Jennifer Finch

Category: Blog

  • Punk Rock Museum Turns Two: Reflections, Rants and Ed Colver

    Punk Rock Museum Turns Two: Reflections, Rants and Ed Colver

    Two years in, and the Punk Rock Museum is still standing!

    No one’s nodded out on the Kurt Cobain couch with a lit cigarette, and no one’s repelled through the skylight, Mission: Impossible-style, to swap out Joe Strummer’s weed with a fake. And somehow, despite the ancient relics, the noise, and the ghosts of a thousand van breakdowns, the walls aren’t bleeding or chanting Suicidal Tendencies lyrics backwards. However… did anyone else notice the basement no one knew was there, flooded with the blood of mall punk past? Creepy.

    Congratulations PUNK ROCK MUSEUM TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY. Two Well-earned years! The party was a fantastic reunion—I got to sit down with Fat Mike, Kevin Lyman, Jack Grisham, and Vinnie Fiorello—held together by George Stroumboulopoulos—and we talked about the early days, the middle days, why there seem to be no end-days, and why community still matters. Each person brought such a unique perspective and was funny as f*ck. Every photo of the event shows me mid-laugh, making some awkward faces!

    The next day, we flipped the script and I had the honor of interviewing the legendary Ed Colver. If you’ve ever seen a photo from the early Los Angeles punk scene that punched you in the gut, pulled at your heart, or made you stop and stare—he took it. We talked about the ethics of shooting from the inside, about documenting without exploiting, and why punk is, in its own way, about posing—but a kind built on intention and presence, not pretense.

    Huge thanks to Lisa Johnson (rock photographer), Melanie Kaye, Nuit, Mike, and Vinnie Fiorello for trusting me with my first live interview moment.

    And a big shout-out to all the bands who brought the fire: The Dollheads, Knuckleheadz, Playboy Manbaby, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and TSOL.

    The “defining moment” goes out to Punk Hostage Press and Iris Berry for coordinating the touching presentations by Ron Emory and Jack Grisham in support of Mike Roche’s new book I Play With Giants. It was a raw embodiment of friendship and fellowship—of these amazing men and their commitment to music and each other. I think they said 50 years of friendship?

    Sign up free to SH!T MY ROCKSTAR SAYS—where I talk about culture, punk rock, art, and whatever else my brain won’t shut up about. Link in bio. 🦋❤️🦋

    PunkRockMuseum #PunkRockHistory

    @thepunkrockmuseum, @jenniferfinch, @edwardcolver, @wunderlandwar @jackgrishamphoto, @fatmikedude, @kevinlyman, @strombo, @lisajohnsonrockphotographer, @punkhostagepress, @irisberry.official, @mikerochetsol, @ronemorytsol, @tsol_official, @voodooglowskulls, @playboymanbaby, @knuckleheadz_band, @the_dollheads

    Jennifer Finch & Edward Colver sitting together at The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas
    Photography by Iris Berry.
    Jennifer Finch and Edward Colver together at The Punk Rock Museum
    It was a privilege and pleasure speaking with the talented Edward Colver
    Jennifer Finch and Edward Colver at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas
    It was a privilege and a pleasure speaking with the talented Edward Colver
  • Recap: Garbage, L7, and The Monic Tour – March 2025

    Recap: Garbage, L7, and The Monic Tour – March 2025

    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!

    #L7Tour2025 #BrazilianAdventures #BackstageLife #TravelMemories

    @l7theband, @garbage, @themonicband

    Jennifer Finch performing on stage with L7 in Brazil 2025
    Photography by Belmilson Santos – IG: bel.santosfotografia
    Jennifer Finch and Andreya Sobral in Brazil 2025
    Photography by Andreya Sobral
    Jennifer Finch performing live on stage in Brazil 2025
    Photography by Diego Castanho – IG: @diegocastanho
    Jennifer Finch of L7 live on stage in Brazil.
    Photography by Flavio Santiago – IG: santiagrophy
    Jennifer Finch posing with a fan in Brazil 2025.
    Photography by Ale Felicio
    IG: alefelicio07
    Jennifer Finch posing with a fan in Brazil.
    Photography by Ale Felicio
    IG: alefelicio07
  • L7 Cruise: Little Stevens Underground Garage Cruise 2025!

    L7 Cruise: Little Stevens Underground Garage Cruise 2025!

    We’re beyond excited to announce that L7 will be joining Little Stevens Underground Garage Cruise in 2025 for the first time ever! 🛳️⚡ This is your chance to set sail with us on a wild musical adventure alongside over 30 incredible bands. 🚢🎸 We can’t wait to bring the intensity, energy, and noise that L7 fans know and love. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience with one-time-only performances, multiple sets, and special collaborations. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this historic moment with us!

    Underground Garage 2025: Multiple Venues, Endless Music

    This cruise isn’t just about setting sail—instead, it’s about immersing yourself in 5 onboard venues filled with live music for 4 nights! 🤘🎤 Additionally, you’ll get to see intimate performances, surprise sets, and experience a celebration of the iconic Nuggets compilation with legends like Lenny Kaye and his friends. Meanwhile, imagine the sea air, the sound of guitars shredding through the waves, and the pure chaos of rock ‘n’ roll. Moreover, we’re beyond excited to be part of this incredible lineup featuring bands like Social Distortion, The Hellacopters, X, Rocket From The Crypt, Reverend Horton Heat, The Fleshtones, Supersuckers, The Woggles, and Barrence Whitfield & the Savages, and tons more. Overall, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.

    Get Ready for L7 on the High Seas 🌊

    L7 is bringing the heat, and so we want our fans to join the madness! 🔥 Since this is our first-ever cruise, we plan to make each performance special. Additionally, you can expect surprises and non-stop musical mayhem. Whether it’s a full-throttle set or a jam session, you’ll feel the true spirit of L7. Moreover, we’ll be playing alongside some of rock’s greatest names. Finally, don’t forget to pack your best cruise outfits—and maybe some earplugs. You’re definitely going to need them! 🎶🤘

    Join Us! #L7Cruise #UndergroundGarage2025

    Firstly, tickets are selling fast, so don’t wait—secure your spot today and sail away with L7 and friends! 🎟️🤘 This is the kind of experience you’ll be telling stories about for years. Follow us on Instagram at @l7theband and use the hashtags #L7Cruise and #UndergroundGarage2025 to stay updated and share your excitement. We’ll be seeing you on the ship for 4 nights of mayhem—don’t miss it! 🌊👊

    L7 Cruise: Join Us on the Little Stevens Underground Garage Cruise 2025!

    In addition, we’re beyond excited to announce that L7 will be joining Little Stevens Underground Garage Cruise in 2025 for the first time ever! 🛳️⚡ This is your chance to set sail with us on a wild musical adventure alongside over 30 incredible bands. 🚢🎸 We can’t wait to bring the intensity, energy, and noise that L7 fans know and love. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience with one-time-only performances, multiple sets, and special collaborations. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this historic moment with us!

    Underground Garage 2025: Multiple Venues, Endless Music

    This cruise isn’t just about setting sail—it’s about fully immersing yourself in 5 onboard venues packed with live music for 4 unforgettable nights! 🤘🎤 You’ll enjoy intimate performances, surprise sets, and a special celebration of the legendary Nuggets compilation with icons like Lenny Kaye and his friends. Furthermore, picture the sea breeze, guitars shredding through the air, and the raw energy of rock ‘n’ roll all around you. In addition, we’re beyond thrilled to be part of this incredible lineup, sharing the stage with The Fleshtones, The Woggles, and Barrence Whitfield & the Savages.

    Get Ready for L7 on the High Seas 🌊

    L7 is bringing the heat, and we want our fans to be part of the madness! 🔥 Furthermore, since this is our first-ever cruise, we’re making sure every performance is special. Expect surprises, along with uninterrupted musical mayhem. Whether it’s a high-energy set or a collaborative jam session, you will feel the true spirit of L7. We’ll be performing with some of the greatest names in rock history. So, don’t forget to pack your best cruise outfits—and maybe some earplugs, because you’re going to need them. 🎶🤘

    Join Us! #L7Cruise #UndergroundGarage2025

    Tickets are selling fast, so don’t wait—secure your spot today and sail away with L7 and friends! 🎟️🤘 Finally, this is the kind of experience you’ll be telling stories about for years. Follow us on Instagram at @l7theband and use the hashtags #L7Cruise and #UndergroundGarage2025 to stay updated and share your excitement. We’ll be seeing you on the ship for 4 nights of mayhem—don’t miss it! 🌊👊

    Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise 2025 lineup

    • Social Distortion: @socialdistortion @SociialID1 #SocialDistortion
    • X: @xthebandofficial @Xtheband #XtheBand
    • Rocket From The Crypt: @rftcrftc @RFTCRFTC #RocketFromTheCrypt
    • L7: @l7theband #L7theBand
    • The Hellacopters: @thehellacopters #TheHellacopters
    • Bash & Pop: @bashnpop @bashnpop #BashAndPop
    • The Woggles: @thewogglesband #TheWoggles
    • The Chesterfield Kings: @thechesterfieldkings @ChesterfieldKng #TheChesterfieldKings
    • Reverend Horton Heat: @revhortonheatofficial @revhortonheat #ReverendHortonHeat
    • Old 97s: @old97s @Old97s #Old97s
    • The Baseball Project: @baseballproject @BaseballProject #TheBaseballProject
    • Mark Lindsay: @marklindsayofficial @MarkLindsay #MarkLindsay
    • Low Cut Connie: @lowcutconnie #LowCutConnie
    • Los Straitjackets: @losstraitjackets @losstraitjacket #LosStraitjackets
    • Lenny Kaye: @lenny_kaye @Lennykaye_ #LennyKaye
    • Flamin Groovies: @theflamingroovies @FlaminGroovies #FlaminGroovies
    • The Dictators: @thedictatorsofficial @TheDictators #TheDictators
    • The Fleshtones: #TheFleshtones
    • Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3: @cultartist #SteveWynnAndTheMiracle3
    • The Minus 5: #TheMinus5
    • Supersuckers: @supersuckers @SupersuckersRnR #Supersuckers
    • Linda Gail Lewis: @officiallindagaillewis @lglmusic #LindaGailLewis
    • The Dollyrots: @thedollyrots @TheDollyrots #TheDollyrots
    • Slim Jim Phantom Trio: @officialslimjimphantom @officialslimjim #SlimJimPhantomTrio
    • The Coolies: @thecoolies #TheCoolies
    • The Cocktail Slippers: @cocktailslippers @CocktailSlipper #TheCocktailSlippers
    • The Untamed Youth: @untamedyouthband #TheUntamedYouth
    • Deke Dickerson: @dekedickerson #DekeDickerson
    • The Grip Weeds: @thegripweeds @gripweeds #TheGripWeeds
    • The Neanderthals: #TheNeanderthals
    • Goons!: #GoonsBand
    • The Sound Minds: @the.sound.minds #TheSoundMinds

    For other L7 Tour Dates and Shows in 2025 Click here.

  • The Punk Rock Museum Gains The Ghost – RECAP

    The Punk Rock Museum Gains The Ghost – RECAP

    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.

    Jennifer Finch and her tour group posing for a photo at The Punk Rock Museum.

    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.

    @thepunkrockmusem, @jenniferfinch, @punkscholarsnetwork.us, @melaniekayepr

    #jenniferfinch #thepunkrockmuseum #thepunkscholarsnetwork #bassplayer #lasvegas #guidedtours #punkhistory #fenderbass #bass #bassist #bassguitar #bassgirl #basswoman