CATS TEETH #6

Cats Teeth #6
wintermuse@gmail.com
This is a short poetry/philosophical musing/perzine that wanders around and explores the author’s consciousness, former lovers, issues, and ideas. Its cut and paste and full of disjointed images and clip art that mimic the tone of the writing. Because I haven’t read any of the previous issues, I didn’t have much context for the stories and poems, and so I often felt out of the loop while reading it. This is an unfortunate byproduct of jumping into someone else’s perzine six issues in. I’m curious for more.

Somnambulist #15

SOMNAMBULIST #15
Martha Grover
pob 14871
Portland, OR 97293
This zine consists entirely of Martha’s notes taken during her weekly family meetings. She had gotten very sick with Cushing’s disease and had to move back in with her parents and four siblings. The zine starts fast, and immediately jumps into the weekly meetings without much explanation or lead up. It doesn’t take long, however, to become familiar with the personalities behind the names, and get a good sense of the who, what, when, and where of this family. There is a lot of squabbling over space in the cupboard and who is responsible for what chore, and believe it or not, this is really funny. It’s a pretty long zine, spanning the course of an entire year, and by the end of it I felt like I really knew this family well. It’s mostly dialogue and short observations centered around the mundane issues present in all communal living situations, “I ask Simone and Sarah to stop leaving half-eaten avocados in the fridge. Sarah says that she never does that. Simone says she will stop doing that….I say that I will attempt to store my urine for my lab tests in a cooler instead of the fridge. Everyone thinks that’s a good idea.” I really enjoyed this zine.

JAVELINA!

A big "HELL YEA!" to Herb from the band Javelina for sending this shirt. Who says writing a zine isn't a lucrative endeavor?

924 GILMAN: the story so far

$18
maximumrocknroll
pob 460760
San Francisco, CA 94146-0760
www.maximumrocknroll.com
Mother of all things punk, this is a great book! Historic, iconic, angry, and fun. I've seen advertisements and reviews of this book around for a few years, but until now had never ordered or picked up a copy. I picked this one up at Powell’s. It was funny because the book was wrapped in plastic on the shelf due to the fact that each page falls out immediately after touching human fingers. The store copy was a hilarious pile of mangled pages stuffed into a plastic bag. Regardless of how poorly this book is bound, it’s great reading and goes into incredible detail about the history, present, and future of this iconic rock club. It’s full of pictures and writing from dozens of people who have been involved throughout. 924 Gilman is an important example dedication and passion. After reading the book I checked in with the club website, www.924gilman.org and saw that they are currently facing a pretty big financial dilemma, that of a $7000 monthly rent increase. Donate if you can.

pic: my old Gilman membership

GOAT FARM #2

Goat Farm has the best cover art ever. This is a personal history of how the author, Kim Riot, came to love metal. This is a very visually stimulating zine full of collage and ironic imagery. I loved this zine and found myself getting jealous of all the bands that she got to see live during those formative teenage years; Neurosis, Cro-Mags, Nuclear Assault. The only concert that rolled through Helena Montana when I was in high school was Huey Lewis & the News……Goat Farm, good stuff.

BURN COLLECTOR #14

Microcosm
222 South Rogers St
Bloomington, IN
If you have read Burn Collector before, then you already know that Al is a really talented writer and artist. I love his strange visuals and ambiguous comic panels that sometimes follow the story and sometimes just make you wonder. In this issue he writes about Chicago public transportation versus biking, and all the shortcomings, pitfalls, and insanity of big city travel, life, and music. He also writes about the often hypocritical forces of gentrification. My favorite part of this zine is Al’s analysis of Daniel Clowes’, Modern Cartoonist and his take on the history of cartooning. He makes it personal and I could totally relate to the stories about reading comics as a kid and trying to mimic the art, coming up short and feeling defeated as an artist. And then you discover punk rock and take the reins of your own artistic journey. This issue of Burn Collector is particularly heavy with comics and art, hallelujah!

THE EAST VILLAGE INKY #42

$3
POB 22754
Brooklyn, NY 11202
This is a really funny zine. EVI has been around forever and is always excellent. I really dug this particular issue in that it takes place at a summer camp. Having been involved with summer camps as both a camper and a counselor on and off for over 30 years, I guess you could say that I could relate. Ayun is there to see to it that her youngins get a quality camp experience and some good eats along the way. You can’t just pick up The East Village Inky and start reading casually through, you have to pay attention. There are so many tangents and rants that she goes off on, and so many funny images and cartoons scattered throughout every page that casual reading is totally out of the question. This zine requires you to find a comfortable reading spot, a tasty beverage, and a few hours of your time. Great reading.

COMETBUS #53

POB 4726
Berkeley, CA 94704
This issue is split with longtime Cometbus contributor Maddalena Polletta. This one is an amalgamation of different stories that wander around and explore a wide variety of topics and issues with each author taking turns. As varying as each story is, this zine has a surprising flow to it. I have been a fan of Aaron’s writing for years and always appreciate his perspective on life and living. Like all good writing the reader gets to experience and view the world with someone else’s goggles on and see it through their filters. Aaron’s filters just happen to be shaded punk, and dipped in pure Berkeley. I really liked this issue and the way that each author peppered it with short, often blunt stories that continue to take you into their worlds, introduce you to thier friends, families, cohorts, struggles and triumph.

ASHCAN MAGAZINE #2

660 4th St #420
San Francisco, CA 94107
www.ashcanmagazine.com
This is a new art, music, comic and culture magazine out of glorious San Francisco. It’s a full-sized newsprint mag whose contents include spotlights on artists Michael Frank, and Chance, an interesting story about touring around the amazon entitled, “Swimming with Piranha”where a gram of cocaine goes for a whopping $2, you can fish for piranhas, and riding in a mototaxi can be a uniquely dangerous endeavor. It’s got interviews with Andrew Jackson Jihad, Make Me!, Kepi Ghoulie as well as record & zine reviews, comics, and some fiction. This is a very solid and quality read that will hopefully find a way to survive in the challenging and often depressing world of print journalism.

ARMY OF HER, SHOW AND TELL #1

I can only assume that the author is very new to the zine scene in that there is no contact information whatsoever in either the zine itself, or the envelope that it came in. This is a cute little mini-zine that I read, I’m not kidding, in three minutes. It’s a super quick read about growing up in Portugal, getting her first period, and moving to London. I hope she keeps it up and expands her writing more in the next issue.

Foulweather #3

foulweather.blogspot.com
Pete is another very talented writer. Foulweather is the perfect title for this meandering and often morosely personal zine. Pete writes about and explores the very real subject of death. He processes the reality of his own mortality through surfing, skating, camping with friends, and discussions with family which always comes to the same conclusion; no matter how well things are going, you are still eventually going to die. Obviously this is a spooky subject but Pete tackles it with an openness and honesty that is approachable and at times even entertaining. He also writes about his own struggles with technology and how to balance it out with reality. Highly recommended.

AVOW #22

AVOW #22
$2 Keith Rosson 1615 SE Main St.,
Portland, OR 97214
keithrosson.com
Avow has been around for a long time. I picked this one up the other day when I was on a work-related road trip to Portland and had a few hours to check out Reading Frenzy and Powell’s. This is a collection of stories about Keith’s life. To be honest, this zine started slow for me, I had a hard time getting into it. This wasn’t due to a lack of talent on Keith’s part, I immediately recognized his talent for the written word, but for some reason I couldn’t connect to the first three opening stories. That having been said, there are 12 stories in this zine and from the fourth, “Our Children’s War” on, I was hooked. At times this is a hard zine to read in that it deals with a host of painful issues, foremost of which is the death of his father. It also deals lost love, mortality, substance abuse, and child abuse. Keith’s writing is insightful, engaging, and he has an uncommon knack for bringing the reader into whatever scenario quickly and personally. This is a heavy read that regularly made me uncomfortable, angry, and even happy, often in the same story. But this zine isn’t entirely about the horrors of the real world, case in point is the hilarious story, “Tim Armstrong is Porn” which is quite possibly the funniest thing I’ve ever read in a zine. It explores the insecurities that many of us feel when buying things that may inaccurately stereotype us by the various employees behind the counter. I could relate all too well. This is a fantastic read.

THE MATCH! a Journal of Ethical Anarchism #108

THE MATCH! a Journal of Ethical Anarchism #108
donation (give what you can)
POB 3012
Tucson, AZ 85702
The Match has been around since 1969 unapologetically keeping tabs on elite power, religion, authoritarianism, and all statist laws. I haven’t read the Match in a while, 8 years to be exact. It’s still as beautifully laid-out and informative as I remember it. It is inspirational to know that the Match hasn’t lost its razor’s edge over the years. This issue explores the topics of workplace politics, Islamic apologists: not so fast!, a very scary story about a botched hernia that left the patient impotent (and just how common this has become), and a host of other pertinent issues explored from the perspective of well-informed anarchists.

THE FURY #11

THE FURY #11
Mark Novotny
5413 6th ave
countryside, IL 60525
formerly known as Shazzbut, this is a straight-up hardcore punk zine that I got in the mail in trade. Its old, I think it came out around ’02. Interviews with Soophie Nun Squad, Frontside, and a funny story about dressing up like nerds and going out on the town.

EXTINCTIONS #5

EXTINCTIONS #5 &
POLVO 1-5
$1ppd, prefers trades
Joseph Delgado
2290 Peck Rd
Mohave Valley, AZ 86440
Extinctions is a really beautiful zine. Joseph’s drawings are haunting, moody, and meld seemlessly into his poetry to create thought-provoking and, at times, graphic imagery.

Whereas Extinctions is focused on the personal life of the author, Polvo is more radical and protest-oriented. Like Extinctions, Polvo is also a mix of collage, drawings, and poetry, but has more of a “Fuck you” attitude. The author does not hold back his opinion which appears to be totally fed up with the straight world of Draconian Arizona politics. Intense stuff.

I AM A SILLY BITCH

I AM A SILLY BITCH &
AN UNEDITED MIND
by The Force of Nature
$1ppd rabblemonster@gmail.com
These are two zines that completely explore the author’s every waking thought. He explains at the beginning of An Unedited Mind that, “I promise when I am sitting at this type writer I will write everything that pops into my head. No matter how dark, or evil, or cheesy, or random, or embarrassing it may be” and that is exactly what you get. Most of this consists of thoughts, reflections, and regrets about a past relationship. He doesn’t hold back and lets it all out

I Am a Silly Bitch is also a random collection of stories and thoughts. Topics explored are, Douche Bags (which I thought was hilarious), the idea of being completely honest, drinking, do we really care about the environment, and some interesting stories about the author living in the psychiatric ward of a hospital for a while. These zines are both well written and written on a type writer. They are pretty bare-bone and raw, which I always like.

I’M ONE OF AN ODD FAMILY

I’M ONE OF AN ODD FAMILY #1
meandmyfamily@ymail.com
This is an incredibly sloppy and very odd zine. I liked it a lot. It’s sloppy sloppy sloppy, purposely sloppy and full of sloppy colors and sloppy interviews. The author is young (I’m guessing high school) and is tapped into some pretty interesting music. Most of it appears to be underground hip hop and noise. There’s also an interview with the Brown Panthers and some weird drawings. I liked this zine because it feels kind of subversive and edgy, but looks so goddamn cute.

YOU DON’T GET THERE FROM HERE #13

YOU DON’T GET THERE FROM HERE #13
$2ppd, Carrie McNinch, POB 49403
Los Angeles, CA 90049
One of my favorite things over the past 18 years of reading and writing zines is opening the mailbox to find a new issue of anything that Carrie is involved with. I love her art, her humor, and her ability to be vulnerable and honest about her daily life. She really lets the reader into her world, sometimes that world sucks, sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s embarrassing, and sometimes it’s touching enough to make a big guy like me tear up and cry. This issue primarily deals with the steady decline and heartbreaking loss of her cat Jesse. It also has stories about the ever-present rattlesnakes along her jogging routes, as well as loneliness, booze, and food. If you haven’t seen her comics before, its time.

The RUB @The Iron Horse 3-20

mucho talentia + many funny = The Rub

Darlene rocknroll fanzine

drop me a line at the email address listed here and I'll send you one

"Darlene #4 was apparently five years in the making. Yeah, that much time passed since #3 and I don’t fully understand why because this was SO FREAKING AWESOME. Zines like this one are what first launched my teenage punk-ass into DIY print culture; people professing their love for music and being kind enough to share it with all the other nerds out there in the world.

This guy is clearly obsessed with Rock-N-Roll. Like, OCD status. He also has an enviously extensive knowledge of the genre. His nerdiness regarding the subject and friendly, non-pretentious voice made for a great intro essay about aging rockers, Napalm Death, and the appropriate uses of the prefix “post” and how it relates (or doesn’t) to new music. His writing is the highlight, but he followed it up with some fun interviews: Zeke and Javelina to give an example, and even a brief chat with Andrew WK (huh?).

This was too much fun to read, and as I said before, little gems like this remind me why I love zines so much. So, Mr. Spaghetti, please figure out how to manage your personal life in order to produce Darlene in a more timely manner. I’ll be waiting by the mailbox".-Kelly Dalbeck, Ashcan Magazine


"...Our author Randy also harps on something I also hate, the use of "post" before everything and coins a new term, PSPA post-scenester pseudo-audiencism, which describes the station of the older punk who has moved to a non-urban place, a real job and relies on the internet to hook them up for good music...my favorites are the kooky illustrations and the "Two Questions" interviews, in which Andrew WK fits in. It's a funny zine and a good read, especially for us aging punks" -Mariam Bastani, Maximumrocknroll

"Essentially, Darlene consists of personal recollections and anecdotes from the mind of an obsessed music fan who knows what he likes and doesn't worry about trends and scenes. His writing is pretty engaging and draws you into his little world which appears to consist almost exclusively of drinking, talking rock, and listening to rock....This dude goes above and beyond the written call of duty, to points of near-obsession and you shouldn't be suprised if he ends up telling you that he was the guy on Slayer's DVD with the band's logo carved into his flesh." -Kevin Stewart-Panko: Metal Maniacs

"I've gotta hand it to Randy Spaghetti, Only he could explain the power of Slayer by comparing them to a cute and little (but brutal) songbird called the Loggerhead Shrike and actually get away with it. Darlene has some excellent writing." - Maximumrocknroll

"Within the pages of Darlene No. 3 (2005), Randy Spaghetti expresses undying fealty to Slayer, the Melvins, and cheap booze; with this fourth issue appearing five years later, his loyalties are unchanged. Darlene touts itself as a "Rock-N-Roll Fanzine," straight, no chaser, and fulfills that function admirably. Any fears that a move to the backwoods of Idaho would temper the irreverent wit that compared Slayer's longevity with the feeding patterns of the loggerhead shrike in No. 3 will be quelled by the fourth issue's two-question interviews with the likes of Andrew W.K. ("Party Hard" singer and motivational speaker) and Zeke and a tongue-in-cheek essay on "Post-Scenester Pseudo-Audiencism."' Business as usual, in other words. Randy's writing style is uncluttered and conversational, and his aesthetic is photocopied and hand-drawn, a winning combination. He promises that a fifth issue is nearing completion".—Matthew Moyer, Jacksonville P.L., FL

Jim Harrison

This is a quick sketch I did of Mr. Harrison. A tiny tribute for all of those amazing words.

latest outlaws & vigilantes

This is TOTAL FEST VIII !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Total Fest is 3 nights, 50 bands, a record swap, a bbq, @Missoula, @the Badlander.

I could only attend Saturday, but it was more than enough. I don't think I have the kind of rock-conditioning necessary to survive all three days.

Thanks Josh, Nikki, and everyone else involved. It was amazing....

(pics: Japanther, Glassell Park #3)

Damage Done

Hardcore. Straight up

on the way back to Coeur d'Alene today we stopped in St. Regis Montana to pee (its about half way and i have a very sensitive bladder). As I was walking down the isle the singer for Damage Done walked toward me. I immediately flashed my new Total Fest VIII shirt, fist bumped him, and told him that they ruled.

Sandrider

Although Akimbo wasn't playing this Total Fest, I kept seeing dudes from Akimbo walking around and watching bands. Turns out, two dudes from Akimbo and some other cat are called Sandrider and they as battle as all hell. This was an unexpected gift from the Total Gods and it was goooooooooooood.

Goddammitboyhowdy

punk rock, straight up

Japanther

after they spent five minutes making a goddamn health drink in a blender on stage, Japanther pounced on the Badlander to end the evening in a joyous sweat-and-pabst soaked dance orgy.

El Zombi Gato

Millie trying her best to attract zombies

Git Some

These guys were incredible, they sound exactly as their name implies. The singer, however, was standing in front of me during Helms Alee and kept fist-pumping his hand in my face.

Helms Alee

For me, this was the band of the night. Not-so-subtle ambience combined with acutely reserved brutality.

its a life style

our new band (and I use that term loosely)

sign of the times

I can't say that I didn't see this coming, my beloved Skyscraper is no more. For the past seven years this has been one of my three go-to mags for sweet music knowledge. Every other month I would eagerly snatch up the latest issue and spend the next three evenings alone in my room drinking whiskey and listening to the bands covered online. Your pages have introduced me to so much amazing music and art across the spectrum. For this I am truly greatful.

my glass is raised in your direction.

latest from the sketchpad

hmmm

Mike and.....And

Tim and Dave back together again for Dave's wedding. This was really cool, these guys are as funny as it gets. Hopefully somebody will post the whole performance on youtube.

The DaveErikon

after ten years of dating Dave and Erika are finally getting married. Two passenger vans were rented, two drivers hired, two teams of ten, one referee, ten bars, challenges galore. epic.........

zinEs

From 1994 until roughly 2002 I published Spaghetti Dinner & Dancing fanzine. I was obsessed with it back then and had the time of my life. During that time I got to know all kinds of amazing and gifted people through the mail and through their zines. We shared stories and art and followed bands and causes, all courtesy of the United States Postal Service. It was an incredible time and worthy of my romanticism. We were all in on a big secret that empowered and inspired a movement centered around the anti-consumer philosophy of DIY; do-it-yourself. Our only masters were the postal workers of America.
Unfortunately, I lost touch with most of the people I had been corresponding with due to time and circumstance. In 2002 I moved from my beloved Missoula Montana in search of action and adventure and started guiding hikes professionally. It was a dream job, and along with a new and very serious relationship, my priorities shifted.
It wasn't until I stumbled upon the website, "wemakezines.ning.com" about two months ago and started reconnecting with some of those people that I decided to document it all. So, here is my first installment of some of the incredible zines and zinesters I have come in contact with over the years. Its a small but personally significant sampling. (Bear with me on this, I'm not the most computer savy cat, plus I like to drink and listen to loud music during the evenings when I have time for this....)
Zine culture is still alive and thriving. Obviously the internet changed things a bit, but I think that we are starting to recognize that the things that made fanzines so unique and cool back then are even more important now. The idea of actually holding something in your hand that someone made and reading a type or hand written note along with it.....in the anonymous, cold, and confusing world of today's internet, cut and paste seems high tech.

Firsts

Furia was the first zine I ever got in the mail. It was intensly personal and well written. The Dove was the first zine I ever wrote. It was really bad.