R2D2 Is An Indie Rocker #4
Page after page of sincere laughs and snorts. Jef Czekaj makes
some hilarious and witty critiques of the internet and cyberculture
in this comic adventure, while throwing in indie rock references,
reviews in disguise, and of course Star Wars ($2 to: RIAIR, PO Box 440422, West Sommerville, MA 02144) -DK (#14)
R2-D2 is an indie rocker #5
Although you probably need to be an insider, Jeff’s comics and
witty observations of the indie rock/zine scene are too hilarious
to miss, especially because they often deliver kernels of truth.
An extra bonus R2 also has the (quality) joke page, a “Dear Boba” column, a hilarious
letter to Lucasfilms pitching a licensing deal for glow-in-the-dark
Light Saber condoms, and a NUDE stormtrooper. You’ll laugh and
the force will be with you, sucka. -DK (#15)
Rag + Bone #6
Just as Exile Osaka covers the big-nosed round-eye experience of underground music
and life in Osaka, Rag + Bone covers the Tokyo scene and goings on. This issue contains the
mighty Melt-Banana, Amy Denio, Matt Exile (yep, as in Exile Osaka), a journal to Shanghai, Otomo Yoshihide, the Heaven’s Door club,
Crush Club, some zine/music/live reviews, and more. Headbone’s
“In Praise of Hissy Cassettes” reveals his love of homemade cassettes
while also quite succintly defining the fanatical, DIY pulse of
music fandom that pumps through this zine. Lots of cool stuff,
packed densly into nice little-sized pages. Check it out along
with Headbone’s Semi Roar music label. (Semi Roar, Suginami-Ku, Ogikubo 3-39-7, Hirokawa-So #102, Tokyo,
Japan 167-0051) -DK (#15)
Road Story A Poetic Fiction
by J.A. De Guzman
Mr. De Guzman recommends not skipping over the poetry inserted
throughout the story, claiming that you may miss some of the plot
or soul of the book. I would recommend tearing them out before
you even begin reading because they become nothing more than an
annoying mockery of any soul the story has in the first place.
All in all, this is a fairly interesting adventure book with lots
of references to our beloved subcultures, likable heros, and despicable
enemies who get it in the end. The only drawback was the bad poetry
(bad in or out of context) that popped up everytime something
substantial occurred. I began to dread pivotal points in the story,
fearing that I’d turn the page to find
BAD
CAPITALIZED “POETRY”
THAT WAS
SUPPOSED...
TO ADD A WHOLE NEW
DIMENSION
TO MY READING EXPERIENCE...
... and sadly I read all of them, finding nothing but a distractions
to an otherwise readable story.(Blue Halo Publishing, PO Box 7137, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-7137)
-DK (#14)
Reglar Wiglar
Vol.2 #5
Funny fucking zine outta Chicago that does many beuatiful things:
1. Explore the stupidity and evilness of those “psychological
personality profiles” that shitty jobs make you take to see if
you’re dishonest enough to appear honest. 2. Throws crappy cds onto the busy Western Avenue and
describe their demise. 3. Create a parody (I hope!) band interview
(the Woodrows) complete with an exaustive discography. I have
no idea what Reglar Wiglar means, do you? (Reglar Wiglar, PO Box 578174, Chicago, IL 60657) -DK (#12)
Reglar Wiglar
Vol. 2 #6
Again, the Wiglar delivers the goods. This issue parodies a “top
secret” memo from PBS President Irvin Dugan on ways to save PBS
from its recent cutbacks ( like “Charlie Rose’s Ms. PBS Pageant”
with knockouts like Kathleen McKinnon and Andrea Dworkin), an
interview with the “band” WEENIS, which illustrates some of the
idiocy with the the perpetual “next big thing”, as well as a smART
TEST (like those wacky TV Art Instruction Schools tests) and some
“Unverified Trivial Facts” that do a fine job making fun of people
who truly deserve it. -DK (#13)
Reglar Wiglar
Vol. 2 #3; Vol. 2 #4
Another two issues down for Chicago’s humorzine which includes
an “interview” with the hottest Britpop sensation MIRAGE; “Fire
Without Prejudice”, a guide for heartless employers to shitcanning
their employees; Chicagopoly, the board game of Chicagoland development;
some comics, including the mysterious TR Miller; plus the finest
assortment of anti-reviews in the world. -DK (#14)
Reglar Wiglar #11
In living, bright-red color, the target featured on the newest
Wiglar will no doubt be uesful to those who will feebly retaliate the
barbs this Chicago mainstay subtly deploys. Throwing together
real band features like The Goblins (well, at least I think they’re
real?they have records out anyway, I’ve seen ‘em!) along side
the impossibly prolific genius of The Woodrows, it’s often hard,
yet pleasantly refreshing to figure out if Mr. Auman and Co. are
just fucking with you or not. Of course, there are more direct
hits like ever-fresh “Idiotorial” and Giganta Corporation’s President’s
Message, or perhaps the title-clinching “I Hate Your Band I Hate
Your Zine’” This zine will infuriate or confuse morons of all
types: your neighbors, scensters, zinesters, red-headed step children,
you name it. With a name like Reglar Wiglar, it’s gotta be good. -DK (#15)
Salt Magazine #33
So you’re tired of typical fanzine fare and want something really offensive? Try this cleancut, Christian Kinko’s delight! It’s
more thought provoking and baffling than anything else I’ve ever
seen, and it’s rather offensive to those of us with critical thinking
skills. Interviews with weak bands like Hum, Eternal Decision,
and Kansas City’s most pathetic band of thirty-somethings, The
Rainmakers are featured along with insightful quotes like “A fetus
is not a potential human, but a human with potential” and “Liberals
won’t stop until laws legalize license.” Even a quote from Ronald
Reagan gets props! Consistent with its simplistic, superficial
philosophies, the Salt staff neglect to even write an introduction to the Rainmakers
interview, leaving the reader to guess who “BW” is and what “BW”
does in the band. Then they review some death metal bands favorably.
These folks are truly tweaked and subversive. (Salt, PO Box 9101, Mission, KS 66201) -DK (#15)
Scream
Fall 1995
There’s an article about how this zine is a mutation from an insert
in Frostburg State University’s school newspaper, telling about
the trials and tribulations of having actual “free press” under
the scrutiny of newspaper faculty. It’s a good thing that S decided
to take his good ideas into his own hands and self-publish. Inside
are some political anti-fascist, anti-racist articles, and surprisingly
(yet rationally) a pro-firearms piece, “Weapon of Choice.” But
thankfully, there’s also some really funny things like the “Toonage
Denied” (well, I guess that’s kinda serious, but it’s written
snappily enough that you’ll chuckle at MTV’s stupidity) and “Ask
Aqmed”, which is a hilarious 2-page reply to the question that
puzzles so many: “How can Major Nelson resist all of Jeannie’s
advances?” (Trona Inc., PO Box 544 Frostburg, MD 21532) -DK (#13)
Semigloss #2
Great looking zine with sharp graphics and good, albeit sparse,
content. Covering a wide range of media and music, Semigloss contains
an interesting mixture of diverse subjects. Included are features
on Theremin (the man, movie, and the instrument), NICO, dub, the FRIENDS OF DEAN MARTINEZ, and
oddities like a paranoid rant in fear of the last red regime,
China, commenting on its coming economic dictatorship which might
make our corporate culture look nice. There’s an educated selection
for film and music reviews that strays a bit away from your normal
stuff. My favorite piece was “Candy & Cigarettes”, an autobiographical
account of a week in a San Francisco jail. A good, albeit short
read.-DK (#14)
Sneer #4
“A Queerzine Cooler Than You” and don’t you feel bad because it
is, you silly breeder trash. Hey, I have to admit I feel a bit
cooler when I read Sneer, with it’s queer rants, Church and State
comics, and the hilarious “Sneer Guide to Ordering Pizza’. Reading
it almost makes up for my compulsive, degenerate heterosexual
lifestyle. I’m a disgusting human being, but reading Sneer makes
me feel like a better person, I swear. (Sneer online: www.sneerzine.com) -DK (#14)
Spank #14
Spank, authorities on “being from Iowa” attitude, put out a great
zine with such consistency that I doubt they ever sleep. Practically
every month I keep my eye out for the latest issue, watching for
their beautiful cover art (the mock Space Invaders “Spank Invaders”
was genius). This issue has lotsa reviews and bands like SATAN’S
PILGRIMS, TANNER, GARDEN VARIETY, KNAPSACK, DAS CLOWN, FIG DISH,
and TILTWHEEL. By the time you read this there will no doubt be
2-3 more issues of this out and it’s not because I’m slow! (Spank, 1004 Rose Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315-3000) -DK (#13)
Spank #18
A fine looking and dense issue with tons of reviews, features,
and interviews with punks and indies like SINKHOLE, MIKE PARK,
SQUIDBOY, SQUAT, JAWBOX, CAVITY SEARCH, and BLOUNT. A great mix
of national and local music with a ton of reviews and an double-wide
dose of indie/punk fandom. -DK (#14)
Spank #25
Longtime Iowa fanzine that’s been getting more and more fresh
with age, this issue features Mercy Rule, At the Drive-In, Zen
Guerrila, Apocolypse Hoboken, The Exploder, Bangs, Four Letter
Word, All Natural Lemon and Lime Flavors (all bands); Iowa City
zine distro Dead Weight; a micro label profile on Johanns Face;
and massive music and zine reviews. As has been the case with
the last few issues of this zine, most of the interviews are total
pro, to-the-point, interesting pieces of music journalism that’s
never afraid to reveal it’s love of music. Long live Spank! -DK (#15)
Speed Kills #7
Scott Rutherford always outdoes himself and his zine. Most people
are completely content spending $5 on a good-size (110 pg) zine
with a bonus 7” record, but this issue packs in some extra vinyl
inches for a 4-song 10” record. For $4.50. And it’s not like he’s
throwing in a bunch of filler either, as the zine and record are
highly desirable items. The 10” has BACK OFF CUPIDS, PORTASTATIC,
FLYING SAUCER ATTACK, and A HANDFUL OF DUST. I was excited to
hear some avant-noise sounds from A HANDFUL OF DUST, a new direction
for the SK bonus records perhaps. The other tracks have more of
a indie rock slant to them and are noteworthy as well. Detailed
discographies are provided in the zine, along with an extensive
interview with FSA. Also in the zine is an interview with UNWOUND,
articles about futurism and one of its largely unacknowledged
proprieters LUIGI RUSSOLO, 1950’s car-designer VIRGIL EXNER, and
a diverse art supplement. All of this given to you in the superb
graphic design you’d expect. (Speed Kills, PO Box 14561, Chicago, IL 60614) -DK (#13)
Speed Kills #4
Oh yeah! I says after I saw a new issue of Speed Kills, with a bonus 7” for a measly $3. Throw the money down, race
home, throw that rockin’ lo-fi 7” on the turntable, and dig into
what I know will be a good read. Let down? NOT A CHANCE! I’m hardly
a hot rod freak, my girlfriend knows more about cars than I do
and I only recall buying one issue of Hot Rod magazine in my life,
but god damn if this zine isn’t perfect! Rocket From The Crypt
tour diary and Japanese tour, Don Caballero interview, aforementioned
Gaunt 2-song 7”, intelligent reviews, extensive and revealing
“favorite car” interviews with all your favorite punk-stars, plus
much, much more! Throw down yo $3 today, it’s more than worth
it, it’s mandatory! -DK (#10)
Stain #14
Philadelphia-based fanzine featuring uninspiring interviews with
THE ALICE COOPER BAND’s Michael Bruce, MR. T EXPERIENCE, JAMES
ELLROY, and THE PHOTON BAND, plus features on DAVID BOWIE and
UNDERGIRL. There’s also some retarded comics, one really good
comic by cover artist MITCHELL LANDSMAN, and the obligatory spattering
of show, music, and zine reviews. Looks pretty cool, but aside
from the “S.C. vs. M.M” (South Carolina vs. Marilyn Manson) article
it’s about as necessary as a parka in July. (Stain Fanzine/Music, PO Box 2501, Philadelphia, PA 19147-2501)
-DK (Web)
Suburban Nightmares: Childhood Secrets
by Michael Cherkas and Larry Hancock
A collection of three comics “where The Twilight Zone meets Leave
It To Beaver” in a loose drawing style. Each story features a
young suburban lad who becomes wrapped into the classic cases
of circa. 1950s fear: aliens, conspiracies, and communists. The
first story, “Foster Child”, is a stand out because it’s not as
predictable as the others and it actually has some interesting
angles on being “alien”. We follow young Tommy’s life story up
to his moment of truth when he finds out exactly how alien he is when the mothership comes for him. (NBM, 185 Madison Ave., Suite 1504, NY, NY 10016) -DK (#14)
Superdope #8
After reading numerous reviews all over the place, I finally had
a chance to check out a copy of Superdope, and man what an issue. Are they all this good? The main feature
in this issue is “Forty-five 45s that moved heaven and earth”
where editor Jay Hinman picks out with scholarly punkrock knowledge
a healthy selection of the last 20 year’s best singles. There
are some obvious choices which are so heartfully described, you’ll
be digging them up to relive their initial impact, but then there
are a good number of lesser known wonders that will raise your
curiosity. I know that I’ve added a few titles to my want lists
and I imagine that even the most hardcore collectors will gain
something from this. (PO Box 95649, Seattle, WA 98145-2649) -DK (#15)
Tail Spins #24
Fuck, not even a year ago this zine was pretty good, but it’s
grown so much that it’s become the Chicago version of FLIPSIDE.
Weighs in at a fat 128 pages, with stuff on the Chicago Underground
Film Fest, a ton of bands, interviews, music, zine, and live reviews,
and more. Keeps up a fine tradition of local artists doing cover
art, this time with Zachary Present.(PO Box 5467, Evanston, IL 60204) -DK (#13)
Temp Slave #8
This popular zine will appeal to anyone who’s ever had a shitty
job, even if it wasn’t temporary. Unless, of course you are a
rich bastard with a rich daddy, but I guess you’d have better
things to do then read zines, especially ones with subtle communist
leanings. You pigs. But anyway this zine has a great variety of
wage slavery experiences, some boring, some great, some informative,
like temp working in Ireland, the UK, and “Shitzerland”. But just
in case that’s not enough there’s even an interview with the makers
of the infamous anti-URGE OVERKILL zine, Stalker. Read it or I fuckin’ quit. (Temp Slave c/o Keffo, PO Box 8284, Madison, WI 53708-8284) -MC (#14)
Thora-zine #6
This has got to be one of the slickest “fanzines” around. Full
color glossy cover that is worth the relatively affordable price
tag. The feature interview is Helios Creed and some guys from
Man... Or Astro-Man? interviewing, yes, the godfather of soul
himself ?MR. JAMES BROWN! An unforgettable journey into the outer
limits, to say the least. But you also get a flexi with King Buzzo
from the Melvins being a wise-ass. Choice. There’s also a journal
by Mark Fischer (SKiN GRAFT) from a trip to Japan that’s loaded
with such suspense that you’ll probably have to get the next issue
too, like me. (Thora-zine,PO Box 3733, Austin, TX 78764-3733) -DK (#12)
Thora-zine #9
This issue is the most whacked yet. Lots of Japanese stuff as
Brent, his band Concussion, and The Motards make their Japanese
invasion. Matt Kaufman of Exile Osaka fame contributes a few good
articles on the fascinating happenings, and there are lots of
features on bands/people like: ATARI TEENAGE RIOT, DAMO SUZUKI
(ex-CAN), JOHN BERNDT, REIGN, BILE, CHOREBOY, DECENDENTS, GODFLESH,
and more. -DK (#14)
Through the Habitrails
by Jeff Nicholson
This graphic novel takes you into the Jeff’s world, the daily
grind stuck in a hopeless job with hopeless people and hopeless
relationships. By employing visual devices, Jeff’s state of being
is felt by the reader as gerbils tap his essence and drain his
mouthless, slumped over form, his only escape to pickle his head
in alcohol. Jeff struggles through most of the book until he can
no longer take it anymore. Then at the point of no return, he
finds a slice of happiness that quickly fades as he journeys once
again, this time to the end of the book. One of the most driven
and expressive autobiographical comics out today. A brilliant
piece of work. (Bad Habit, PO Box 1012, Petaluma, CA 94953) -DK (#14)
©1999 Dirty Hand Media
