Which, if we don’t do something, will be more expensive and censored. Soon, cos the net is the last bastion of freedom of expression. Think I’m crazy?

Do your research. Online news. What a concept.

Phil Ochs, Little Steven, Rodney and more . . .

2006-04-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

April 9, 1976: Phil Ochs hung himself.

1968: I will never forget seeing Phil at CSUN, supporting Democratic presidential contender Eugene McCarthy.
Early 1970's: In his gold lame suit at the Troubadour.
1979/1980: Hearing “Pleasures of the Harbor” at Club 88 when X played.

April 9, 2006: KCSN, "Power and Glory":

"Here is a land full of power and glory,
Beauty that words cannot recall.
Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom.

Yet she's only as rich as the poorest of her poor,
Only as free as the padlocked prison door,
Only as strong as our love for this land,
Only as tall as we stand.

But our land is still troubled by men who have to hate.
They twist away our freedom
and they twist away our fate.
Fear is their weapon and treason is their cry,
We can stop them if we try."

Before I discovered punk at the end of 1975, I only listened to Phil Ochs, Joni Mitchell, Biff Rose and Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim. The radio was too boring.

Visualize this: last night I updated notes to indicate I shot Darby Crash around the time he was filmed at the Ramones “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” Roxy show (December 1978), based on research by my invaluable archivist pal, musician David Jones. I’m literally writing the captions to my very first photos, Dee Dee at the Roxy, (August 1976) as Little Steven’s Underground Garage Rock is playing “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School.”

I am a HUGE fan of Little Steven’s online archive. The stories, quotes, sound bytes and music are literally keeping important bits of our culture alive. Not just rock, but all realms of entertainment and the social and political environments which gave rise to various music, television, movies, radio, vaudeville, Broadway. Mass media entertainment that began in the early days of the 20th Century, focusing on the rise of rock, but its roots go waaaay back. Back to the Marx Brothers, back to Sinatra, and so much more.

I can’t describe what it’s like to work on a photo of Darby Crash for an upcoming art photo book about the LA scene and then hear the Germs on Indie 103.1 (indie1031.fm). Better yet, hearing X while working on photos for MY book. Or Gun Club photos for the upcoming “Go Tell the Mountain” from director Kurt Voss and coincidentally hearing them this morning on Watusi Rodeo hosted by Chris Morris. Coincidence or not?

If you aren’t addicted to http://www.littlestevensundergroundgarage.com, you haven’t been paying attention! Amazing amazing. And soon you’ll see lots of my photos of the people who Steve Jones (Jonesy’s Jukebox on Indie 103.1) and Little Steven play. Sundays I start with Chris Morris on Indie (11 AM to 1 PM), then switch to KCSN (kcsn.org/listen), for Beatles, roots, Dylan and the blues. From midnight to 3 AM, it’s Rodney on the Roq (KROQ, 106.7 FM). Wish those were archived too!

What about Sopranos, Big Love and Desperate Housewives? That's why digital video recorders are created!

If you haven't discovered Phil Ochs, you are missing out on one of the most important songwriters to have ever lived. He always claimed the FBI was watching him, people thought he was crazy, yet many years after his death, he was vindicated. They hounded him like they hounded John Lennon.

Don't know those stories? Watch out, it's happening again. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Fashion and LA Punk, 1976-1980

2006-03-24T19:20:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week I received an email inquiry from Natasha Perry. She is writing about early punk fashion and wondered how much fashion -- British punk fashion in particular -- played a part in the LA punk scene. This is my reply.

Oh, if anyone out there knows how to do these blogs so it's just a few lines, and a link to read more, lemme know!

I prefer formatting, making text bold and/or italic for easy reading. Blogger.com often won't allow me to post a formatted blog, using THEIR formatting tools and won't answer their emails regarding this issue. The work-around is to re-format it, when/if that works. Like I have time to waste doing that again and again!

I'll let you know the end: we laughed at British punk fashion, made our own, but of course loved the music and musicians. Not for nothing did the Go-Go's write "London Boys." We ALL got it on with those lads from across the pond! But we didn't wear their dark heavy clothes in sunny LA!

Questions for Jenny Lens

1) What attracted you to the punk scene in the first place?
A photo, a simple snapshot of an androgynous woman wearing a man’s jacket and long tie (rare during end of 1975), holding a small book and reading/yelling out poetry. I thought any rocker who knows the French Symbolist Artaud has my attention. The moment I heard “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine, my sins belong to me! They’re my own!” at the very beginning of her "Horses" LP, I was hooked. I read everything I could, which was minimal in those days, saw Patti Smith in January 1976 and that was that.

I read about the Ramones, got their LP the day it came out (spring, 1976 -- online sources list April. LP: “long playing record,” no CDs then), saw them at LA’s Roxy August 11, 1976, grabbed my camera, took photos of Dee Dee on August 12, cos he was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen, and I used to study old movie stills. I met them that night, followed them around and had the time of my life!

ONLY LATER did the fashion have an impact. Cos at that time, it was surfer bell bottoms, English disco velvet satin that was dying out -- there was nothing. But that would rapidly change by the beginning of 1977. Initially the MUSIC and the LYRICS and the ENERGY were the impetus for all of us. Fashion only affected a few creative souls in the midst of it all.

But really, why does one abandon 8 years of college, graduate degrees, the good daughter, the good student whom few knew even loved rock, change one’s whole life, move into West Hollywood, and live for rock? Who can explain that? It’s magic. It’s like falling in love and following your beloved to the ends of the world.

2) How did you get involved?
January 30 or so, 1976 – the night Iggy visited Patti and a radio station broadcast it. “Teenage Perversity and Ships in the Night.” It’s out there, I have a tape from the radio and a LP. It’s gotta be on CD. That was the early show, I stood in the cold air for the second show. Then I saw them: the entourages, the groupies, the press, aka industry people. I didn’t know any of that. I said to myself: “I have to be part of this scene. [I had never gone to a small club to see rock, only Phil Ochs at the Troubadour], but I can’t sing, I’m too fat to be a groupie (and wouldn’t want to be that), I can’t write songs or play music. But somehow, I’m going to be part of this.” I couldn’t see Patti by the time I got in.

Next time she was in town, I was shooting her, on and off-stage, from San Diego to the Bay area (November, 1976). Some dreams do come true. Be careful what you wish for! I had no idea what I was doing, but I was having so much fun, taking so many cool photos. I’ve waited a really long time to share a few of them. I’m so glad people enjoy my photos and stories, cos I sure was involved and working my butt off (then and now) to document it. I also yapped on and on to every record company publicist, managers, and press. I promoted the scene. For that, most “industry” types, performers, and other photographers thought I was outta my mind. And when I started wearing wild makeup and clothes, with my already wild curly hair, later and now, magenta, well they all thought me very strange!

3) As a photographer, do you think the fashion element gave punk more of a presence? Or was the music and attitude enough?
Punk HAD no presence then, fashion even less. If that were true, wouldn’t LA be remembered in a different light? We were a blip on the radar. You think it was a good thing what Steve Jones said on the Bill Grundy show? Have you heard former Ramones manager, Danny Fields, in “End of the Century?” He relates the Ramones were going to finally get support from their record company, with record store prominent positioning and radio air-play. It was pulled after England made such a big deal outta what happened on your TV.

You think fashion mattered? People didn’t want to know about punk, that’s what gave us so much freedom and frustration.

Los Angeles is a totally different animal, with different mind-sets than New York or England. I truly think we are more like our sister city San Francisco more than the other cities. Political, more homosexuals involved. Tom Robinson Band was the only Brit punk band that was “Glad to be Gay.” It’s just a fact of life in LA and especially SF. It’s warm in LA, and SF more moderate than NY or England. Gas prices so cheap in those days, traffic so minimal, it was nothing to drive or fly readily back and forth.

LA was totally and absolutely about the MUSIC FIRST, SECOND and THIRD. I'll be the devil's advocate, more than likely. That's because I'm brutally honest and punk was not about fashion or even attitude at first. Music reflected the frustration of our life as well as the joys.

Attitude because people “beat on us cos we really got the beat” (X’s “We’re Desperate). We expressed frustrations, dreams, politics, in similar terms as others, aged from their teens to late ‘20’s – a rather large age group for a small cultural revolution – in Los Angeles, New York, England, San Francisco and a few other pockets.

Most people eventually moved to NY or LA if American. Many write online their scene was over-looked during those eras, but if you wanted to be radical and make a dent, you were in those cities. Sorry, but some city that rains or snows or is spread way out is gonna have a hard time supporting a growing art/fashion scene.

The fashion in LA was a whole different animal too. We were the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” Studios were selling off clothes, socialites always discard clothes for the latest trend. There were no resale stores or actresses wearing vintage clothes. My late ‘70’s photos show the ‘60’s at their brightest and wildest! I was about 8 to 10 years older than most of the LA people I hung with/shot. From childhood on, I studied art, music and fashion history because I was/am obsessed with the visual arts.

I lived through the Mod ‘60’s, inspired by those moppets from across the pond: the British Invasion! John Lennon cap worn by future Go-Go Belinda, early August, 1977. Onstage at the Whisky, March 5, 1978: Mary Quant orange slicker and white Lennon cap -- you can’t get more Brit/NY ‘60’s than that! (Alice Bag), wild Pucci-inspired dresses (Sheila Edwards, but Trudie with beehive hairdo), Connie Clarksville with similar makeup (oh those racoon eyes! And B52’s hair-do BEFORE we were aware of the band) but in an Op Art ensemble of black and white with large polka dots. OP Art was THE American art from New York in the late 50’s to early 1970’s (Roy Lichtenstein, Warhol, et al).

We grew up on film noir, the distinctly American black, cynical, pessimistic, foreboding black and white films after WW2 and into the McCarthy witch-hunts. Many were too young and unaware of the political and social sub-texts in these movies. Others, like X, Screamers, Weirdos, Dils were charged with noir and cultural references. NY’s Blondie and the Ramones sang about the purely American culture that we yanks grew up on.

“She [Debbie Harry] contributed to the vogue of the thrift-shop look as much as anyone, once appearing onstage in a tacky wedding gown and telling the audience, "It's the only dress my mother wanted me to wear." Joan Rivers goes punk.

Platinum Blondie, Jamie James, Rolling Stone, 1979, http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9437617/platinum_blondie?rnd=1143231258094&has-player=true
[a cursory search turns up many similar quotes throughout the years from various sources].

Joe Strummer totally understood our culture and one reason American youth, fortunate to hear and see them, regard them as our generation’s Beatles. The Edge said that at the Rock Hall Induction, but I saw the Beatles at Hollywood Bowl, but they were not MY defining band. The Clash were and will always remain the most phenomenal rock band ever. 1976-1980, RIP. After "London Calling, "well, all bet’s off. But til then, no one can touch them. Now our culture is broadcast around the world. Ironic cos it’s gone down the drain and horrifies most of us.

American films during the 1940’s are complex and often dismissed. Women slinked around in padded shoulders, slightly platform strappy open toed-shoes (very risqué in those days!), wore little gloves and clutch purses. The dresses weren’t as clingy and bias-cut, as they had been in the ‘30’s. That look originated in Paris in the ‘20’s, but I’m surprised to see so many dresses in silent films that were rather baggy or lots of fabric. I love my shot of Natasha at the second benefit for LA’s early “Slash” magazine at rented Larchmont Hall, just yards away from Paramount Studios. Paramount, although not the richest studio in town (that’s MGM), churned out many noir films. Paramount had a superb costume department and created many memorable looks. Who knows what actress or starlet or socialite wore this lovely evening dress from the ‘40s?

Natasha is wearing a beret similar to blonde Lana Turner, who so memorably wore a white one in “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” a early classic noir fave. The back of the hat, revealed in the mirror, indicates she attached a gift ribbon. How punk is that? Best of all, red-headed Natasha’s face was Betty Boop’s! An amazing resemble. Natasha was quiet, sweet and still lovely.

Brunette, Latina Margo at the Masque Benefit March 25, 1978, wearing lace, polka-dotted vinyl mini skirt, go-go boots up to her knees, with lace stockings – so Julie Christie. Julie was a MAJOR ‘60’s icon to me, born in India, famed British style icon. The cool blonde not afraid then nor now to reveal her deep intelligence, who rose to fame in “Darling,” similar to what Belinda would later experience on so many levels. I wonder if Belinda ever saw “Darling.”

Alice Bag wore hot shocking pink, glittery high heels. I admired them, and she leaned over Nickey Beat, her boyfriend and official Weirdo and unofficial Germs, Bags, etc. drummer. She handed me the shoe and I stuttered. “Schiaparelli? Do you know who this is?” She didn’t. “She coined the term ‘shocking pink.’ Her grand-daughters, Marisa Berenson, was THE SUPERMODEL Socialite of the day, still close friends with her co-star in “Cabaret,” the incomparable Liza Minelli. Her sister, Berry, had a more tragic life: lost her husband, actor Tony Perkins to AIDS and perished in -- I think second -- jet to hit World Trade Center, 9/11 on her way to LA to see her son perform at the Whisky. Their grandmother Elsa Schiaparelli was a surrealist couturier also collaborated with Jean Cocteau.

But ask any of those young women if they knew all this and you’d get blank stares from many. Belinda studied beauty books and magazines when I lived in their closet (Disgraceland) for one week in 1980. But few were brought up with the art and culture I experienced, being older and an avid “follower of fashion” to quote the great Ray Davies. I was too fat and broke to wear the fashions, but these looks were my teen years, a full decade before punk. You have to remember we were NOT bombarded with fashion on TV, mags, everywhere. Fashion, like other American cultures, was disposable. No one I know could afford those shoes these days, now found in museums, not thrift shops.

Remember, most of us had little money. Life was a helluva lot cheaper then. We all went to thrift stores to get clothes, we knew we’d get some discarded treasures due to rich socialites and “the industry.” But did they buy because it’s a Pucci or Halston or whatever? No way. But they knew these were cool clothes. We didn’t care if they were ripped, but many in great condition.

WE BOUGHT AND MADE COOL CLOTHES and accessories. We didn’t care about “labels” or “designers.” We didn’t copy each other. We inspired each other. Everyone had their very distinct look. Can you really tell the difference between Hollywood fashion stylist Rachel Zoe and her client, Nicole Ritchie et al? I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. I think Rachel is a genius and more power to her. There’s so many great designer clothes out there, how cool your clients wear what she doesn’t have time to wear.

But we didn’t need any stylists, magazines, fashion shows. No one told us how to dress! The fashion attitude was: colourful, daring, fun, adventurous, creative and collaborative. Connie Clarksville bleached, dyed and cut a lot of heads of hair. I didn’t know that and fried my hair, but worth it, various shades of crimson, scarlet and magenta head of hair, gorgeous and out there (1978)! I dyed my hair later than my friends cos I had a straight job teaching elderly retired people, til my lifestyle interfered.

I will never forget visiting Pleasant Gehman, one of the most popular, early and important punks. I spoke with her mother, Betsy, a writer who tried to place a few of my shots, then stopped at the pile of clothes on the floor in the middle of her bedroom. I have the same image at the Canterbury, the infamous decrepit apartment building. People didn’t squat in LA, but they did at the Canterbury, around the corner from the Masque. That place was a pig-sty, much has been written about it, I’m not the first to say it. Alice Bag (alicebag.com) posted shots of Shannon, future Go-Go’s Belinda and Jane (and co-founder, bassist Margo), and others and you’ll see for yourself. With one bare yellow light bulb, I saw Shannon transform herself in front of the dirty mirror.

How they became the transcendent colorful butterflies I shot, by sharing clothes thrown in piles, discarded here and there (Hellin and Trudie left a pile at my home and finally picked them up after my numerous requests) is beyond a simple explanation. They were untrained artists, making the most of their environment. I can figure who was where and with whom and when a great deal of the time due to what the LA punks were wearing. It’s harder to tell when I shot Dee Dee and his hair length than a shot of Pleasant with either long or short hair. I never saw many wear the same thing twice.

Fashion was fun. Here’s all these kids from who knows where, in the land of cheap, classic, stylish clothes and accessories. And the more ripped, the better! A friend of mine, Mark Martinez, told me he liked punk because as a poor Mexican-American kid from Glendale, he couldn’t afford to buy glam/glitter clothes. He went to the shows, he loved Bowie and Queen (like the Germs and other punks). He could wear whatever he wanted and be a punk.

Music first, Attitude second, Fashion: part of the fun. It was a way to get attention, get backstage, photographed. It wasn’t to get into the papers or on the net (both were NOT options). Most have never seen their photos, no matter who took them. Being noticed was fun and validating.

As Alice Bag wrote: they “played dress up.” MEN AND WOMEN. Punks could take advantage of the many thrift stores and church sales. I studied theatrical makeup, I knew movie and art history. I was a Fauve, the French “Wild Beasts.” My makeup and colors were early Matisse. My college look, very Mae West but not corseted nor as over-the-top, was often compared to Matisse years before punk. He’s not my fave painter by any means. I prefer Renoir, Monet, Munch, Van Gogh, Chagall to pick my top five. I already earned a Master of Fine Art’s Degree, with most art history self-taught. But I was so alone, I longed for an art community, which I found in punk.

Everyone thinks LA is fun. The mid-1970’s were tough in LA too. People think we were all Beach Boys and surfer girls. Not true! We were economically depressed in some circles. Music was DOA, school meaningless, and many had little in the land of plenty. We were the outsiders: bright, outspoken, creative, energetic, not rich, minorities, non-heterosexual, fat, too this or that: pick a few from the list. We all loved music in ways that people rarely expressed in those days. We weren’t wired w/iPods. I purchased one of the very first Sony Walkmans ($200) and people couldn’t understand why I had to listen to punk while in the grocery line.

People already gave us a hard time. Why not take it to the limit? How far could we go? And Hollywood was wide open then. While the cops were busting the disco-goers and in many cases ignoring the under-age drinkers at the Masque, parties, clubs and elsewhere who were cavorting with the drug dealers out on the dance floor and backstage, and sex was anytime, anywhere. No AIDS. Others will tell you about being hassled by the cops. They never bothered me and I was dressed as wildly as anyone. But I didn’t hang out where cops would notice me, drunk and noisy. I was careful.

The phrase sex ‘ n’ drugs ‘n’ rock ‘n’ roll was perfected as a lifestyle in LA, whether into the typical LA scene, the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac (Brits who relocated here) to the punks. We had as much going on as the big “industry” events. A lot more fun, cheaper and more stylish.

4) Do you think it would've been so popular if there hadn't been that fashion element?
Music first, second, third, Attitude fourth, Fashion fifth. You know what put punk on the map, kept it going in the ‘80’s til people rediscovered the Ramones, the Pistols, the early Clash, X at its height? HARDCORE FROM LA. Then Grunge. Fashion look: jeans, t-shirts, flannel jacket for grunge cos Seattle is cold and wet, unlike LA. Fashion had NOTHING to do with it. Really.

5) Do you think that if it hadn't been for Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, there would've been such an interest in the style side of it?
“Although Hell's musical ability was minimal, his influence on the early punk scene was considerable - New York Dolls manager Malcolm McLaren stole not just Hell's torn t-shirt heroin addict look, but Hell's "Blank Generation" (the basis for "Pretty Vacant") before returning to England in 1975 and recruiting the Sex Pistols.” Courtesy of http://www.warr.org/verlaine.html.

A cursory web search reiterates this, whether from performers, managers, writer, fans, from NY and England at that time who were there, but their words are still debatable in Europe. Of course one look does not a movement make. McLaren, and Westwood, like any great promoter/artists, recognized the marketability of this look and its accompanying NY music and took it further in both fashion and music AT THE SAME TIME.

England was into fashion as a punk statement earlier than NY or LA. Remember the music and the musicians came here later. Our local bands were transitioning from glam/glitter, but the scene was too small, too scattered to make either music or fashion statements as early as those cities, but we caught up quickly!

Most of us in LA didn’t give a rat’s ass about Brit fashion. We laughed at what Westwood was doing, making punk for the rich poseurs. The last thing we respected was seeing safety-pinned clothes on runways or in fashion mags. Getting one’s hands on an authentic Pistols t-shirt was a big deal and outrageous for its day. T-shirts just didn’t look like that. But that’s Jamie Reid’s art, not Westwood/McLaren. Hellin Killer was one exception who briefly sported Brit Pistols fan Sue Cat Woman riff for about 10 minutes. That’s as far as it went.

We DID NOT get into punk because of fashion. I don’t even have time to deal with the ridiculousness of that statement, especially dealing with British punk as worn by Angelinos (that’s what we call LA people). With rare exceptions, such as a rare Pistols t-shirt, and one jacket/bondage pants (both worn by Terry Graham, drummer of Bags and later Gun Club), all the fashions were extremely and only Southern Californian. The one punk fashion store, Poseur, was looked down upon by many of the early, real, grassroots punks who later became so infamous for bands or whatever. The proprietors were from England (and very nice; I wonder where they are?), the merchandise was authentic, but not home grown. It didn’t reflect the LA vibe of sunshine. The clothes were too heavy and dark. And they represented British punk.

The Bags sang “We don’t need the English,” although we loved the music, the musicians. The point was we didn’t need your clothes, your music INSTEAD of ours. Why not both? Why were the record companies only signing, in some cases, inferior British and New York bands? Many LA bands are revered today while some signed NY bands forgotten.

We couldn’t afford the clothes and accessories. Who wants to buy a look, when true art is making your own? We didn’t NEED art from elsewhere to make our own, while appreciating all that was around us in the same genre.

In those days when you lived in around Hollywood with rich Beverly Hills and beach socialites, you could pick up what are now collectible shoes, dresses, coats, etc but for pennies then, and they are all brightly-colored, why would you want to pay a small fortune (Terry’s jacket cost half my rent in those days!) for clothes designed for British youth? Why would you give a darn about what two Limey clothing designers are doing?

It was the Pistols music and lifestyle, and that great Jamie Reid art that turned us on. I’ll take the Clash’s one-offs over anything from Sex. Vivienne who? Malcolm was a clothing designer? Out of our radar of if we knew, we weren’t into copying or being influenced by anyone. Other than the spiky hair, which started in NY w/Tom Verlaine and Richard Hell. Who had money beyond rent, a bit of food, and lots of drugs and booze and many times people couldn’t get in free, so tickets to shows? Money for over-priced bondage clothes, too heavy and warm for our mild weather? Nope.

Who started wearing lingerie in public? Madonna stole the look from LA and I have proof. She knew what was coming outta LA. She had a contact in NY who was very connected w/LA punk scene. It’s too cold and rainy for that look to start in either NY or England. That’s what we were about.

One should dress according to one’s heart, geography, weather, budget and lifestyle. Not cos Paris Hilton or Agent Provocateur or Westwood. I have long admired Vivienne Westwood, what a fabulous career! But you can’t credit LA punk fashion to anyone but those in LA.

And therein lies the problem. LA has NEVER gotten credit for the fabulous punk fashions we recycled with our own creations to create a totally unique look, reflective of the life and times of LA. Now that’s fashion that has taken hold, in LA and America, far more than Westwood’s. I see it everywhere, and it’s verified in my photos and photos of others shooting in LA in the mid-to-late 1970’s. That’s the only fashion I can discuss with absolute air of authenticity. Photos don’t lie.

A Tale of Two eMails: Do Photographers Deserve Credit and/or Money?

2006-03-21T15:24:00.000-08:00

I was a weaver before a photographer. This looong blog will make sense if go w/flow and reach the end. I’m discussing issues in response to what people write to me. I receive a lot of questions about being a photographer, then and now. About the scene. People see my photos everywhere (I don’t wanna hear about it for two months. I can’t take more grief). They are saddened to hear my photos used without credit, permission or payment.

Do you think photographers deserve credit and payment? How long can one person do so much gratis/pro bon fucking free work? Why is it so hard to find/raise payment for photos? So many people LOVE MY PHOTOS, often far MORE THAN the TEXT. So why so little money? So little credit? Can you explain that to me? It’s my daily struggle.

From the editor of an upcoming rock doc (check back for details):
“Your pictures are absolutely fabulous, and I can't tell you how excited I am to have the pleasure of working with them. Really awesome stuff.”

That reaction is the fuel that flames my work. He is referring to a gratis project (hours and hours of work but no money, and not just me). It is an important piece. It's a wonderful chance to for me to see a few of my photos used in project created by people who know and love the subject matter. The people who've seen these photos are taken aback. They are transported to a magical time, whether or not they were there.

This particular project is a labor of love of all involved, and I volunteered -- not the first time, not the last. But I wish it were the last free project! What do you do if it's a quality product that needs to be done? I do it. But what if some are paid and others are not?

Currently, there’s a healthy discussion between some photographers concerning a photo-heavy book. We’ve been told no money for photos. Some won’t contribute, others are gonna fight for something, others wait-and-see and others don't care. Why should everyone make money from the book except the photographers?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Food doesn't fuel me -- I am waaaay too broke (but if I don’t make some money soon . . ). It’s, as Ramones Art Director/Merchandising genius Arturo Vega told me after I defended Los Angeles being omitted from “End of the Century (EOTC),” because I argued quite furiously and ferociously about this wrong:

“Jenny, you still have the fire in your belly for the Ramones. I thought about what you said. And that’s why we’re having the Ramones Tribute in LA.”

What did I say to entice Arturo to hold this historic event in my hometown?

I had drawn my sword and firmly informed New Yorkers and Angelinos alike (and everywhere else), I’m out to set some records straight, with the support/input from people who were there or those who know more than some were.

Privileged few were witness to a momentous event after the American Cinematheque rough-cut EOTC showing. Some thought me a loud outta-my-mind whack job. But those who know it was JENNY LENS (many knew me first as fans, now friends):

They knew I EARNED the right to say what I said, LOVED the FACT I LITERALLY STOOD UP AND TOLD IT LIKE IT ‘TIS! I spoke truths that others have worked hard to cover up and eradicate. I actually EARNED the RESPECT of the directors and others involved.

So why don’t more people from the past speak out?! I know so many are still in the pain I carried for too-many years. Many repressed those times. Let it out! It's so healing and wonderful to read/meet so many who appreciate what we ALL did.

MORAL: STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE! I get emails from people complaining about their young lives. So do something, get on the net, get out in the streets and take a stand on the direction this country is sinking. Cos one reason there's LITTLE MONEY FOR the ARTS has to do with WAR.

But we could afford to make art and go to movies even in the "Great" Depression (my mother lived through that and constantly tells me it's worse now!) and World War II. The government, led by FDR, my hero, paid artists to make art during the depression. I can barely do that, can you? For God's sake, DO SOMETHING!!

Back to EOTC: during my logical but loud, fast rant, I kept leaning over the balcony railing -- amazing I didn’t fall over -- but I’m used to holding onto the railing and going wild, like when I danced, especially at the Starwood and the Go-Go’s or other fast bands played. I am very physical, I’m hyper. I kept pointing to Arturo waaay downstairs in the front, when I was relaying stories and dropping names, and saying “Arturo, you know, we had so much FUN! The Ramones had fun, we gave them parties . . . tell them, you remember what I’m saying!”

Arturo DID remember how beloved they were from the get-go. LA gave the Ramones an early response they needed and never let up. I was driving Arturo from Long Beach Airport to West Hollywood.

I dropped him off at Indie 103.1 DJ/ [my fucking fave. You want the BEST punk rock in the universe?! He needs a 4 hour slot, twice a week (at least once!). Will someone please archive him! If I knew how to do it, I would!]/Side One Dummy Records Co-President (w/Bill Armstrong), the one, the only Joe Sib, the only person I’ve ever met who talks like I do! Really fast, all these great stories pouring out. He is amazing, he inspires me.

We have to remind people LA gave as good as she got because we know unknown/forgotten stories about the bands people love! They wanna know: the fans and yes, some performers! We provided a lot of memories and support to many early punk bands from the seventies, not just punk. They needed our support, but few remember and fewer post/distribute photos or write as much as I do about it.

Hey, Joan Jett (oh watch her website! She’s gonna make a lot of good, needed NOISE REAL SOON.) wore a Cheap Trick t-shirt spring, 1977. CT opened for the ladies. That’s where I shot my infamous Cherie Currie in a merry widow corset and fishnets, and garter belt -- years before Madonna.

Cheap Trick’s manager, Ken Adamany, missappropriated a few of my shots. And then he banned me from ever seeing them again. The band felt helpless, but sweet Robin helped me get in. CT wrote a song about one of my best friends, then and now. Barbie, a nice Jewish Canadian Princess (she, unlike me, had some money). Barbie had a close relationship with one of the band members. She never talked to me about it, but I sent her the lyrics. We laughed about that!

I loved Cheap Trick. I talked about them to everyone, I was in touch with writers and publicists. I always yapped on and on about my fave bands. I could have helped them a lot. I took some great shots. I found the best backstage shots of Runaways and Cheap Trick. CT with other bands too. We had so much fun til that asshole did that to me. I only wanted to help. And no, I’m not afraid of defamation/libel action. I have witnesses. People saw it happen and I’ve moaned and complained about that for years.

I received two emails today that are related because one wouldn’t post my photo because I “stamped” my name on it (I had to dig it up, scan, make the size he wanted and for free and now I find out he won’t post “as is”? He’s got a terrific site, and I won’t name it, I wish him continued growth with it . . .), the other wondered if my photos opened the first Tom Snyder Tomorrow Punk shows, DVD from Shout! Factory [buy it!]. She wondered because: NO PHOTO CREDIT. Hmm, and people are surprised I put them on . . .

YES, MY PHOTOS WERE THE FIRST THING PEOPLE SAW WHEN THEY WATCHED ONE OF THE FIRST NATIONAL, certainly the most important early West Coast PUNK broadcast! OPENED WITH MY PHOTOS.

And I never capitalized on it. That's one point of this rant. That should answer some questions why I didn't become more famous and make LOTS of money. I was on the ground floor, but I didn't know what the hell I was doing with my life. And I got ripped off and went broke. Hmm, there's a pattern there.

I never realized my photos were in the same context as Bill [talk about godhead!] Graham, Robert Hilburn, Joan Jett and others. I had no concept. I really fucked up my life. I blew so many opportunities. And that is why I am literally starving.

I’ve been through HELL and back in my life. I thank the universe every day I can work on my photos. But I can’t do it alone and can’t do it without money. I’m asking the universe, and all you readers, to do something! You like the photos! Buy some. Spread the word, and lemme know what you think.

It disheartens me that people think it’s fine to use photos without asking or credit on them. I’ve been very generous, give away waaaay too many photos, but when someone asks me for shots online, what are they thinking that it’s fine to post without ANY photo credits on the image, no watermarks? Or object to where I place my credits on MY photos?

Don’t they realize OR CARE that’s how photographers SURVIVE – that people can track them down to LEGALLY use their photos? To buy them to put on their walls or license rare shots for projects. This person knows my site. You think I’d put up photos on my site with my credit, but give them to someone else without my credit?

The first email is just lovely, typical of what people write me. Believe me, in the middle of trying to juggle all these projects, under what I call “house arrest,” wishing I could take a longer walk than the one this morning to mail my rent, it’s literally a breathe of fresh air to receive such wonderful emails, especially after dealing with issues of credit and money that just drag me down.

So why do I do it? Cos of the following email:

Jenny,
Been enjoying the site since its first days and it is really a treat to see that you actually documented a lot of historic events that I have only read about such as the Weirdos/Germs/Nerves show at the Orpheum, the early in-stores at Bomp Records etc, etc. I even seem to recall you posting photos in the earliest days of the net that were subsequently taken down. I love the fans shots as much as those of the musicians.

The reason I was inspired to write is because I recently watched the new 2 dvd set of punk/new wave acts on Tom Snyder’s Tomorrow Show and the great first episode that is on the set. It is from a 1977 broadcast (filmed in Burbank) and the guests are Kim Fowley, Bill Graham, Robert Hilburn, Joan Jett and Paul Weller all talking about this new phenom called punk rock. Too many great sound bites to quote you and it is such an amazing time capsule on par with your photos or the amazing must see video performances that are floating around of the Weirdos at the Masque or the infamous Bags at the Troubadour.

Anyway, as the title credits roll as well as between breaks are a montage of photos including live Weirdos shots as well as a great portrait of Tomata Duplenty and Tommy Gear. Fowley shows another photographer’s portraits during the show but the ones I write about sure look a lot like they may be yours. Are they and any recollection of the circumstances of the broadcast?
All the best,
JB

JB,
Yes, indeed, not only are those shots mine, but one is me! I think it’s the second shot, the first being local boys Weirdos. I forgot I had those color slides til someone sent screen shots from the DVD, which Shout! Factory sent me Wow! Color Weirdos at the Orpheum? April, 1977. Holy shit! I always tell people I have no idea what's in my drawers. I've learned I am the ONLY person able to make sense of it all, but it's great to find hidden/forgotten photos.

I’m holding a gun to Tony the Tiger, written about in “Lexicon Devil.” My makeup is smearing, as earlier shots [not in the show] showed Pleasant making me up, then Tony and I were in the shower/tub and someone turned on the water.

The software doesn’t have a fast-forward button?! Hello Apple, are you outta-yer-fucking-minds? I can’t fast forward through a CD to find out if MY photos are used again?! You think I have 1.5 hours to watch this? If anyone does have time or knows how to fast-forward (I've already been online twice today to solve s/w issues), please lemme know if you see the beginning shots again. I plan on posting all of them, but next month.

Unfortunately, NO ONE involved in that package even thought that the photos might belong to someone. These are people who have spent YEARS research rights and clearances as part of ANY packaging or release of archival material. They didn’t even conduct a mere quick search on the net, cos they would have found me. I found them, got a little bit of money, but too late for credit. They sent DVD to me, but I’m too busy to even look at it.

Yes, I hand-coded a small website circa 1995 or so (maybe earlier). I labored to post a website with my photos and liner notes for the “Live at the Masque” CDs that came out around 1996 or so, with link to Exene's company, "Year One." [Records?] Exene produced them, but she wasn’t into the net yet and ignored my hard work. She's an artist, maybe she didn't like it. I don't take it personally cos that’s not new, not from her or so many performers. Doesn’t stop me, cos of people like you. But performers are discovering my work and like you, appreciate the fact I took them and am getting them out there.

Please read my blog as I write about what I’m doing, what projects. I plan on redoing my website next month, bigger photos, lots more stories, better design. I’ll post pix from a ton of docs, books, DVDS, Cds that my pix are appearing. And my book, deadline now, I have a solid contract and gotta get it done.

Memory: I remember getting a phone call to get over to NBC in Burbank, I lived in West Hollywood, across from Tower Records [on Sunset, 2 blocks east of Whisky]. I grabbed a few slides, dropped them off, can’t remember if I had to drive back or they mailed them back to me. I got $100 and still have a copy of the check and invoice, which surprised the dude at Shout! Factory [a TRUE gentleman, by the way!], who packaged and released it w/NBC Universal. I saw it once, that was it, no re-runs, no video tapes in those days.

But you are one of the few people to make the connection: these are my pix. Thank you!! I love the Ramones shot under the title credit — someone sent me screen shots -- wait, maybe that's the lead back from a commercial. Yeah, I gotta watch this!

You are very kind, I appreciate your words. I am up against a ton of deadlines. Please stay in touch.

NEXT EMAIL:

Hi Jenny
Yes I got the images you sent me. I didn't use them as they have a big Jenny Lens stamped across them and I didn't want to bother you again as you said you were really busy.
A person w/punk website

A person w/punk website,
I've experienced many email problems and hate to bother people and ask them if they received the email [cos I had trouble sending to him]. Many times I don't get an alert to let me know something has bounced back. I also know just cos I send something, doesn't mean it will be used.

I can't begin to tell you the heartbreak seeing my photos online and in print without a credit. I've even asked people to go to my sites or if within myspace, to copy and replace what they have with a photo with my credit. And many give me a hard time! They are using MY work and hassle me!

Imagine spending 30 years of your life, and constantly hearing from people they love your work but had no idea it was yours.

So I have a very firm position, which OTHER photographers and concerned people told me: never send out anything without credits. If someone is going to use in a book, CD, DVD, doc, etc, then after they've chosen which photo(s), I'll send them without watermark.

But not online. Those don't appear without my credit. And if that means I won't have photos on your site, so be it. I can't handle the heartbreak of seeing my work without my name. I am beyond broke, you have no idea how much time and money I put into this. I am SO hungry -- I don't even know what it's like to eat dinner, pay my bills on time, even just hang w/friends, and always living on the edge.

I'm working on some very high profile projects, have photos in major docs at film fests, my books, other books, etc. I need to be sure my name is out there, so people start connecting the dots and realize who took some of their fave shots. Many mention me on their blogs/sites and add links. Which I can't do yet, I'm redoing my site next month, and not touching it til then.

When people realize I took certain shots, they check me out, write great emails, and some buy them (or use in projects), so I can keep this going!

Final thought: there are unions and laws preventing people from using songs without payment and credit, or lifting text from authors, credited or not. So what's wrong with photographers being treated as equal to writers, musicians and painters?

Why must photographers be anonymous? It's not enough to put a credit in a corner, too easily cropped out. I am tired of giving away my work. I deliberately put text there so if they want a clean copy, pay me. It's that simple.

Why should I give away everything with NO credit, while freezing, unable to afford heat?? I drink a gallon of hot herbal tea every day, and my timer just went off, a cup to clear my lungs, damaged by the damp cold. The tea warms me for a few minutes.

I remain a fan of your site. I know it's a labor of love, and sorry I won't be able to participate. But keep up the good work!!
jenny

Go-Go’s SAW my PIX ONLINE at Airport!!

2006-03-19T17:25:00.000-08:00

eMail from Rosemarie [verbatim, my comments in brackets, otherwise I didn't change a word]:

Gina brought this press kit from a S.F. band she likes, and there was a local punk rock mag in it - sorry can't remember the name [Punk Rock Confidential, punkrockcon.com] but I know you will because there was a big article/interview with you and a whole bunch of pictures, 3 or 4 pages. We were at the airport on the way back looking at it and I mentioned all the great photos you have of them on your website.

One of the crew had a PC so pretty soon Belinda, Gina, Jane and I were having a blast looking at them! It was really fun and the crew couldn't get over that Belinda used to be Dottie Danger for the 5 minutes she was a Germ. Or the fact that she even was like the images you captured. It made our wait go a whole lot faster!

As far as the trip - I am EXHAUSTED. What is it about planes and airports that just suck the juice out of you? Anyway, I did not get to f**k Jim Carrey - or even see him!! his loss :^) I saw Robin Williams, Garth Brooks, Trisha the wife [Yearwood?], Celine Dion, Babyface, Kirstie Alley, the hunk that played Conan [I called and informed her Conan was our governator, oops, maybe they have a new one?] and a bunch of other celebs that I am too tired to remember. The set time kept getting later and finally they only did 3 songs! What a tease. The crowd went nuts though . . . [the rest is private . . .]

to clarify:
"Punk Rock Confidential," punkrockcon.com, is published in San Francisco by a young couple whose older relatives were in the Zeros, the great group called "Mexican-American Ramones," but were much more. El Vez and Javier Escovedo (yes, Alejandro's younger brother) continued their musical careers. El Vez is such a trip, check out his website, elvez.net.

One of Muhammad Ali's fave bands: GO-GO'S!!!

2006-03-18T23:58:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post this early Saturday but had to wait til Midnight PST. I couldn’t ruin Muhammad Ali’s surprise -– explanation in a moment. My room-mate announced he’s been downsized and leaving. I called Rosemarie, aka Wyline, and asked if she would pick up photos from an exhibit, as I no longer had time to run across town. She’s leaving for Venice on Monday (months ago promised to accompany friend for friend’s 40th birthday), returning to West Week (big deal around LA for interior design) to reconfigure the upscale firm she’s associated with, and just had dinner with Belinda when I called.

Two days later she called while on the way to the Burbank Airport, confirming storing my photos. She told me she "did the craziest thing." She’s flying to Phoenix and returning the next day. Celebrity Fight Night, a rather private expensive event, is honoring Muhammad Ali. One of his favorite bands is the Go-Go’s and they were gonna surprise him with a performance.

Dig this: Muhammad Ali’s digs our fave local gals. How fab is that?!

Rosemarie recently lost her father. They always watched Ali together. She wished he were around so she could tell him. I said “he’s around, you know how he’d react, and keep that vision in front of you.” We know he’d be thrilled. Rosemarie’s met a lot of famous people, but few are as special as Ali due to her connection with her father. I don't have any good memories of my father. I've admired how devoted Rosemarie was to her father, and glad she has friends to be there with her during this painful but inevitable transition in her life.

I told her Ali was my hero because of his stance against the Vietnam War. He was a CO: conscientious objector.

Ali could inspire young people today, if they knew his history and their future.

I have no time to post photos here, go to my site, jennylens.net and you’ll see a link for Belinda. 38 shots of her, some w/the Go-Go’s. And one shot of Rosemarie and Belinda, the night before the Go-Go’s went to England as unknowns and came back on the verge of superstardom.

I told Rosemarie just last night I wrote Alice Bag (alicebag.com) because the shots she and her husband Greg posted from the early days of punk focused on the Canterbury are so much fun! I told Rosemarie I had just seen Belinda, Jane, Margo and Sheila, Shannon, Terry and of course Alice and others.

Neither of us spent much time at the Canterbury. I was so shy I missed out on all that fun. I was also busy shooting elsewhere, but I would have made time if I had any idea the fun they were having playing dress up. Or as Terry Bag told me, tying up. He asked where do I think "Fun with Ropes," written by Jane, came from?

I told her Alice lives near Phoenix and her recent blog mentioned she’s so bored with it (already). But this isn’t exactly a public event. But too bad it couldn’t have really been a desert punk rock reunion: the Go-Go’s, Rosemarie aka Wyline and Alice Bag. And Muhammad Ali. Wow, that boggles my mind.

Don't ask for gossip from Rosemarie re the Go-Go's. I love her discretion. She gets a kick outta them, and knows a side of them no one else will ever know. I couldn't be prouder of them. I know they feel no connection towards me, but I've always thought of them as younger sisters or at least close cousins.

I love them all, but gotta say this, I miss Margo. I have so many delightful shots of her. She was beloved by many. Anyone in contact with Margo -- please tell her to write me! I saw years ago on "Behind the Music" and she looked so hot and healthy! Good for her. And 99% of the photos in the first 20 minutes that featured their early Hollywood days were mine. Ah, the Go-Go's . . .

Myspace eMails: Punk and Fascism

2006-03-18T16:31:00.000-08:00

I write tons of emails, and felt it time to post a couple I expanded. These are issues I discuss with myself and people every day. The first email is about the art/science behind my photos. Did I have any idea what I was doing? Did I have any experience? Why did I shoot?

The second letter is political. Art and politics are always intertwined.

Artists are true warriors. We speak out via a variety of media, and by doing so, we can change the world. If you are such fans of my work and the people I shot, then do something to save yourselves and us. I much rather be political more hours of the day, but my work calls me. What’s your excuse?

Our society is changing. People are truly living in fear of each other. Not just the terrorist in some unknown spot in a desert somewhere. No, right here in the liberal, cultured west side of LA. We gotta stop this culture of fear.

I’m the eternal cock-eyed optimist. I am still in shock, disbelief and sadness due to a devastating incident at my local health food store. People are far stranger than even Jim Morrison sang about. “Uncivilized wars,” as X sang in “I will not think bad thoughts.”

Many fans, aged 12 to mid-50’s, write such loving and appreciated emails, grateful I not only took photos, but post so many. Now you do me a favor.

Write your political reps, from local, to city, to state to federal levels. Write letters to editors, print, TV and online news. Start there, meet with others, DO SOMETHING!

How do you think those who rule the govt and media got their power? By writing, congregating, gathering together and working to push forward their agenda. You can do that, you’re just as smart and energetic as they. Go for it!

There’s lessons to be learned. Learn from people who’ve seen this before, and life in Amerika is getting tougher. Let’s assert our rights, so we survive!

Date: Mar 17, 2006 2:09 AM
Jenny,
I'm happy to see a lot of your photos of the punk rock stuff and I have to say that seeing those in various books is an inspiration to me. When you were taking photos of bands and people did you have a certain way in which your pictures would come out or did you mainly just do it through trial and error? The reason I ask is that I don't know very much about photography other than just friends and my dad doing a little. However I would love to take pictures of bands and eventually write a book documenting punk and hardcore in the South. Which does not get a lot of coverage because it's hard to dig back really far to find out about older bands . . . I think you know how it is. Anyway I just want to write and ask you those questions and also tell you that I like your work.
Dave

Dave,
I was shy, my camera didn't work right and fucked up more photos than my broken heart wants to count, I never knew if or what would show up when printed. I knew NOTHING about photography, from what film to use to being in a darkroom. I taught myself right there in clubs or in my closet-turned-darkroom. I never even looked at rock photos or rock mags til 1976, having discovered Patti Smith, end of 1975, from a casual, street photo and blurb in then-new “People” magazine.

I totally captured what was in front of me, staging nothing. What you see is what I saw, photojournalism in its rawest form. Cos now people can be online and celebs in minutes. Few ever believed anyone would look at these photos or care.

I’m an artist, I knew art history, I knew punk was a revolutionary art movement. Like a comment, blazing the sky, illuminating for a brief moment, than changes and disappears, almost as fast as it appeared. 4 years is not a long time (1976-1980). But research all major art movements since 1850. Name any that you study in a good art history book and you’d see how short-lived, yet lasting influences are a pattern of important cultural revolutions. Janson’s text, the Bible of college art-history classes, just this year added photography!! When I lived in Hollywood, my most precious movie and art history books were stolen. I replaced my Janson! But no photography.

The cultural shifts come along every few years and life is never the same again. Last night, while listening to Little Steven’s Underground Garage Rock on the net, my fave station in the universe, I heard the song that changed my life: “I wanna hold your hand.” Little Steven told the story of the Beatles, not just their first Ed Sullivan appearance, but the history of Capital Records. Just wonderful.

[disclaimer: I knew someone who worked w/LS'sUGR and often spoke disparingly of her former employer. I appreciate what Little Steven is doing! I love his show and guest DJ's -- Joan Jett, Dick Manitoba, Kim Fowley, et al. ]

More stations (Indie 103.1 fm and Rodney on ROQ: are you listening?) should archive shows! But don't charge! It's my lifeblood!

I always thought of punk as the next major event in that timeline (I missed Elvis, I didn’t watch TV when I was that young). Sure there were other short-lived eras, the British Invasion, the San Francisco Hippie sound, horrid metal and prog-rock, and then da brudders from Queens. I missed glitter, although I was a Bowie fan. Then, like now, I stayed home, made art and earned my Master of Fine Arts graduate degree from Cal Arts. So I missed the Dolls and Iggy. Even when Iggy and I slept together, I think that was 1977, I still had no idea exactly the impact of the Stooges. But I knew Iggy’s new releases were gonna be remembered. “Lust for Life” was too great to be forgotten.

Even if you hate or never heard the music, NO ONE in the western and most parts of the Eastern, and Southern hemispheres has not been affected by punk. I knew that would happen. I used to tell people. They didn't have computers and I am a fast typist and need to edit. You can't edit w/typewriters. I only wish I had more written proof of what I told everyone.

But remember, a lot of these people either knew me or could tell from my antique/thrift shop kimonos, jewelry, purple hair, makeup and energy and passion I was no average photographer. It was hard for everyone to reconcile this wild woman who actually got her photos published and talked to record company publicists.

Was I a crazed fan or part of the publicity machinery? No publicist wanted to hang with me and I had no time for that kind of brown-nosing. What other photographer put music first, turned down paying gigs or shooting Pink Floyd to get high at X, dance and shoot all night, something I did night after night? After seeing X thirty-forty-fifty times, why not shoot Pink Floyd and make some money? Cos I found the music that made me go bang!

I am an artist, a fan, and a photographer last. It's just the tool I used to express my art, one of many media I used. The one that mattered to more people and in ways most visual artists can only dream. I knew this era was important, but I never dreamt my photos specifically would mean so much to so many and change my life in ways unimaginable to most, including myself.

Every day I learn something new and I change in so many ways. I am blessed I have so many friends. Our connection starts with our mutual love of the music, that early punk era, and appreciation of these photos. I only wish I had time to compile all the great emails to post and share. Lovely sentiments.

Few artists receive so much validation and acclaim.

What more could an artist want? (well, enough money to service her car, buy fresh produce every week from the farmer's market, pay her bills, etc). Enough money to keep this going, and the going gets rougher every day.

Back to it, waaaay behind in deadlines and need a new room-mate. Dear God, give me strength and time, health and some money.
jenny

I wrote several emails to a Myspace Friend who used Anne Frank’s face for his photo ID. But there was nothing on his page to indicate who this smiling, young girl was. Anne Frank must be remembered. Her story is your story. She and her family did nothing wrong, but along with 6 million others, not just Jews, but scientists, artists, rebels, and society’s “outcasts” were robbed, raped, tortured and killed, while local residents had “no idea.” Yeah, right. Amerikan Punks must know her story. It is happening here, right now.

Dear Jenny,
I still can’t figure out why I chose Anne Frank and now it’s starting to bother me. When my grandmother was a young girl, she was torn from her home and forced into concentration camps because of the fact she was Japanese. My family had their business and their home taken away by our fascist society, so I am quite aware that concentration camps are no laughing matter.
Ian

Ian,
In 1965 or so, when I was probably 14, I remember the Stones hit, “Satisfaction” was on the radio. We were studying for mid-terms or finals in high school. I totally remember dancing and singing along, I couldn’t concentrate. I was practically a straight- A student, worked hard at it, but darnit, the music devoured me. This shy loner surprised people she loved to rock, just by herself. I went back to studying by myself.

I was at classmate Karen something like Yamaguchi's home. I was admiring a fabulous silk embroidery. Before I picked up a camera, I made lots of arts and crafts, excelling in all, in college art shows, museums, galleries. My art was acclaimed in school since I was a child. I never knew what to make of it, I didn't realize how talented I am. I never saw what was the big deal. No matter my media, my art excelled compared to others. It resonated with so many. I knew about art and the hard work involved in embroidery, the beautiful colors and design.

Karen’s mother told me she embroidered it while in the camps, using 1, just ONE, thread. Embroidery thread comes without 6 slightly twisted strands, and I typically used 3 at a time. But thicker cotton, not thin silk. She worked on the piece for months and months. One silk thread would drive most of us crazy.

We were never taught about Japanese-American internment camps right here in California and other Amerikan states. I was in high school and it had been HIDDEN from us. It was my first introduction to the horrors of this country. My mother also told me many stories about how England and US turned away boatloads of Jews in the 1930's. History relates we Jews were too stupid to leave Europe. Reality is JKF's father, Joseph P. Kennedy, ambassador to England, and other rich white men prevented them from landing.

I think it quite appropriate you chose Ann Frank. She represents a recognizable figure you and your family totally relate to. As do I.

I think it would be a loving tribute to your family and other Japanese-Americans, and Jews from everywhere, to say, very clearly in your home page:

Anne Frank, like my grandparents, was robbed and killed by the countries they loved and called home. It happened right here in Los Angeles and across the nation. It is happening now.

Towards the end of her too-brief life, Anne Frank famously wrote: "deep down inside, I believe people are good."

Everyone should read her diary and remember, similar injustices happened here, on a lesser level. It's happening right now. And we are doing it to ourselves. Not just Washington, but the news media and large corporations. They are stripping us of our rights, censoring news, and passing laws that will make it easier for frightening scenarios again. We do it at work, stores, everywhere.

We don’t trust each other. We don’t listen. We fight. We don’t explain. We don’t apologize.

"The only thing to fear is fear itself.” Wise words from FDR, my fave President who created programs for artists, musicians, playwrights, actors/directors, architects – all the arts were represented in government work. Build a building w/govt money and include murals.

Keep art and artists alive.

oh, I think I just wrote today's blog!!
take care,
jenny

Emails between Hot Topics CEO and Myself

2006-03-15T18:36:00.000-08:00

Only have a brief moment, but I've shared some lively and positive emails with the CEO of Hot Topics, who happens to also be a woman. To summarize: they're cool. As with any trademark, be careful how it's used. I much rather see that phrase used by Hot Topics, who at least honor and celebrate punk, than some soda or car company taking that phrase without earning it.

It's not Hot Topics' fault if people think being punk is ONLY buying from them. It's a starting point. I discovered "Punk Rock Confidential" there and subsequently was prominently featured in it. Which wouldn't have happened if I didn't find it at Hot Topics.

I could say more, but I'm under deadlines slip sliding away. Gotta make some money so I can buy magenta hair color at Hot Topics, when they've got it on the shelves! It's not easy being magenta!

From their CEO:

"Hi Jenny,

I appreciate you taking the time to write me. It would be great if every email I received was a positive one, but I know that's not always going to be the case. Our company culture has always been about being open minded, so your point of view is appreciated.

As for our celebration of 30 years of punk, most of us are true punk fans like yourself, having been around during in the 70's. In the true punk spirit, we love punk and wanted to celebrate. Punk is all about doing and saying what you think, even at the cost of pissing a few people off. In fact, I actually like the idea of our relatively insignificant retail promotion actually causing an emotional reaction.

Positive or negative, I love the emotion and angst.

A good friend of mine made a comment to me that punk rock has not become mainstream, but rather the mainstream had found punk rock. I agree with that statement. One promotion does not dictate how a person thinks, his lifestyle or his attitude. True love of punk is something that lies within a person's soul and NO retail store can sell that attitude or way of life.

Thanks for taking the time to write to me.

Sincerely,"

Times Square Honors 67 Journalists Slain: 3 years in Iraq

2006-03-14T20:53:00.000-08:00

Remember, PUNK IS POLITICAL. If you're not outraged, you are not paying attention.

67, that's SIXTY-SEVEN, Journalists have been slain in ONLY 3 years during the Iraq war. 67 brave men and women. Ohmygawd. If that doesn't cause one to take pause, then nothing will. NO matter what your day was like, we should pause and remember these brave souls.

And may God have mercy on our souls for what we are doing in Iraq (and Afghanistan, let's not forget how sports hero Pat Tillman was SHOT BY OUR OWN SIDE, up close and personal), the environment, and now the Govt can poke into online search records, re: Google's setback to take on the Admin's "fishing expedition" to find out what you and I are investigating while on the net. Big Brother is watching.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/
news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002158109

Reuters' Baghdad Chief Cites Growing Dangers In Iraq--As Giant Times Square Screen Honors 67 Slain Journalists

By Dave Astor, New York

NEW YORK

As Iraq bureau chief for Reuters, Alastair Macdonald is a long way from New York City. But he appreciates that Reuters today began using its huge sign in Manhattan's Times Square to draw attention to the many journalists who have died in Iraq since the U.S. invasion nearly three years ago.

"It's worthwhile for us to remind people about the price of the news they're getting from Iraq," MacDonald told E&P, when reached by phone this morning in Reuters' Baghdad bureau. "And the sign is timely, because the dangers are becoming greater. Three Iraqi journalists were shot dead, assassination-style, during the past seven days."

Reuters' Times Square sign will continously run the names of 67 journalists -- as well as a montage of some of the war's most iconic and harrowing photos -- through the end of this month. Four of the 67 who were killed covering the war worked for Reuters, noted Macdonald, and a fifth Reuters person died in a car accident in Iraq.

Other journalists, such as Jill Carroll of the Christian Science Monitor, have been kidnapped (she is still being held).

Macdonald, 43, knew three of the Reuters people who died. "It's very hard for us to lose friends this way," he said, adding that all three were killed by U.S. soldiers.

The bureau chief said he also hopes the Times Square sign will make people think about the journalists who continue to report from Iraq under very dangerous conditions.

Reuters people in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq include more than 50 full-time journalists, nearly 20 part-time journalists, and several dozen support staffers. This 100-plus crew -- which includes print reporters, photographers, and TV people -- is a mix of Iraqis and people from other countries.

Macdonald noted that as things became more dangerous in Iraq, news organizations started relying more on Iraqi journalists to cover certain stories. But Iraqi journalists -- such as the three killed recently -- are starting to be targeted more. Foreign correspondents have been targets since the March 2003 U.S. invasion, said Macdonald.

"Unlike in previous wars, you can't drive around with a big 'PRESS' sign on your vehicle and expect to be safe," said Macdonald. "That will get you blown up. You have to travel incognito." Or travel less than before.

Macdonald -- who was in and out of Iraq starting in 2003 before becoming bureau chief last June -- recalled that journalists had at least somewhat more mobility in the war's earlier days. "In 2003 and 2004, we would routinely move around Baghdad fairly comfortably," he recalled. "You could walk the streets and drive the roads to a point." That, said Macdonald, is no longer the case.

Despite the dangerous conditions, journalists can still do good reporting from Iraq. "It's possible," said Macdonald, "but it does come at a cost."

Blondie in-fighting and Rock Hall of Fame

2006-03-14T19:13:00.000-08:00

I hinted how costly it was for Ramones to be inducted (buying tickets for the tables being the major obstacle), now there's a new controversy within Blondie. If you've read my comments about my infamous shot of Debbie on the floor of the Whisky stage (jennylens.net), you know I have conflicting feelings towards the band.

No matter my personal history, I am so happy for all their much-deserved success. I've always loved Blondie, from the raw beginnings to the superstar status. Debbie Harry is one of my fave singers, bringing so much personality and spark to their songs. The songs are catchy and reflected the pop culture of their times. "Blondie" is one of my fave releases of all time. "Rip her to shreds" a particular fave, probably because I never had the guts to say exactly what I felt about someone without it coming back to bite me, so I too often kept my mouth shut.

It's just a sad situation. I'm not going to add to it, but to quote the Screamers, "in a perfect world, everyone would be made to feel important." I think it's a tough call, deciding which members of a band should be honored and which shall play. Let the fans decide!

May they resolve their differences quickly and amicably. My very best to all of them.

Steve Jones and Paul Cook’s Autographs, Masque January 17, 1978

2006-03-13T22:10:00.000-08:00

The process of reviving my archive is a combination Sherlock Holmes, close and constant attention to details, write notes, input notes into database, send out emails to people in the shots. The seemingly random searches lead to unexpected rewards. I’m overcome with waves of emotions after looking through one of my autograph books. I stupidly didn’t write people’s names down, cos some are impossible to read, nor date them, and many wrote on the back of someone else’s signature.

It’s a micro-history of a few people I shot: Freddie Mercury (who ratted on me, and the Elektra publicist was pissed, he was such a queen!), Roger Taylor and Brian May; “Take the Tonic, love, Bob Geldof,” and each of the Boomtown Rats, each of the Clash, Ramones, Cars (Rick Ocasek gave me an address to send pix and keep in touch, but did I? oy!!), Chuck Berry, BB King, and more. What a trip down memory lane.

I wanted to verify Tomata and Liara’s birthday party in Wattles Park, June 1979. Verifying chrome/slide date of Divine at Fiorucci’s led me to stunning black and white shots of Andy Warhol, Fiorucci’s opening and punk wedding (plus color slides of Screamers performing). Some negs on the wedding sheet were of X, August 30, 1979, Stardust Ballroom. I’ve lost or seriously hidden most of my X, so finding anything is a treasure. [I also shot Dils and DOA that night.]

Primarily men were in the audience, with mosh pits becoming more routine with X's opening acts. People always ask me about hardcore, but I shot Before Hardcore, when you could dance and get close to the stage. I also shot color, and you can really feel the audience’s energy, led by the band and Exene in particular.

I need a different slide of Billy Zoom and Steve Jones, taken at a party during X’s first British tour, July 1980. While going through my Sex Pistols slides, I found one of Paul Cook at the Masque, signing a red autograph book, 28 years ago January 17, 1978. I opened another drawer and pulled that little red book. Steve Jones signed the opposite page.

Gotta get back to work. Haven’t found the slide of two of my fave guitarists, Billy and Steve, the third being Joe Strummer yet. I told that tidbit to Jonesy while on his show, his birthday, Sept 3, 2004. Some of you may know he threw me off the show for talking about the Clash, LA punk and Toulouse Lautrec. Steve and I are pleasant to each other now, but if you’re gonna talk about art history, you better know your facts. Ha ha!

A pal gave me some cool CDs. Tom Waits singing “I don’t wanna grow up.” Oh Dee Dee, Joey and Johnny. We miss you.

If not for Dee Dee, my archive wouldn’t exist. I doubt if I ever would have picked up a camera and shot the early, most combustible era of the first 30 years of punk rock that changed every aspect of world culture. I didn’t wanna grow up . . . I wanted to do it on my terms, and not 9-5 and all that jazz. Give me another 30 years of punk rock!!

Rock Hall of Fame/Hot Topics Trademarked “30 Years of Punk”

2006-03-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

If you want to see just a few of my many Blondie and Sex Pistols shots, as well as previous inductees, check out jennylens.net and jennylens.net/merch. You can’t read the white text if on a Mac on jennylens.net, but I’ll fix, and redesign with more and larger photos in April.

Friday, Jonesy’s guest was Johnny Rotten Lyndon, brillant, acerbic, witty and right on. I loved his story about how the Rock Hall of Fame wouldn’t let him film there when he had his TV show. You think us punks forget those kinds of slights? I am so proud of them for telling the Hall what they could do with their induction. I too think it’s outrageous how expensive the tickets are for the inductees. The Ramones were so limited as to who could be there and it was such a slap in the face to all they’ve done.

Today Jonesy played a plethora of Sex Pistols related songs.

As for Blondie, I am happy for them. I don’t want to cast anything negative if someone is happy to be inducted. Quoting the Hall's website text re Blondie:

"Someone forgot to tell Blondie that New Wave bands weren’t supposed have hit records."

What kind of bullshit is that? You think Blondie, Ramones, Patti, Iggy, X, Weirdos, Screamers, Avengers, Clash and Pistols, Gen X, Jam, Sham 69, Boomtown Rats [oh, look at my photo list, you’ll get the idea] didn’t want to sell records?

And will someone please retire and bury the phrase “New Wave” forever? It was a lame record company industry term created to make punk or adventurous rock more marketable to fellow radio and mag personnel. They were bored, scared or indifferent to punk. I was there, I dealt with enough industry people to tell stories (if I had time).

You think the Rock Hall of Fame could hire someone to program their site so apostrophes appear instead of question marks? That’s what I’m seeing right now.

Of course I won’t stop calling it the Rock of Shame til Iggy and Patti are inducted. I wanted to verify Iggy still not in, but I can’t even find a list of inducted PAST rockers on their site. Some honor?

And if that means they won’t use any of my pix, so what. My new agency, Retna, told me they could have submitted many photos of Blondie. Of course I could have approached the Hall years ago. One guess why I wouldn’t. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow. And I don’t care.

While listening to Rodney on the ROQ last night, I was enthralled by MC Lars “Hot Topics is Not Punk Rock.” You can check out MC Lars’ lyrics online and hear the song on myspace (Google it).

Hot Topics usually brings a smile to my face, while at the same time concerns about over-commerciality of punk always causes conflict. I love the one-stop shopping as my time and money extremely limited. I hope people start at Hot Topics and then go to thrift shops, fabric stores, their closets, and grab a scissors, pins and thread and make up the rest. It’s fine as long as it’s not your whole look. Use some imagination, ok?

I was dismayed to see Hot Topics TRADEMARKED “30 Years of Punk.” Well, I’ve been shooting photos for the first “30 years of punk.” Many people are celebrating “30 years of punk.” I’ve earned the right to use this phrase any way I want. It’s more than a phrase, it’s been my life for 30 years of punk.

I wouldn’t mind if they actually CARED about what they carry. No matter how many times I inquire as to why they don’t carry ANY of the magenta/fushia colors I need for my hair, they never offer to special order for me, can never tell me if I can order online (it’s totally hit and miss). They carry several brands, Raw being my fave, but try finding in my colors in ANY of their brands!

They are also EXCLUSIVE distributors of several of the brands, so if they don't stock it, NO ONE else can. Hmm, since when is that punk rock?

I’d say their attitude and inability to stock hair colors was punk rock, but they are too corporate for that.

The idea of Torrid -- focusing on larger size and available only online -- reeks of discrimination against big girls. Guess they don’t want us fatties actually hanging out in their stores. Oh excuse me, since I lost so much weight, I weigh less than the average female. But I’ll always be curvy, and I’ve never worn micro-minis. When will retailers realize people are getting bigger or just might want to be comfy in their punk clothes? Tight is not always what we want.

Gotta finish my book, several other books, docs, CDs, etc and gallery shows. Every day I get more calls and emails. That’s cos I started shooting in the first year of 30 years of punk.

[I moderate posts to prevent spam, but blogger.com not posting approved comments, so here they are:

"polaroid wallah:
...just wanted to tell you how much i enjoyed your post, especially want to encourage you to keep on using '30 years of punk,' man, you earned it (how old were you when you started anyway, 6?...keep up the good work...check out my deep background archives at: www.truecrimeconfidential.blogspot.comit's the official POLICE AND THIEVES blog, anarchy in the UK!....let's trade links...best, john"

darnit, lost the others ones, oh well . . . life goes on!]

Postpunk, Truthiness and Living in a Time of Fiction . . .

2006-03-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

Every day I wrote reams and reams of emails, rarely posting them. I recently met Joe Carducci, formerly with SST Records. He is reviving the late Naomi Peterson’s hardcore punk photo archive. I’ve shared tips on organizing, scanning, etc as well as leads when someone comes to me for hardcore shots. Joe wrote a loving tribute to Naomi that really resonated with me. I'm doing all I can to help. It would be a tragedy if both her archive and mine were lost to history, because we documented such important early bands and times.

I always engage in lively thoughts about punk and how others perceive it versus those who were actually there or the devoted fans. If only the people who write, the book authors, CD liner notes, the magazines, etc would actually ASK AND LISTEN to those who were there, not just the "usual suspects." They don’t give a damn what many of us in the trenches think or remember or DID.

Here’s an exert from today’s thoughts about “Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984” by Simon Reynolds. Joe told me the American publisher [Penguin Books] DROPPED the section on SST Records, which was included in his British version.

"three chapters got dropped by his American publisher, not him. They didn't drop the San Francisco chapter oddly enough. I thought LA always outranked SF, but not in NYC today somehow."

SF punk scene more important/relevant than LA? God save us all. Mabuhay v. Masque/Whisky/Starwood/Roxy/Orpheum/Baces Hall et al! Avengers, Nuns and Dead Kennedys v. X, Screamers, Germs, Weirdos, Bags; then hardcore Black Flag, Middle Class, Circle Jerks; roots/rockabilly from Ray Campi and Blasters; art bands like Monitor, Extremes, Human Hands and let's not forget Claude "Kick Boy" Bessy's Catholic Discipline w/Phranc and so on.

There is NO comparison and I don't say that cos I'm from LA.

I LOVED the Nuns and Penelope Huston and the Avengers are still going strong. I shot the Ramones, Patti, Clash, Iggy and LA bands in SF (after seeing them in LA first). But if you have to pick ONE city over the other to best represent punk and whatever postpunk is, for sheer numbers of legendary bands who influenced others and are still beloved, it's ludicrous to choose SF over LA.

Those kinds of irrational choices make any thesis less credible when not backed up by facts.

There is NO sense of TRUTHFUL history. As I wrote Joe, quoting film-maker Michael Moore at the Oscars® a few years ago: “We live in a time of fiction.”

Makes me ill, explains why it's been so hard to get my pix published . . . 30 years of this shit.

I saved a review by Jim Windolf of Simon's book earlier this month from nytimes.com. I was DISGUSTED with it. The premise is: punk ended with the Pistols and everything after it is post-punk. The book doesn't mention X or the Clash:

"But the Clash doesn't make Reynolds's postpunk list. Neither do similar acts of the era, like the Jam, the Police, X, Elvis Costello and Blondie, all of whom began by making raw music only to end up turning out more sophisticated fare tinged with soul, funk, reggae, disco, hip-hop or Latin touches."

What a piece of bullshit. X is based in part on American roots, whether Hank Williams, Woodie Guthrie, the Weavers, Leadbelly, Patsy Cline, Gene Vincent, Johnny Cash or should I go on? Throw in some Ferlinghetti and Bukowski, Raymond Chandler, Theda Bara/Lousie Brooks (Exene and I share a love of silent films) and of course FILM NOIR.

There is simply no group who represented, as the Blasters sang, "American Music," in a way that was more ground-breaking than X. Considering Exene is from Illinois to Florida to LA; John Maryland to LA; Billy Iowa to LA; and DJ, like myself, from LA, the only thing missing is the northern east coast or NY sensibility.

But they blended music from so many genres to describe what was, in many, but not ALL their songs: LA. I always saw them as more universal than LA-centric: city living, plus political comments common to both liberal New Yorkers and Angelenos, or other large metropolitan, educated cities. And of course, the human condition, relationships between men and women, success and failure, with enough references to American culture to ensure their music is truly classic and timeless.

They are to music what West's "Day of the Locust" is to Hollywood: beneath the glitter is the real glitter, and a lot of grit.

Loud, angry, thoughtful, poetic, a great beat you can dance to. If he bothered to read the lyrics and listen to the music. That's basic punk 101.

I am SO tired of hearing these two things: punk ended with the Pistols and the LA scene fell apart cos Darby killed himself. Oh please, that era/scene cannot be summed up and dismissed that easily. Like any art or cultural movement, it was like a fleeting comet that lit up the sky, influenced so many, then mutated into something else.

I won't waste my time reading that book. Cos apparently, with all his research, Simon, like so many others, just regurgitated what others wrote. Seems like he either dismissed or was surprised the actual participants who didn't know what he meant by "postpunk."

Well, just cos others wrote about it doesn't make it a fact. It's whatever the MUSICIANS and FANS deem it to be, not the god damned critics who only wish they could be so clever and accepted on stage, so they make up terms. AND IGNORE SOME VITAL VOICES WHO HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Like "DIY." Show me when/where that phrase was used before Rhino coined it for their seminal punk releases over a decade ago (my photos on cover for LA and other sections of those releases). It certainly never entered my mind when taking photos or contributing to non-paying fanzines in the late '70's.

Of course we all should be grateful for all Rhino has done to resurrect punk, but damnit, now DIY is a phrase used to describe the early scene. Punk was and is far more than just "doing it yourself." That's what any artist does. The phrase obliterates the SUBSTANCE behind what we did.

So many come up to me and say they are punk cos they are DIY. No, they are artists, and nothing wrong with that. Punk is political and so much more.

And that is what Joe and I and others are up against. Arrogant assholes and their publishers, movie writers/directors (not all, but enough to drive one to thoughts of murder because of the crap they lay out as truth), etc who weren't in the thick of it, weren't at the Masque or Mabuhay or CBGB's or wherever they hung out in England, so they have to put their spin on it.

People want to know why I don’t get more of my photos “out there.” It’s not for lack of trying. The MSM (mainstream media) is more into other scenes and still willing to dismiss LA. Of course, LA press and music industry personnel haven’t been much help the past 30 years either. It’s really up to the fans and those who were there.

That said, back to work. Today is a lovely day, windy and clear skies. I have to drive 74 miles round trip to a free dentist, all I can afford. But I am SO grateful, finally getting some teeth filled. It’s much better than living in fear that my neglected teeth will cause real damage that will interfere with my work. I thank Cherie Currie for her help with the wonderful dental clinic. [Cherie, Runaways, her solo career, and now a successful artist].

The dentist calls me "his bastion of sanity." He deals with society's cast-offs, those too poor for any kind of medical coverage. I always surprise people at free clinics, cos it's obvious I went to college and have skills and brains, but not the ability to hold down a job. As Dr. Pete calls me: "a bohemian." He asked it I ever worried about money. I laughed and said "all the time." But that doesn't stop me!

It’s so ironic that the people I have the best relationships with now aren’t the bands I helped so long ago, but others who recognize my work. Yes, I bitch about how so many still ignore the vital stories, photos, music and people from that era. But there are so many wonderful things happening in recognition of my photos – due to working at it -- that anything anyone else does can’t really hurt the scene. Cos the truth is out there, if you can handle it.

Fight the good fight. I often feel like Sysiphous, pushing that rock up the hill. But I'm not alone . . . and one day LA will be accepted as equally important as NY and England. That's my mission in life. Let the photos, stories and the music be all the evidence any thinking and feeling person needs.

The truthiness of it all!! [thanks to Steve Colbert and Arianna Huffington for turning me onto that concept -- "feeling" is more truthful/valid than facts or history, which might contradict the "feeling" truth. I don't have time nor space to detail, so look it up on Wikipedia.]

Retna, Gallery Revisited, Movies w/my pix premieres, Rizzoli and the Oscars

2006-03-07T22:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't written. I write tons and tons of emails, but compiling that info is difficult, cos it takes time to go through it and pull what I can share. Plus I dislike writing about my day at the end of the day. I'm more into planning tomorrow, cos "days change to night in an instant" (X's "Los Angeles" and yes, that's based on a real woman, who named me). So here's a short list of current projects:

Representation:
Retna: finally signed with them. Only one of the most-respected agencies for music photographers. We both took our time -- sometimes things move slowly. But now, I have to ramp up!

Exhibits:
Gallery Revisited: www.galleryrevisited.com, 3204 Sunset, Silver Lake. Leora Lutz, owner/curator/artist, celebrated her gallery’s new opening by assembling a group show of her gallery’s artists. A fab opening, lots of yummy art. The show runs through March 18.

It's very difficult to find galleries willing to show my punk photos with contemporary artists. I'm not low-brow, although punk certainly influenced most low-brow artists and to me, would seem a logical environment, but it's not my call. I don't want to be at the traditional photography galleries because I don't think they will attract the kind of audience my photos need at this time. I'm looking for an appropriate New York venue, but if it's this difficult in my home town, I am blessed good people in NY are assisting me.

I applaud Leora's input, respect and enthusiasm for my work. To me, showing is not just about putting photos on the wall. It's building a career and partnership with very focused galleries and their owners. and that is the exception, not the norm in LA, especially for rock photographers!

I’ll have a solo show on September 2, 2006 through mid-October, so calendar it NOW!

Books:
Rizzoli: yes, my first book due end of March, to be released next year.

In the works: a Photographic book about early LA punk scene. I am sworn to secrecy re more details, but I pulled up nearly 80 never-before-seen shots from fall of 1977 to spring of 1978. I’m proud to be part of this book that celebrates and respects not only that era, but dealing with the producer of the book has been a pleasure.

SXSW and upcoming Allison Anders' "Don't Knock the Rock" film fest, May at LA's REDCAT [Disney Hall] showcasing two movies with my photos:

"Treasures of Long Gone John" premiere from director/artist Greg Gibbs about the notorious Sympathy for Record Industry label founder and low brow collector/promoter/supporter. John refers to several punk groups and they turned to me for the photos. Not having the money to go to CSXW, I won't see it yet, but here’s a few of the photos I supplied: X, Black Randy and infamous Randettes, Devo, Germs, Weirdos, Randoms, Screamers, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, and various important writers, fans, muses from LA, circa 1977 – 1978. Thanks to Greg Escalante of CoproNason Gallery (www.copronason.com) and Juxtapoz curator for sending Gibbs my way.

"American Hardcore" is director Paul Rachman’s “documentary is a comprehensive and chaotic visual history of the underground scene of the American hardcore punk movement.” How funny is it one of Slamdance’s founders saw this premiered at Sundance, based on Steven Blush’s book from Adam Parfrey’s Feral House. They only needed three photos: Weirdos, Germs and Screamers. Initially they wanted another band, but when my face fell and later they saw my Screamers shots, the Screamers were in! Yes, 30 years after I started shooting, I still push my fave bands.

Ramones: "Too Tough to Die," Tribeca Film Festival, New York, April - May premiere. With about a dozen of my photos. I was moved to tears when I saw a rough cut with MY photo of Johnny Ramones flashing on the screen when Rob Zombie pulled out his cell phone so we all could say hi to Johnny at the Ramones Tribute show, September 2004. That of ALL the shots of Johnny, director Mandy Stein, editor Jonathan Del Gatto and his crew chose MY photo. Of Johnny!

Oh the irony! Life is funny at times. Long story short: Johnny and I did not, ah, get along. No surprise cos I hung with Dee Dee and if you know their history, you get it. If not, read Monte Melnick's eye-popping account of "On the Road with the Ramones." A must-have book!!

Mandy and her talented, dedicated crew captured and edited the best of that show, with X and the Dickies and many guest performers: Steve Jones, Henry Rollins, Dickie Barrett and others. Although you can’t tell which photos were mine taken in California, 1976 - 1978, I am so gratified to see my photos along side Bob Gruen and other NY photographers.

To Do:
April I must totally re-do my websites, that will be quite a chore, but must be done. Rust never sleeps. What does that mean?

Upcoming solo show in June, details later, gotta pull and print photos.

Special treats:
Every day I receive emails and phone calls from so many talented people, and we encourage and support each other with our creative endeavors. I receive so many heart-warming and inspiring emails of gratitude and appreciation for my work then and now from people in the industry as well as fans of all ages.

Although I am neglecting my art roots, Saturday night I received a call from a pal. He provided me with a piece of art from a contemporary artist who turns me on. What a swell surprise!!

But I had to hop in my car and drive half-way across town to pick up my new, never seen art. I hit three gallery openings. I find most current art, especially low brow and urban/hip-hop/graffiti inspired art to be boring, insipid and scary in its lack of human emotions. But once in awhile I find an artist whose visions resonate so deeply that I love want a big house and lots of money to buy and display their art. I think this just might be the first piece of art I’ve ever received from a gallery. Hmm, I’ve traded my work when I was in college, but something from a gallery? It just came out of nowhere, totally unexpected. And that’s life, always surprising us.

Except it’s no surprise George Clooney won an Oscar (R). He gained weight, doesn’t that help? He also is very talented and most of all, a liberal who is not afraid to put his money, time and talent behind important issues. As a fan of Edward R. Murrow, I can’t recommend “Good Night, and Good Luck” too much. It’s an amazing movie on so many levels. And it’s the truth, something in rare supply from Hollywood and politics.

I hope "Real Woman" Reese Witherspoon NEVER gets botoxed. Add that to her intelligent beauty, and maybe Hollywood will take a turn for the better. Maybe.

OK, back to work.

Mary Todd Lincoln Apologizes

2006-02-17T15:47:00.000-08:00

I caught the last few minutes of "Abe Lincoln in Illinois," as the train left for Washington. I cried listening to the Great Empancipator's words, coincidentally scheduled before President's Day. It was being shown as part of "31 Days of Oscar" on TCM. I am way too busy to catch any of the movies, but I tearfully joined in "glory, glory, hallelujah" in contrast to our current regime.

I'm trying to keep this blog about my work -- punk, 1976-1980 -- but those who know me, know I'm a proud liberal progressive, who was called a commie in high school when I protested the Vietnam War. I am ashamed and shocked the Dems are nothing but castrated toy poodles, allowing the Republicans to do the dirty deeds, then weakly complaining afterwards. Let's not get into whatever happened to Paul Hackett, but the Dems did a number on this brave Iraq vet willing to take on the Repulsive current Senator (or was it the House? Too many scandals to follow, as much as I try).

Some of you can't get through the day without coffee. I can't get through the hour without huffingtonpost.com. This was the best and shortest and would be funny as hell, if it didn't hurt so damn much.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-a-rodman/
mary-todd-lincoln-apologi_b_15896.html.
Howard A. Rodman is a screenwriter, novelist, educator.

Mary Todd Lincoln apologizes
WASHINGTON, District of Columbia (CNN) -- The family of President Lincoln said today they were sorry for what John Wilkes Booth and his family have "had to go through" after Booth shot the President in last weekend's incident at Ford's Theatre. The men were gathered to watch a performance of "Our American Cousin" starring actor Harry Hawk.

Mary Todd Lincoln, speaking for the family, met briefly with reporters but took no questions.

Booth sprayed Lincoln with a bullet in the back of the head at point-blank range in Friday's incident. Onstage, Hawk was declaiming, "Don't know the manners of good society, eh? Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old gal -- you sockdologizing old mantrap!" The President died when the bullet migrated to his brain.

"We all assume certain risks in whatever we do," Mrs. Lincoln said. "Whatever activities we pursue and regardless of how experienced, careful and dedicated we are, assassinations do and will happen."

"My family and I are deeply sorry for all that the Booth family have had to go through this week," she said.

Reached backstage at Ford's Theatre, centrally located at 511 10th Street NW, Hawk referred all inquiries to his publicist.

I remember you . . . 1977 memories

2006-02-16T15:24:00.001-08:00

NO ONE has any idea the time, energy, thought, work I put into this archive, not just now, but since I began taking photos 30 years ago.

Two reasons to do this:
The Photos.
The Stories.

Here's a story I received last week, the first posted from my new iMac. I have 3 or 4 photos in a new gallery opening day after tomorrow and my first book, due in April. That's another blog.

But I must dye my whole head of curly hair -- many shades from beautiful magenta to a rich brick red -- not only on my dark brown roots, but as usual, found something new and painting my whole head. That's a two day routine -- can't put all the different brands [I'm quite a chemist!] on hair at once. I have so much fun and get SO many compliments. When I was in college, pre-punk, people said I reminded them of Matisse paintings. He was the number one "Fauve" or "wild beast." Some things never change!

The story you are about to read truly reflects my life. My apt and life was very open-door friendly and SF and LA were closely intertwined in those early punk days. My comments are in [brackets].

Hi Jenny.

I doubt you would remember me [correct], but I remember you very well. You were extremely kind to me in 1977, and we used to run into each other at shows in San Francisco - mostly at the Mabuhay I guess. My friend Malcolm and I always had our cameras too. Sadly, my photos were most all lost by a mover many years ago. Malcolm recently started scanning his and has sent me a few. I'm attaching one of his shots of me with Phil Seymour. I think it's possible that I met you at a Dwight Twilley Band show in L.A., although I'm not really sure anymore [I shot them offstage].

It's more likely that we met at a Mumps show in San Francisco if you came up for that [yes, I came up with Backstage Pass. Marina del Rey has wonderful snapshots cos I don’t remember that at all! I shot Holly Vincent in color in the Mab bathroom]. I ended up hanging around with Kristian while they were in town, and he invited me to come to L.A. with them right after that. They were staying at the Tropicana in that bungalow in the back while recording what would become their second and final single, "Rock And Roll This..." with Earle Mankey. [I have X, Pleasant, Geza, Lydia Lunch, etc party shots at that legendary bungalow.]

You mentioned in one of the interviews on your website how accessible all the bands were in the punk scene back then. You're so right. It was a great time to be 18 and not interested in mainstream culture! Malcolm and I had our own style, which wasn't punk really but was more of a Merseybeat- inspired look, sort of like what the Flamin' Groovies were doing at the time [I wonder what happened to my FG negs? I only have a few, I seemed to have discarded them and only kept the other band playing that night, The Ramones debut at the Roxy].

It was all thrift store. We were fixtures at the Mabuhay, where we hung out with a lot of hard core punks like Don Vinyl. One of our cherished memories was when we got The Runaways to play a concert at our high school in Fremont, CA. It was right after Cherie left, and Joan was just amazing in a bodysuit and gold Gibson. [I have shots of her during that period in LA]

So back you your act of kindness... I met some guy at a show in S.F. who was from L.A. He invited me down for some other show in L.A. When I got there, we went to the show together, you were also there, and he introduced me to you. I didn't actually have anywhere to stay, and you invited me to stay at your place. I remember sleeping on your couch! Almost 30 years later now, I'm still touched every time I see your name as a photo credit on a CD, and I'm so sorry that you didn't get compensated for much of it. For what it's worth, your friendship meant a lot to me and your generosity left a lasting impression.

Thank you and best wishes.
Jeff

PhotoLA

2006-01-25T09:57:00.000-08:00

I was thrilled to attend the opening reception for PhotoLA. First I sampled food from local restaurants. It was freezing, the wind chilling us to our fingers, as we tried to balance small plates and the draft, so I didn't even try to drink, which might have warmed me, but then I couldn't cover the show!

I ran into photographer Brad Elterman, known for his '70's Beverly Hills lifestyle and rock/celebrity photos. I told him the cookie from La Provence tasted like perfume and he looked strangely at me. A mouth-watering amazingly tasting cookie called "Lavender," which describes both its color, fragrant ingredient and taste. I also liked owner Farshid Hakim's fave, some kind of cake and mousse, which I usually hate. Tres tasty!

Grace's butternut squash and coconut soup, with a swirl of herbed olive oil, was my favorite offering of the night. Pane e Vino had yummy stuffed cherry tomatoes with goat cheese. At the other end, I saw an older woman carrying around her bounty: a box of Krispy Kreme donuts that were sitting on a table.

I was wide-eyed and teary standing in front of one of my favorite photos of Garbo by Steichen. I saw Man Ray (my fave shot of the whole show), Dorthea Lange, a lovely Imogen Cunningham, Irving Penn, Weegee (his Getty exhibit closed this weekend), Cartier-Bresson, Brassai, Phillipe Halsman, Eisenstaedt, Walker Evans, Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, Avedon, Larry Clark, and more listed from $3500 to $125,000, based upon rarity of prints and fame of the photographers.

I've often stated in interviews that although I have multiple art degrees, I never studied photography nor looked at photo books beyond movie stills. I became a top rock photographer with not one rock photo as my inspiration. But I've grown up on enough magazines and read enough obits and art/photo reviews to readily recognize names I've listed above.

How many young buyers today know those names? That's why PhotoLA conducted collecting seminars. Bright idea. But not many contemporary photographers or subjects and other than a few shots of Dylan, the Stones and one of Lennon, Marley, and a few others, I couldn't stop wondering where were icons of our era for the serious collector? The rock era, from its birth in the '50's, its British and Hippie explosions that led to my photo era, punk in the late '70's, that evolved into hardcore and rap/hip hop in the '80's. Performers who have stood the test of time and who are being re-discovered and revered, even by the conservative Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

What does it say that I just signed a contract with Rizzoli for my first of several photo books and I've yet to be featured in a "major" gallery? I've turned down one or two women gallery shows for over a decade because of cost of prints/framing, plus the time and money invested in taking the shot in the first place and holding onto the slides and negs all these years. Selling a print for a couple or few hundred dollars represents a huge investment of time, money, work, pain, sacrifice and isolation on the part of the photographer. The difficult part is attracting the clientele with the appreciation and money to purchase these classic photos. If you can't attract the right audience, you are stuck with storing unsold framed photos. Why mount shows if the gallery doesn't reach out to the market who will respond?

Is it that difficult to cultivate that market in the city exploding with what should be the ideal audience?

I examined the eager young faces in the Friday morning crowd. Many traverse the galleries throughout LA, looking for cutting-edge art that expresses who they are. Nothing says that more than photos of their heroes, their icons. Musicians. Where's the photos that resonate with the 20, 30 and 40 something lawyers, doctors, software pros, consultants, entertainment industry professionals, with large homes, offices, money and the drive to own a piece of authentic raw rock 'n roll?

It's obvious serious entertainment photography collectors' needs are not being met at PhotoLA nor its established photo galleries. To find quality prints of music icons in LA, the "entertainment capital of the world," means going online. But it was fascinating to see the photos, and choices regarding size, mattes, frames and subject matter. I was told by an artist repped by someone very involved in the LA art scene that ArtLA showcases more contemporary photography. If I go, I'll report back.

I can't rave enough about the Santa Fe Center for Photography's "The Business of Being An Artist." Informative, lively, serious, breezy, inspiring and more. If you or anyone you know has the burning passion and dedication to be a fine art photographer, that person should become very familiar with the center and its personnel. Warm, friendly, funny, smart and uniquely creative and generous with their knowledge.

I was also wowed by their handouts, with insightful notes and numerous web links. I've gone to more seminars than I can remember and never received any handouts of this caliber. Next year they will have to triple the room size because it was standing room only! They will also present a seminar at PhotoSF, http://www.sfcp.org/ and hopefully back next year.

If only I made more prints 30 years ago! People offer me as much money for my little 5 x 7s or 8 x 10s as they do recently printed 11 x 14s or even 16 x 20s. Why does an older photo printed by me, when I didn't know what I was doing, make the print worth more than professionally printed new photos? I love my new prints, especially because I don't have to stand in the darkroom and the results are breath taking. But I supervise the prints – I've changed labs repeatedly and still looking for the best to print my more difficult negs/slides. Which is more valuable: older prints from my hands or stunning new prints, as good, if not better, than what I could print, then or now?

The moral learned: my photos should be worth a lot of money when I'm dead (ok, so that's not news). It's awful how low the prices are for living artists and how high when they are dead. Our crazy society values artists, musicians and film-makers after they are dead.

The subject of digital printing also was avoided, and that's worthy of serious discussion. I'm conflicted about which prints to offer the public and at what pricing. I worked with the man who helped develop Iris printing with Mac Holbert and Graham Nash. Jack Duganne coined the term "Giclee" and I learned from him, so I'm no babe in the woods compared to many traditional art photographers. I'm sure many photographers, dealers and collectors deal with that issue, so let's open that for serious discussion! No use pretending it doesn't exist nor sniffing your nose at it. It's 2006 and way overdue. It comes down to dialogue and education.

It was a treat to see all this fine photography beautifully presented and overhear snippets of conversation with gallery owners and clients. I loved eavesdropping on Joel Soroka with a woman casting aspersions at the photo that took my breath away: Steichen's classic Greta Garbo portrait. The print was created when Steichen was involved in a museum or board or something and didn't engage in printing. He supervised the printing by another man, didn't sign the print, but it was passed down through the printer's family. It had "provenance" that was sufficient for the dealer. Me too. I'm amazed how few photographers sign their work, whether a print or online. I thanked Mr. Soroka for the opportunity to see one of the most revered photos in the lexicon of Hollywood history.

I also was amused and consoled the late, great Robert Mapplethorpe, known for his Patti Smith portrait on the cover of her acclaimed debut, "Horses," also never did his own printing. Makes sense, some photographers are too busy living and shooting.

Speaking of digital, here are a few systems for galleries to investigate: Mediamersion Systems ArtStation ™ Gallery Solutions, www.mediamersion.com and Theo Digital Systems from www.theodigitalgallery.com. A gallery can't survive and thrive without efficient use of technology, for inventory and displaying art. How about something affordable for artists too?

Final thought: the program guide is a vast resource of information, not only about galleries, but online magazines, photography shows, and more. It's impossible to walk out empty-handed from this event. And remember to support your local photography organizations. The opening reception benefited the LACMA Photographic Arts Council. I tried to return to the show after the Santa Fe seminar featuring LACMA's Photographic curator, whom I briefly ran into outside the seminar. But I was denied entrance unless I checked my purse. I planned on buying books from powerHouse and to pick up literature from the council, but how could I hold it and take notes without my purse? What is going on when a woman can't bring a purse into an event with brochures, business cards, and I always write notes?

Overall, KUDOS to the Stephen Cohen Gallery and Art Fairs, Inc for this endeavor. Will I return? Will I try to see ArtLA? If I can bring my purse with my notebook, pens, toothbrush, wallet, etc past the door.

info: www.artfairsinc.com.

Rizzoli, Glen E. Friedman, Shepard Fairey, Mr. Music Head, Brad Elterman, PhotoLA: one day/eve in my life

2006-01-19T22:41:00.000-08:00

Rizzoli called and my first book, "Before Hardcore" is being fast-tracked, Glen E. Friedman is editing/choosing my photos and I'm also writing accompanying text, telling stories of how I came to meet someone and shoot them, memories of the shows, parties, spontaneous fun. Just so happens many of the people I shot became famous later. Others infamous for being part of the scene and rarely seen. After the call, drove to Shepard Fairey's office/gallery to pick up photos from a show, where he saw my black and white photo collage, "Punk A – Z, 1976-1980."

Every year Shep designs a limited edition t-shirt in collaboration with another artist. He chose me. Am I flattered? Ohmygod. That will be out in late summer. I spoke with one of his designers, who also purchased two of my favorite photos.

You have NO idea what it's like to see an 8 x 10 of a beloved or newly discovered 35 mm slide or neg. Better yet, 11 x 14 and if you really want your breath taken away, you should see my 16 x 20s of the Screamers, Stones, Ramones (live and individual off-stage) and I can image what the others will look like! Brings tears to my eyes. They are just stunning photos of an era that has been mythologized and here's the real deal. My photos, who knew? My friends and fans, but not me.

Monday night Shepard's publishing partner, Roger Gastman, spent 4 hours choosing photos for an upcoming book about the LA scene. We talked about design, hardware, a variety of issues. He reiterated Shep's intention of using some of my photos for graphics because I initially contacted Shep about that. I now realize I've got to go through some of my most beloved photos and choose some icons whose facial expressions exemplify them for him to choose. I've got my work cut out for me! By the way, Shepard Fairey is the BEST DJ in any town if you want a great mix of classic punk songs, some well-known, some rare but strong and vital. I wish I had more time to go to art openings just to dance to his music as I did at Track 16 for the recent LA Weekly Cover art show, which of course Shep's art was prominently displayed.

Next stop, Mr. Music Head which I discovered because Henry Rollins turned Sam (the owner) onto Neal Zlozower. Now he's a photographer I always admired the MOST of anyone on the west coast. Of course Bob Gruen in NY and Pennie Smith in England. I saw Neal's show on my way to the Dresden Dolls/Janet Klein Music Box show last December 29, 2005. The Dresden Dolls were amazing from my photographer's front row view. Very special.

Today I brought my portfolio and showed a few from my show. Sam compiled a list from my favorite photos to be part of his permanent collection to show and represent. I asked him why he chose certain ones. His eye matches mine and that is such a treat! We discussed the Janis Joplin photos he is selling. His back room is quite a treasure trove and I'm sure he's got more stashed away. Sam's got quite a music history and knows his stuff. What a treat because he's now one of my gallery dealers in LA. We haven't firmed prices, but he'll make room in his back room and online. While I was there someone came in and is ready to buy some of my work. Nice!

I walked to Guitar Center and put my hand into Joey Ramone and Exene's hands, and a few others, on their walk of fame. What's cool is X is right above the Ramones. What fucking sucks is Dee Dee Ramone's hand is missing. CJ?? C fucking J?? Anyone who knows my history knows I picked up a camera because I loved Dee Dee Ramone's cheekbones. But his lyrics were brilliant (which I knew before I met him) and he is considered THE bass player to set the standard for those who followed. And he's not represented? No statue in the cemetary, no street named after him, and no hand in the bronze entry to the Guitar Center? Is there no justice? I am outraged on his and all his fans' behalf. They were filming for MTV, so I signed a release and someone took a digital shot of me. But I didn't stay long enough to be filmed. I have a life.

Into the shower in time for the reception for the PhotoLA show at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. They had terrific food, but it was freezing. I've never been so cold while eating such delicious food. I went off my raw foods diet to freeze? But the show was very informative. I've never been with a group of serious photo collectors and dealers.

I've gone the Civic many times before and after shooting punk for a variety of trade shows, buying gemstones and beads or other art shows. But when I walked into the women's restroom in the lobby and saw the blue and white tile on the floor, I hallucinated back to when I walked in there and it was smoky and full of women fixing their makeup and whatnot, just as I did tonight. But we were rock 'n' rollin'. The Clash? Iggy? Devo? Was I stoned that night on acid or speed and always, the music, the scene -- my friends, the whole atmosphere, taking pix. What a flashback!

While driving from Western and Wiltern to West Hollywood, every few moments a ghost appeared and woke me from my reverie of book and photo thoughts or just dealing with the traffic. Apparitions from the donut shop across the street from the Starwood. I remember X's John Doe being on stage and pointing to it as an intro for "Sugarlight." About being high on speed and hanging at the donut shop with the cops. Right on, John, that's what punk was about.

I wasn't one to hang out with performers and friends after a show, sweaty, excited, all ablaze cos of the night and while stoned. But I totally understood that song. I either was with a man or dropped film off at various labs and off to bed in "the city of electric lights." Or I spun around and stayed up for days in the darkroom and/or shows. I digress, but I can NEVER drive into Hollywood or West Hollywood, let alone both in one day, without my life flashing in front of me. I have so many sense memories, the kind that when I looked up and saw the Chateau Marmont, I remember sleeping in a bungalow with Barry Baker, one of the Clash's roadies. But I was too shy to ever ask the group for a pose. And I slept with three of their road crew. I never asked for it and I never asked anything from them.

I remember the nude swimming party Tomata du Plenty from the Screamers, others and myself created that caused us to be thrown out. Ha, ha, I was thrown out of the Chateau for swimming while nude and punk. Damn, I can't get away from not only those memories, but I can see it: the constant movie of my life as an early punk. So that's why I'm doing books.

And gallery shows. I'll be part of a group show, opening February 18, 2006, Gallery Revisited, Silverlake. I met the owner, artist Leora Lutz, last summer, in Chinatown to check out the scene and one of her artists, Josh Petker, whom I found on myspace when I had time to explore. Now I'll be in a show with him! I have my first solo show from Sept to Oct. Ohmygod. My first solo show. Leora and I are born on the same day!!! Natalie Wood and Emma Peel aka Diana Rigg, and I've met others, but can't remember, July 20. Our birthday is the first day man walked on the moon, perfect for us moon children!

PhotoLA: ran into photographer Brad Elterman, known for his '70's Beverly Hills lifestyle and rock photos. And a very special blast from the past, artist/interior designer to the stars, the humble and talented Brad Dunning, who was thrilled to hear of my progress and book contract. He's been encouraging me to get books out there and soon.

The downside of the show was: my photos should be worth a lot of money when I'm dead. It's awful how low the prices are for living artists and how high when they are dead. Our crazy society who values artists, musicians and film-makers after they are dead.

I was wide-eyed and teary standing in front of one of my favorite photos of Garbo by Steichen. I saw Man Ray (my fave shot of the whole show), Irving Penn, Weegee (going to his show at the Getty soon), Cartier-Bresson, a lovely Imogen Cunningham, an Ansel Adams and Edward Weston (both landscapes) and others I can't spell, all selling for a lot of money. But not many contemporary photographers and other than a few shots of Dylan, the Stones and one of Lennon, Marley, a few others, I couldn't stop wondering where were the serious collectors of the icons of our era?

I always tell people selling rock photos is tough finding the very specialized market of those who appreciate these photos and also having money. It costs a lot to make prints, let alone the time and money invested in taking the shot in the first place and holding onto the slides and negs all these years. It's obvious the serious entertainment photography collectors are not going to PhotoLA. But it was fascinating to see the photos, and choices regarding size, mattes, frames and subject matter.

I started the day with less money than my rent next week, let alone any other utilities. Next week I'll pay up and focus on the book and gallery shows. Gotta raise enough money here and there to pay for those.

I'm not worried. The universe responds when you do the work. I'm meeting terrific people, talented and bright who love my work and share, encourage and collaborate. What a trip! As my mother, friends and fans would say: about time! A helluva a lot of work, being archivist, dealing with photo labs, website, web sales, emails, contracts, administrative tasks, endless filing, digitizing, resizing, organizing, labeling, describing my photos, learning new software all the time. I pray I make enough money to keep it going.

I thank you all for sending our gratitude and good wishes.

Oh yeah, I'll be a nun. As Barbra Streisand asked in "Funny Girl": "does a convent take a Jewish girl?" I'll be nun-like but not Catholic and not very Jewish either. I won't be seeing my old movies at UCLA (that hurts my soul. It's the hardest sacrifice and one I never forget!), art openings, rock shows, parties, TV, reading and answering much email. Oh yeah, I've given up men for awhile. Life is too full. But I can't wait to get back in that game, when the time is right!

PS I am really sorry I am not providing links to those mentioned. I should be in bed, full day tomorrow and this is quite an adventure for a 55 year gal! You try it at 25! Age is attitude. I don't look nor act my age. My mother says I shouldn't admit it. Anyone with good math should be able to figure it out, so why lie? Ha ha. But sorry about the links.

Old Ang Sign

2005-12-27T19:29:00.000-08:00

Alice Bag wrote to me from her new location, Arizona. Another infamous singer/songwriter/artist is moving to Missouri with her husband, now that her son will go to college in NY. Lots of changes amongst my early punk pals.

Alice was my first punk friend. I believe we met in late 1976, before I moved to east Hollywood, Christmas 1976. Little gypsy children robbed me, so in early 1977 I moved across the street from Tower Records, a short walk to the Whisky and Roxy, so helpful all those nights I walked home stoned or always high on the shows, to get into my car and drive into Hollywood and drop off film at two labs: black and white and color, then go to the labs the next day and pick them up, then label and make prints and mail them off, in the often-futile attempt to get punk published, while not making a dime. And you all think being an early punk photographer was so much fun and glamour. It was and continues to be the hardest thing I ever did or shall do. The rewards are so many memories, photographs, friends. And how wonderful when those friends also are talented musicians and artists.

I guess this means it's gonna be a lot harder to get us all together again. But at least we are still alive. I often walk through and around a 19th century cemetery that most don't know exists. The best cure for depression or inactivity or stress is to walk through a graveyard, and see the dates of the little babies and old couples, the flowers and headstones. It's surrounded by ivy across the street from Santa Monica College.

The Brat, an amazing punk-influenced/inspired store, also faces the cemetery. I had a fascinating talk with owner, Nancy, who's been into early punk and art since at least 1976. She knows many of the same people as Alice and the other woman mentioned above, so I asked her why she didn't write a book. We know others are, but her response was she's too busy living in the present.

I agree: nothing is more important than living in the present. I wrote recently of Steven Rascoe, who lives in the past, and steals memorabilia from those early days, and says he was there. The tragedy is he lives in yesterday, and messes up his life cos he can't cope with today.

I'm in-between, eager to see the Dresden Dolls with Janet Klein and her Parlour Boys at the Fonda on Dec 29 and focus on my archive. I'm Janet's guest and I couldn't be more thrilled. Janet's songs remind me of years before my birth, when people were wild in their own ways as we were in punk, the Roaring '20's and a few years before and after. I truly feel Janet is like one of my cousins, Russian Jews whose names start with "J" after my grandfather.

Amanda from the Dresden Dolls sings of wanting a plastic, wind-up boy. And what contemporary woman can't relate to that? Plus the music is so seductive. All the local papers are recommending the show – something unusual for this town, cos the Dresden Dolls aren't exactly heard on the radio. They'll have a treat with Janet and her skilled band. Amanda sometimes reminds me of Joni Mitchell and Tori Amos, the playful piano and unusual phrasing and delivery.

I started reading about the Dresden Dolls (you know I can't call them the Dolls!) last year. I read a terrific blog entry from Alice Bag about them. I think they played the Troubadour, which would have been a great venue to see and hear them. I saw them a year ago November at the El Rey. I hurt my leg, so I was upstairs watching the action below. The opening band were the Ditty Bops, and they reminded me of Janet Klein. So I was delighted to see my dream double bill appearing at the Fonda. I saw the Rock against Bush show as a guest of the Epoxies, a cool Portland band on Fat Wreck.

G8 Xmess at Gary Stewart's beautiful home. I walked home around 1 AM, after a light rain, clutching gift of music from him. I got the boxed set , Shout It Loud, A Celebration of Black Music in America, 6 CDs, starting with a man I listened to in college, much to the ridicule of everyone I knew, the one and only rag time genius Scott Joplin and ending with Coolio. I gave him a Joey Ramone and Kamen Rider print, an Artist's Proof. I've been going to several new labs, and that was a test, meaning it's one of one, always a limited edition.

I won't do limited editions of my most popular, important photos. I don't want someone purchasing these as investments. They are something to look at and enjoy. That's what art is about. I will do limited edition Giclee prints when I make more money and open that market. I worked with the man who helped pioneer digital printing as fine art. What a trill – can you imagine some of my photos on canvas or archival paper?

I'm always putting my money into my art. I've been researching and putting together packing supplies for future shipments. I can use free USPS boxes, but I modify them and it takes forever to do the packaging. I also need interior packing, large chipboard/cardboard to protect the large prints in transit. I've been saving packaging supplies for years, but nothing large enough for the 16 x 20 prints. Ohmygawd, the 16 x 20 prints are amazing, whether in black and white or color. A pal got my color Iggy portrait, and wow, it's very cool that large. Anyway, that's the artist in me, always spending my money on supplies.

I've known Gary, formerly of Rhino and now with i-Tunes, since 1976 as well. I remember Gary and Harold showing me the back closet at Rhino Records, where they had their special stash of records. They also wheeled and dealed at the famed Capital Records Swap Meet, when it was really underground and small.

Gary Stewart: if you don't know that name, you need to pull up EVERY punk, power pop, great ROCK compilation from Rhino, and his name and influence is present. As someone said, he was the SOUL (I'd add HEART) of Rhino. Harold Bronson and Richard Foos played their part in the business end and were of course great music fans, but the artistic burden of producing the packages fell on Gary's sturdy shoulders.

What an incredible holiday season! A couple of years ago I was fatter, married and miserable. Now I go to great parties and hang with the people from City Beat – arts editor Natalie Nichols, Chris Morris whom I met when he came to LA in '77 or '78 I think and Don Waller saw me get so drunk at their party last week, well, shit, I have photos of him being drunk at Phast Phreddie's birthday party at my home, October 1976. A photo of Don and I ran in MOJO in our Halloween costumes, and various Screamers parties and Bomp Record store events, so we go waaaay back.

A punk/old film pal invites me to free movies at UCLA (big Columbia restoration series coming up) and the Academy, cos he works in restoration (my other passion, see the connection between film preservation and my archive??), saw the original "Robin Hood" on big screen the afternoon of my small photo exhibit opening at Shepard Fairey's gallery, Subliminal Projects, and got more holiday emails than I ever believed possible. Lots of art shows, a few rock shows (GANG OF FOUR!!) and too many emails. Best of all, hundreds of wonderful friends, some from long ago and some I just met. Thank you all!

My Xmess/Chanukah gift: L'Chaim, always remember: TO LIFE!!

X, Stones, Screamers, projects, parties!

2005-12-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

Got up, wrote an email to Shepard Fairey about the show at his gallery, took a long walk. Picked up my mail, tears of joy filled my heart, reading the new "Punk Rock Confidential." My Iggy is on the cover, my Joan Jett and Johnny Rotten on the Table of Contents, and 6, that's SIX pages of great color and black and white images, accompanied by my thoughts throughout it. X, Germs, Screamers, Dead Boys, Patti, Blondie, some of my faves but no Stones, which are killer shots, but I didn't submit them.

A few typos, oh well, that's what happens when I only have a few minutes and it's midnight and I've been up since 8 am working, but it captures me perfectly. I wrote "preserve" when I meant "perservere." I really let loose and none of this boring "how did you get started" crap. I am SO pleased that it turned out SO GREAT! At your local Barnes and Noble and Hot Topics, what a hoot! Lars Hendrikson is on the cover, and he always looks at me like I'm from another planet. And now my photos share the issue with him.

Read a short and sweet note from Regi Mentle. Last night ran across Drew Blood's Germs publications telling the story of Gloria, a mannequin head, and the Screamers. Yours truly photographed Regi, Gloria and Trudie. What a trip to read about an obscure incident and I shot it!

Glen E. Friedman emailed me about my book status, so I called him. Glen always has fascinating stories about his life as a famous photographer. I love hearing the inside scoop about how he deals with the same kind of shit I deal with, from getting paid to being quoted correctly in the press and more. Then Shepard called and we discussed a variety of collaborative projects we are working on, in a variety of media with him and his partners in his various ventures. Of course Glen and Shepard know each other.

Ohmygawd, I am working with Glen E Friedman and Shepard Fairey! I am blown away! I always thought no one knew or cared about my photos, never realizing the impact my work made on so many other creative people, whether in art, music, or any walk of life.

Then Leora Lutz, of Gallery Revisited, spent 3.5 hours looking at my portfolio, discussing my future at her fab new gallery location in Silverlake. She is exactly the kind of gallery owner/curator who understands my potential and knows how to do what needs to be done! I am looking forward to working with her for a long time. And we share birthdays, although a couple of decades apart.

I'm now pulling negs and slides to take to a new lab for customers. Been trying a few labs to find just the right one. The one I like the best is more expensive than 3 others, but I want the best prints I can find in my neighborhood and who deliver somewhat on time, even if I make less money.

Gotta pull some negs and slides to scan for a television program. Lots of parties for the holidays (hence the long walks, cos too much food, stress and temptation). No idea what to wear, the last thing on my mind and I simply don't have party clothes. Other than my constant ordeal with my weight and food, is life too fab or what?

I must never forget this day. A year ago this was inconceivable to me. Now all I have to do is write a few emails and show my pix to a few people and I'm inundated with work. Tons and tons of it. Gotta revamp my website (redo it!), improve marketing cos money still so tight and these shows are gonna require lots of cash. And I must follow up on three very serious book offers. Piles of emails, filing, admin work taking up 99% of my time, computer problems, and that's the short list.

I'm compiling a portfolio of 11 x 14 and a few 16 x 20s for the first time in my life. What a thrill to look at them and show people. Sometimes I can only look at the photos for a few minutes until I have to pack them up for some lucky customer, cos they can afford what I can't. Yet.

Tell everyone to buy my prints so I can keep doing this! You won't believe what I'm digging up! I still need help and advice, so if you like what you see/read, join in the fun and help keep this going! More details on www.jennylens.net.

Gotta go prep my lab order. I am exhausted, but many miles to go before I sleep, and the woods are dark, lovely and deep. Oh, what a beautiful morning, afternoon and eve. Ok, I'm quoting Robert Frost and Oscar Hammerstein, not exactly punk but there's more to life than Darby Crash's lyrics. Give me Stephen Sondheim!

Punk Photo show a Success!

2005-12-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

Life just getting better, the result of a lot of hard work and good friends. Friday, December 9 I dropped my photos at Subliminal Projects, Shepard Fairey's gallery next to the Wiltern, at Wilshire and Western. Saturday night, all night long, people kept asking: "are these YOUR photos? YOU took all of these?" I nodded and watched their faces as they tried to process the fact I took so many classic punk and rock (had to display a Stones shot) shots they loved. Great talk with Shepard -- a real mutual admiration society between us.

Imagine we both "grew up" enjoying each other's work, although he is much younger than I. His staff were so respectful and his wife so friendly. Shepard plays the BEST music in town! If you need a stellar DJ, call on him. He gave me one of his last remaining signed "Walk the Line" posters, knowing how much I love it, and several others. I was blown away! All it took was an email to me and we've got some projects lined up.

After dropping off pix on Friday, I drove down Wilshire to see the streets all decked out for the holidays (gotta drive through Beverly Hills and check out the windows!) to the Academy of Arts and Sciences, the folks who bring us the Oscars. They always have stunning free exhibits. The first honored Hans Drier, the brillant art director for early Paramount Films, starting in the the 1920's to 1938. His drawings were accompanied by still photos and a DVD of film clips. Breathtaking!

Downstairs, cinematographers displayed their off-set photos, demonstrating their ability to capture in one image what they usually captured in sequences. OK, now you know my photo background. I created art from earliest times, earned degrees, exhibited in museums and galleries BEFORE punk, but never studied photography in school, although I always took photos for fun. My first true love are movie stills, not rock photos. And that is how I learned the art of photography, from the masters of cinema.

Saturday I caught a big screen presentation of the one and only "Robin Hood," digitally restored as part of a Technicolor tribute from the American Cinematheque. I sat so close to the screen I could see every golden thread, every bead, every detail. I was entranced, having seen that film more times than I can count. I danced out of the classic old theatre to a beautiful afternoon, with breezy clouds and the most glorious sunlight. Late autumn, early winter bathes LA in irridescent pinks, yellows and blues. Soon I was at my photo opening.

I met two women starting a new gallery who can't wait to showcase a larger show of mine. One asked how I met Shepard. The same way I meet most people these days: via the net. I've "spoken" to Allison Anders, off in Toronto on a film gig (talking about my fave actress Greta Garbo's skin care); Hellin Killer, more than likely on her way to see the Germs in San Diego (with Bauhaus, the Bravery, Aklaline Trio and Louis XIV: if anyone catches that show, write me!! All my friends are dyin' to know how that goes down); a myspace pal in Florida who also knows Regi; Rover cos I sent her Regi's prision address, and Gerber and I are gonna try to help him get out, IF he sends me the info we need to spring him. Legally, of course. I called Michael Pilmer of Devo Obsesso and Mark Mothersbaugh's art curator, to wish him happy birthday and he reminded me he's gonna take me to Devo when they play out in the Valley (oh shit, I grew up there, ick) in January.

Sunday I ran into artist Coop and his wife Ruth. I attended a party for Gary Panter (Nov 20), the creator of the infamous Tomata Screamer logo, now being honored at MOCA (their show on comic artists) at Coop's Brewery studio. I talked with Matt Groening (Simpsons and Life in Hell), Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez, the two brothers behind "Love and Rockets," and other comic/graphic artists. It's a thrill to meet Coop, I just love his volumptuous red devil women. I saw a lot of them at Kimm Gardner's California Mart showroom last summer. I was at Kimm's DVD taping of his band, Channel 3, at Alex's on Nov 26. Kimm is such a good friend and all around nice dude.

Today archivist/writer/musician David Jones listened as I analyzed the Screamers' songs, always suggesting what I want to read in his book about early LA punk. He offered to take me to Social Distortion -- ohmygawd I am so in love with Mike Ness, what a brillant singer/songwriter! I wrote to the band because I have killer shots of Charlie, when he drummed with the Plugz, but no response to those emails. I hate the House of Blues and we don't wanna drive to Anaheim. Now if the sound were better, if I could find somewhere I could hear, see, and dance, then I'd be all over HOB. But talk about the Blues! Icky. I said I rather he spend the money on prints. I described some I've printed for clients that I want in my portfolio. He told me to print some for both of us, his gift, and maybe the show. Lots of work to do, have to scan some slides and negs for online customers. I crop the images, with printing instructions for my custom photo labs. I'll be picking up and mailing pix all week long.

Then Saturday it's a BIG party, wherein I'll see lots of my punk pals from the past. Other parties on the horizon, but it's tough for me. I gotta watch what I eat and drink -- why is it so hard to take and keep off weight and so easy to put it on? Just got back from a long walk, part of it through the cemetary. Few know there's a cemetary across the street from a college near me. I saw so many flowers and a little Xmas tree. How can I complain about my weight when I'm still out walking, and so many early punks aren't? How can I complain about too much food when people are starving? Back to work.

John Lennon was a Punk

2005-12-09T19:16:00.000-08:00

I read a posting on myspace dismissing the Beatles and John Lennon, other than John being an inspiration to the Ramones. I wrote a response and was flooded with emails thanking me for eloquently stated what they too feel/think. What amazes me is the fact I have to write this. It should be obvious, but this is why it's so important to talk about the past because someone like John Lennon should be remembered and celebrated for a variety of reasons. I posted a particularly poignant response after mine. So here goes:

I too am not into the Beatles, except for their first two albums and a young girl's awakening to cute guys. I saw the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl and stood up to my parents to take several buses there and back to do so. I was dismayed because I couldn't hear them -- just screaming girls. I snuck a reel-to-reel tape recorder and was so depressed that I didn't go to rock shows til punk, many years later.

The Stones, Who, Doors, and Creedence Clearwater Revival were more important to me. And you better believe the Who and Doors were early punks.

But you need to study John Lennon's life. Talk about a punk, a brillant genius who worked for peace, created lasting music, a poet, painter, actor, changed our culture in ways no one born after them can possibly understand. He was so powerful the FBI tried to get him deported. And that's just a short list.

He was probably the MOST influential creative person who ever lived. He accomplished more in 40 years than many people in several lifetimes. The tragedy is wondering what more he would have done and how he would have continued to change our culture, had he lived.

Lennon inspired countless legions of musicians, not just the Ramones. He was a frustrated rocker at heart, an artist who always pushed himself while living life fully. And that too makes his early death a tragedy. He had a great zest for living. A great inspiration, even if you never listen to him.

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

from myspace I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours friend's bulletin :

, stating such true facts that really opened my eyes. John Lennon was a true rock rebel who did more for the world in forty years than most people can do in a lifetime, she said. he was powerful. he was inspirational. And his death was horriffic and tragic. I can't explain it, as I was not there when it happened. But, my parents and grandparents have often recollected the suffering, the shocked sense of tragedy when people discovered that this true icon was not with us anymore. John Lennon's head was in the right place. We could really use someone like him in the world today.>>

Ah, but John would have said: be that someone. If each of us utilized our talents and power, we could change the world. We can't all be as effective as John was an individual, but we can collectively. And that is what punk is about too.

Another Germs pioneer reminisces

2005-12-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

[Mark still has love letters from Darby . . . and I spent the day with him, creating a photo poster to sell at my photo exhibit, opening Sat, Dec 10 - Jan something, at Subliminal Projects, Shepard Fairey's gallery.]

November 1, 2005: [I just re-read it; hence its lateness in posting. I get lots of emails!]

Damn Jenny, I am sooooo glad you stood up for all of us! It's a DAMNED (not the group) shame that this generation of young artist and creative beings won't see the truth! But rather a fabricated and exploited-half truth movie.

You mentioned being with Lorna! I am wish I could stand with her and have a flashback! Although I have not become as famous as our lucky friends (dead or alive), just having the experience of actually BEING a punk during the heyday is good enough for me.

Sometimes people think I am telling lies or making up stories about some of the CRAZY things that we did, but we did them and I am proud of it! Like setting trashcans on fire, taking too many drugs, drinking too much booze… fucking ANYTHING that moved! Yeah, so we were outcasts, young meat, psycho crazies… but damn did we have a good time.

Hell, I remember getting the honor of rolling joints for your high-ness just to be able to get a backstage pass or a free ticket to shows. We had so much fun. I learned many things from those times, mostly not to get fucked up any more if I want to remember what I saw or did! We just did what we wanted to do.

So how is Pat and Lorna? I remember Pat was always a funny guy. I was kinda scared of him, I don’t know why but I think it was because I saw his ass one time (he was playing and he wore a pair of jeans with the back cut out). That was scary!

Lorna was so beautiful… does she still talk to Ms. Go-Go? I often wonder. I remember once waking up at the Genesse (how the hell do you spell that) and smelling this AWFUL odor… later I realized it was [early punk who became famous] who I believe haven’t taken a bath in several days nor changed clothes. Boy, that’s a memory.

Malissa Hutton, I often wonder what became of her! She was my very best friend until the drinking and pills got in our way. Our friendship came to an end when she accused me of stealing $20 bucks from her. She was dyeing someone’s hair at the Genesee (there’s that word again) apartment when she GAVE me 20 bucks to go down the street to buy the biggest cheapest bottle of Vodka, when I got back we drank it in record time. She was getting ready to go to work (she worked at the Rainbow Bar and Grill as a DJ) and as usual I was going to hang out with her for awhile there. When we getting ready to leave she screamed "Where’s my money!" which I replied "What money?… You gave me 20 bucks for booze… remember?" Of course she didn’t and then the big fight began. We walked out of the apartment screaming at each other, she was crying and yelling "You fucking ripped me off!" I tried over and over to convince her that I hadn’t, but nothing I said was good enough for her to hear.

Finally when we were in front of Barney’s Beanery I had enough, I threw my drink in her face (oh yeah, back then we always had booze in a cup!) and she then screamed "Fucker! Now I have to go into fuckin' Barney’s Beanery with all those hippies and clean my face!"… now that was scary! Ever since then her and I never really had the same friendship.

She even went to far as to make others hate me or try to, but it did not matter as I was a fuckin' Punk! Who cared who liked me! I was a skinny Mexican/xicano Punk who had Jenny Lens as my friend… and that’s all I need for a friend. Lenny Lens! The girl with the camera eye.

OK I’m tired.
Love
Drunken, drugged out (oh that was then!)
Mark

Germs 25th Anniversary thoughts

2005-12-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

First read Alice Bag's thoughts re "Germs 2005" at http://alicebag.blogspot.com/. A few of my thoughts:

I turned down seeing the Germs tonight [December 3, 2005] cos I'm in a work mode. Coincidence Alice posted this on the 25th Anniversary of the last Germs show? I too have been fielding emails and various conversations via phone and in person about the Germs.

Leave it to Alice to astutely express this issue with poetry and insight. As usual, Alice's writing comforts me and traverses parallel thoughts of mine.

NO ONE can experience what punk was. It wasn't just hanging out with a small group of people, creating art and music that changed our culture.

As Alice so astutely inferred, part of what we experienced WERE OUR OWN CREATIONS. We manifested our nightmares and fever dreams and that kind of "experience" is life-changing.

Early true punk was a reflection of its TIME. PUNK IS POLITICAL. You can't get behind the music if you don't pay attention to politics, society, and culture. You've got to rage against the machine that is making punk so popular because we warned and warned of c-h-a-n-g-e-s, in angrier voices than Dylan and Bowie.

Those machines that enslave us, take away hard-won rights, media who lie to us, hiding the truth about our corrupt politicians and big business. Punk is an ethos of under-dogs and our ranks are swelling as things get worse and creativity commercialized and co-opted.

Break down some barriers and use art and music to do it! Don't be so apathetic or busy. Say something, and make some of it relevant to our life and times.

You'll get one step closer to feeling what we felt. Maybe. But you will get one step closer to who you are. And that is what punk has been about since day one. "My sins my own, they belong to me." Take responsibility for your life and your music and scene.

Re Germs film criticism and questions: why don't we wait til the film is out? I read a current script and one from a decade ago. I must reserve judgment til we are in the theater.

I've studied movie-making since before many fans were born. It isn't fair to anyone involved in the movie to have all this speculation. It's unprofessional.We ought to say thank goodness this movie is being made. Will it do the scene justice? Give them a chance, then take sides, as so many of you are dyin' to do. But for now, back down, they are doing their best. Even if you don't agree with their interpretation of best, give 'em a chance.

Regi Mentle has been calling me. He mentioned he wants to write about Darby and the Germs, and I second it! Alice, you remember Donnie Rose (RIP, od'd), Tony the Tiger (RIP, but I forgot what Cherie the Penguin told me was cause of death, they actually married for awhile!), John Valium (where is he?? Dying to talk to him, what a gas. He used to tell me the details of Darby's life -- John and Regi). How I loved hanging with Regi and John while we all shot speed or ingested various other drugs together. Those are bygone doors.

Regi's still in prison, but if anyone wants more details, write me! And I've been in touch with Gerber and Jena. I think Jena will be at the show. Gerber is so very ill. Such a bright, funny, woman. The movie won't be telling these stories. And Pleasant ain't in it!

And that's why I'm working on my photos/archive. Cos if we don't tell these stories -- Alice and the women in her interviews, and the men (gotta have the men!), then film-makers and other story tellers do not tell our stories. Not all of them. We have lots of stories to be told.

So go out and live your stories. And read ours too, as inspiration.

Steven Rascoe IS NOT Affiliated with me

2005-11-29T10:22:00.000-08:00

I hate to post this, but here goes: Steve Rascoe offered advice and tips about marketing my photos. Steven's ideas propelled me to a new level that will keep me inspired and busy for quite awhile. He introduced me to avid collectors (their flyer/magazine archives are cool), work in major record companies, are in bands, own record stores, etc -- all fans of mine. We are now friends advising each other re dealing with him.

Unfortunately, he "borrowed" a few things from me and . . . I am optimistic I will get my items back. Fortunately they are replaceable.

He's a smart, creative dude who burns his bridges. I miss Steven's input. But his tall tales, while illuminating paths for getting my work out, made me constantly question his 'whoppers.' My momma didn't raise no fool -- I question everything and everyone, and conduct due diligence (thank goodness for email and the net!). Then his darkness settled in and ended it.

When one door closes, another opens. In my case, many doors are open. So many good people out there, more than I ever realized. And I met so many because of Steven Rascoe. He knows how to find them, bring them together, but . . . As Patti sang: "the paths that cross, cross again." Maybe this will have a happy ending . . . May we all find/make peace in our souls.

Life in Lens Land

2005-11-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it's almost two months since I updated this. I write reams of text every day in long, detailed emails, but it's hard sharing stuff with cyberspace. Every Saturday I go out to an art opening or two, or a rock show. Interviews, exhibits, documentaries, mags, lots of projects, so here's a few highlights of what I want to see/do, cool artists/musicians I've hung with and all that jazz:

I gotta see Social Distortion, but no money and they are sold out. Ok, so I'm late to the game, but it's been years since any band got me like they got to me. No wonder my pals always talk about Mike Ness with such awe. He fucking rocks -- I feel like I did when I first heard the Ramones or the Clash. I need high energy to bang away at the keyboard all day/night, working on my pix. His lyrics blow my mind too. Such anger, passion, wisdom, awesome shit!

Hey, I shot drummer Charlie Quintana when he was in the Plugz at the Masque Benefit, February 25, 1978 and opening for PIL, Olympic Auditorium, May, 1980, which I helped produce! I'm still owed $800 from CD Productions. Charlie used to invite me to dinner all the time, just being friendly, and I was so shy I couldn't understand why he'd want to hang with me. I've got color slides from both shows and shots of him, which is hard, cos drummers are hidden by cymbals.

I shot Dennis Dennel hanging with Regi Mental, Donnie Rose, Tony the Tiger and John Valium while the Germs played, Culver City Auditorium, Dec, 1979. Pat Smear wrote me, laughing I shot Darby's "boys." I shot not just pix, but speed with a lot of them -- that's how/why I hung with them! I shot Darby, Lorna and Pat a lot in the early days, starting in April 1977. I keep digging up amazing shots of them, just hanging out -- Darby's face is so haunting, so vivid in each shot.

Ohmygawd, Regi's been calling me from prison. How we miss each other!! And I'm in touch with Gerber again! She is so smart, funny, but sick, poor thang. All those drugs and booze take their toll. My prayers to Regi and Gerber.

Germs, "What We Do is Secret": people keep writing me if I've gone/going to their shows, what's happening with the movie? Newsflash: for months I've begged them to let me help with interviews and publicity photo needs. All I wanna/can do is promote the live band and the movie, but I'm not in ANY loop. Write them via myspace.com/germsmovie -- ask why I'm not involved other than contributing a shitload of shots to use for costumes, makeup and scenery -- I honestly can't answer the question people keep asking me: why aren't I linked from them -- and you ask them about the movie.

All I can do is answer questions from my PERSONAL history of the band -- and I have photos to prove the stories I know, but I don't have time to answer all the emails and dig up the pix and post them. I am working all by myself, folks. Wouldn't you rather see the pix and/or buy them from me so I can keep doing this?

Nov 26: Alex's, Long Beach to see/hear Channel 3. They were tight, rockin' and hot! The guys look amazing, on and off stage. Mike is such a tall drink of water, yummy!, and Kimm had to beat the gals off with a stick. Oh he was so happy -- what a fun night! The door woman told the security it was the oldest crowd she'd seen. I heard her and gave her hell. I sold a few t-shirts for them and put out my flyers promoting my photos. I saw Gaby Berlin, first time in 25 years and met her handsome, sweet husband.

Nov 20: artist Coop's Brewery studio party honoring Gary Panter, whose work is featured at MOCA, and who spoke that day -- but didn't tell all of us. He'll be back January, probably at the Hammer. Spoke with Matt Groening, about my shooting the Germs FIRST photo session when he managed Licorice Pizza, across the street from the Whisky (now a small Aah's). I spoke with Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez of "Love and Rockets." Met Johnny and Gisele from X-Ray Book Company, who are tight with my close pal, Devo Obsesso Michael Pilmer.

I keep running into people who know people I know. It's a small world after all!

Nov 19: Finally met the one and only Glen E. Friedman, the nicest photographer. We're working on a book together! My photos, his edit. What a concept! He was at his book-signing at sixspace, a Culver City Gallery. Good talk with gallery owner, Caryn, whose art.blogging.la I constantly read, although most of the art she covers is NOT my cup of tea. I like to know what's going down in LA -- ART is exploding in my home town! Another cool way is to receive sourharvest.com emailings of shows. I only wish I had time, money and fuel-efficient car to drive across town and see all the cool art! I'm too busy trying to raise funds for my own art, my photos! Then I finally made it to Feedback Records and heard my earliest, circa 1976 punk pal, Alice Bag with Punkoustica.

Nov 12: John Miner's print exhibit at 33 1/3. Hung out with Billy Bones of the Skulls and his beautiful daughter Danielle, who is going to my alma mater, Cal Arts (MFA in Design). I danced as Brendan played all kinds of wonderful early punk. I wanted to see 45 Grave around the corner, but I was with a friend who decided he didn't want to see them. I was so disappointed, cos I gave up Shepard Fairey and other political artists' opening at Project: Studio, "Propaganda: They Hate Our Freedom." And that is why I prefer driving to events, so I have the freedom to see who I want to see.

Nov 5: CoproNason's opening at Bergamot and crashed a bar mitzvah next door, wherein I had two strong martinis and returned to Copro and had such a blast! Met Florida low brow artist/musician Pooch, after admiring his work.

Oct 20: Gang of Four were awesome. I wish I had a video camera to record the whole thing! Fucking brillant!!! Of course I shot them at Starwood and Whisky,1979 and 1980, when they FIRST came to LA. Their lighting man stole my best slides. So it goes!

Something grand about being moved by art, then meeting the artists. That's one of the reasons I love Copro more than any gallery (being around the corner helps too!). I met Natalia Fabia and Chantal Menard, after lusting after their art. I really want a Brian Viveros, but haven't met him yet. I don't know why I am attracted to his paintings of tattooed, beaten women, but they have such a defiant look, with their Louise Brooks/Pandora's Box black "helmet hair" and cig dangling from their mouths, one eye swollen shut. It is to so erotic and powerful, about us women who get beaten up every day -- in my case, not literally (not since I was a child), but men who lie and deceive and beat our souls, try to tame and control us, but we survive. It's all a matter of attitude. I still love men, but some leave lasting scars. Which is why I'm such a fighter, I won't give up, as Iggy sang in his great "Brick by Brick" release: I won't flake out.

Gotta post more Iggy. Mike Watt is on tour now with him in Australia and Brazil. I wrote Mike I'd post some, and now you know why I don't update my blog! So much to do. I have some amazing early and rare Iggy shots, on and off stage, and painting his large murals in his rented Malibu house, summer of 1977. That's when Pleasant and he had their intimate moment.

Damnit, I wish I could remember when Iggy and I slept together. Iggy called me when I was in my apt in West Hollywood, across the street and around the corner from Tower. It had to be after Pleasant, but that could mean 1977-1979. You think I'd remember the exact date Iggy and I fornicated? Ha ha, why didn't I write dates? I spend half my time trying to figure out when/who I shot.

I shot Iggy, Brian James of the Damned, Glen Matlock of the Pistols, and sweet Ivan Kral of Patti Smith Group, up at the Waldorf in San Francisco, December, 1979. (My first and best shots were April 15, 1977, Blondie opening, David Bowie on keyboards).

Thanks to one of Copro's gallery owners, Greg Escalante, my punk photos will be in a new documentary on the legendary Long Gone John of Sympathy for the Record Industry. I also have photos in "Punk: Attitude" (and was the only woman among 8 men interviewed for the LA segment), "Too Tough to Die" -- an upcoming Ramones doc , "Punk's Not Dead" and gawd knows what else. I can't keep track of it.

I was profiled in "City Beat," Oct 6 issue and upcoming interview in "Punk Rock Confidential." I'm starting to sell my pix online and what else is keeping me busy?

My photos are in the "I Do Adore" invitational women photographers show at Shepard Fairey's Subliminal Projects gallery, reception Dec 10. I've been offered lots of shows, but lack of money makes it hard to be able to show. This should be special because I am showing with other photographers. And who doesn't want to be involved with anything that Shepard touches?

Someone from the South Bay hung out with me, wonderful advice, tall tales of punk towards the end of my shooting, told me all about lots of performers and his friends, then it all blew up. Losing a friend is always traumatic, but I met so many men who went through the same thing with this man that I did, and it brought me closer to them. They are so respectful of my work and kind to me, and lots of fun and know so much about the scene. I am simplifying this, but let's say it's been an adventure with the 'whopper' or as I call him, the 'rascal.'

It's hard being a single woman resurrecting my archive. People read things into my hanging out with guys or if I spend a lot of time or go somewhere with just one. But my most avid fans are 36-42 year old men. And I do adore dudes (no secret nor surprise there!). When I got divorced, my dear punk pal since April, 1977, Mark, who is gay, said it was time for me to try women. No way, not moi!

We all have one thing in common: love for the first generation punks, and they just missed the early days. So I'm tight with them, but nothing more. No men in my life, pul-eze, I have a full life with my pix and friends. I have enough distractions. But people will talk!

So talk about my photos finally on sale, www.jennylens.net/merch. I lowered my prices and they are moving!

Drop me a note. Happy Holidays if I don't write til next year. Be my friend on www.myspace.com/jennylens.

MY PHOTOS FOR SALE!!

2005-10-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

I finally posted a BUY NOW link on www.jennylens.net. It takes you my SSL secured/privacy encrypted online store at jennylens.net/merch section with about 150 large photos, many posted for the first time, and all with stories. Many are classics, all rare, to sell to the public for the first time! All prints are individualy printed in a photographic darkroom, aka archival silver gelatin prints, and hand-signed. Please tell everyone! Proceeds from sales will enable me to continue to work on my archive.

It's been a true labor of love, re-learning HTML (tons of hand-coding) and shopping cart database programming, but it's finally coming together! I've been such a hermit -- missed my friends, rock and art shows. I've turned down countless invitations to work on this 24/7.

I've been offered one woman, two-women and group photo exhibits, several book offers, lots of press interviews, and other projects the past few months. But I've got to generate a stable income and respond to the countless emails I receive every day asking when I'm going to finally release the photos to the public.

My biggest concern is that people have used them for their own profit, while I haven't made money from them, which I need to keep this going. People constantly write, telling me where they've seen my photos, but I was rarely paid. This has been going on since I first took punk photos in 1976! I've got to have faith this will work out. There's no way I can work an office job and 70 hours a week on my archive.

Tons and tons of things going down, but no time to update the blog w/stories and photos. Just know my whole life is dedicated to my photo archive. I don't want it lost to history. So please forward this news to everyone.

Check out the BUY NOW link on www.jennylens.net. Thanks!!

Madame Wong's Passing

2005-08-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

Several people have written me for comments re Esther Wong's passing. Check out Alice Bag's blog at http://www.alicebag.blogspot.com for her thoughts re Madame Wong's passing and my comment at her blog.

Summary: it's an insult to the female punk pioneers to lavish this praise on Esther Wong. She was very vocal in her lack of respect nor acceptance of what us women brought to punk. As Alice indicated, she supported power pop and new wave, but NOT punk. I have nothing further to add.

More Germs Filming Reflections

2005-07-26T00:26:00.000-07:00

Sharing part of an email my Germs Movie Set experience. Scroll to previous post for other insights and reflections. I censored this. See the movie when it comes out and tell me what you think. I won't make up your mind for you.

Gentlemen [Roger, writer/director and Kevin, producer],
I don't recall writing both of you for the memorable experience on your movie set. I'd write Steven [Rhino Films Pres] and Matt [Producer], but don't have their contact info, so will you please forward this to them? Words can't express both the very happy and very sad thoughts on my 55th birthday, hanging with Lorna and Hellin. That was pretty intense. I haven't spent such quality time with them since our punk days. This time we were more honest with each other, having grown from our struggles to mature, looking back at what we did. Survived not only those halcyon revolutionary punk days, but our own personal journeys.

None of you realize the hell we three put ourselves through. I just re-read "Lexicon Devil" and "We Got the Neutron Bomb." I was reminded, by the Canterbury Tales in "Lexicon," that we lived on the edge that most people can't even imagine. I'm told by many they are "punk - just like me, cos they do their own thing, they rent a place, hang art, and play albums." Ah, we lived among murderers, rapists, hustlers, drug dealers, prostitutes, psychotics, thieves (I was robbed w/gun day I was to buy an early video camera, shoot Go-Go's before they left for first Brit tour. You should have seen the face of their manager, Ginger, when I told her that. She knew what dangers, what lines I crossed to raise money and make my place amongst the crowd to take memorable photos). She knew the op was lost to doc those days as only I could and did, but w/video. X, Clash and others would have been captured by me. My best on-stage Clash shots stolen from photo lab. We lived among disease, filth, poverty, police, wild abandon and the best rock money can't buy.

We survived that, to still look so beautiful and vibrant - I think we all look better in many ways. It's an inner beauty, and Lorna and I are in better shape than before. You should invite Alice Bag and Pleasant Gehman: such beauties, but that Plez was zaftig, voluptuous, big compared to average pop star models these day. That's why I went on and on about Bijou being so skinny. We were substantial women, in real physical space - our bodies, but also in energy, vision, soul, creativity and intelligence.

Brendan Mullen and I: moving forward

2005-07-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

Spent 4th of July weekend at wonderfully talented and loving Allison Anders' home. Brendan Mullen and I decided we'll never agree on certain transactions regarding his use of my photos, tis better to work together than fight. Whew, that was a long time coming! As I've said in print since the Masque days, Brendan brought a lot to the scene. As Rover wrote in her Alice Bag interview (alicebag.com), and Peter Urban, manager of the Dils, Zeros, Negative Trend and others, just told me: Brendan was very paternal and well-meaning in the early Masque days. I add, he was so cute! A mass of soft curly hair, vivid blue eyes, a shy smile and that seductive Scottish accent, how could a few of us not sleep with him (even if he doesn't remember, I do!!). So here's to a better tomorrow and our shared past!

Germs Filming: What We Do is Secret

2005-07-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

When I wrote my last post, I had NO idea the Germs film would actually be produced. What does that say about my intuition and timing? Check out my Germs pix on my Germs, Bomp and Masque pages at www.jennylens.net.

I spent my birthday, July 20th, on the set of the Germs shows at the Fleetwood [many don't know the Smokestack became the Fleetwood] and Whiskey, hanging with Pat Smear, Lorna Doom, Paul Roessler of the Screamers, infamous Hellin Killer and Jena Cardwell, but on the sidelines. My shot of Lorna, Darby, Pat, Jena, Hellin, Trudie, Pleasant, Alice Bag, Nicky Beat and others is in Lexicon Devil, page 36, September 23, 1977, in Tower Records lot before the Palladium Punk Fashion show.

I was constantly told: "Jenny, it's a movie." But it will go down in history as the way it was, when my photos and research and notes from others make it easy to replicate the truth, which the movie, like all movies, deviates from those easily verifiable truths.

Thank goodness Pat and Lorna are on set, assisting the eager and talented cast. Pat is tirelessly training them re playing and involved in the sound of course. Pat and Lorna are receiving well-deserved accolades for their selfless contributions.

But how the hell do you do a Germs film without Pleasant Gehman??? And assign historical events initiated by Pleasant to others??

That said, of course it's amazing that a film is being made about the Germs, Screamers, and others -- a small group of people who changed world culture. I always knew punk would be a vital component of rock history, like Elvis, the British invasion, hippies and summer of love. That is the MAIN reason I took so many early photos. I knew it would be like a comet, bright and the initial phase short-lived, but it's really larger than anyone realized. I don't care what anyone writes about it seeming to be organized -- few consulted with each other and believed it to be the next big thing.

I certainly was among the very very few who knew its potential and was scorned by press/record company personnel and even punks for my intuition and art/music history knowledge this would be huge and long lasting. Which is one of the reasons it is so huge. Everyone feels like they discovered it themselves.

The reason early punk exists is its truthful reflection of our society of outcasts, as documented by the musicians, photographers, writers and artists WHO WERE THERE and MADE IT HAPPEN.

I spoke with the beautiful, lovely, charming, talented, gracious, warm Lorna Doom. I've found so many photos of her and Darby, described them to her, not only what they wore, but where they were and the dates. I shot them at so many parties, backstage, the Masque, shows, on the street -- for a variety of reasons, mainly that we were part of that very early small circle of punks, so our paths crossed all the time.

She said she "misses Darby so much" -- it's obvious from my photos they were extremely close friends. I asked her and others if they thought anyone would pay attention to the Germs if Darby didn't kill himself. We all know the answer to that: his suicide generated all this interest. I asked/said to her: isn't that the tragedy of all this?

A couple of years ago I asked my friend, archivist/musician David Jones, why the Ramones are so very popular now that so many are gone? When Joey died, I read tons of obits from people who claimed to be long-time Ramones fans. As Johnny said, if everyone who said they saw them really did, they would have been huge earlier. David said it's our obssession with dead stars.

What the fuck is wrong with our society?

Ok, how do I reconcile that with the fact I don't want to alienate myself from the people involved with this movie? I don't want to sound bitter or negative. As Paul Roessler keeps reminding me, he's trying not to say anything bad about people cos it comes back to bite him. Paul is such a sweet, sensitive soul. He and Hellin just celebrated their 25th anniversary, worked so hard at staying in love all these years. It's heartwarming to be around them.

Why do I feel like crying? Hellin cried on the set and later Paul held me as I cried. It's not because of the loss of Darby -- I was never close to him. I miss Tomata from the Screamers far more. I'm crying because I have so much work to do (EVERYONE on the set, especially the fans, costumers, producers, photographer etc know exactly who I am and love my work). I'm crying because I'm being showered with so much love, acceptance, validity, compliments, admiration, envy and gratitude by fans and people in the industry every single day. I am stunned, overwhelmed, but my hard work has only begun! And I still haven't made money! It's relentless.

I'm crying, realizing the reality of what we did. I cry when I find the most stunning photos that I never knew existed! Lorna said to me on the sidelines of the set, "none of us did what we did to make money, get famous." By studying art and artists AND movie-makers, I learned great artists always follow their hearts and find the truth in their art.

I cry when I know what should and could be shown, shared, discussed and is disregarded. I was repeatedly told they are working hard to present the "truth." Of course I told them that's "bullshit." I cry cos I'm so truthful that Dickey Barret, morning DJ on indie, said on the radio I "need to learn to lie." NEVER!

I've influenced and changed the lives of many, one of the reasons I took photos. Now I have to change my life for the better. But it means sacrifice, not going to art or music shows or movies. My photos are calling me, and they are so demanding and needy.

I can't rely on anyone who wasn't there to tell our story. This is a good start, but when will I learn to accept what is, not what could be? When my body has turned to ashes, then I hope my soul will be at peace with what others have done to our story. 'Tis better to be looked over than over-looked, but can't they handle the truth?

"Lexicon Devil" and "Neutron Bomb": essential punk reading

2005-06-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

Hey, I don't know how to show part of a blog and a link to show the rest of it. So if anyone can walk me through it, fine, otherwise, get over it. I have stories to tell and they are long. You wanna know about punk? Read on:

I've been re-reading these books as part of my research and because I've changed since I first read them. I contributed photos to these books, but as usual, was not told who would be covered, nor which events. It's amazing to read about parties and shows and realize I shot most everything and everyone mentioned in these books. I didn't know that when I first read them, because I'm only now organizing and ID'ing my archive.

I'm surprised more people know my photos from "We Got the Neutron Bomb" because "Lexicon Devil" is a perfect companion piece and not just for hard-core Germs fans. I can't say which book is better because neither accurately covers all that went on in LA punk – would take about 1500 pages to barely touch the surface! "Neutron Bomb" skims several bands and some of punk's early roots whereas "Lexicon Devil" explores the very dark, scary, dangerous aspects of punk centered around the Masque, Canterbury, Black Randy, and of course, Darby Crash, the Germs and their circle of "Germettes." But "Neutron Bomb" attributes manufactured quotes to people, which I've repeatedly read and stated I was totally misquoted. The words don't match the personalities of the people, which is one of the reasons "Lexicon Devil" is more dynamic and energetic.

We often say and read hard-core started in the South Bay and Orange County, when more young men took over the audience. As Allan MacDonell wrote in "Lexicon Devil": "Man, early punk in LA was a rough, hardcore street-hustlin' scene." Words right outta my mouth! Early punk as in 1976!! !977!!

I vividly remember the Canterbury exactly as related in "Lexicon Devil" and for that reason, I avoided it. Remember, I was a working photographer and didn't have time to hang out all that much. I carried expensive equipment that was stolen and broken by punks, and the Canterbury was disgusting. My only visit (that I remember) to the Canterbury was to the first apartment, Shannon and Alison's. I remember taking shots of Shannon in front of her mirror, applying layers of makeup, although I haven't stumbled across the negs or slides.The building had the smell and look of decay, the filth and stench of bodily fluids, piles of clothes, dirty dishes that conflicted with my need for orderliness and cleanliness needed to create. But my lifestyle was scary and dangerous, hanging out with very unsavory drug dealers (think David Lynch's "Blue Velvet"), pimps, thieves, hustlers, sex workers, and that's just some of my acquaintances and pals!

I needed to live somewhere with a modicum of security to protect my photos, camera/darkroom equipment, books, and possessions -- much of which disappeared while living la vida punk. I shared a house on Lookout Mountain, off of Laurel Canyon, with a speed freak queen into black magic late in 1979-1980 while shooting tons of speed. But I hadn't fallen off the cliff earlier during the Canterbury's days/nights in 1977-1978. I was still working so hard on my photos. I couldn't live in such a communal atmosphere as the Canterbury without my photos being stolen. People ripped me off all the time just by visiting my apartment or breaking into a film lab and taking my on-stage Clash shots. I was robbed at gun-point by a punk in my apartment. Guess I couldn't avoid trouble, but the Canterbury would have been suicidal for me. I preferred a slower death by speed.

When I read about the Canterbury or Joan Jett's party/wake when Sid Vicious died, the quotes and stories sound transported back to that realm. My archivist/musician pal, David Jones, provided the authors of "Neutron Bomb" quotes that were attributed to others. No, you won't see David Jones' name credited as a contributor, oops! I've heard so many "Neutron Bomb's" stories with more detail from him, so it wasn't as illuminating, although an essential bare-bones intro to LA punk for those of you without access to his vast research.

"Lexicon Devil" is more compelling because it utilizes so many different voices whereas "Neutron Bomb" feels like a small handful of people analyzing rather than relating some of the more sordid details. Therein lies the difference and need for both books. I was disgusted at some of my fellow punks – the destruction, defacing, thefts, violence towards people and property. Only destroy something if you've got something better to create. Destruction cos that's "what the evening called for" is pretty heavy and nihilistic. Being at the receiving end of some of the malicious things said and done by so many in those books, I had to deal with a lot of pain and unresolved issues to delve back into my archive. You think it was all glamorous and easy?

I posted a May 23rd blog entitled "What's Punk Today?" I said someone who rents spaces, promotes, and DJs says he's punk cos he's doing it himself (with some friends). Punk was far more than doing it yourself. It's kinda like using the phrase "new wave" to make punk palatable. "DIY" is a phrase coined in the mid-1990's to sell punk. Reading "Lexicon Devil" will or should tell everyone who loves punk that we lived on the edge in every sense of the word.

I have never publicly shared how I made money to pay my rent, keep film in my camera, put gas in my car, pay for postage to send photos out. I'm not going to until I check out the statute of limitations on certain things. You think I'm kidding? I could have been hauled off to prison or murdered and was robbed at gun point and I over-dosed once and am lucky to be alive. Me, a nice Jewish girl with a MFA in Design, art exhibits and teaching college under my belt. I risked it all.

So why bother? Cos it's the most exciting thing that happened the last quarter century of the last millennium. Cos we changed culture, not just music, but art, fashion, graphics, entertainment as we know it. Because I won't let others hold me back or keep me down. It was too much fun, too many great shows and parties. Because someone has to do it. Vicki Tischler-Blue, Runaways bassist and film-maker extraordinaire ("Edgeplay") said "others are motivated, but I have the drive." I gotta remember that cos man, this is tough, hard work. A true labor of love.

Go read those books and my website, blogs, and everything you can if you really wanna know. Don't believe anything or everything you read. So many stories still to be told!

What have you done today? Did you use the net to write to your congress people, letters to the editors, organizing to take back our country from the robber barons who are taking us all down if you keep sitting on your asses? Do something! Or you will have no future and truly be desperate. It can get worse if you don't do something. And it's more than putting on your own show. That's a good beginning, but do more.

Vicki reiterated something I truly believe: you've got to give back to that which gives to you. She was so giving in her time, thoughts and support. I was stunned she remembered seeing me and we both saw Patti Smith at the Roxy, January, 1976. We both saw Patti at the Golden Bear, where she first laid eyes on Joan Jett, not knowing within 2 years they'd be in the Runaways together. And who knew that on November 11, 1976 I'd take Patti's fave live shots. Damn, I always write so much. Now it's your turn.

Exhibit: History of San Pedro Punk

2005-06-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

History of San Pedro Punk

Curated by Marshall Astor

Opening reception: June 26th, 2005, 2-4 pm
Musical performance by The Leeches, F.C.P. & Special Guests!

All events free and open to the public

Exhibition June 26 - July 31, 2005 at Angels Gate Cultural Center

Since the earliest punk movements of the 1970s, San Pedro's scene had a style uniquely its own. Beginning in 1979 with the groundbreaking sound of the Reactionaries, members of which moved on to form the iconic and genre defining Minutemen in 1980, to the South Bay punk of the 90's, San Pedro has been a punk stronghold for 25 years.

Now, nearly a generation later, the subculture still rocks as a significant source of energy in the Harbor area. In 2005, elements of this energetic community can be found building the Channel Street Skate Park, in careers in the arts and a hundred other success stories. Bands from Pedro continue to tour America and the world, but the punk ethic has become more than a musical subculture. It's become, in the words of D. Boon, singer/guitarist of the Minutemen, "what we made it to be": a cultural touchstone.

Original artwork, music, photos, posters, memorabilia and video clips spanning a quarter century of punkdom is being brought together from the personal archives of local artists and musicians for the first time by curator Marshall Astor. The exhibition will feature a timeline with the events, people and venues--including Union Club, The Dancing Waters, Sacred Grounds Coffee House, and the recent skate park--which make the scene what it is today.

Featured visual artists: Lena Orlando, Craig Ibarra, Martin Lyon, Aaron White, Scott Aicher, Chet Zar, Kevin Salk and Andy Harris and more.

The show will be documented in an informative catalogue available during the exhibition only. Bands featured in exhibited recordings and videos include The Reactionaries, Minutemen, Invisiblechains, The Wigs, Dos, fIREHOSE, Skinhorse, One Thin Dime, Rig, F.Y.P., Melting Pot, No Comply, The Leeches, F.C.P., The Jag-Offs, Toys That Kill, Killer Dreamer, and many more.

Andy Harris - A life-long skateboarder and punk rock enthusiast, Andy worked as a photographer, teacher and longshoreman. He is the Executive Director of the San Pedro Skatepark Association and spearheaded the construction of the Channel Street Skatepark.

Craig Ibarra - An active participant in the punk rock community since the early 80's, Craig established the tape zine S. A. D. CASSETTES, produced art shows, played in the bands Rig and No Comprende, and, in 2004, began publishing The Rise and the Fall, a zine that covers the punk scene of the Los Angeles harbor area. Craig is also known in Pedro for his hand cut stencils of punk icons.

Martin Lyon - Martin Lyon picked up a 35mm camera in 1980, just in time to get involved in the South Bay punk scene, both as participant and documenter.

Aaron White - Born into an artistic family, Aaron took up the family trade at an early age, making comics, flyers, album art during a while getting involved in the Pedro music scene. Aaron is the co-founder of Kit Bash Productions and his paintings have been exhibited around Los Angeles.

Chet Zar - A native San Pedran, Chet drew flyers and played in the band Skinhorse before following a career in special effects. His dark imagery echoes the both the crisp quality and the varied creatures and horrors rendered in his professional work.

The Leeches - a polka-inspired trio of hyperactive, garbage-bag-wearing madmen.

Marshall Astor--Program Manager for Angels Gate Cultural Center, as well as an artist, curator, and owner of San Pedro's Walled City Gallery, Marshall is a 15-year participant and observer of the Pedro punk scene.

Angels Gate Cultural Center is a place of creative discovery, exploration and enlightenment, providing artists, the Southland community and visitors from around the world with opportunities for enrichment and education.

Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731Info: 310.519.0936, or visit www.angelsgateart.org.

MEDIA CONTACTCarla Sameth626-564-0163carla@sameth.com.

Angels Gate Cultural Center is great destination for families, with 45 artist studios, two galleries, spectacular views, artist talks and special events, creating an enriching environment for all ages. The Center also sports an eclectic gift shop, featuring handmade crafts and unique work from Harbor area artists. Angels Gate Cultural Center is a partnership with the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks. Hours: Tue-Sun, 10 am to 5 pm. Suggested gallery donation: adults/$5; under 18/free.

Boomtown Rats, Live 8, Sir Bob sued by Rats and copping a feel!

2005-06-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

The Boomtown Rats at the Cocoanut Grove, March 2, 1979.

Same shot with Photoshop's Auto Levels applied (an easy tool for tonal balance and basic color correction). Hmm, interesting effect. I still get chills thinking of that show. My slides are so gorgeous and that show so very special, so unique and moving. I can still feel and see it, as though it were happening right now. That's the magic and artistry of GREAT live bands.

Johnny Fingers and Sir Bob in a scan of a bad print (sorry, but it's funny).

Sir Bob Geldof showing Steve Perry of Journey how he wins the hearts and minds of the English rock press (don't forget Sir Bob is Irish).

I keep saying: everything old is new again. First Sir Bob Geldof announced "Live 8,"' shamed eBay into removing listings of tickets being auctioned off after ragging about eBay, and now he's being sued. I had no idea there are $$$ MILLIONS $$$ of dollars at stake. And Bob's girlfriend is on Jerry Hall's VH1 "Kept."

Let's back up to 1979. Being in the forefront of punk since first hearing Patti Smith's "Horses" in 1975, I’d long read about them. By chance, on January 26, 1979, I headed out to Columbia Records, then across the street from the Century City shopping mall. The publicist asked me to come back at 5 and bring some friends. They were having a press conference and wanted some real fans in addition to the press. With short notice I rounded up Barbie Shore, Chance (then Cindy Lane) and Michael Wilcox. Rodney Bingenheimer was there, as was Steve Perry from Journey. I don’t have them scanned, but they are amongst the funniest photos I ever took. The British punk bands were certainly the most fun bands I shot. They were so happy to be in LA and acted so silly and real.

However, I wasn’t prepared for what happened between Sir Bob Geldof and myself. I don’t usually wear a bra, so I was astounded when he started copping a feel while posing for shots. It was all in fun, of course.

Later I shot them at the most memorable and most beautifully lit show of my life, when they introduced “I Don’t Like Mondays,” with only Bob singing and Johnny Fingers on piano. That is still my favorite version. Bob wrote it because days before Brenda Spencer was the first young person to shoot at school. Bob’s genius was realizing this was a significant cultural and social event that to this day; a phenomenon still being ignored by our society, parents, schools and government. The Cocoanut Grove show was March 2, 1979 at midnight, according to my notes. Fachtna O'Kelly, their manager (who later discovered Sinead O'Connor), gave me one of the first pressings, with a lovely note on the back:

"To Jenny -- For all your kindness and consideration. Hope you like it. Fachtna O'K. July 26, 1979." I was stunned, no manager (other than Danny Fields with the Ramones) was ever so kind to me as Fachtna.

I also shot their in-store show at Frederick’s of Hollywood on March 2, 1979. Frederick’s was the Hustler/Victoria’s Secret of its day. The Rats were decked out in moose hats, which I suspect were from the Bullwinkle and Rocky store on Sunset. Imagine them wearing moose antlers and performing amongst mannequins barely wearing scanty naughty undies!

I shot them hanging at the Sunset Marquis hotel pool, the same hotel where I met/shot the Ramones when they first toured LA. Great shots, but none scanned yet! So enjoy what I’ve got.

Are you watching “Kept"? Sir Bob Geldof’s girlfriend is one of hostess Jerry Hall’s pals. I love her pal Rachel, the great Pete Townsend’s girlfriend. Bill Wyman’s wife too and someone's daughter. A very funny show. I've long admired Jerry Hall, a stunning blonde with brains and personality whose skin looks air-brushed, just flawless. Got a few quick shots of Jerry Hall and Jade Jagger at the Stones July 1978 Anaheim Stadium show. I usually avoid that kind of stuff (who has time for TV?), but it’s a great glimpse into the lifestyles of Sir Bob and the women who breathe that rarefied air.

However, the overdose of Krissy Wood, Ron Wood’s first wife, is a cautionary tale. Enjoy it while you can, but learn to rely on yourself!

The Rats never caught on in the US, but they were wonderful on and off stage. I hope they can quickly resolve their financial issues. I sure understand that – I’ve been ripped off by so many. But it hasn’t stopped me, just made it harder. Working without compensation is tough in these rough economic times.

from various online news sources:
Sir Bob Geldof is being sued by his old bandmates Boomtown Rats over unpaid royalties.

Guitarists Gerry Cott and Garrick Roberts, John Moylett (Johnnie Fingers), and drummer Simon Crowe announced in a statement that they are taking the action against Geldof to reclaim royalties owned from the days when the band broke worldwide with hits such as "I Don't Like Mondays" and "Rat Trap."

The statement, issued by Gerry Cott says "We jointly confirm that with the utmost regret we are pressing ahead with our claims against Bob Geldof and others for our rightful entitlement to a proper share of recording, publishing and merchandising income."

Time to shower, then off to Chinatown for the portrait show at Bamboo Lane/Revisited and meet cool artists after finding them on myspace, then to see lots of my amazingly creative art pals at CoproNason's new gallery at Bergamot Station (NOT BERGAMONT). [See my June calendar listing for details and web links!]

Leora, who runs Bamboo, found my calendar listing on myspace.com. We were both born on the SAME DAY! JULY 20!! She has naturally long red hair but my dark magenta hair comes from a tube, although everyone tells me they love my red hair. It's not red, it's magenta. That's red with blue. Leora studied crafts as did I. Us artists are so picky about colors! Magenta Jenny!

Listening to Tomata du Plenty sing my fave Screamers song: "Time to go, let's go, vertigo, down, down, down . . . " Downtown for me, then back to the west side. Glad I have enough money to put gas in my car!! "Let's go, oh no, vertigo."

Calendar: June Art Openings and Performances

2005-06-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 18, 2005
Opening Night: 2 shows you don’t want to miss. Both near the 10 freeway. I’m starting in Chinatown and ending close to home at Bergamot.

CoproNason moves to BERGAMOT INVASION!
7 pm-11:30 pm, Free Admission/Open Bar!
2525 Michigan Ave. T-5,
Santa Monica, CA 90404,
(310) 398-2643,
Runs through July 2.
Natalia Fabia, Chantal Menard, Joshua Petker, Dennis Larkins and others!
10 freeway west, exit Cloverfield, hang right, another right at Michigan, left into lot, keep going left.

Portraits
Bamboo Lane/Revisited
7 pm –10 pm.
418 Bamboo Lane, Chinatown.
Between Hill and College, right behind the Mountain Bar .
Joshua Petker, with Sean Cheetham and Marci Washington.

Princess Farhana (aka Pleasant Gehman) presents Summer Nights at Highways,
June 30 - July 2: 7:30 pm ; July 3: 2 pm and 7 pm.
310: 315-1459 , tickets $20.
Highways Performance Space,
1651 18th Street in Santa Monica, within the 18th Street Arts Center.
Parking lot and street parking available.

Saturday June 25
The lab 101 gallery & GEN ART present: 'IN - FAMOUS'
Opening reception: 7.30- 9 pm
8530-B Washington, west of La Cienega in Culver City
runs through July 4.
Featuring photographs of film and rock stars by English photographer Patrick Frazer

CoproNason 6/18 opening and Myspace photos!

2005-06-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

Screamers, Tommy Gear, KK and Tomata, April 9, 1977.

Obsessed with figuring out myspace -- delighted I finally posted tons of shots, but you gotta know html! Steve at Punkrockers.com helped me. www.myspace.com/jennylens.

This blog and my site, www.jennylens.net, are more comprehensive. My art and punk pals in LA and elsewhere love myspace. Fun to see their art and wild posts/comments.

My fave artists are Natalia Fabia and Chantal Manard. See their work at CoproNason's new gallery in Bergamot Station, Saturday, June 18, 8 to midnight! Free entrance, free parking and free booze! Lots of friendly and beautiful gals and guys of all ages and sizes and tons of art! One reason I live in LA!

Celebrated Lynn Hasty's 12th anniversary of her company, Green Galactic, the best PR firm for artists and musicians at Zen Fusion last nite. Was treated to two delicious beers, and came early for 1/2 priced drink too, a Korean vodka. So I ate/drank nothing but herbal tea today. That's my lifestyle: I party, then I fast.

Blogger formatting hell erratic, c'est la vie!

2005-06-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

Typical daily emails re punk and other projects

2005-06-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

Just a few of today’s emails:

Whew Jenny, just got done reading your email exchange with James for his Marley project. What a great and informative read! James has also contacted me for some early Marley info. Have not yet put my thoughts together to respond. Did some quick searches and found your site.

Saw Marley in 76 in Houston. I was in Mexico surfing in July 78, and missed the Tosh show [I shot Tosh and the Rolling Stones in Houston and LA]. I loved reggae, but also went to many punk shows. In Austin we had Raul's. Very notorious club. Local bands the Dicks, Big Boys, Skunks, The Huns, The Inserts, etc. Also the Rock Island in Houston. Anyway, just wanted to say Howdy from deep in the heart of Texas!
Steve

[If you saw Bob Marley and want to share your experiences for his book, write to James at jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk]
--------------------------

Willy, Punk Information Directory, and why he created a 30 page and growing chronology of his early punk life in LA, 1976-1980.

June 10, 2005:
Hi Jenny,
You inspired me to do this by asking for any stories that I might have. That led me to my notes and the series that I'm writing right now. I think 5 more segments with the last one being a "what did I do after leaving the scene" type of thing. My next project is to scan in the 3 copies of Outcry magazine that my friend Steve did in the early 80's and publish that on the site.
--------------------------------
June 14, 2005:

Hi Jenny,
I just spent a good deal of the afternoon reading your blog. What comes across is your passion for the scene. Although I knew a fair amount of people at the time, the majority were men. I had a hard time even talking to "girls." I wish I had gotten to know some of you women that were part of that early scene.

I hope my story comes across as half as passionate as yours does. I'm getting about a 1000 hits a week on my homepage and have had over a million visitors to my site (coming in on any page) in the 5.5 years it's been out there. I could never have imagined numbers like that when I first started.

I looked at your timeline. I see shows that I was probably at featuring Zolar X, Berlin Brats, the Pop!, Quick, Venus & the Razorblades and Runaways. I see you have a band listed called the Boys. I'm pretty sure they were "The Boyz." I thought I was going to be releasing a Berlin Brats/Mau Maus CD as my third release until I found the guy who was offering it to me didn't have the rights to the music.

Looks like you saw the Ramones a few days before me. My first Ramones show was the Starwood one on August 16th. If one thing comes across from those of us who were there in the beginning it is 1) seeing the Ramones changed my life and 2) how privileged we all feel to have been a part of that early scene.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, memories and photos with me.
Willy

-------------------------------------
Willy,
I loved your last email. Being a woman, and a very emotional one, my "passion" and enthusiasm for that which I love has resulted in a lot of people avoiding me or wondering what's up. It used to bug me, and I still have to explain/apologize that I'm not upset, just passionate. I don't have to apologize to anyone for my site or blog. Yes, in emails cos misunderstandings happen too often without the tone of one's voice. But I let it rip on my site and blog, and it is so empowering!!

The thing that brought so many of us truly early LA punk pioneers together is we weren't the most popular, easy to get along with, happy conversationalists. We were bright, energetic, restless, looking for something exciting and different. I'm sure most of us had our share of mistreatment from others because of our unique personalities. We obviously love fast, loud, wild music. So of course you hung with the guys because it was more comfortable.

The women in LA were scary, powerful, wild, gutsy and also scared, shy and wounded but most of all, finally freed from usual constraints put upon women. I think it's funny that although I had the most active sex life in my life, I rarely did it with guys in the scene, with once Brendan and once Robbie Posh Boy, both of whom wish I'd stop sharing that, and at different times, 3 of Clash road crew, once with Iggy, but for the most part, none of the regulars in punk. I can't begin to explain or understand it.

Terry Bag Dad is really funny and I said I wish we'd talked in those days. He said we did, but I don't remember. I don't remember having many conversations with anyone. But how could I, roaming from spot to spot, taking pix or printing them or mailing them out? I worked really hard on my photos, spent a lot of time on them.

I don't remember the Starwood Ramones and for some reason, didn't shoot them. It was hard to shoot there. I much preferred the Whisky.

Many of us wish we'd done things differently. But thank god we did what we did. Boyz, who the hell were they?

I threw out my live Zolar X negs! I didn't want anyone to know I not only shot them, but knew them. I have shots of them in regular clothes rehearsing in my rented house. I could kick myself! Who knew anyone would care and now they are so popular!

Take care and thanks again,
jenny

Respect photographers: give credit where credit is due

2005-06-13T22:20:00.000-07:00

I can't get my links on the right to be all the same color. Why must Blogger, myspace and my website all require so much time to look good? I've been creating/teaching digital art/programs since 1988. I'm grateful for all the useful tools they've created, but why not go all the way and make the process and instructions more user friendly, ok?

Trying to get people on myspace (and elsewhere) to use my photos with my credit superimposed over the shots. Anyone can use my pix if they let me know and use those I've created with my credit on them, located on my website (and a link when possible). But some give me shit when I tell them to either remove them or use those with my credit. Fuck them -- I got a Runaways site removed from Lycos/Tripod, so don't fuck with me.

As Peter Case just told me, without my Nerves shots, "that history would be lost." Or John Denney, lead singer/writer of the Weirdos: "Jenny, you are as important as anyone because you got everyone published everywhere." [and was among a small handful of the earliest photographers].

But without my name on my punk photos, no one knows I took so many classic shots, and am unearthing more every day.

All I wanna do is get my punk and rock photos out there. I took stunning shots of the Rolling Stones and Peter Tosh, ska, rockabilly, early rock like Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, not just punk! I don't wanna come off like I'm bragging, but go to my site and decide for yourself. I am as stunned as anyone looking at these shots, many for the first time.

Why do people give me a hard time about using MY photos??? Don't people realize people can't find me for projects if they use MY photos without my name on my pix?? I wrote a letter to myspace, getting all legal on them, pleading for their help. They don't give a shit who posts what, and it's so hard to format their websites. But I wanna work with them, cos myspace is so frequented.

Warning: I will get medieval over you if you use my pix without my permission, credit and in appropriate cases, compensation and product. I encourage people to use my pix, just keep me in the loop. Or I'll do whatever I have to do to protect my creations. I rather work with people on a friendly basis, so let's get together. And respect ALL photographers. Cos without us, what the hell are you looking at??

LA is great for artists! A fun week for this punk gal!

2005-06-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

Had a great week! Hullabaloo fundraiser for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, founded by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (gave him a print of Darby Crash performing at the Masque). My donated shots of Joey Ramone (by the swimming pool and raising his fist with the Kamen Rider statue) and the Screamers on the bus bench each raised about $300 each. Ran into John Denney, lead singer of the Weirdos and Key Club booker Joseph Brooks (whom I met when I met and shot the Ramones, August, 1976). Ran into my documentary producer, Raymond Leon Roker of URB and his crew. Drank and ate, a rare treat for this broke raw foods vegan. Heard Tracey Chapman, and while floating out, got picked up by two gentlemen near my age. I necked with one in the backseat of his white Mercedes. Ha ha, he thought me 18 years younger than I am! I told my pal Mark Martinez what happened, saying it’s 1977 again, except for the Mercedes. That was a step up and the fact I went home alone. I ain’t so easy these days. But whatta trip!

Saturday I finally made it to Leaf Cuisine, a raw foods restaurant in Culver City and it was packed! It was ok, mainly cos they gave me a free shot of wheat grass and I ran into my raw foods pal, the tall and mellow Pineapple Head, who works there. Otherwise, I have so much trouble eating out. But if I didn’t eat something substantial I knew I’d get too high from booze, although I didn’t drink much. I’m tired of living on fresh juices and nothing for days to lose the bloat from booze and food. But hey, it’s human to want to feel a buzz.

Then off to photographer Brad Elterman’s photo opening at the new Jaxon Gallery on Abbot Kinney in Venice. I spoke with Darcy Diamond, one of the funniest women I ever met, who used to write rock articles. I hung with Genny Schorr and Marina del Rey of Backstage Pass. I asked Holly Vincent, working again with Backstage Pass and soon to record on her own in Nashville, if Holly and the Italians opened for the Clash in England in June/July 1980. Her face lit up when I told her I found pix of her onstage. Of course she wants some!

Saw Lilibeth Filgueira [fig tree], a talented painter Brad and I met at Patricia Correia’s gallery opening for Frank Romero, where I spoke with Cheech Marin and my pal, master printer/artist Richard Duardo earlier this year.

Wonderful to see Maryam Seyhoun, of Seyhoun Gallery, on Melrose near Doheny. She has been so kind to both Brad and I. Her openings are very special because she has a fine eye and presents exhibits with that are timeless and beautiful. I went to one dedicated to contempoary Persian calligraphy, and it was stunning. I missed the last one on June 4 because I was at UCLA for their Pre-Code films, racy and political. This series emphasized political themes dealing with the wealthy class versus the workers, the people who made those few so wealthy and society and government's responsiblity towards all. You won't see or hear such daring themes, outside of progressive blogs, let alone mainstream media such as film, in these repressive days.

They gave out shots of stuff which they mixed into the champaigne. It’s supposed to be healthy, but packed with sucrose and dextrose (concentrated sugar, a terrible refined carbohydrate that robs your body of nutrients). I know it’s not healthy to drink, but keep the sugar at bay, pul-eze. The melon flavored vodka was so sweet I threw it out. The pale ale was good.

I met Che, an early Backstage Pass member who left to join Kim Fowley’s creation, the Orchids. Ohmygawd. Their debut resulted in amazingly fun shots of Ric Ocasek of the Cars, Stiv Bators of the Dead Boys, the Doors’ Ray Manzarek and Danny Sugerman, Go-Go’s Belinda and Jane (the Surreal Life), Pleasant Gehman, Randy Kaye/Randy Detroit, Nancy, Dennis Crosby (Bing’s grandson), Ann McClean, Tomata du Plenty and KK Barrett of the Screamers, Trudie (who married KK), Robbie Fields of Posh Boy Records, Levi and some of his Rockats (precursors to the Stray Cats), Michael des Barres, Blondie’s Nigel Harrison (at one time a band mate of Michael’s and fellow Brit), and so many others watching the Orchids play and then with the Orchids. I shot more, but don’t feel like looking through the proofs for more names now. I’ll post the shots on my site soon.

Of course Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols and Jonesy’s Jukebox was there as he and Brad are mates. One of these days I should get his autograph, not just shoot him and give him a hard time. (Steve loves to tease me and I throw it right back at him. I told him "Fuck you" at Johnny Ramone's statue unveiling cos he wouldn't let me shoot him. We're finally on talking terms cos of course I love 'im. He is very handsome with his new mustache. I say, the bigger the better! I think he's sexy. But that's as far as it's ever gonna go. I don't have a bubblebutt. If you listen to his show, you'll get this train of thought). As I left I mentioned to Lilibeth that I was off to a friend’s gallery, CoproNason.

Greg Escalante is Joe Copro (of CoproNason) and always an entertaining presence at art openings. He's one of the few men near my age with whom I can talk about art, punk and life and feel comfortable. He is the curator of "Juxtapoz," a cool mag you ought to check out. I spoke on Joe Escalante’s new Indie 103.1 radio show, “Barely Legal,” on Friday regarding needed permission to use my photos in my work. Joe is Greg’s brother and founder of Kung Fu Records and in the Vandals. Those Escalante men are busy, creative, smart and fun!

I am a very harsh critic of a lot of new art, mostly “low brow,” but even the man who started that art movement, Robert Williams, with his solo exhibit at Otis, bemoans the lack of originality by younger artists. But this show was different. Check out CoproNason for details. I saw Adam Parfrey, the prolific publisher of Feral House. We had a great talk and subsequent emails. I hope to contribute some photos to an upcoming project of his. It was such a treat to reconnect with him! The LA Weekly just ran a cover story on indie publishers, with a major opening spread on him and his girlfriend, Jodie, also involved in publishing and a very beautiful, kind woman.

I always smile when I see Chantal, whose image is being used in a ad for an art school, also seen in the LA Weekly. That painting of her is touring Europe. Our mutual painter pal is Natalia Fabia; see her work also at http://nataliafabia.com/home.html but gotta wait til all the pix are downloaded and scroll to the right or click on thumbnails at http://nataliafabia.com/paintings.html. Natalia is far slimmer and skinnier than she photographs and looks like a smart and really fun Paris Hilton. Natalia painted Chantal and she and I both want that painting.

I love Chantal's assemblages and jewelry made of bones.

I’m not one to live for money, but when you don’t have it, it really sucks. I’d buy so much art from my friends.

I turned around to see Lilibeth, not realizing she found the gallery with the approximate location I mentioned. That surprised Greg and I, cos people have a hard time finding it, even knowing the address. Chantal, Lilibeth and I all share a Jewish background, although Chantal looks like milky white Frieda Kahlo with her long dark braids and ribbons and bones in her hair. Lilibeth’s strong Argentinean accent and ancient Lebanese/Spanish background threw me. Due to the Inquisition, Sephardic Jews fled Spain and many settled in Argentina. She said 10% of South Americans share some Jewish history. To quote Monty Python, “no one expects the Spanish Inquisition.” I love being around people with varied ethnicities and nationalities. I’m all Russian, but I swear there’s Germanic blood in me. Wagner, anyone? Greg, Lilibeth and I hung out at the end, laughing and talking.

Sunday I went to LACMA (LA County Museum of Art) to see the closing day of their German Expressionist Poster exhibit. Early punk graphics was very influenced by German Expressionism. I am very fortunate because LA has one of the best collections in the world, due to the generous donations and loans from the Robert Gore Rifkin Foundation. I’ve seen the most incredible art due to those shows. I walked in and began to cry when I spotted one of my all time fave pieces of art, a dark blue and brick red poster by Kolomon Moser. I used that art in a college project cos I love it so. I created typeface for a poster announcing fictional Gallerie Jenny, showcasing Moser's work. It’s for a calendar, with a brunette Norse goddess holding an hour-glass, the sands of time, encircled by a circle holding its tail. The circle represents death and rebirth. It’s really something to be face-to-face with art I’ve looked at in books since I was a kid.

Now I know how people feel about my photos and why so many want to see large prints and lots of books. Working on it and that’s why I get so pissed wasting so much time trying to get blogs and websites looking the way I want them to look. And I’m so hungry! I have no money and going out and a bit of drinking and eating packs on the pounds. So it’s fresh veggie juices for a few days.

Except Tuesday night I will celebrate the 12th anniversary of Green Galatic, and my new pal, Lynn Hasty. She is THE publicist to all the cool art and music happenings in town.

What a great few days: balmy weather, Wednesday Silverlake benefit, Friday radio show, Saturday art shows, Sunday art museum and Monday wasted time and energy formatting blogs and websites. See why it’s hard for me to work? LA is so distracting. How I love LA, if only I had money and liked to drive. It’s always something. So now to work!

An Intercepted IM Conversation Between Bush and Blair

2005-06-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

I am a news junkie -- no not who's not eating herself to death or a possible beard for the most famous actor jumping on sofas. PUNK IS POLITICAL. But it's so damn depressing, so it's great to interject some humor so you don't go the way of Darby and end it all.

I love Arianna Huffington's blog, which posts all kinds of news that's hard to find cos it's true. She must be in the same mood, cos today is very Marxist . . . Groucho of course! The headline links to a site purporting "the prisoners of Gitmo never ate better" -- as if!! Arianna, you and your contributors rock!

Danielle Crittenden
HP EXCLUSIVE: An Intercepted IM Conversation Between Bush and Blair
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theblog/archive/danielle-crittenden/hp-exclusive-an-intercep_2571.html
Kickass43: hey!
Sxybritguy10: hey
Kickass43: sup?
Sxybritguy10: nm u
Kickass43: jc. Iraq not good
Kickass43: polls not good
Kickass43: mjr babe issues
Sxybritguy10: laura?????? :-O
Kickass43: rofl no! American chicks. Dont like me anymore.
Sxbritguy10: security mums?
Kickass43: gone
Sxybritguy10: ttly?
Kickass43: ttly. not like when we were young right? Mom AWOL=good party. Today: moms AWOL=bad for party.
Sxybritguy10: :(
Kickass43: they say they dont care about security issues. like NOW they feel safe. who made them feel safe? not Kerry. kerry is an uber douche. I’m way hotter than he is man.
Sxybritguy10: You were so the better candidate
Kickass43: yeah I know. they re-elect me then they ditch me
Sxybritguy10: sux
Kickass43: wat up wit u?
Sxybritguy10: k with chicks. rock stars help. :)
Kickass43: don’t have em. xcept gene simmons. chicks dont like him. got toby keith. he rocks with reel guys. and soldiers.
Sxybritguy10: touché. need sum of dat. guys think Im gay.
Kickass43: LOL. its ur accent…
Sxybritguy10: duh. everyone speaks like that over here. and in my campaign the press got a pic of me in my speedo.
Kickass43: that sux man, its like whoa. my campaign tends to b more negative. tho rite now I NEED people to think Im gay.
Sxybritguy10: guys think its poncy to care bout africa aids global warming. they dont like that sh**
Kickass43: poncy???
Sxybritguy10: gay
Kickass43: cool. as in poncy marriage? poncy rights? I like this. poncy poncy poncy!
Sxybritguy10: :rolls eyes: dont try it
Kickass43: y r u so good with ladies?
Sxybritguy10: they think i care
Kickass43: like i dont
Sxybritguy10: they think u dont care bout wat they care bout
Kickass43: like wat
Sxybritguy10: education healthcare sos
Kickass43: thats ttl sh**
Sxybritguy10: mayb but thats wat they think. u scare them
Kickass43: they like laura
Sxybritguy10: use her more
Kickass43: duh
Sxybritguy10: so how can i get guys 2 like me?
Kickass43: lose the accent
Sxybritguy10: seriously
Kickass43: hang with me at the prom
Sxybritguy10: u mean at gleneagle? the G8????
Kickass43: lets go shoot whatever u shoot there. foxes right? u guys r sick bastards. u cant even eat fox
Sxybritguy10: foxes r illegal now. its grouse
Kickass43: k. whatever. and make fun of the french guys. what ttl losers. They r so lame. They r like—wat wuz that word
Sxybritguy10: try poncy
Kickass43: they carry handbags. end of story.
Kickass43: so wanna chill at G8?
Sxybritguy10: er gotta hang with geldof.
Kickass43: ?
Sxybritguy10: rock star africa aids global warming sos
Kickass43: do girls like him?
Sxybritguy10: sort of
Kickass43: so lets hang 2gether bud!
Sxybritguy10: g2g
Kickass43: hey
Kickass43: hey
Kickass43: hey
Kickass43: u there???? hello? thats it. we’re nukeing you…
Kickass43: jk, ilu buddy. u do kno that right?
--with thanks to Mandy Frum, my in-house IM linguist :)

Progress of my Punk Photos/Punk Archive projects

2005-06-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

Progress of my Punk Photos/Punk Archive projects: website (www.jennylens.net), documentaries, books, CDs, etc.

Turned down yet more offers for exhibits of my early, rare, classic punk photos because I'm working on my documentary and book projects. But I want the input/releases of those I shot. I only want to showcase people looking their best and remembering the joy and fun times, but I need your help!

Contact me if you were in a band (performed, managed, wrote, roadie, etc) from NY, London or San Francisco and played in LA, OR called LA your punk home during 1976-1980. Maybe you created fanzines, flyers, danced, hung out, worked at venues, produced shows, etc.

I posted a sample storyboard showcasing the Clash, Lobotomy and Slash. Have a ton more ideas as I work on the interview/storyboard/story list.

People are contacting me to be in my upcoming documentary and books. How about you? Do you know someone from that era or recognize friends or know how to contact people in my photos?

If you don't write me, then your band, your input, your presence won't be in these projects. And your fans, the ones who write me daily for more photos, for books, for docs, will be pissed at you, not me. You want that? Or do you want to be seen in all your youthful glory, acknowledged as the creative pioneers we are?

I update my website more often than the blog, cos I'm so focused on the photos.

June 7: Clash storyboard; June 3: Nerves: June 2: updated Gang of Four. Soon, more Fashions: parties, backstage; Dead Boys (getting lots of requests for them) and Damned playing, partying, at Bomp; Ramones (I know, been promising since January), larger and more Weirdos (ran into John Denney the other night and that was a blast!) and more!

You wanna see photos? http://www.jennylens.net/. I don't have time to re-post hundreds of photos. Plus seeing one at a time loses the impact of being bombarded with image after image, each with its own story. Many detailed historical facts and reflections starting at Jenny Lens interview, including stories from myself and other early punks.

Get the BIG picture at my site: Pieces of the Puzzle: Punk Pioneers, 1976-1980. It's my resource center for fans and scholars for various projects AND to license prints taken by one of the VERY first punk photographers, 1976-1980.

Willy, punk information directory, is posting an informative timeline and notes about the many shows he attended in LA from 1977-1980. From his email to me: "You inspired me to do this by asking for any stories that I might have. That led me to my notes and the series that I'm writing right now."

I am all about encouraging any and all to document their stories, photos and memories! I can't tell you how many emails I get telling me I inspired someone to pick up a camera or guitar or write. That's great! There's no need for envy or name-calling, which still happens too often. Tell YOUR story.

Contact us: For commercial licensing OR if you're planning exhibits, documentaries, books, CD releases, etc and ONLY if you have money. I can't afford to keep giving these photos away! I gotta pay my bills too! For those of you who want personal photos, email me and I promise to post a price list soon!

JENNY STERN is JENNY LENS is JENNY STERN is JENNY LENS. If you dig up publications from1976 to 1978, you'll find many of my pix without my name, someone else's name or Jenny Stern.

Send your punk stories, early punk band info, etc. but click here first!

MY NAME is among 6 photogs credited on the Ramones doc, "End of the Century" as seen on PBS. Yep, the only LA born and raised nice jewish girl is listed between Bob Gruen and Mick Rock. WOW!!

Jewish punks: I want names, including real last names. We are the original punks.

Finally, if I don't answer your email right away, please forgive me. I'm juggling alot of tasks all by myself. I appreciate everything you write!

"A single candle can light a thousand more without diminishing itself." Hillel the Elder (c. 30 B.C.-10 A.D.)

What’s punk today?

2005-05-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

I’ve been receiving a lot of emails from young punk rockers who first saw my photos in “We Got the Neutron Bomb” (Three Rivers Press) and recently found my website, www.jennylens.net. They tell me they wish their friends were like those in my site or wish they were around when I shot the photos and to experience what I write beneath the photos and in my Stories section. As Joe Strummer said: “You can’t spend too much time in the past. It’s like treacle, your shoes stick in it and drags you down.” Quote from the documentary “Let’s Rock Again” by Dick Rude.

So let’s talk about living in the present. Imagine being in my shoes when at an art opening/party, a DJ who thinks it's perfectly fine to stop in the middle of song and then play another song, cos that's what makes him so cool. He rents a space and charges people to listen (rarely dancing), drink and see art (a big scene in LA), and has the nerve to tell me he's punk cos he puts on his own shows. He guarantees I will like his music once I listen to it cos his former girlfriend was into punk and she liked his shit. Yeah, right.

Glad people are putting on their shows, but it takes more than that to be punk. The DJ wanted to show my pix but I wanted to burn CDs of the music behind the pix, but then he wouldn't DJ and his pride got hurt. But just as I hate my photos to be cropped wrong, I can't stand anyone spinning part of a Clash song and then some lame song and then part of something else and then part of X and just when a fave part is coming ‘round the bend, on to another song. What happens to storytelling when you do that? What happens when you only play part of a song? Coitus interruptus and that's what it feels like: total frustration. Punks my ass. I don't argue, but encourage them to keep being creative, and that's that.

One big difference between punks now and when I shot (1976-1980), was a lot of people were very, very bright, creative and many were artists, poets, actors, graphic artists, well-read (not just in school, but on their own -- read philosophy, art history), saw early classic movies (not the latest blockbusters and “Star Wars” DOES NOT count as a film classic. I am talking about “Citizen Kane,” film noir, silents, “B” movies, musicals, depression-era gangster pre-code films, Hollywood’s golden era and throw in some foreign films), many had gone or were going to college (I had advanced art degrees) and were very politically aware and outspoken.

That's the alarming part about today's society and youth, a result of the dumbing down of our culture by the government, beginning when Reagan was governor of CA, to gain control over society, keep the citizens and residents dumb and scared. And today's youth, especially the ones who should be taking to the streets over political issues, are zoned out lemmings. Yet they are the first to die in the wars our government is waging, whether in Iraq or from illegal abortions, which may soon be the new reality -- welcome to the '60's again. They should be making music and art to scare, rattle and remake the establishment to save their own damned skin! A lot of artists and musicians who came of age, as I did, during the turbulent '60's are saying the same as I. And that makes it rough for those who write, cos their contemporaries sleepwalk, the result of too much television, junk food, booze and coffee. Hey, I’m no square, I love to drink, but never when it gets in the way of creating.

But with the net, you can reach out and find a few here and there and make your own community. Or keep trying where you live. Never give up and always fight the good fight. Punk is not dead, and whether or not you are punk, you create your own future, but it’s hard work, requires sacrifice, focus, and did I mention hard work? There are some amazing things going on via the net, hook up with people and make a scene where you live. Don’t live on the computer, use it wisely and get out where people know what it’s like to be alive and take risks!

I am immersed in a controversy with a rock mag involved in many aspects of hot happening culture. I should have written them about covering my photos, cos I bet they would have jumped at it. But they wrote some anti-Semitic comments and I calmly and rationally wrote them about it and one of the co-founders accused me of being anti-Semitic. It’s all very funny and sad at the same time. I don’t have time to take on the world, but when a rad rock mag accuses Tel Aviv of promoting terrorism, well, that pushes too many buttons cos their readers are impressionable and naïve young people. We can’t rely on the regular press for fair coverage, our schools won’t touch it, so why add fuel to the flame and make even more people hate Jews all in the name of fun punk rock – that was their excuse, they are punk. Since when did punk promote anti-Semitism?

Yeah, even I wore swastika earrings for 10 minutes and have lots of pix of Jewish punks wearing swastikas in 1977, but not later. Oh, the founder of the rock mag told me there are no Jewish punks. Hmm, wonder what all the Jews who have written me about my Jewish punk page would say? Since when does someone have the right to tell me whether or not we are Jewish punks? Where the hell does he get off saying that shit? Oh yeah, he’s punk, he knows. Anyway, none of us would wear it today because people wouldn’t get it. We were trying to shock people, whereas today, with the rise of hate crimes and anti-Semitism, it’s totally out of line. And we soon realized that and it was a short-lived fad.

So is it punk to alienate a potentially important ally in getting my photos and stories out there just cos they wrote a couple of comments that deeply offended, hurt and bothered me? It's not as if I'm a practicing Jew. The Jewish community and I hold no love for each other, closer to contempt. But no Jew can forget the Holocaust where people were murdered no matter whether or not they embraced Judaism -- they were born Jews and that's why they died.

How about Farrah Faucet-Minor: "she had to leave Los Angeles, she started to hate the niggers and Jews" was about me and my fellow Jews. [sorry about the usage of "niggers," but I am quoting the X's song and Farrah's terminology]. Farrah screamed in my face that "Hitler was right, all Jews should be burned." I rather burn my bridges with that rock mag than be burned, or as Elvis Costello sang "they'll never make a lampshade outta me." Of course he wasn't talking about Jews (his feeling about Jews is not something I'm gonna print), but how many of you know that the skin of Jews was used to make lampshades by Nazis? So who's more punk: me for standing up to them or them for thinking they are so punk by what they wrote? Guess it depends upon what side of the street you're on. And they are a rad, fun, cool mag, except ... and don't ask me for details. I will never disclose which mag. Moving on ...

OK, that’s just a few thoughts about what’s punk. I could go on and on, but don’t wanna bore you. What do you think?

Punk collages posted, more Masque too

2005-04-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Posted nearly 40 collages last night. They are parts of a few larger photo collages. The Germs have 3 (in their entirety, cos they are smaller, 11 x 14 or something like that), a new section called Collages has about 35. I don't have a link to the black and white ones yet, it's always something! The color isn't great res, but it's temporary til I post the individual images. Gives you an idea of what I've got.

Today: flyers from fan clubs for the Ramones, Screamers and Mumps. Poste some in X section, signed set lists and song books. Trying to get some archival material up, along with my photos, but it takes a long time to dig them up, scan and format for net.

Beautiful day, feel the ocean breeze and the only reason I live in expensive Santa Monica. I always say if I lived eastside, I'd go out every night with my friends, and never get any work done. It's my rationalization for being stuck out here. So back to it!

Oh yeah, a close pal recognized a photo of mine being sold on a site. If you see any of my pix out there, please let me know! Thanks!

X, more Masque soon . . . dreams

2005-04-09T10:48:00.000-07:00

Been trying to post since Thursday night, sorry about delay, but Blogger server errors.

Posted X Wednesday, with some flyers, signed set lists and pages from their song books.

Spent 3.5 hours talking to archivist/musician/writer David Jones and showing him Masque, Germs, Bomp and Blondie at hotel party shots on Thursday. We found shots I missed and need to post. I zoomed in more than usual and we found Black Randy and Jeffrey Lee Pierce at Bomp, which blew our minds. I understand Randy cos he was tight with Screamers, who were there [and I must post those Screamers shots, just amazing, I need to post about twice as many Screamers as I have up already], but to find Jeffrey in the crowd made me scream! I wrote lots of notes and need to transcribe them tonight to go back and upload them. We had a blast sharing stories and looking at pix.

I pulled out a pile of notes that I created whenever I sent photos out in the ‘70’s. I either hand-wrote or typed them, with great detail. A typewritten note from the late Alan Betrock, founder of “New York Rocker,” one of the first American fanzines, was on top. A hand-written note on pink paper was from Kris Needs, then with Zig Zag. I just read last night he and a former lover, Johnny Green, wrote another Clash book, a tribute to Joe. I started to cry realizing I was in touch with Kris! I cried as I read detailed lists of so many color slides sent out, never to be seen again. I really worked hard to promote early punk. Some were published, but no tear sheets, no record covers were sent to me and I didn’t have time nor money or ability to find them all, cos some were foreign. No evidence. I wrote letters begging to be paid. I laughed reading some of my comments. Kris Needs wrote me, after I submitted photos to him. And to think I’ve never sent out any of my Clash shots . . . I could cry but I have no time nor energy to waste. I gotta scan and post some of them. Amazing insight into my record-keeping. Now if I only put dates and locations on negs and slides, cos I spend half my time trying to figure that out these days.

I wanted to pull a few unmounted slides of the Germs at Larchmont Hall, a benefit for Slash mag. I couldn’t find them but found some unmounted slides at the Masque Benefit at Elk’s Lodge. I threw them on the light table and told David to tell me what he found cos I had to go to the bathroom. He told me to take a look. I had two shots of the Randoms, but with Joe Ramirez on bass, not John Doe. David and I had spoken/emailed a few days ago about the fact I didn’t recall the Randoms playing that benefit and doubt if I shot them. Looks like I shot most of the bands after all.

I shot tons and tons of amazingly incredible fashion and fun shots! I will never forget shooting those two nights and how much fun I had taking off-stage shots. I remember and am familiar with most of those, but haven’t looked closely at the negs. Need to scan them. Later I found the Germs shots, but I always say that while trying to find one thing, I find others. It’s a constant surprise. And we realized the Randoms probably played the last official night of the Masque spontaneously. David pointed out the bass John was using Peter Case’s bass cos the Nerves played before them. I said, let’s look at the drums, which belonged to Paul Collins of the Nerves. Then I said I wonder if they didn’t even plan on playing as they weren’t on the bill. I gotta write Rand McNally and pick his brain about that! So I have shots of the only two times they played.

Wednesday morning I dreamt of men, swimming in the ocean, food and booze. Geez! I gotta make some money so I can live like other people. Til then, I only dream! That is so funny!

Indie 103.1 playing “gimme gimme this, gimme gimme thaaaat!” Can't get away from the Germs! I should have some more Masque shots up by Sunday at the latest.

Then it's the Ramones, and that won't be done til next week. ENJOY!!

Posted Clash and Devo today, Germs and the Masque yesterday!

2005-04-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

So what do I think about and write about while sorting, scanning, resizing, labeling and writing captions for hundreds of shots? This blog is about sharing that process and to turn everyone onto the photos, great music and a window into the early days of punk. Most of this text is taken from emails and stories/interviews I've posted on my site. But mostly from emails with some extra explanations for those of you new to my world, floating from one topic to another, not linear, just connected by art, music and friends.

Rosemarie called today and said I must really be deep into this. I told her about my Germs and Masque photos, how I had no idea what wonderful sequences and stories were on my negs. I had to post more than I planned. The first Germs photo session flows like a silent movie comedy.

The Masque shots drew me in as if for the first time. I only shot the Masque about 4 times, but I wandered around and shot everywhere. I still have to post some outside shots and one of the stairwell, but they need to be re-scanned. There's always more to do. But the whole process of figuring out dates and names of all my negs is quite over-whelming and exhausting. But the treasures I am digging up makes the process worthwhile.

My days/evenings ("days change into night, change in an instant" from X's "Los Angeles") are spent in alone in my work room, singing along with great CDs, listening to Jonesy's Jukebox on Indie 103.1, emails to and from friends, phone calls, checking world news and then, amazingly, some photos get posted. I'm itchin' to get out, go to art openings, old movies -- I may give up a Greta Garbo festival at UCLA because of this work and that really sucks. I love her so and it's been years since I've seen her on the big screen. Hey, she was listed as #8 of the top 50 movie stars of all time in the new Premiere mag. Also my fave male, Jimmy Cagney. Some people are timeless. But art requires sacrifice. I just can't wait to see these photos big and up on walls.

I really need a big space to show these. I want to see every vivid detail in clothing, makeup, environment, expressions and body language that I caught. This is truly eye candy. "The girl with the camera eye"* indeed. I had no idea! I just want to watch people's faces and hear what they have to say! Amazing stuff. *[Patti Smith called me that from the stage at LA's Roxy, November, 1976].

I have this strong faith that if I do the hard work, the money will flow, cos I am stone broke. If not, my archive and I will be on the streets, so I try not to think about that and just forge ahead. I truly had no idea the incredible photos I took. I was so clueless. It's like writing a lot of songs in your sleep, but talking out loud into a tape recorder. Then years later you pull out the tapes and your mouth drops cos you can't believe you created really memorable, marketable songs, but you can't quite recall even doing it and wonder how the heck you came up with them. I know I took tons of pix, but no idea they were this good, from both historical and artistic perspectives. I am constantly amazed . . .

Check out my Masque section. I cropped the heck outta them to fit the small space, but wow, when I can print these full size, one will get an amazing sense of what the Masque was about. Every photo shows a different wall, corner, ceiling, people. Amazing stuff. Far more than I remember. I truly feel people will be blown away by the Masque stuff. No one has ever published so many shots from so many angles. That place was quite a maze!

I finally posted a few Clash and various Devo today. Ah the Clash, still so many to sort through. I misplaced my Devo negs about a year ago but managed to pull together a few with help from my pal Michael. I have some incredible shots when Slash mag threw a party for Devo! That will be in a few weeks. The whole history of early LA punk in parties, at X's apt, at Slash, various places. And fashion . . . so much to do.

But now, a beer, "Gilmore Girls," the new Rolling Stone article about children of rock stars. I gotta get away from the computer for awhile. I haven't been able to sleep without thinking of this work for weeks.

Todos Somos Ramones: We Are All Ramones

2005-04-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

"Todos Somos Ramones," an amazing 2 CD tribute set from Argentina. "We are all Ramones." I wrote this to Mariano Asch, the man who put this together and used a few of my pix, http://www.rwyrcds.com.ar/. The color shot on the back is mine, but he put my credit too low and it was cut off. Of all the shots submitted, Tommy Ramone chose mine. Look at my home page and you'll see the shots Spin chose for to honor the passing of Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny. I shot them the very first time they came to the West Coast and for awhile thereafter. These CDs are amazing and I guarantee you will love them!

The more I listen, and the louder I play these 2 CDs, which have been non-stop since I finally put them in my 200 CD carousel, the more I love them. You should be very proud of this!! Are you releasing this in the USA?? All the bands not only love the Ramones, but they improvise on the lyrics and music. They really ran with it and it's the results are amazing. I agree, Joey and Dee Dee and Johnny would LOVE this!!! Hearing how people from around the world interpreted their songs, with such energy, inventiveness, passion, and humor. I rarely am proud to be associated with projects, but this is too great!!! I like the music better than the layout, but I warned you I am picky about how my pix or other pix are used.

Fave songs: "Questioningly"and "I can't make it on time" are beautiful and touching, so poignant, wise and sad. These covers improved on the original, gave it more depth by slowing them down, adding a few instruments to flesh them out. Real poetry, the kind of thoughts that Joni Mitchell sang in "Blue." She gets all the raves about writing senstive songs and the Ramones are still thought of as fast comic book characters.

"Somebody like me" -- "I'm just a guy who likes to dress punk." Love it! Cos he does much more than dress punk, he lives it. I relate this to a whole lot more than "what a girl wants." I like to dress punk and live my life on my own terms.

"Somebody put something in my drink." That may be my all time fave Ramones song. It's so Dee Dee and Joey -- they had a hard time with reality even straight. I love the way Joey sings it and I totally agree: "I don't drink anything colored pink!!" I hate fruit juice in booze. And I love: "I can't think, bartender get me a drink." He's hallucinating as is, so does he eat or sit down? No, he wants to drink even more. Just classic. The epitome of what punk is about.

"Cretin Hop" is so darned funny. It sounds like people who have been inbreeding for too long, which is one of the ways cretins are born. Too many recessive genes passed along too few people and voila, cretins! So hillbilly. Just BRILLIANT.

"Something to believe in"!!! I love that song anyway, but they made it sound like some Carpenters song without voices. Brilliant.

All the songs not in English, especially one that sounds like it's in German: "KKK Took My Baby Away" is too fucking funny. I love the harsh sounds when they sing. I also love the ones in English with the Spanish accents. Reminds me of Arturo [Vega, their art director and whom I always considered the 5th Ramone].

"Chainsaw" is great, have no idea what language. It's fast, energetic and fun. "Havana Affair" is funny and the drummer is wonderful, and they play what sounds like an organ. A lot of the songs have organ sounds and love it, whereas I usually hate organ!

"Touring" is a new one to me and growing on me.

"Judy is a Punk" a great update to Sheena.

Ah, they spell SLUG really strangely, sounds like a-s-a-l-u-g or some other letters added in. Dan Kessel produced the first version of that.

"53rd and Third" sounds very scary - he's a dude I would not want to be alone with, oooh, he's exciting and scary. The kind of guy good girls are attracted to, but risk getting cut up with really raw rough sex, really hurting her, but that's the only way he gets off. Ouch.

"Go Home Ann" cos I never heard it before. I just got the whole Rhino catalog last week (they sent it to be for using pix), so it's a great new song to me. I love that he's so honest with her. Sometimes sex is just sex.

"Planet Earth" is amazing, but did the Ramones write that too? So unlike them. Very prophetic.

I don't like some of the songs cos I just don't like them. "Danny Says" is not a fave, as much as I love Danny Fields. "She talks to rainbows" is best by Joey, cos he would go for a whacked girl like that. Always wanting the unattainable one. "Elevator operator" is child-like. I don't go for those sappy love songs -- "met her at the Burger King." Oh gawd help me if I ever fall for someone I meet there!

Gabba gabba hey. Get this or stay in the darkness. It will grow on you.