Saturday, October 27, 2018

Recent Covers - The Mr. T Experience



Another recent cover that includes photography I shot is on this new compilation from my favorite Bay Area punks - The Mr. T Experience. "Shards" Volume Two - Pieces of The Mr. T Experience 1985-1999 is an amazing collection out on Sounds Rad Records. Like Volume I, this record contains 16 bonus tracks that had appeared on various MTX CD's over the years but had never made it to their full length LPs.

For a complete history on how this occured, please visit Dr. Frank's blog here and here!

I photographed Dr. Frank, Joel Reader and Jym Pittman for the 7th MTX LP back in 1997. It was shot in my old photo studio inside The Warfield Building which also housed the famous Warfield Theatre. The studio on Market Street in San Francisco was situated right between the two ladies on the outside of the building's facade. Outtakes from that photo shoot are also included on both Volume I and II inserts.

Julie Green
October 27, 2018



Inside Volume I





Inside Volume II














Saturday, October 20, 2018

Recent Covers - Los Straightjackets




I was delighted to photograph most of Los Straightjackets last year for the cover of their record "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and... Los Straitjackets" on North Carolina's finest independent record label Yep Roc Records. The marriage between masterful songs written by Nick Lowe and the bands gorgeous handling of instrumental arrangements, Los Straightjackets have expertly crafted an incredible surf rock album that will make you wanna play it over and over again.

Three cheers to Johnny Barlett of California for hooking me up with these masked marauders! We had a whole lot of fun photographing them at the famous PowWow Fun Room in Mar Vista, CA. Eddie Angel, Chris Sprague, Greg Townson and Pete Curry are just the greatest group of guys you would ever want to hang out with!

Los Straightjackets are currently floating on a boat with Big Sandy down The Baja Bop Red Hot Rockin' Cruise to Mexico until the 21st and they recently backed Nick Lowe on The Conan O'Brian Show. I'm so delighted they continue to provide their listening audience with platters of delicious sounds expertly delivered with a fabulous sense of humor.

Via Los Straightjackets!

Julie Green
October 20, 2018


Saturday, October 6, 2018

Right on Track with The Fastbacks!




What a thrill it was to be in Seattle when The Fastbacks were playing Sub Pop's 30th Anniversary Music Festival! It was if no time had gone by since I last saw them play at The Bottom of The Hill in San Francisco a few years back (try 20). But their energy and unpretentiousness was still there and it was a joy ride from the first song to the last.

Below is a quick interview I did with Kurt Bloch who graciously gave me his time and insight into this pioneering Seattle band!

Julie Green
October 6, 2018


Julie Green: Did you grow up in Seattle?

Kurt Block: Yes indeed - Sand Point over there by Lake City!

JG: How his it NOT changed over the years?

KB: Well, kind hard to say. In the last few years some of the last outposts of the city I grew up in have been usurped by "progress". I don't mourn the passing of EVERY old building or business of the old days, but it's getting pretty dire out there. The "regular" places are really getting harder to find, micro-condos and ELEVATED dining experiences are the norm now. It's a different life out there for the young up-n-coming upwardly-mobiles. But I haven't been part of that anyway, so it's probably easier for met to look past it all, than for many.


JG: Did anyone in the band ever have a car with a fastback?

KB: No, Lulu had a mid-60's Mustang that we loved, it wasn't a fastback but when we were out walking around taking our first band photos in early 1980, we happened upon a share Mustang Fastback, and I reckon that was the sealant for the band name.

Kurt Bloch

JG: Your production of "Whenever You're Ready" and in particular the song "Woolworth" for the band Flop was, for me, a musical revelation. Are you still producing and recording these days?

KB: Yeah! Now did I actually record that? I think I only did the first and third Flop records, I know we did demos for that 2nd album, and I started mixing it when Martin Rushent was lat getting to the US to begin. Smashing album, that's a fact. They were one of the true Seattle greats.

Kim Warnick

Lulu Gargiulo

JG: When was Rusty Willoughby (singer, songwriter, guitarist for Flop) drumming in The Fastbacks?

KB: Rusty played drums when Nate Johnson (who also drummed for Flop) flew the coop in 1991. It left both bands without a drummer. I originally had my doubts about Rusty's prowess behind the kit. But we started an ongoing outfit called Sick Man of Europe and played the first Cheap Trick album start-to-finish, and Rusty was the drummer in that. So I knew he was quite capable at that point, it seemed an easy choice. Nate returned, Flop got busy, Mike Musburger stepped into the chair - with would've been 1992, I reckon.


JG: Besides playing a mind blowing set at the Sub Pop's 30th Anniversary music festival (where all of these image were shot), what have you been up to these days?

KB: Still recording and mixing bands - right now it's Ean from Sicko's new band The Subjunctives. They're doing a 4 song e.p., and The Filthy Friends, it's Corin Tucker, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, Linda Pitmon and I, a new record in the works. {!!!}

Also my own new band The Yes Masters, there's Young Fresh Fellows on the horizon, and a new 45 by The Sgt. Major III about to happen!


JG: If you could describe the tone of your Gibson as a flavor, what would that be?

KB: I reckon it'd be ice cream, but coated with shards of what LOOKS like glass, but is actually SUGAR!

JG: How did you end up producing Japan supergroup Supersnazz's amazing LP "Superstupid" for Sub Pop?


KB: I can't quite remember, but I think we met Supersnazz when they were here with American Soul Spiders, and I think we snuck them into a session at Egg Studio on a Sunday before they flew back to Japan. Of course it was killer, someone at Sub Pop caught on, and it all just made sense! What a killer LP that is! We've been buddies ever since.



JG: What do you think about the music scene in Seattle these days?

KB: There's tons of great bands - I rarely have a problem finding a kick in the pants if needed. There's a few great venues that still appreciate kickass bands, it's different that it was in those early-'90's days, but that's to be expected. You might have to look a little harder, but there are new bands that spring up that keep it all worthwhile.