There’s something about Brazil that just hits different. Maybe it’s the air, maybe it’s the people, maybe it’s the way the crowd feels like one giant heartbeat when the lights go down and the first riff kicks in. Whatever it is, L7 touring through Brazil with Garbage last month was nothing short of electric.
Let’s start with the obvious: Shirley and the Garbage crew? Total class acts. We’ve crossed paths before, but sharing a run of shows together on Brazilian soil brought a whole new level of sisterhood. There’s mutual respect, tons of laughter, and zero ego. Just bands showing up, tuning up, and throwing down.
And I can’t leave out how sweet The Monic are, they were an absolute pleasure to be with. If you haven’t heard of these girls yet, now you have!
Every city we hit—São Paulo, Rio, Porto Alegre—you gave us back so much. The crowds were ON FIRE. I swear, Brazilian fans don’t just watch a show, they live it. Arms up, voices loud, eyes shining. It’s the kind of energy that feeds your soul after 30+ years of doing this.
Backstage was a blur of humidity, hugs, and gear tape. Long days, quick changes, and late-night bus laughs. And the food? Don’t even get me started. Whoever thought to pair espresso with sweet bread deserves a Nobel Prize.
A personal highlight? Meeting young girls in L7 shirts who weren’t even born when Bricks Are Heavy dropped. Seeing that kind of legacy land in the hands of the next generation… man, it just rocks me. Punk’s not dead. It grew up, got global, and now speaks a thousand languages.
The review
Brazil, obrigada. Thanks for showing up, for screaming with us, and for making us feel so damn alive. We’ll carry your energy with us into whatever comes next. And if you were there—send your pics, tag us, tell us what songs hit you the hardest. We see you. BRAZIL, YOU WERE LOUD, BEAUTIFUL, AND ALIVE — THANK YOU!
Photography by Belmilson Santos – IG: bel.santosfotografiaPhotography by Andreya SobralPhotography by Diego Castanho – IG: @diegocastanhoPhotography by Flavio Santiago – IG: santiagrophyPhotography by Ale Felicio IG: alefelicio07Photography by Ale Felicio IG: alefelicio07
I had the honor of returning to The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas a few weeks ago—the same place where walls talk, guitars still hum feedback, and the floors are sticky with adhesive and history. This time, I wasn’t just walking the halls—I was once again guiding people through them, telling stories, laughing, and even getting a little emotional.
The big moment was Donating The Ghost. That bass guitar has been through the trenches—sweaty clubs, cross-continental tours, and shady green rooms galore. Letting it go wasn’t easy, but seeing it in the museum, surrounded by a shared legacy, felt right. It’s not mine anymore—it’s ours.
Also, a HUGE shoutout to the Punk Scholars Network for inviting me to speak on a panel during my time in Vegas. It was an honor to sit alongside longtime friend and Museum maestro Fat Mike and Jessica Schwartz from UCLA’s Punkast and dig into the deeper layers of punk—its history, politics, and the personal stories that don’t always make the stage. The conversation reminded me how vital these academic and cultural spaces are in keeping punk’s spirit alive and evolving.
What blew me away, though, was you—the fans. The posts, the tags, the DMs, the interviews, the random shoutouts on social media—it’s been surreal. Seeing your photos from the tours, the selfies with the exhibits, and your reactions to the stories I shared (and those I didn’t) made everything more meaningful. You reminded me that punk is still alive—not just in the music, but in the people who keep showing up, decade after decade, with the same fire burning in their guts.
Some of you said walking through the museum felt like walking through your teenage bedroom. Others told me it helped you connect with your kids, your past, or a part of yourself that needed to scream again. That’s the heart of this whole thing.
So thank you. For showing up. For caring. For still giving a damn!
And if you haven’t made it to The Punk Rock Museum yet, what are you waiting for? Come find me—I’ll be the one standing by the bass with a story or two left to tell.
From sweaty rehearsal rooms to wild nights on the road, from DIY spaces to (not so DIY stages)—2024 was a year I won’t forget. I threw myself into new projects, crossed paths with some incredible humans, played packed festivals and clubs, and pushed myself creatively in ways I didn’t see coming. Now that the dust has settled (kind of), I’m looking back at the highlights, the surprises, and the moments that made it all worth it. Whether you’ve been along for the ride or just tuning in, here’s a peek behind the scenes at what made this year so damn special. – Jennifer Finch
Print Zine (self-produced) called “No Values Festival.“ Featured photos of bands that performed at the 2024 No Values Festival, like Fear and Bad Religion, were taken by Jennifer Finch decades ago. Zine Launch with Punk Rock & Paintbrushes at No Values Festival
Jennifer Finch ❤️s You: newsletter, noise, and notes Substack Launch
I’m beyond thrilled to announce that I’ll be participating in The Punk Scholars Network Conference at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas on March 2nd and March 3rd. This event is a one-of-a-kind gathering of academics, musicians, and punk enthusiasts, all coming together to discuss and celebrate the history, culture, and impact of punk rock.
Punk has always been more than just music—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a way of life. Having spent decades playing, touring, and immersing myself in this world, I’m excited to contribute to these conversations and connect with others who share the same passion. The Punk Rock Museum is the perfect setting for such a meaningful event, bringing together stories, artifacts, and people who have shaped the scene over the years.
Whether you’re a lifelong punk fan, a student of subcultures, or just curious about the impact punk has had on music and society, this conference is a must-attend. I can’t wait to share insights, hear from incredible speakers, and, of course, soak in all the punk history surrounding us.
Stay tuned for more details, and if you’ll be in Vegas, come say hi! Let’s keep punk alive—loud, proud, and always questioning.
More information about The Punk Scholars Network Conference is available via their website,
While you are at the Punk Rock Museum in February and March, be sure to pick-up, touch, hols and play the Jennifer Finch’s “Ghost Bass” in the PRM Jam Room.
PUNK ON DISPLAY
MARCH 2 & 3, 2025 THE PUNK ROCK MUSEUM – LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Following the success of our second in-person conference in August 2024, we are excited to announce our third in-person conference sponsored by PSN Canada and PSN USA. This year, the conference will be held on March 2 and 3 at The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Punk is a truly global phenomenon that manifests in myriad ways. The music and culture are created and transformed in different scenes in ways that are both unique but also reflect commonalities. Given the location of this year’s conference, we encourage participants to consider how punk is and has been collected, presented and re-presented, curated, and archived. Punks respond to and engage varying political and cultural contexts. And the culture invites individual participation within networks that foster cooperative action. Punk is many things to many people and seldom remains static over a lifetime. Increased globalization, changes in connectivity and technology, and shifts in both capitalism and populism have impacted punk for better and worse. International and transnational punk scenes reflect these connections but also can highlight ideological and aesthetic differences.
In keeping with the PSN’s multidisciplinary academic approach, we are seeking contributions from a range of fields of study and methodological approaches including, but not limited to, cultural studies, history, musicology, communication, art and design, humanities, performing arts, and the social sciences. As ever, the PSN also welcomes proposals from independent scholars, artists, journalists, musicians, punk fans, and scene participants working outside of formal academic institutions. Selected papers and panels could cover, but are not limited to, the following themes:
Formal and informal punk archives, punk gallery displays, and punk museum collections
The history of punk: origins, legacy, impact
Punk resistance, longevity, and sustainability
Global punk scenes
Punk ethics and politics
Punk aesthetics, punk style
Punk and conflict, crisis, or trauma
Ethnographic considerations of a scene, spaces, and borders
Music and the performer: creativity, authorship, identity, definition, musical boundaries
DIY culture and activism
The art of punk: record covers, concert flyers, fanzine design, and associated graphic styles
Political issues relating to Canada and the United States analyzed through the lens of punk scholarship, such as abortion rights, systemic racism, gender equality, and disability justice
Submission Deadline: Thursday, November 7, 2024, though we are happy to accept proposals earlier.
Decisions will be sent by November 21, 2024.
Proposals should be 350 words maximum. Please include a presentation title, affiliation information (if any), pronouns, and a brief presenter bio (50-100 words) with your submission. There is no conference fee for presenters.
