Josephine With A Cause Zine

Zine about Music, Art, Photography and all things creative from Singer-Songwriter-Artist Josephine With A Cause’s personal POV. Always with the desire and goal of helping, empowering and community building... 

Welcome to Josephine with a cause!  I am excited to announce that I am now hosting this zine on my own domain and no longer only on Beehiiv due to the large amount of content in each of my issues. I am glad I made this move. In spite the challenges of having to rewrite my entire March zine in this new platform, this has been a major upgrade. I hope you will enjoy this new and very much improved format. And please stay tuned to all the great music, art, photos, dance, poetry, and other all things creative to come (brought to you with my humble insights and from my cause driven POV).

SUBSCRIBE (FREE!!!)

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE(S) THE MONTH (With Women’s History Month in mind:

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” -Shirley Chisholm. African American Advocate, Inspiration, Congresswoman, 1924 – 2005.  Shirley’s motto and title of her autobiography—”Unbossed and Unbought”—illusrated her outspoken advocacy for women and minorities during her seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was a co-founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971. After gaining influence in the House, she became the first black woman to serve on the powerful Rules Committee. 

CAUSE OF THE MONTH:

I have started working on a fundraiser / music art (and more) benefit event for Rosie’s Place (shelter for women). Shoot me a message if you would like to help/contribute/collab on that in any way. Or, here’re other ways we can help this wonderful shelter for women:

https://www.rosiesplace.org/ways-to-give

And please buy my beautiful handmade Rose Earrings created by me with care. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Rosie's Place! (A shelter for women).  These are Classy, sassy and/or punk rocky ANYtime ANYwhere. Dress ‘em up. Dress ’em down. A gift for yourself or for someone else (or, for one of the women in the shelter, to lift up their spirit). Everyone loves these, so you cant go wrong. Avail in all colors. (With or without the freshwater pearl inside). Only $20 a pair. Box included(!) Because I care. ❤️josephinewithacause.com/product/1139925-beautiful-rose-earrings-made-by-josephine

DOLLFEST:

An all femme owned and operated, celebration of the feminine energy, friendship, and gathering together of a community in support of one another. 

DOLL FEST (official page)

DOLL FEST (on Insta)

Maria Chaos, Founder of Doll Fest 

The Doll Fest team 

My good friend artist/activist Lori Dawn from Women Of The Pit told me about this great all ages music festival called Doll Fest, which features bands that include women. And I can certainly see why - Doll Fest is an all femme owned and operated, celebration of the feminine energy, friendship, and gathering together of a community in support of one another.

Doll Fest Mission Statement: 

“We recognize that femme-dom is a powerhouse feeling, emotion, and revolution in action. Following the footsteps of previous incarnations of feminine fests such as Lilith Fair and She Shreds, Doll Fest aims to be the next femme music and arts festival showcasing two full days of all femme-fronted bands and artists, including pioneering bands that brought the Riot Grrl movement to life and active bands today that are paving the legacy of grrl power. 

We are still battling for true equality against the archaic non-values of patriarchy, still fighting for the power over our own bodies, and still proving our worth as voices to be heard. Doll Fest intends to bring together like-minded folx who embody the true spirit of Doll Fest - through empowerment, resilience, and nurturing of communities. We are anti-homophobia, anti-transphobia, anti-racist, anti-police violence and strictly anti-fascist. Let’s rise up the Doll Fest Fam!” 

I asked Maria a few Q's and these were her answers:

"Doll Fest was designed to create safe, welcoming spaces for anyone that agreed with our same mission statement. These events are to empower anyone who agrees with the mission. As long as you are not an asshole, transphobic, homophobic, sexist, racist, facist, or are pro genocide, then I suggest you find another event to attend. It started out as just an idea back in March 2024 that I bounced off someone at the time I was really close to and their response was, “Yeah you need to do that,” and that validation was enough to activate me to figure out what to do next to make this happen. Then I was soon introduced to one of the original team members who brought more strong femme individuals, whom also rewrote our mission statement and made it sound so incredibly beautiful in comparison to my original one. My now business partner reached out on Instagram, we met in person and a few months later her and I were signing a LLC together with an attorney. 

Now, we are in March 2026 and we have hosted two full 3 day festival, a charity event, a comedy show and now an international two day festival. After successfully pulling it off hosting it in another country, I think that would be what I want to continue doing. I want to be able to bring this event to other areas domestically and internationally. Mexico City was very special because the music community there is so incredible. The punk spirit and culture out there is to a T what everyone talks about. Taking care of one another judgment free, friendly, inviting, everything you could imagine. The moment I walked into Gato Calavera the night before the Pre Party, I could feel the positivity seeping in the walls; truly curated by the owner, Taty, who also truly embodies what “punk” is. There were multiple media channels that I had not even contacted that were talking about Doll Fest and how cool it was the main reason why I wanted Doll Fest to come into fruition was because I wanted to bring community together. That you know you will have fun at a Doll Fest/Doll Fest Presents event; you’ll potentially make new friends, be able to attend and be nothing but your beautiful self and have a good time making memories, and whatever else that this evening brings you. So if you're woman, trans, queer, enby, or a straight dude and just want to be a part of the cause that's what we want and that's who we are here for."

 

Doll Fest - Out Of The Doll House (compilation) on (DYI, Women Owned) Cellofame Records:

Doll Fest: Out of the Doll House Compilation Vol. 1

Various Artists Compilation of Doll Fest Vol. 1 All tracks are from bands who performed in Berkeley, CA at Doll Fest March 1 & 2nd, 2025. 

Up next for Doll Fest:

FEATURED BAND:

REBELMATIC

Check it out! Rebelmatic single "Alive on Arrival " is available now on all digital streaming platforms and here:

bandcamp Rebelmaticnyc.bandcamp.com

Stay alert BC New Rebelmatic album "Sting the Devil" is coming out June 12th. Via creep records https://creeprecordsphilly.bandcamp.com/music.

 

REBELMATIC BAND BIO:

Rebelmatic is a genre-defying force in the New York City music scene, blending the raw energy of hardcore punk with the groove of funk, the soul of hip-hop, and the weight of social consciousness. Their music is as much about resistance as it is about rhythm, a sonic collision that has earned them the moniker "James Brown in a mosh pit."

The band, which formed around 2008-2009, draws inspiration from the Public Enemy song "Rebel Without A Pause". They have shared stages with notable artists like GZA, Erykah Badu, and HR of Bad Brains, and have released music through labels like Say-10

Sound and Philosophy: Rebelmatic's music is deeply rooted in social consciousness and the "pre-gentrified" sound of New York City. Their work frequently explores themes of resistance, self-determination, and the Black experience.

Inspiration: The band draws from the DIY punk ethos and "Positive Mental Attitude" (PMA) popularized by Bad Brains, while also citing influences from Public Enemy, Nirvana, and Wu-Tang Clan.

Legacy: They are considered a key part of the "Black Rock Renaissance" in NYC. Their 2017 Afro-Punk performance was highly acclaimed for returning the festival to its Black rock and alt roots.

Rebelmatic's ability to connect with audiences across various genres and musical landscapes is truly remarkable. Their shared stages with an impressive array of artists, spanning from punk rock to hip-hop and beyond, showcase their versatility and wide-ranging appeal. They have performed alongside bands like Zulu, Soul Glo, End It, and Weedeater, as well as iconic figures such as Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello, DMC of Run-D.M.C., and Slick Rick. Additionally, Rebelmatic has shared the spotlight with renowned acts like Aesop Rock, Death, The Lox, and 24-7 Spyz, further highlighting their ability to captivate diverse audiences and collaborate with respected artists across the musical spectrum.--Adding to this illustrious roster are H.R. of the Bad Brains, Angelo Moore of Fishbone, the GZA, and Schoolly D, among many other respected acts. This extensive lineup solidifies Rebelmatic's position as a band with widespread appeal and undeniable musical prowess, capable of leaving a lasting impact on any stage they grace.

Moreover, Rebelmatic's commitment to the DIY ethos is evident in their participation in a documentary about DIY culture in New York City for Dr. Martens during the pandemic. Their dedication to the DIY movement is also recognized in the book "Black Punk Now" by Chris H. Terry and James Spooner, the founder of Afro-Punk. Additionally, Rebelmatic has been featured in "Culture Crush Editions - Presents: The Way WE WERE," showcasing the photographs by Destiny Mata, also known as The People's Photographer. These publications further cement their influence and significance in the punk and broader cultural communities.

In 2024, Rebelmatic has continued to innovate and expand its musical repertoire, releasing three remixes: I Said What I Said (No Surrender Remix)

Walk on Water (Mike Ladd Remix)

Amnesia (Rob Sonic Remix)

They also released a live album

Dx Px Live (Recorded in 2023 at Fuzz Fest in Morgantown, WV). 

Additionally, their new single "Peace," released on Juneteenth, is from their highly anticipated album “Black Hole Eats the Tornado”

REBELMATIC MEMBERS:

Creature - Vocals/Lyrics

Diggin’ deeper: Siddiq Booker, better known by his stage name Creature, is a New York City-based independent underground rapper, vocalist, writer and composer who works in the rap, hip hop, and afro-punk genres

Career: The Triflicts: The Triflicts was an underground hip hop group including Creature, Gab Gatcha and Buc Live. The group gained attention after Gab Gatcha mentioning their name on the first Beatnuts album on which he debuted. In 1996 Stretch and Bobbito played "I'm Terror" from a demo for 4th and Broadway Records, then played "Genuine" from their debut single released by Hydra Records on The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show of WKCR radio. The group's work was also played on Hot97, New York's premier hip hop radio station, in a song battle against Goodie Mob, where Goodie Mob won. The group went their separate ways when Buc stopped rapping and Gab refocused his time on work with The Beatnuts and later Gab spent some time in prison. Sergent Records from France published their unreleased demos in 2014. Sky Pimps: Rob Sonic, Sonic Sum and Mike Ladd with Creature formed his next collective project, the Sky Pimps in the late 90s. RebelMatic: In 2008 Creature bumped into a high school acquaintance and decided to form a band, RebelMatic. Since he had been in a punk rock band before he rhymed, so RebelMatic, his hip hop infused punk band, was a perfect fit. They tell the public that they don't get the full experience of the band's energy until you see them live. They work through new music live and draw inspiration from bands ranging from Public Enemy, Sly and the Family Stone to John Coltrane and Metallica. RebelMatic opened for Kool AD in 2014 and played at AfroPunk Festival in New York in 2013 and 2017. Solo work: Creature's style has been described as "agile" and "pre-knee jerk" contemporary rap battling. After his first group, The Triflicts, started going their separate ways, Creature was featured on The X-Ecutioners' first album, X-Pressions. In the late 1990s he met Sole, El-P and Antipop Consortium. In 2000 he worked with Mike Ladd on the Infesticons for the album, Gun Hill Road. And wrote a hook for a single from MC Jin's The Rest Is History album in 2003. That same year he was featured on Vaudeville Villain by MF Doom. In 2004 he went on tour with Rob Sonic's Telicatessen debut album tour. Following that Creature had a song with Rob Sonic and Hangar 18 called "Sniper Picnic” that was featured on the Tony Hawk video game. He collaborated with Kool AD on his own album with the song, "Warhol's Wig" that received much acclaim. He has also toured with Angelo Moore and collaborated with Ari Up. Creature performed with Homeboy Sandman and Aesop Rock at Irvin Plaza the summer of 2016. Before the digital age of music PR, like Percee-P, Lucky & Sdaerd, L.I.F.E.long, and MC Jin, Creature spent many hours selling his independent music, direct, in front of Fatbeats and at clubs on the streets of New York Creature created a concert series called The Coffee Grind that featured a mix of under-represented hip hop artists with those more well known like Just Ice, Camp Lo, and Sadat X. The Underdog's Manifesto: In 2006, Creature wrote the book, The Underdog's Manifesto: A Guerilla Artist's Path to Independence, with Dax-Devlon Ross. The book was published by Outskirts Press and reissued in 2008 by Outside the Box Publishing. The book explores Creature's journey of being a self-produced independent artist and how he learned creative ways to publicize and package one's work. Underdog's Manifesto includes interviews with Percee P, Duo Live and “Lucky” Logan P. McCoy and an afterword by Jeremy Glick.

Coffee Grind Media: Creature has two independent production companies, one called Creaturenomics and one called Coffee Grind Media, LLC.

Creature releases: 2005: Never Say Die – featuring Slug, Jin, and Busdriver. 2007: Hustle to be Free. 2011: Chester Himes EP. 2013: Black Lagoon Radio. 2015: Torn Together – featuring Kool AD, Vordul Mega, SavKills, Nutso and Homeboy Sandman. Production by Preservation (Ka & Yasiin Bey) and Omega One. 2020: The day night stood still (Coffee Grind Media)

Collaborations: 1996: Genuine / Don't Make Me Try (single) – (with The Triflicts). 2000: Gun Hill Road – (with The Infesticons). 2003: The Majesticons vs. The Infesticons / Beauty vs. Ugly (The Instrumental Albums) (2xLP) – (with The Infesticons). 2004: featured with Jin, "So Afraid" on The Rest is History – (as S. Booker). 2009: Prey For The Vulture – (with RebelMatic). 2010: Bedford Park – (with The Infesticons). 2014: Elephant Amnesia – (with RebelMatic). 2014: 93-94 Unreleased Demos EP – (with The Triflicts). 2017: Eat The Monster EP – (with RebelMatic)

Works and publications: Creature; Devlon-Ross, Dax (2008). The Underdog's Manifesto: A Guerilla Artist's Path to Independence. New York: Outside the Box Publishing, LLC.

Karnage - Bass

Karnage is the bassist for the New York City-based hardcore band Rebelmatic, known for his deep grooves that help define the band's "James Brown in a mosh pit" sound. Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, he is a “borough lifer” whose musical background spans from hip hop, funk and punk. Karnage joined Rebelmatic as their bassist, though he originally played guitar. He is considered a core part of the band's identity.

Musical Profile and Background: Karnage grew up in pre-gentrified New York, living near the 1 train at W. 225th before moving to Dyre Avenue in The Bronx at age 12. His stage name was inspired by the Marvel Comics character Carnage (a murderous red-and-black symbiote Marvel Comics supervillain primarily depicted as an adversary of Spider-Man and the archenemy of Venom. While he plays bass in Rebelmatic, he is also a guitarist and a rapper. During his time at Purchase College, he was a member of the rap group Get Open. Side Projects: Outside of the band, he performs as DJ Eddie Nocentelli, spinning a mix of funk, soul, jazz, world music, and hip-hop. Karnage emphasizes the importance of live performance to fully experience the band's energy, notably continuing to perform live "pop-up" shows in Bushwick even during pandemic-related challenges. His contributions are featured on major Rebelmatic releases, including Ghost in the Shadows (2020) and Black Hole Eats The Tornado (2025).

Teaching Artist: Outside of performing, he works as a teaching Artist for an elementary after-school program on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Ramsey Jones “Satellite Jones” - Drums (Noted as the brother of ODB, and cousin of RZA and GZA of WuTang Clan).

Ramsey Jones is a prolific musician based in New York City. His musical groups include Rebelmatic, Phunky Nomads, Funkface, Maafa, Bachslider, Abstract and Dancing Dream.

He records, performs and tours with an array of musical acts, including Vernon Reid of Living Color, his cousins RZA and GZA, and WuTang Clan.

Alkatraz - Guitar

DISCOGRAPHY:

https://www.discogs.com/artist/4125705-Rebelmatic

RELEASES:

MERCH:

rebelmaticnyc.bandcamp.com/merch

rebelmaticnyc.bandcamp.com/music

My first hand experience watching this band live:

Last year our bands SONIC BOMB opened for Rebelmatic.

As the band walked on stage, I noticed that singer Creature’s black T-shirt which read “Bad Brains changed my life”. I can definitely hear the influence of Bad Brains, with HR's Vocals switching between erupting HC screams and Phil Lynott of thin Lizzy's like soulful notes in Creature's vocals. And the band is tight and somewhat complex while sounding simple and anthemic to the unaware ear. I also see and love the socially conscious messages that these two bands deliver. (Which you know I dig / in my wheelhouse).

I’ve also heard someone define Rebelmatic as “the James Brown In The pit band”. And I can also see that influence on the band as they dance energetically and energize the crowd and how they gospel their strong messages in the church of HC Punk, to their wild mosh pit congregation.

Each one of these guys is a true character. 

Creature commanded the stage and audience with his big personality and big voice and his catchy sing along anthem choruses were a nice contrast to the HC in between. You kind of know the song before it even ends even if it’s your first time hearing it. 

Drummer Ramsey “Satalite Jones" is an absolute dynamite. What a talent and a total cool cat. First thing you notice is how he always has an extra drum stick in his mouth. But but what impressed me is his intricate beats and powerful drive. Later, Ramsey (who is the brother of ODB of Wu-Tang Clan BTW) was telling us how he had a show recently where he had to double up with Rebelmatic and after a short break jump back on stage with his cousins RZA and GZA’s band. But with the amount of power that this guy has, in spite not being 20 anymore (except in spirit), I have no doubt that he knocked it out of the park then too.

Bassist Karnage moved like a breakdancer and got the crowd all hyped up. He has a lot of funk grooves in his back pocket and his driving Bass lines pushed the songs and made me want to jump up and down the entire time. 

Guitarist Alkatraz was a shirtless soloin’ maniac. Song after song after song. Creature kept demanding that Alkatraz turn up more and more and I understood why. It added texture, and power and filled the space of their sound.

The crowd went insane for these guys. We screamed “R-B-E-L-M-T-I-C clap-clap clap-clap-clap..” over and over again. People from the audience jumped on stage to sing along. One guy started juggling a car tire on his head while riding a unicycle around the mosh pit. Yes. That was how much the crowd was riled up. It was AMAZING. I love this band. And we had so much fun in the front row singing out lout and dancing our asses off. 

Rebelmatic (just like the rest of our bands) wanted to play a couple more tunes but the cops were already (peacefully) waiting on the sidelines in growing numbers for the event to wrap it up. Otherwise we could have easily kept going for much longer. 

What. A. Fun. Show.

FAVORITE TUNES:

Blood and Gold

Help

And “Show and Prove”. (Especially live. and especially when creature holds the note on you-ou-ouuuu. You can see me in the audience. Right in front of the stage. This is from the show we opened for these guys. So good!!!)

LYRICS:

Show and Prove

Get free
Right now
Show and prove, each and every day
Build or destroy, is the only way
Knowledge, wisdom, understanding
The culture is freedom now
And you, don't die asleep
And you, don't die a sheep
And you, don't die asleep
And you, don't die a sheep
85% is dumb, deaf, and blind
Your ass will follow if you free your mind
Food, clothing, and shelter
Do for self, now
And you, don't die asleep
And you, don't die a sheep
And you, don't die asleep
And you, don't die a sheep
Get free
Right now
Get free
Right now
Show and prove, each and every day
Build or destroy, is the only way
Knowledge, wisdom, understanding
The culture is freedom now
 

REBELMATIC UPCOMING SHOWS:

www.songkick.com/artists/4044241-rebelmatic/calendar

OTHER MUSIC OF THE MONTH:

I loved seeing my old pals Dropkick Murphy’s bring the spirit of ‘96 Boston back. (I lent my voice to several backing vocals on several of their albums. With The Worrior’s Code as my fav). This fun nostalgic show they put forward was part of their huge Saint Patrick’s Hometown Throwdown. Ken DKM and the crew brought back The Ducky Boys, The Vigilantes, Unseen, and Pinkerton Thugs. Man, it has been a while since I have heard any of those bands. I personally love that anthem singsong riffraff Punk-n-Roll / Street Punk. So that was fun to catch up with and listen to again.

Who, and what song, do you think I should feature/review next? (Active bands / artists only please).

Please comment with your ideas. I want to hear from you!

SONIC BOMB BAND UPDATES:

Speaking of music that I have been playing over and over in the car and in the house and on my phone: 

The four new songs that our band SONIC BOMB just finished recording and mixing with legend Jon Lammi (Who has done sound for Snoop Dog, Lena Del Ray, Blue Man’s Group and so many more). The mixes for these rangers (1. an anti dictators song called Dictators. 2. A song about how we (you and I) were not always invincible, but now, together, we are like lions everyday, this one is called Invincible. 3. A song about being haunted by negative something/someone that keeps coming back again and again like a broken record, like a zombie.. this one is called Run. And a song developed from a riff Chris’s bff from childhood, wonderful Chuck French from Git Some, Plains Mistaken For Stars and Wovenhand wrote, which we developed into our own version of Time Bomb.

The tracks are now finished so we have sent these tracks to be mastered with Bob Saint John (who has worked with Extreme, Doran Doran, and so many more) so we absolutely cannot wait for the final product and to release these straight from our hearts and directly to yours.

You can check out a live TV version of the songs from The Boston Concert Network, aired from the Beiber Archives, here:

Dictators / EFMDs (Extremists, Fanatics, Martyrs and Dictators) a poem by me, Josephine Lyons which I wrote about all dictators, not just our own btw. But boy does it fit!

Extremists! - Black and white

Extremists! - “Always right”

Extremists! - Pick a fight

EXTREMISTS! - BLOW UP IN THE NIGHT

Fanatics! -  Volcano cores 

Fanatics! -  They speak with force 

Fanatics! -  FORCE brings more FORCE 

FANATICS! -  THEIR GUIDANCE FALSE!

Dictators - Oh oh oh oh

Martyrs! -  Know no words

Martyrs! - Bombs, guns, and swords

Martyrs! - Ancient worlds

MARTYRS! - DEATH BRAINWASHED MOLDS

Dictators! - Know it all

Dictators! -They want it all

Dictators! - (Are) Not just trolls

DICTATORS! - A CANCER POWERFUL 

Dictators - Oh oh oh oh

Extremists, you break our homes.

Fanatics, you break our bones

Martyrs, you bomb us, with your bombs

And Dictators, rising on the backs of crumbling nations

Dictators - Oh oh oh oh

JOSEPHINE WITH A CAUSE (SOLO) UPDATES:

I have three more songs to re-demo/pre-production Gt and Vocals for, so I can send it to the crew who will be recording with me. And I have to put said crew together. This last one is the harder of the two missions. Not because I don’t have anyone good to ask to record with me. But rather, I am fortunate enough to know MANY amazing musicians. But each with a very different signature style, sound, ability to add to a song already written (rather than creating from scratch), and there are so many different personalities.. So I've got to figure out who will fit best and then hope they can do it of course. Hahaha. a challenge in itself because everyone has so much going on in their lives always. (Me included). Cross yer fingers for me please. I cannot wait for you to hear this album already.

A little singing tip on the month, that has been working real well for me:

Before and after singing make your lips vibrate like babies do, or like a motorboat, sounding the letter BBBBBBB. You can hold one note or go up and down as you please. This loosens up your vocal folds from my experience and heals my throat when I have strained or tired it out.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Awesome Live Music Photographer Friends and Friends of Friends (PART ONE):

I love looking at live concert /show photos so much. Not only because these are my idols and my performing peers. But also because these images are packed with so much movement. so much expression. So many poetic messages. These artists behind the lens have a back and forth, give and take relationship with the performers. Neither is no more important than the other for the final image.

Please keep in mind that I picked the photos that connected w/ ME the most for this reason or another.  I am sure that you can find anywhere from 1–100 photos by each artist that might might speak to you the most and that Photos in the photographers galleries are lownot high rez on purpose(!) Go buy your prints from the artists y’cheap bastahds. 

This is part ONE of my Live Music Photographer friends and friends of friends article. There will be MORE of this to come next month and the following one. Which makes me so happy and proud to be able to big up so many talented photag friends. Each so very different from the other in the way they see us musicians.

An Maes:

@ladandmisfit

facebook.com/hashtag/ladandmisfitphotography

I have been following An's work for a long time, admiring from the how more and more personal her work has become over the years. This woman has a heart of gold and an eye to match. What I love most about An's photographs is the love you feel this amazingly sweet and intelligent warrior woman has for her friends. She shoots from the heart with attention to the essence of each of her buds on stage. She manages to catch everyone in the mid movement that is unique and typical to them. An always finds the most sincere smiles and the most concentrated moments from her musician pal performers. A truly wonderful person and photographer to me. Here, look for yourselves:

Some of the musicians in this gallery of photos by @ladandmisfit (An Meas):   

Agnostic Front at @irvingplaza, All For Nothing, Stigma / Agnostic Front, Madbal, Whatever It Takes,Harley Flanagan of Cro Mags, Save Ferris, Agnostic Front with Jimmy G. Murphys Law, The Drowns, HEYWIRE, Toxic Shock, Roger Miret of Agnostic Front

I asked An a few Qs to which she replied:

I did the photos for the new Agnostic Front (both) CD and LP:

Some of my favorite ACTIVE bands are Slapshot (Jack saw me grow up with Wim over the years so I always have a special place for that band. Me and Wim have been together for 36 years).  Agnostic Front for giving me the chance to be a tiny part of that last record and for the friendship.  Haywire cause they’re fucking amazing!!!!  CMI is always on the playlist too. Also a huge fan of the energy that Harley Flanagan has on stage with The Cromags no matter what venue he plays, big or small.  Street dogs, Lenny Lashley, Death, Before Dishonor, Madball… you can see me move and sing along to all of these bands. But I’m also a Charlotte De Witte fan. Especially when I’m teaching Muay Thai classes. She’s for me the nr 1 in Techno. My home is Antwerp obviously and we’re very lucky to have places like Antwerp music city and kid’s place in town. We also have a whole new generation taking over. If people are interested in Belgian bands I must advice: Listed, Whatever It Takes, Toxic Shock, Arkangel…

My favorite photographers are: Eye Of the Storm, Silvy Maatman, Marijke Crynen, Rudy de Doncker, Steve Messina and Rich Zoeller. Glad to know all of them too… BUT there’re so many more awesome photographers though! Too many to name here .

Fashion: I wanna shout out my friend Johnny Cupcakes!!! I’ll always love and remember momma cupcakes and I have an entire sleeve dedicated to the brand. 🩷

Shoutout to my favorite people: Craig, Keith, Vinnie, Mike, Danny, Roger, Marcus, Joe, Dom, Harley, Packer, Johnny, Matty, Corey, Jimmy, Jack, Paul, Kelly, Linda, Phil, Elke, Mark Y, Bryan, Johannes, Tasha, Moniek, Lenny, women of the pit, Malaka George, Greg and Jeff (The Wizard) and everyone I forgot 😅. Also special thanks to Ray and the full blown chaos guys for getting me through the first hours when my mom pasted away. (We went to see them in Germany, the day after my mom passed away, and they were the best). I will never forget that 🤍

And I also gave a warm shoutout to: Black stallion tattoo:

@blackstalliontattoo

And, Big Truth Podcast:

bigtruthpodcast.com

And, Diamond Heart Striking (in Brooklyn) who let her be a part of their gym during covid. 

teamdiamondheart.com

 

Lastly, here's a cool photo An took of me and Vernon White with my old band Josephin supporting The FUs in Boston/JP years ago:
www.putoverphoto.com

putoverphoto.com

putoverphoto.com/about

@put.over.photo

I first became aware of Put.Over.Photo after they posted a cool shot of our band after the Tompkins Sq Park, NYC show last year. It led me to look at this person's photos  (didn't know if they were a man or woman, which I thought was different and kind of cool, and made me wonder if that was on purpose, and if so, what was the point the artist was trying to make). But anyway, more importantly, I was blown away by the drama and intensity in each one. Put.Over.Photo manages to capture that moment of wildness and maybe even madness in every performer he shoots. Drama and movement. In many of his photos he features movement trails and motion blurs, but the thing that captured my eye and spoke to me the most in his live music / concert photography are the wild expressions caught in time through his lens.

Bio from the artist: 

put.over.photo started in 2018 capturing the chaos and choreography of professional wrestling. That same spirit drives my photography today—I aim to capture authenticity in motion: unposed, and fully alive. My work honors the energy and identity of subcultures that often go overlooked. Through each frame, I want you to feel what it was like to be there: sweat in the air, heart in your throat, and the noise still ringing in your ears long after the last song ends.
Aaron is the house photographer for DCxPC Live Records, has photographed for Outsider Magazine,and is a staff photographer for Metroland Now.

To my Qs, put.over.photo answered:

I would like to promote Vol 2 of Rally in the Valley April 11 & 12 
Tickets can be purchased here:

DCxPC Live 

Pressing live hardcore, punk, ska and metal shows on vinyl!

Active photographers that I recommend to your readers would be the local music scene photographer homies in the Hudson Valley. They are the best. Give ‘em all a follow:  @facephoto_77, @mexicanspropertyand @lunatic_pics
There are a ton more out there but almost every show I’m at these photogs are there crushin’.
Another photog I have to recommend is my lovely fiancé@callmeannemarie I can’t do what she does and it blows me away when I see what she can create with her clients. 
And finally, a photog that I look to for inspiration and pure “holy shit how did they get that photo” -ness is@billydeee I don’t know how he does it but his stuff is like magic.

Lastly, here's a put.over.photo shot of our band SONIC BOMB at the Annual Memorial Day Weekend at Tompkins Sq Park event by Drew Stone Films and The New York Hardcore Chronicles.

Some of the musicians featured in this gallery of photos by @put.over.photo:

 @foxyshazam, @miraclebloodmusic, @low_413, @moondoughmusic, @cellmate.mp3, @rat.bath.band, put.over.photo of , put.over.photo of @comemierdaband, put.over.photo , put.over.photo of Box Fest

@masterjaron 

I first became aware of Jaron's photography quite recently through a post that my girls the Woman Of The Pit put out. I want our band to be photographed by this artist so badly. Perhaps on pour next big tour. Fine art is interlaced with the already potent photographs really accentuates the subject matter. There is much thought put into every image. And I love how detailed and vibrant it all is. Without turning mushy. This work is edgy and packs a punch. 

I asked Jaron a few Qs and these were his answers:

"Question 1: I don’t have much to promote. I’ve got a backlog of photos I’m trying to catch up on right now and more coming up. So, not much downtime in sight.

Question 2: My friend Jeri Mize @vizions_of_mize.llc a Jill of all trades and a phenomenal person. Photographer veteran and a master of silversmithing and jewelry. The Maxines @themaxinesband just released their sophomore album and it’s killer. I’m digging the new record and can’t wait to photograph them again. My buddies in By Way of Fire @bywayoffire are getting revved up and are doing shows and work in the studio looking to put out new music in the coming year. Looking forward to hearing the new stuff. 

Question 3: Just be compassionate and caring to one another. Lift one another up. Stay in contact. Ask how people are doing. We go through day to day life just saying we’re fine when we’re really not completely. 

I know I’ve been working on myself and once you decide to change for the better you can only go up from there."

Some of the musicians in this gallery of photos by Jaron Loggins:

THe Burial Ground, Big Oaf, Kayo Dot, Shayri Sullivan and the BBC, Big Oaf, Blood Yulture, The Muckers, The Goddamn Gallows, High On Fire.

Dina Douglass:

@dinadouglasspunkphotography

What I love about Dina's photos is how iconic they are. Dina is an incredible photographer, (to me) especially when she does close up portraits, but in any sense of the way her technical ability and eye are hard matched.. But personally what draws me to her work the most is that she has shot almost all my punk rock idols. And is such a skillful, sensitive way. So smart. Such a persona capturer. There they are. all my favorites. Stunning stark Black and white and stunningly vibrant full color images. It is a true pleasure to become friends with this incredibly talented force of a woman. I urge you to look at ALLLLL of her work. Because while I choose to focus on concert/live music photography in this issue,  her other work is equally as stunning.

I am also going to give Dina her own solo feature review article in one of my upcoming issues as soon as her new upcoming book is ready to sell to the masses. So please stay tuned for that as well!

Bio: 

Before the world knew her as a sought-after event photographer, Dina Douglass had long harbored a secret in her closet — a sprawling archive of punk history that she'd been sitting on for years.

With her mom’s encouragement, Dina started posting her punk photos on Instagram, and her explosion of unseen images was instantly embraced by lovers of punk both young and old. Her account soon became known for both high-quality imagery and the contributions of the many visitors who stopped by to share stories from back in the day. 

Dina is currently gearing up for release of her long-awaited book of that early punk photography, entitled Shot as a Teen and published by Trust Press and Kill Your Idols Books. The book showcases an incredible time capsule of photos that Dina took as a teenager, when her primary focus was the Los Angeles punk scene during its 1981-1984 heyday. 

Years in the making, Shot as a Teen features 250 pages covering 60 bands in B&W and color, as well as 40 pages of crowd and fan photos. Bands include The Adicts, Social Distortion, The Exploited, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Circle Jerks, The Misfits, TSOL, Discharge, Black Flag and too many others to list. 

As of this writing, Shot as a Teen is at the printer, so stay tuned for an official release date. See Dina’s punk rock work at @dinadouglasspunkphotography on Instagram.

I asked Dina a few Q’s and these were her answers:

Current Inspirations? 

“Lately, I’m loving the affection that younger kids have for punk. It was the coolest time ever but punk’s heyday took place many years ago. Seeing teenage kids lose their minds for bands like The Exploited and The Adicts is just the best thing. And seeing these bands get their due makes me so happy because many of them played in tiny clubs for nearly nothing all those years ago.”

“I’m super inspired by all the punk-style artwork I see all over social media, and love the creativity that people are bringing to the table. Artist Jim Madison at @jimhmadison is a particular favorite, but I also love the ceramics that Women of the Pit founder Lori Dawn at @loridawn_art creates.  Mike Egan at @mikeeganart has a really cool style, and I’ve also lately been admiring creations by @nanu_nano_art, @jessexbarba, @nataliafabia and the wonderful singer of The Adicts, who does amazing pieces that he showcases at @monkeyadicts. And let’s not forget the filmmakers. The beautiful @jessicamoncrief has been doing some stunning work of late.”

Anything Else to Say? 

“Photographers rule, as long as they’re nice to one another. Work hard but play nicely. You never know when someone will be able to help you or, more importantly, become a good friend.”ne

Some of the musicians in this gallery of photos by Dina Douglass:

 The Adicts, Suicidal Tendencies, Viagra Boys, Harley Flanagan of Cro Mags, Kieth Morris, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Henry Rollins, Wattie of Exploited, Excel, The Clash, Glenn Danzig, Dee Dee Ramone, Sthal of Screem, Jack Grisham of TSOL, Ian MacKay of Minor Threat, John Lydon of The Sex Pistols and PIL, Corrosion Of Conformity

Some of the musicians in this gallery of photos by Steve J. Messina:

Municipal Waste, Cheap Trick, Iggy Pop, GWAR, The Misfits, Keith Morris, ACDC, Judas Priest, Shirley Manson of Garbage, Gogol Bordelo, Sick Of It All, Car Bombs, GBH, Heywire, Circle Jerks, Iggy and the Stooges, Amyl and the Sniffers, Amy of The Interrupters, Stigma of Agnostic Front, Incendiary Device, Bill Mkay, Glen Dudley and Steve of The Long Wait, Dave of Tree, Gene Simmons

Steven J. Messina / Hardcore Shutterbug:

 

@hardcoreshutterbug

Bio / Portrait Of A Hardcore Shutterbug:

Steven J. Messina is a Poet, Musician, and Photographer. Born and raised on Long Island. Currently residing in Commack, New York. Lead Singer of the Hardcore Rock N' Roll bands  Serial Poets, and The Slingblades. Spoken Word Performer, Professional Photographer, and Flyer Designer. He can be seen regularly as part of the online webcast The New York Hardcore Chronicles Live! And the "Back To The NYHC Roots" Music Series. As a Photographer, he was first inspired by his mother Jane Messina (also a Photographer), and later by legendary lensmen Bob Gruen and Charles Peterson. Steven began sneaking his camera into concerts in the early 80's, working his way into the photo pit, where he can be found often. His work can be found in numerous books, magazines, web pages and album covers. And can be seen at Instagram.com/hardcoreshutterbug

As a Musician, Steven has fronted Serial Poets since 1994. Blending Hardcore, Metal, and Rock N' Roll into their own unique style. As well as The Slingblades since 2024, a traditional Punk Rock band, inspired by the pioneers of the genre. Both bands can be found on all digital music platforms. As a Poet and Spoken Word Performer, he has been making live appearances in the New York area since the early 90's. And has been featured in various newspapers and magazines. Writing daily since childhood, he describes his poetry as "Self-Therapy" and a way to "Distract The Demons". 

I also asked Steven what live music photographers e’d recommend and his answer was:
“Rich Zoeller, Tim Daley & Dave Boccio, Amazing photographers. And dear friends”.

 

I first met Steven with Chris,  through our NYC crew - WOTP and Larry Kelly and Drew Stone. I feel like we have become such quick friends because we are kindred spirits, Renaissance'ian people who need to express ourselves artistically no matter the medium. Steven's photography is striking not only in it's sharp, bright, quality, and his ability to catch all the cool moments. But also in the jaw dropping amount of world renowned talent that he has shot for a dude his age.  But what impressed me even more than all the amazing live shots of some of my favorite super-stars, was how much attention and art Steven gives ANY and ALL performer. In fact some of my favorite photos from Steven's Portfolio were those of musicians that I have never heard of before. I urge you to go take a close of all his photos! The amount of good shots was overwhelming.  

Michelle Mennona:

@mmennonaphotography

Prints by Michelle

Photographer – holding Michelle's published photos  

What I personally love most about Michelle's photos is how each subject seems like a beacon in the darkness. While sometimes menacing looking or very angst ridden at least, the subject performer is almost always put forward and center which I love, well lit and surrounded with total black darkness which creates a "pull you in" feel". And illustrates how much Michelle puts her subjects, rather than her own ego and agenda, in focus of each photo/art piece. Bravo girl! And I loved corresponding with her over this. I really hope we get to meet and hang in real life real soon too. 

I asked Michelle a few Q’s and these were Michelle’s answers:

"Promote: I just moved to the Orlando area from NYC so I’m always looking for shows and bands to shoot in and around the area. I’ve been shooting shows for about the last 30yrs from my home area of DC up and down the east cost and west coast, the last 20 yrs in nyc, to now here in Florida. Here is my Flickr address
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mmennonaphotography/albums
You can contact me either on ig @mmennonaphotography or via email at mennonaphotos@gmail.com

Recommends: NEW NOISE MAGAZINE working with them has been a pleasure they’ve given me a place where I can showcase my photos.

Bands: NØ Man from DC (NoManBand) - I’ve known these guys since we were teenagers. And they just get more and more heavier and growly as we’ve gotten older. Maha the singer is pure pro-fection to this band, and as it has grown. So has her voice! She’s brilliant in her lyrics and has made so many more open the eyes to the conflict in Palestine being a Palestinian herself! Also, Bitter Branches (bitterbranches.bandcamp.com) Philly/ NJ. If you like Dead Guy you’ll love Bitter Branches. They just released a new LP called Let’s Give The Land back to the animals! I just love this band so much. Tim is lyrically is just one of my favorites. Kev and Dan Yemin chefs kiss… rev just put out a band called Bird Legs If you were into Snapcase / Youth of Today / Better Than 1000 / Brother’s Keeper. You’ll 100% enjoy this! 

Photographers: My friend Rich Zoeller (facebook.com/richzoellerphotography) - he’s gone back to the 90’s style with the lighting effects. Adam Tanner  dude’s got a treasure trove of hardcore history. Another great photographer: KennPenn from vabeach! Fashion to conventions to hardcore shows! I’ve admire his work for years even being his friend I am always gobsmacked at his use of flash and color!

Last words: I love my hardcore and I love the scene, more mixed bills, less old vs new! Stop the I was there mentality no one cares, oh and Hire more female photographers!!!!! Reach out to the ones that don’t have a big name….. yet! Cus we matter too! And there are some damn good photogs out there you’re sleeping on! Venues: I’ll get heat for this one but, stop allowing so many stage potatoes. If your not in the band, working, or shooting get off the stage at least for the first 4 songs! Give us room to work! Also limit the amount of photographers at shows, way way way to many!!"

Some of the musicians in this gallery of photos by Michelle Mennona:

Strike Anywhere, Car Bomb Parade, Drunken Rampage, Reaching Out, Cello Biafra @ThePunkCellist, Strike Anywhere, Creature Rebelmatic (band review in this issue, Cello Biafra @ThePunkCellist, Faim, Dan Yemin of Kid Dynomite and Bitter Branches, Neck Scars.

Rich Zoeller:

@zm__archives & @zoelski74

Riche's work is very distinct in that it has a cool dark urban feel to it. his images almost always look like they have a fine veil of darkness over them. It makes his images mysterious and pulling you in for a closer look. Like a flower growing out of the concrete on an overcast day. To me, his work reads poetic, moody and artistic. Rich is also really good at using those motion blurs and movement trails in a way that made me feel like I was looking at the person's soul rather then the performer.  Rich is such a nice, sweet person, and I am so glad that we are all friends for life (if I have any say in it). I have only given you a taste of Rich's work. There is so much of it on his pages. and his none-concert photography is just as stunning. and it has this mysterious, dark, fine veil over it as well but also introduces what feels to me like social commentary and as always a cool factor. (To be featured in future issues about that, theme/subject, for sure). 

I asked Rich to recommend and big up his favs and this was his answer:

“Hey all, Rich Zoeller here just wanted to say thank you for having me part of you're zine its a great honor. For some that may not know I'm a live music photographer based out of NYC covering mostly the hardcore/punk scenes as well as covering bigger acts for a few different publications. Photography is a true passion if mine which goes far beyond just live music I'll share links below.
I love the fact that I'm always being inspired by other photographers all the time such as some legends like (Dina Douglass) Bevrock (Ed Colver) and the list goes on. As well as others you should definitely give a follow @Facephoto_77 @hardcoreshutterbug @musicdaley @quitetstorm422 M ..too many to mention. 
Be sure to check out some of these bands if you don’t know Incendiary Device (new album in May), Tree (All Albums), Haywire, Terror, RBNX, Combust, Raw Brigade and the list goes on”.

Jen Vesp:

www.jenvesp.com

Facebook.com/jenvespphotography

@jenvesp

What I love about Jen's photography is that she is a master of capturing performers mid movement. I notice that Jen focuses a lot of women performers and she finds in all of them a fierceness, and an ass-kicking energy all while celebrating their gentle femininity. It's a cool thing to look at. It feels like Jen portrays these women performers in a way that possibly inspires her. It certainly inspires me. And definitely speaks to my “women for women” / “you go girl” heart. Jen also takes a ton of funny and wonderful photos of comedians and various sport events regularly. And her portfolio is bottomless. But Jen wrote that she is currently open to photographing shows and portraits/headshots! 

Coleman Rogers:

@colemanrphotos

http://colemanrogersphotography.com

What I love best about my friend Coleman's photos is the play with light that he always uses. When I last saw him in action at Faces Brewery he showed me how he had installed these mini towers of lights from each side of the stage in order to create a cooler light play in his photos. I thought that was cool and I like how his images always look like a mid-dream shot. The musicians are almost always in such a focused trance state (beams of light used as brush strokes would in a painting, fog puffs revealed by the bold beams of light, twinkling reflected areas around the musician's faces and instruments..  these photos are like little poems. Coleman's work is as artistic, gently bold and thought out as the bud himself. Coleman currently lives in Portugal with his wife. But when I think of him I think Boston music scene photographer through and through!

I asked Coleman a few Q's and these were his answers:

"Recently, I did a series of backlit pieces, using layers of photos on transparent paper.

Otherwise, I am in Portugal until further notice (dealing with residency here is a pain in the butt), and can't wait to come home, probably in the summer.

I just put up all of the rumble semi and finals from the last four. I think there are also some from thirsty first. I am finally with my site layout and I have been uploading in the last week. back home soon

Fave photogs: Tim Bugbee, Joshua Pickering, Rafi Sofer

Bands: Knock Over City, I enjoyed The PAs when I saw them, minibeast…it feels like forever since I have seen bands in Boston. I was there for a few weeks in October, but before that it was the Rumble..   The Ghouls, of course, Gut Health.

I miss the Lowell art and music, on top of the Boston music community.

I can’t wait to come back and finally see SONIC BOMB. The timing has not worked out yet…in the meantime, I am burying myself in the gym and trying to do creative work. The path of ‘releasing intention’ has its good days and bad. The back lit pieces are an extension of that. Randomly putting things together and being surprised by the outcome."

Kristin Laughter:

@kristinlaughterphotography

Kristin is a beautiful, lovely person, and a beautiful, lovely photographer,  whom I know from a SOTD group I joined when a mutual Boston-NY Ska/Reggae pal, Pro Assistant Director and Saxophonist extraordinaire Matt Mason started during the Pandemic.  A year or two ago when I was looking to support DIY and small business owner women, I discovered Kristin's photo transfers to wood and LOVED her chill art. Kristin's photos are unique to me in that they have a vibe, just like a cool reggae/ska/jazz song. I feel like I can hear the music when I look at her photos. And I can also feel the love that this lovely has for the music and for her friends. There is sweetness and joy and serenity in her beautiful and very decorative images. 

I asked Kristin a few Qs and these were her answers:

“I can be found on Instagram at @kristinlaughterphotography and @tropicalbearstudio. You can also see my work on my website (www.kristinlaughter.com). I recently revamped my Etsy store (www.etsy.com/shop/TropicalBearStudio) with more wood prints of my original photography as well as some new shadow box art inspired by found items at garage sales and thrift stores.

Current ACTIVE bands/artists/photographers/Fashion designers that I would like to recommend to your readers: The Dracu-Las (Beach goth garage punk power pop out of Jersey City, NJ. So very groovy. Their lead singer/guitarist Kyna (@kyna_marie) has been a photographer/filmmaker herself for years prior to starting the band). IG: @thedracu_las
Taylor Nathe (NYC-based photographer who has only been shooting for a few years, but his use of shadows and light are already wicked. We grew up together in the Orlando local music scene - I love seeing how his creative expression has evolved over the years). IG: @tnathe Gnarly Headache (Brooklyn and Mexico City-based punk artist who crafts hand-drawn, hand-cut, hand-pressed prints. Being acutely in tune with the art, music, culture, and politics of his community, he regularly raises funds for mutual aid efforts for those causes that inspire him and his work. IG: @gnarlyheadache

Anything else on my mind/ in your heart that I would like to voice on your Zine platform?Make art & music with your friends as much as possible. Never forget that zines are beautiful and important stories from the underground. DIY Forever.”

Tyler Cletus Morill:

www.facebook.com/cletusmae.morrill

@tylerb.morrill

I've always thought of Tyler as a videographer rather than a photographer. As I met him for the first time when he was shooting a video of my old bud Bob Cenci at a show I was part of with my solo act Josephine With A Cause. Or maybe it was at an even earlier show. But after Tyler shot a video of our band SONIC BOMB at Alchemy when we opened for Left Over Crack, he also sent us some pix from the show and those are some of my favorite SONIC BOMB pix! I went digging in Tyler's other live music photography and I really loved how he always seems to find all the punx, the misfits, the different / interesting looking folks (to me at least). And his subjects almost always look totally unaware. Rather than "in midst haming it up."

I asked Tyler a few Qs to which he answered:

 "I have been documenting Live Shows since 2010.My 1st show filmed was of The Legendary DWARVES! I sent Blag a email about trying to do an animation of their set at The Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, MA (I was in my animation class at the time but was way too big of a bite to actually accomplish, so never got off the ground). But from that point on... filming and editing became my passion since I'm not very talented with musical equipment bahaha. And here we are now and I've filmed so many incredible bands at some great venues.....

-Middle East in Cambridge, Ma is one of my favorite places to filming shows. (Big thank you to...Keith Bennett @motorheathen1313 always hooking me up with access to the stage when the shows are Downstairs).

-O'Brian's folks. I lovn's Pub in Allston, MA rules, and I love Basement and VFW shows anywhere

-I filming shows with my Right hand and in my Left hand I have my iphone for taking action shots. I also have two audio recorders i use for better audio then my camera can provide (then I edit them together).

-My youtube channel where I post whole sets for people to view @tylerb.morrill6049 https://www.youtube.com/@tylerb.morrill6049"

Marsha Thibault:

www.facebook.com/share/1741yfK2Gr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I asked Marsha some Q’s and this was her answer:

Marsha: I would love to promote All Sinners (https://allsinnerscult.com) and their new album We Own The Night available on Rat Pak Records I am their merchandise manager as well as their main photographer…..I also love going to all the local clubs and shooting all the cool shows New Bedford has to offer.