Saturday, November 29, 2014

Mighty Manfred Jones: A Day in the Life of a Rock 'n' Roller



It was an honor spending the day with the Professor of Rock n' Roll. His affable nature and incredible knowledge of music made an ordinary day filled with a few chores and errands extremely enjoyable and educational. One look at his selection of 45's in his jukebox and I knew I was gonna be schooled!

Manfred's weekly show on Little Steven's Underground Garage on SiriusXM Satellite Radio has been going strong since 2005. Sharing his passion and knowledge makes the world a better place and with almost 10 years under his belt, the kids agree.

This musicologist is a performers performer. As the lead singer in the legendary band The Woggles, Manfred has been leading the charge to keep Rock n' Roll sizzling hot with nonstop energy that is infectious and entertaining. Originally hailing from Atlanta, The Woggles have been serving their special sauce of straight up 6T's rock n' roll with a large helping of rhythm 'n' blues since 1987. The Woggles recently played at The Redwood in Los Angeles and once again gave their audience a thrill ride throughout their entire set. Check it out here!

I am please to present to you this photographic essay on Mighty Manfred Jones: A Day in the Life of a Rock 'n' Roller.

Julie Pavlowski Green
November 29, 2014
















Saturday, November 22, 2014

Wild Animals from The Mask Series


"Wild Animals No. 1"  from The Mask Series

We all relate to wild animals, perhaps even long for their freedom, their instincts, their magnetism. These characteristics are continually referenced in relation to our human attributes and experiences. Even though we have years of evolution between us, a bit of wild animal still remain inside us all.

When I presented my bag of masks for this pair of lovely ladies to choose from, they immediately gravitated towards a Tiger and a Zebra. It was interesting to observe their selection, since they already seemed to me to contain the very same animal characteristics. 

I found this pack of wild animals roaming the hallways in The Gold Coast Hotel in Las Vegas and their ferocious style caught the eye of the hotel security guard who tried desperately to fend off their attack!

Wild Animals is the 8th set of images from The Mask Series I created over a 2 year period. As always, 2 limited edtion prints are available to purchase through my Etsy store


Grrrrrr,

Julie Pavlowski Green
November 22, 2014



 



"Wild Animals No. 2"  from The Mask Series


"Wild Animals No. 3"  from The Mask Series
"Wild Animals No. 4"  from The Mask Series

"Wild Animals No. 5"  from The Mask Series


Saturday, November 15, 2014

Art Girl


I was recently asked by The Love One, an amazing vintage clothing store in Old Town Pasadena, to participate in their blog post "The Art Girl Within Us". The blog featured photographs by the lovely Ms. Emily Alben and focused on four women involved in the Arts: a painter, a photographer, a curator and a critic. We all donned our favorite items of clothing we had purchased from their store which revealed our taste not only in fashion but in the visual mediums we worked in.

It was quite a different experience for me to be on the other side of the lens. Emily was a true professional and guided me effortlessly through various scenarios she visualized for the piece. I can't say I am a shy person, being a lead singer in several rock and roll bands in the past has left their indelible mark on me, but when it comes to photography, I am usually the one in charge. It was actually a very freeing experience and we had loads of fun.

The following series of photographs was taken in my home, where I threw open the doors to my inner sanctum all in the name of Art! I was honored to be a part of this project and to be featured along with three amazing ladies who not only have a burning passion for Art but know how to look great creating!

For all you Art Girls out there,

Julie Pavlowski Green
November 15, 2014






Saturday, November 8, 2014

Coo Coo for The Crazy Squeeze

What do you get when you combine sexy, snarling vocals with crunchy, catchy riffs that make you beg for more? The Crazy Squeeze! LA's own has talent for days. With Johnny Witmer and Frankie Delmane upfront on guitars and vocals, Dat T. Ngo on bass and Johnny Sleeper on drums, you know when these boys get on stage, their gonna bring you just what you want! I recently caught up with these harbingers of Gunk Wave at their local malt shop and the following interview gives us a little peek inside their world. 

Your gonna go coo coo for The Crazy Squeeze,


Julie Pavlowski Green
November 8, 2014

JULIE PAVLOWSKI GREEN: Why The Crazy Squeeze? 
FRANKIE DELMANE: Because that is exactly what the world seems to be, a Crazy Squeeze.

JOHNNY WITMER: …because it doesn’t always fit, easily…

JOHNNY SLEEPER: Why not?? Has a nice ring to it and I like Jules Holland.

JPG: How did the band form? 

FD: Johnny Witmer & Johnny Sleeper formed the band with 2 other members, then their guitarist left, so I jumped in, and then we switched out two more bass players until we got Dat Ngo!

JW: Johnny Sleeper and I had a band called The 10’rs with Francois (Motorcycle Boy), and Jimmy Greco (Pro Skater). We played around town live for about a year, and a half, recorded a few songs. Once that fizzled out, Sleeper and I kept going. We picked up Frankie about a year into it, and that’s the best thing we ever did…

JS: Out of the ashes of a project that Witmer and I were a part of. We decided to continue on and get new people and new songs.

DAT T. NGO: I was asked to join after Chris B left the group. John saw me play with my other band Shiteland Ponies one night and said I was his first choose for the group. I still have my band Shiteland.


JPG: What is the bands discography?

FD: Since 2012 (our year zero- we were just warming up prior to the LP)- one full length LP, self titled debut, and two singles- "Gimmie A Kiss" and "Younger Girl," to be followed shortly by a third, double A sided single "Red Rosie/To The Lonely Ones."

JW: Gimme A Kiss/ I Need A Witness 7” (Rapid Pulse/ No Front Teeth) 2011, The Crazy Squeeze LP/CD (Vinyl Dog) 2012, The Crazy Squeeze LP (Wanda Records Germany) 2012, Younger Girl/Terminal Love 7” (Rapid Pulse/ No Front Teeth) 2013, To The Lonely Ones/ Red Rosie (Pure Punk Records Italy) 2014.

JS: Gimmie a Kiss 7inch/Younger Girl 7inch/ Full Lenth LP/Red Rosie 7inch.

JPG: Where did you grow up and how did that influence the music you play today? 

FD: I grew up in both Chicago Heights, Illinois and Portland, Oregon- which influenced me in the way I approach music most certainly- meaning- I love a good, solid hard rock riff ride- tight, compact, well constructed ala Cheap Trick and Stooges, but also love gnarly, nasty, over driven, punk slathered garage rock and like Dead Moon, The Wipers, Poison Idea- which simply connects both locales together and describes my personal approach. Plus, I bonded with Johnny Witmer on our love affair with pub rock and English punk- which was a big thing for me in the NW when I was there.

JW: I grew up in North East Ohio, and was definitely influenced by the snotty vocals harder guitar sound of Dead Boys & Pagans, but also love the rockabilly of The Cramps, and the weird art stuff like Devo…

JS: Orange County CA and Idaho. There was no music scene in Idaho at that time. I had to pretty much make my own, which I did. Had bands.. did backyard shows, had police shut down said shows. This idea and spirit has always stayed with me.

DTN: I was born in Vietnam and grew up in Freson till I moved to LA in 1991. Music influences are all from the the people I have met along the way!


JPG: What is your favorite song by The Crazy Squeeze?

FD: "Nasty"- because I wrote it and sing it!! Hahahahaha-. I'd say I love "All Lies" for the song Johnny wrote and sings- I think that song is one of my very favorites to perform.

JW: I love ‘em all for different reasons, but Younger Girl, and To The Lonely Ones stand out for me. Frankie sings both, and he’s bad ass.

JS: I like the new songs on this new single a lot.

DTN: "Boys Are Gonna Be Here Soon" is my favorite song by The Crazy Squeeze! Sounds like a teenage anthem!

JPG: What has been the craziest gig The Crazy Squeeze has played?

FD: Hmmm- well they are all insane to a certain degree, and if I reveal the insanity a lot of people would be incriminated- but I will venture to say a show we played once where people in the front were literally beating each other up while we were playing. I saw two girls smack the shit out of each other while we were rocking, and they seemed to be loving it. Now THAT's crazy. 

JW: Any show when Anthony Wilkins gets kicked out…

JS: They are all crazy. Getting Frankie there on time is part of the craziness.


JPG: How did you meet Asia Muka and how is she involved with the band?

FD: We LOVE Asia, she helps with promoting and managing the band (we are slightly stubborn control freaks, so managing us is an open ended prospect). She has been a great supported and her enthusiasm and excitement are always welcome and infectious.

JW: Asia is our main squeeze, for sure. She booked us at her Club Romper Stomper about 5 years ago, and has been one of our biggest champions ever since. She’s gotten our music in the hands/ ears of cool radio people all over the world. She does a guest appearance on our song Red Rosie.

JS: Asia has always been very supportive!!

JPG: What other bands have you been in?

FD: Teenage Frames. I have other, various bands floating around- Secret Lovers, The Wicked Wicked Ways, etc- but nothing quite like The Crazy Squeeze.

JW: The Stitches, Motorcycle Boy, The 10’ors.

JS: The Beatles, Rolling stones, Disneyland New Orleans Square Jazz Quartet.

DTN: Bands in the past are The Napoleon Blownaparts, The Lonley Planet Boys, The Superbees, Distortion Felix, The Neurotics, Donita Sparks and The Stellar Moments and a few others.

JPG: How was it working with the Producer Jerry Andrews and how did that come about?

FD: I love working with Jerry. He understands where we are coming from. He also likes to smoke tons of weed with me, and loves The Damned as much as we do.

JW: At the beginning of The Crazy Squeeze, I was hanging out a lot with Billy from The Humpers. Jerry was his good friend, and when it came time to do our LP Jerry was into it. He’s been producing and recording since he was a kid, and was working for Universal at the time of our record. He’s got an ultimate set of tools, and is a great collaborator.

JS: We liked his apartment.


JPG: The energy and stage presence of each band member is quite a force to be reckoned with. Is it easy to collaborate?

FD: Our collaborations are the easiest I have ever been involved with. I am a chronic songwriter, so I always have stuff to bring in, and the other guys have no shortage of ideas to enhance, improve, and accelerate those initial song structures, as well as writing stuff themselves. It is actually so fluid that i don't think there is a song we've written in which we struggled to get it finished- I've probably been wasted for many of those sessions, it's that much fun.

JW: Collaborating is the most effortless thing in the world for us. If you’re not playing music with your friends, you’re definitely doing something wrong…

DTN: Working with the band is very laid back. We have lots of fun at rehearsal and on stage!

JPG: Johnny Sleeper is leaving to concentrate on No Silver Bird. Who is going to replace him on drums?

FD: We have many pending options. We are just playing with a bunch of drummers at the moment to find the right one. Remember- after Tory Crimes bailed out of The Clash it took then 200 drummers to find Topper- and though I feel we may have found ours recently- I am not revealing names at this point- unless Witmer feels the need to share that info.

JW: The last few shows we had David S Fields (from Prima Donna) filling in, and he’s doing a fabulous job. We auditioned Shaun Clark (from UK bands The Gaggers /Miscalculations/Los Pepes) a few weeks ago. He kicked so much ass, but he's still living in London at the moment. He does have a wife, that lives in LA , so hopefully he’ll move here in 2015…

JS: A hologram of Karen carpenter.


JPG: You have a new 7" coming out on Pure Punk Records in Italy. Tell us about it.

FD: Ah- the double A side- as all our singles are-It's a super hit song!!! An anthem for the lonely ones, the other song a masturbatory classic.

JW: 2 songs we recorded earlier this year at Laundry Room here in LA. Jerry Andrews did the mixing. Frankie sings 1 side, and I sing the other. Early reviews say it’s some of our best stuff so far.

JS: Sounds delicious.

JPG: Tell us a story about workin' with Honest John Plain, from The Boys, on the track "Terminal Love" from your debut album.

FD: Oh man, working with Honest John was very cool. Great guy, great guitar tone, it was just cool to hang out with him. We are big fans of Boys UK.

JW: We backed up Honest John for a few shows in 2009. We had just started recording our LP around that time, and were already dong a cover of Terminal Love in our live set. We got really drunk at The Pike in Long Beach, and decided to mosey on over to the studio down the street to add his guitar part. He was a genius in the studio. He asked Jerry if he had any booze, and Jerry handed John a bottle of rum. He took a big gulp, and then laid down his guitar part in minutes…


JPG: Denim or leather? 

FD: Both. Depends on which bar, what city, top or bottom.

JW: Yes.

JS: Polyester.

DTN: LEATHER!

JPG: When is your next gig?

JW: Next Gig is at Café Nela in January with The Humpers.

JS: Karen Carpenter hologram is warming up.





Saturday, November 1, 2014

Sun Shadows

"Griffith Observatory, No. 1" 2014


Lately I have been capturing and creating what I call Sun Shadows. I have been particularly drawn to photographing shadows cast by railings and the geometric patterns they make while interacting with staircases. The steps break the bold shadows into repetitive patterns which create a lovely abstract arrangement. As I changed their color profile to greyscale, the images began to flatten out from 3 dimensional lines, into a 2 dimensional plane. If you can remove the initial recognition of the object and let the abstract shapes wash over you, you may begin to see what I mean. 

The images are constructed from a form built out of a functional object. Only the change in scale and frequency of lines give the illusion of the image receding, reminiscent of the De Stijl or Neo-plasticism artistic movement that came out of the Netherlands in 1917. Although I'm sure they would have disapproved of symmetry and use of the non-primary color Orange in some of these works, I had their concepts in the back of my mind while shooting these images. 

I enjoy their vision of creation using only the most simplified compositions in strong basic colors (see my love of them in "Primary Colors: A Love Affair")  juxtaposed in black and white. Very clear and clean, an obvious reaction to the horrors of WWI they had just experience and a desire to get back to a harmonious and structured society. 

One of my favorite things in Art is discovery. Finding a new perspective or element in a piece of work, something that takes awhile to reveal itself, is thrilling for me. As I mentioned in my earlier piece "Getting Lost In The Supermarket", figuring out the deception is as fun as a puzzle but comes in second only to the enjoyment I derive from the discovery of the deception after I have been observing the object for a period of time. I think I have successfully created a few discoveries in this series and look forward to following the sun to round this series out in the future.


The Shadow knows!

Julie Pavlowski Green

November 1, 2014

"Griffith Observatory, No. 2" 2014


"Griffith Observatory, No. 3" 2014


"South West Museum, No. 1" 2014


"Carmel Valley, No. 1" 2014


"Griffith Observatory, No. 4" 2014

"Griffith Observatory, No. 5" 2014


"Griffith Observatory, No. 6" 2014