After landing at LA’s most notorious punk label, Naomi Petersen became one of the scene's hottest photographers, shooting Sonic Youth, Gn’R, Nirvana and everyone between. How did it all go so wrong?
Great article. Talented people destroying themselves with drugs or alcohol is a long, sad story. It would be great if there was a coffee table book of her best photos in large format, with memoirs from people who knew her and from bands that were on the scene at the time.
Thanks for that, I appreciate it! Really curious about what the book will look like. There's no pub date yet but I imagine I'll share an update when I know....
We used to lie and tell our parents we were spending the night at one another’s house and we would sometimes spend it at the houses of the bands or stay up all night with the bands. We would get horrible, horribly drunk as well. I always found it sort of interesting that these older males never messed with us teens. We could sleep in their van, in their backyards, or on their couches, get drunk and pass out on their laps even. Of course, that’s just one anecdote. But it’s not what happened in the 1970s. Some of the punk bands did not take advantage of young teen girls. They treated us as music aficionados, people fleeing our parents, not as groupies.
Yup, it was so case-by-case. I feel deeply grateful I grew up in a punk scene oriented around social justice and basically being decent to one another. With exceptions!
Very good read...sad to hear of her passing,but glad to see her work showcased...Ran into her a few times back in the day when I documented the scene...
Beautiful piece. I’ve always been grateful to all those weirdo-arty types I saw at shows back in the 80’s who carried along a camera, back in the era before digital photography. Hoping to see more of Naomi’s work in book form!
Marvelous job at time travel there - your writing & the memory of her photos - & God, those DC rats. I recall riding with Brian Baker & Sam McPheeters to see Descendents play...and how the biggest rat I've ever seen in the USA kept pace with his hatchback for a block or two.
Thanks Jason! I was actually just catching up with an old D.C. friend about the 9:30 and the fact that D.C. then (and likely now) has more rats than humans….
Makes think of how Nick Shinz shaped my music appreciation after living in Denver for a number of years and experiencing that unique scene of Hip Hop and Metal bands. Nick Shinz was the lead bassist in the Band Ainmatter that had bass and no treble; well an 8-string bass and 4-string bass. I wish the band as it was made it out of Denver. Though a few years ago I rediscovered Nick and he had made it out of that landlocked scene.
Hey Seth. Thanks for this. I am going to cry a lot, and go back and read my journals from then. I knew her a little. But, enough. I feel so old, and think of myself then as so young. Thanks for writing this. I mean it. A lot.
There is this thing about seeing people you know, like ate chili with, memorialized. And I wish more people talked to Carducci, I just wish he told more stories.
You know, I went to see the movie "Lee" on Wednesday night--about the photographer Lee Miller--whose most famous photograph is the one she took of herself in Hitler's bathtub right as the Allies took over. She was amazing and punk rock in her way. I think you'd like that movie.
The Jim Saah photo brought instant recognition in my mind. She always seemed mysterious, cool and confident. Thank you for filling in part of the picture.
I was a good female friend of Naomi's for the early DC years (until 93). She was wonderful. I didn't know she had passed until I saw Carducci's post. He knew a different Naomi than I did//
There is still Heavy Metal Bob and Grandpa Ed as people who passed too soon. And Adam.
Thank you Jessica! I'm very bad with names, but I found a photo of Naomi standing with two women from the old 9:30--thinking you're one of them (you're tall, yes?). As I think you can tell, I really struggle to understand how the people you name (I knew all of them) could be gone (or couldn't find a way to stick around). Appreciate your reading a great deal.
Great article. Talented people destroying themselves with drugs or alcohol is a long, sad story. It would be great if there was a coffee table book of her best photos in large format, with memoirs from people who knew her and from bands that were on the scene at the time.
Thanks for that, I appreciate it! Really curious about what the book will look like. There's no pub date yet but I imagine I'll share an update when I know....
We used to lie and tell our parents we were spending the night at one another’s house and we would sometimes spend it at the houses of the bands or stay up all night with the bands. We would get horrible, horribly drunk as well. I always found it sort of interesting that these older males never messed with us teens. We could sleep in their van, in their backyards, or on their couches, get drunk and pass out on their laps even. Of course, that’s just one anecdote. But it’s not what happened in the 1970s. Some of the punk bands did not take advantage of young teen girls. They treated us as music aficionados, people fleeing our parents, not as groupies.
Yup, it was so case-by-case. I feel deeply grateful I grew up in a punk scene oriented around social justice and basically being decent to one another. With exceptions!
Very good read...sad to hear of her passing,but glad to see her work showcased...Ran into her a few times back in the day when I documented the scene...
Hey, thanks for reading (and sharing your takeaway) Ken. Appreciate that.
Beautiful piece. I’ve always been grateful to all those weirdo-arty types I saw at shows back in the 80’s who carried along a camera, back in the era before digital photography. Hoping to see more of Naomi’s work in book form!
Thanks D., appreciate that! No word yet on when Naomi’s book comes out, but I’ll share news here….
Marvelous job at time travel there - your writing & the memory of her photos - & God, those DC rats. I recall riding with Brian Baker & Sam McPheeters to see Descendents play...and how the biggest rat I've ever seen in the USA kept pace with his hatchback for a block or two.
Thanks Jason! I was actually just catching up with an old D.C. friend about the 9:30 and the fact that D.C. then (and likely now) has more rats than humans….
As a massive fan of Joe's book, it's great to read more about Naomi.
Appreciate that Eduardo!
Brilliant writing!!
Makes think of how Nick Shinz shaped my music appreciation after living in Denver for a number of years and experiencing that unique scene of Hip Hop and Metal bands. Nick Shinz was the lead bassist in the Band Ainmatter that had bass and no treble; well an 8-string bass and 4-string bass. I wish the band as it was made it out of Denver. Though a few years ago I rediscovered Nick and he had made it out of that landlocked scene.
Oh that’s crazy! 12 strings of bass?
Ainmatter “Change the Stars” music video link
https://youtu.be/vEZ75psHMjo?si=vVpFVig-8Syxg9c0
Excellent article, thanks!
Appreciate that a great deal!
Thanks for this tribute to an artist and a life.
Ah, thanks for reading Glenn!
Hey Seth. Thanks for this. I am going to cry a lot, and go back and read my journals from then. I knew her a little. But, enough. I feel so old, and think of myself then as so young. Thanks for writing this. I mean it. A lot.
Appreciate that Dino, a great deal. And agree.
There is this thing about seeing people you know, like ate chili with, memorialized. And I wish more people talked to Carducci, I just wish he told more stories.
Compelling
Thank you Sarah, appreciate that!
You know, I went to see the movie "Lee" on Wednesday night--about the photographer Lee Miller--whose most famous photograph is the one she took of herself in Hitler's bathtub right as the Allies took over. She was amazing and punk rock in her way. I think you'd like that movie.
I THINK YOU’RE RIGHT!
The Jim Saah photo brought instant recognition in my mind. She always seemed mysterious, cool and confident. Thank you for filling in part of the picture.
Ah thanks Natasha! I felt that way about her too, and I'm glad I could chase down at least part of the story. Thanks for reading it!
I was a good female friend of Naomi's for the early DC years (until 93). She was wonderful. I didn't know she had passed until I saw Carducci's post. He knew a different Naomi than I did//
There is still Heavy Metal Bob and Grandpa Ed as people who passed too soon. And Adam.
Thank you Jessica! I'm very bad with names, but I found a photo of Naomi standing with two women from the old 9:30--thinking you're one of them (you're tall, yes?). As I think you can tell, I really struggle to understand how the people you name (I knew all of them) could be gone (or couldn't find a way to stick around). Appreciate your reading a great deal.
Wonderful read, Seth
Thanks Joe; appreciate your readership a great deal!