Saturday, February 22, 2014

Kina Cochina: A Day in the Life of a Rock 'n' Roller

Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go

"Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll" by Chuck Berry is a classic song that is timeless, tough and straight to the point. So is Kina Cochina. Kina is an original and a wild card - smart, sassy and a rock n' roller at heart. I first met Kina 15 years ago when I moved down to Los Angeles. We became fast friends the moment we met, her wit was so sharp and her bullshit radar was so fine tuned.

Kina started playing drums at 11 and stuck with the skins until she was 17. Having taken some dance classes while still in high school at CalArts, Kina started going to all age dance clubs in Hollywood. She eventually met up with the band Devil who asked her to Go-Go dance on stage with them in the early 90's. Playing with a lot of LA punk and rock and roll bands, Kina was schooled early on and got to do shows with the likes of The Palladins, T.S.O.L., The Dickies, X, The Dwarves and Pearl Harbour being backed up with members of Dr. Know.

Performing as a Go-Go dancer for Devil for 3 years, Kina moved on to dancing for The Bomboras for 2 1/2 years, The Orphics (with Steve Perkins from Jane's Addiction on drums) for 6 years and then danced for The Lords of Altamont for over 13 years. On top of dancing while bands were playing, Kina performed at a multitude of clubs from Cherry, Makeup, Velvet and Meow Mix West to Bang, El Rey, Ivan Kane's Deep, Maghreb, Moun of Tunis and Marrakesch.

Kina was involved with The Velvet Hammer early on, which was started by Elvia Lahman and Michelle Carr, where she became lifelong friends with Pleasant Gehman who took her under her wing. Winning Miss Exotic World Pageant in 1999 after taking pointers from none other than Burlesque's own Dixie Evans, Kina found time (!) to tour with The Bomboras, work for Junk and Taaang Records and DJ on KXLU.

Additional shows where she danced included Girly Freakshow, Lucha Vavoom, and The Rock and Roll Strip show, which was put on by Kitten Deville and Myng DynaTease. On top of all of this, Kina found time to become a professional belly dancer, under what she called "Pleasant's Machiavellian ways" and worked at Jumbo's Clown Room for over 8 years!

She was hired to Go-Go dance on tour for the B-52's, The Go-Go's, and a bunch of Peta Star Galas. In her spare time, Kina also played a Fender Rhodes piano bass and percussions in a band called The Soundhead and most recently, ZZ Topless with Catherine Butler from Cameltoe on guitar!

I caught up with Kina at her pad up in Valencia where she graciously allowed me to document her for the day. We took a stroll around her neighborhood and then headed into Hollywood at night to catch The Crazy Squeeze at Sonic Eye's night at Loaded. Then onto an all nighter at the Cretins MC clubhouse, where I left her at midnight to enjoy the wee hours with her pals.

She is making jewelry these days under the name Mata Harly, while her ferret Sad Girl watches on. Although not dancing as much as she did back in the day, Kina will always carry with her the raw energy and passion which comes from walking the talk.

 Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll,

Julie Pavlowski Green
February 22, 2014














Saturday, February 15, 2014

A Visual Tribute to Jack Welpott

Teacher, Mentor, Master Photographer

"Jack Welpott" by Judy Dater

Jack Welpott was one of my most influential teachers who's instruction at San Francisco State University forever influenced my approach to photography. Natural light was the bush in which we painted our portraits and space was to be opened up and explored as a way to expand the perception of dimension within the confines of our medium.

I was lucky enough to have several master photographers at both SFSU and the San Francisco Academy of Art that made lasting impressions on me. Don Worth, Robin Lesser and Steve Harper all provided a different perspective on photography that helped me to progress technically and emotionally. But it was Jack Welpott who I felt understood and nurtured what I was trying to accomplish in my portraits and I will forever be indebted to his instructions on life and photography. I created the image "Delilah" below while attending his classes. It is interesting to note that all 4 of these photographers were also involved in music...

John Gutmann, another master of photography who's book "The Restless Decade" has been a sort of bible of mine, hired Jack to teach photography in the Art Department at what was then called San Francisco State College, back in 1959. Jack was the first to teach photography classes at SFSU which he continued to do for over 30 years. He met his future wife, Judy Dater while she was attending the photography courses there in the 70's.

His biography states that he was a pioneer "in creating both photography courses and a graduate program (at SFSU). He also taught one of the first history of photography courses at the college/university level. While providing a solid basis in photographic technique, Jack always encouraged an appreciation of the master photographers. Also, he integrated the ideas of Carl G. Jung, the Swiss psychoanalyst, into the reading of photographs, especially dreams, symbolism and the unconscious mind. Jack’s educational goal was to determine the needs of the student, provide constructive criticism and help them develop their own vision." 


Recently, I looked him up to find out how he was doing and was sad to hear the news of his death at the age of 84. I have been moved by his passing and wanted to present to you a selection of images I have created that reflect my personal interpretation and inspiration from his teachings of space and light.

To my teacher and mentor, a visual tribute to Master Photographer, Jack Welpott.

Julie Pavlowski Green
February 15, 2014



"Room in Room #3"  2014

"Room in Room #4"  2014

"Delilah" 1989
"Room in Room #1"  1999

"Room in Room #2"  1999




















Saturday, February 8, 2014

Patterns and Tones Turns One!


February 9, 2013

It will be a year ago tomorrow that Patterns and Tones was born and what a year it has been! I started this blog as a way to have a platform to share my photographic archives with the world, as well as to have an opportunity to share stories that hadn't been told. Truth be told, it was also an impetus for me to begin the long haul of digitizing these archives, and bring them into the light of the 21st century.

Since 1985, I've been photographing those I know, love and admire. Fortunately I have a very long roster of kookie, fun, and interesting friends who I have been documenting over the years. I started out as a teenage photographer, and although the evolution of my style, work ethic and tools have changed and grown over the years, it's the exploration of the map of the soul written on each individuals face that continues to fascinate me. That and Rock n' Rollers!

To celebrate this one year anniversary, I thought it appropriate to list the top 10 of YOUR favorite blog posts from this past year. It is evident that the kids want their rock n' roll, and I plan on featuring more musicians in the coming year, continuing with the new series "A Day In The Life Of A Rock n' Roller" and interviewing bands from the past and present.

I'm also starting to send out emails delivered right to your door step, so you can be the first to find out what's new on Patterns and Tones.




Here's to another year,

Julie Pavlowski Green
February 8, 2014



#10

I Used To Be A Fotomat

Coming in at #10 is the very first blog I posted. It is a tale about how I feel in love with photography and my first visit to my local Fotomat.

It seems that I am not alone in my love for these small boxes from the 70's and 80's. The kids continue to view this page every single day.











#9

Dama Thrush: A Rare Bird Indeed

Arriving at #9, my blog on Dama Thrush has drawn a huge crowd to view what may possibly be the only documentation of this band from Southern California who made their way into the hearts of San Franciscans.

The kids get a peek into the shenanigans of these long haired rock n' rollers from the late 80's and what the music scene was like back in the day in San Francisco.







#8

Russell Quan: A San Francisco Treat

Russell Quan was the first Rock n' Roller up for a Patterns and Tones interview.

Along with an in depth interview on boogers, shakes and fries, I share some rare images I have taken of Russell and his bands over the years. The kids continue to visit this blog post and make it stand proudly at #8!



#7

The Imperial Butt Wizards

There is no surprise that this band would intrigue readers to visit this blog post and hits the top ten at #7.

You are served a smörgasbord of never before seen images I shot and an interview with several members who shared their insight into this band of very talented and creative musicians.



#6

Asia Muka: A Day In The Life of a Rock n' Roller

Just recently posted, this photo essay on this passionate promoter of rock n' roll is already in the top ten at #6.

This series has just begun and is already a hit with the kids around the world, as is evident with the number of views it gets every day!




#5

Rockin' Jelly Bean: ロックンロールペンとインクを満たしている!

Japan's legendary illustrator, amazing musician and all around great guy Rockin' Jelly Bean comes in at #5.

An anthology of his work will be released later this year and will contain several of the images seen here in this interview.











#4

Pearl Harbour: She's a Blast!

When you look up the word cool, you'll find a picture of this amazing lady in the dictionary!

Pearl Harbour is simply thee best and the interview she gave me along with photographs I have taken of her over the years have been a daily source of interest to fans around the world.












#3

Soundcheck with The Jim Jones Revue

Not surprisingly, this unbelievably talented band came in at #3.

Daily traffic to this photo essay on their sound check I documented on the 2nd day of 2014 continually pours in every day.





#2

Smutty Smith: One Kool Kat

Coming in at # 2 is Mr. Smiff himself. Constant traffic is looking up the interview I did with this amazing Rockabilly Legend and the photo series we produced throughout England.













#1

Cameltoe

Perhaps the #1 blog that I have posted is due to the fact that people are searching this word more often than the word Jesus! But I'm convinced it sees more traffic due to the fact that very little has been written about this band from San Francisco.

The interview along with unseen memorabilia is a rare treat and reveals the long history of this (almost) all girl band from the Bay Area, the first band I was in!













Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Color Palette of Winter

Crisp, bitting wind. Branches stripped bare. Low lying fog draping from the trees like spanish moss. It's winter time and for most of the world, it is cold and barren. Winter contains muted, reflective, subtle color. It's as if nature has dialed down the loud hues which bursts forth in Spring and Summer and contains them to conserve heat. Tinted neutrals dot the landscape, snow transforms the landscape into simplistic shapes.

Winter strips elemental shades down to their basic elements, giving us a more subdued coloration of the natural world. Cool, deep, clear blues team up with fresh, pure, flawless whites. Yellows, reds and oranges bend down to a more earthly hue, their tonal ranges being a counterpoint to the cooler tones that wash the world in a colder shade.

The ever present green in natures' backyard maintains its strength but stands solemnly in a backdrop of solitude and contemplation. It is winter time again and as we wade through the wash of color that paints a more subtle palette, it gives us time to reflect and go inside ourselves and rejuvenate our energies for the coming Spring.

Julie Pavlowski Green
February 1, 2014