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Q-T INDEX Alphabetical Links

 

R2D2 is an Indie Rocker
Rag + Bone
Road Story A Poetic Fiction
Reglar Wiglar
Salt Magazine
Scream
Semigloss
Sneer
Spank
Speed Kills
Stain
Suburban Nightmares: Childhood Secrets
Superdope
Tail Spins
Temp Slave
Thora-zine
Through the Habitrails


    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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)

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    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