Californian photographer Moni Haworth, or Johnny’s Bird as she’s better known, has been capturing images of the underground art and music scene for over 20 years.

Images VIA

When I started taking photos, I always wanted them to look like movie stills, so I tried to make scenes rather than stills.

And I would watch a lot of Twin Peaks and David Lynch movies for inspiration. Later on, I was pretty in love with all Sally Mann’s work so I used to try and get the same sort of vibe into what I was doing.

I can’t really put into words what I like about the people I want to photograph but I know it when I see it.

Working as a stay-at-home mum by day and a strip club DJ by night, Moni has taken portraits of underground bands and artists (including Gateway Drugs, Zumi Rosow, and Marlon Rabenreither) while portraying the eccentric nightlife of the subjects she encounters for years. Her work is a celebration of the true essence of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll.

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For more of the same, check out this photo set that shows the rise of punk culture in 1970s Britain.