Ep. 140: Jennifer Finch (L7 Bassist/ Photographer/ Producer)
Jennifer Precious Finch is an American musician, producer, and visual artist. Finch was born in Boyle Heights, CA and raised in the working-class neighborhoods of West Los Angeles, Calif.
Although Finch is best known for her contributions to the legendary all-female rock band L7, she has also had a rich career as the lead singer and songwriter for Other Star People and The Shocker, additionally playing guitar and keyboards. Her original music has been featured in the soundtracks of various films and television series, highlighting her versatility as a composer and musician.
Finch began her career as a visual artist in 1981 at age 13 when she got hold of a film camera and started capturing images of hardcore punk and art shows, as well as the queer scene, performance art, and skate events. While she is known for her iconic photographs of skaters, influential personalities, and performers, her raw documentation of life as a runaway and drug user in the early ’80s is both haunting and deeply transformative, offering an unfiltered glimpse into the underground culture that shaped her artistic perspective and later contributions to the cultural zeitgeist of the grunge, post-grunge and the evolving digital eras.
By the mid-1980s, Finch transitioned to stage performance, collaborating with other artists and musicians in guerrilla-style musical performances held in parking structures, powered by generators and car batteries. This raw and unconventional approach paved the way for her to explore more traditional musical avenues, leading her to write, produce, and perform with several influential bands, including Sugar Babylon (with Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland, 1984–1986), L7 (1986–present), Other Star People(1995–2001), and The Shocker (2003–present).
FEBRUARY 28TH - MARCH 3RD: JENNIFER FINCH (L7) AND THE PUNK SCHOLARS NETWORK CONFERENCE WILL BE AT THE PUNK ROCK MUSEUM!
February 28th - March 3rd: Over this weekend Jennifer Finch—legendary bassist of L7—will be at the museum giving guided tours and has other surprises in store! With her in-depth experience in punk music and culture, Jennifer will share insights and stories, offering a rare insider perspective on punk’s vibrant history. Whether you're a fan, or just curious about the roots and evolution of punk, this is an unmissable opportunity that blends academic exploration with firsthand expertise in the punk scene.
March 2nd - 3rd: The Punk Rock Museum is proud to host: The Punk Scholars Network and theirPunk On Display conference, which will offer a unique experience to dive deep into punk culture through the lens of scholarship and hands-on engagement. This dynamic event celebrates punk’s revolutionary impact and invites participants to explore punk artists, zine makers, scene-builders, and archivists who have shaped the movement.
https://www.thepunkrockmuseum.com/news/3ggvsv55l04rzvryxxs8x21xes5f6n
Credits
Otter Castro - Episode Body Editor
Stephen Bluhm - Sound Engineer/Episode Editor
https://www.stephenbluhm.fun
Rich Wexler
Producer/Interviewer
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