| RIOT ON YOUR OWN #33 May 2009 *** Billy Riot keeps threatening to silence this fanzine, but he just can't help cracking off a another "quicky" to feed his punk rock thirst. And lets hope he don't give in just yet coz freebie zines like this are in it for all the right reasons, so don't look down yer nose if your in a band coz it's FREE, grubby and full of porn (whoops!), he's promoting his local scene more than anyone else right now. And if that ain't enough, he's also got himself a new punk combo to vent his pent up angst on us all after the Violent Fuckwits become passive and intelligent. His new bunch of cut throats are called Hardcore who I've yet to hear, but promise to bring us his unique definition of punk rock to a stage near you. Or if you live in Belfast maybe next week? But forget Bill's extra carricullar activitys back to the zine. The photogenic Hypocrites are splashed on the front cover from a gig in April and we get to hear what Mr Riot's all time Top Ten punk singles were...with a surprising Dead Kennedy's 'California Uber Alles ' coming in at number one. Surprising I say, coz it's not what I was expecting from Bill. There's an in-depth piece on Runnin Riots new album 'Boots And Ballads', track by track. Amongst the regular record, zine and DVD reviews. 1000 Drunken Nights take the centre-spread followed by a piece on 'Solidarity' which surprisinglyly stinks of Trev Hagl's's new lefty zine policy. It does however make a good point about workers wrongly blaming immigrants for job losses. It's obvious the Governments policy for employing cheap labour is what's at fault here, and we all know this government cuts corners on almost everything it touches. However I always find it strange how previously apolitical working class punks and skins seem to side with the equally abhorrent lefty liberal scaremongering more than ever these days. Maybe I'm missing somert?, but the only time I see Nazis is on the news. You never actually encounter any in real life or even a BMP candidate for that matter. It's like the 'right on police' are looking for trouble in every dark corner and class a party who have no chance in hell of governing this country as the big threat! When in reality the real threat is complacency and political correctness in every day life. To bring us back from all this political bollocks ROYO finishes off with a late 70's West Coast Punk perspective which I agree with totally. Next ish could be the last as Bill concentrates on flexing his Hardcore muscles and canvassing for Socialist Worker. FREE! FREE! FREE! billyriot@hotmail.com |
| FAST 'N' LOUD #9 February 2009 **** First zine of the year and the economic gloom is hitting fanzines like Fast 'N' Loud big time, with no more vibrant colour covers to seduce us as printing costs accelerate. But at least we still got a sheen on this issues grey visage. Inside its 36 A4 pages is what counts though, with possibly a Fast 'N' Loud career highlight with the Brian James interview. The forgotten man of the Damned who wrote all the classics despite Captain Sensible. Still in the geriatric ward of old but goody punks. Fast Eddie of the Vibrators spills the beans on why he disliked Sid Vicious and bird spotting. Apocalypse Baby's return, despite major line-up changes scuppering their gigs and have news on another album. Meanwhile lead singer Asterix's side project his Blitzkrieg Bop zine gets covered. Even Belfast zine writer Billy Riot and front man for the unstable Violent Fuckwits gets the Gloucester spotlight shone in his face. Making a diverse mix of characters from the punk scene. From editor John's punk archives we get an early 80's interview from Demob and a piece on rich punk kids rebelling. There's a multitude of record and zine reviews plus snippets of punk news. Fer instance Boobs ex-singer out of Disorder is finally freed after 10 years banged up in a Spanish jail for drugs. The print job is spot on this time round. So fair play to John for defying the depression and still churning out an interesting read. Issue #10 we are reliably informed will feature Mike Howes (Demob, Acts of Defiance) and Trev Hagl (Negative Reaction fanzine). 88 Overbrook Drive, Hardwicke, Gloucester, GL2 4RZ, England john@fastnloudzine.oranghome.co.uk |
| HELL AND DAMNATION #12 /RIPPING THRASH #25 Split Issue Spring 2009 **** Another blast from the past with 2 UK zines I ain't set eyes on since I used to write my old paper zine the Suffragette back in the 90's. I seen an ad or flyer somewhere online and just had to see how they have both developed. And you know what, these great sounding zine titles ain't changed a bit both in layout or musical persuasion. Obviously they may now use computers to write things up but the passion is still there. Lots of DIY crusty, extreme, hardcore noise is let unleashed. So unless you got your ear protection installed you'll be blown out the water by a lot of the bands covered. Vet zinewriter Colin Astro from Donny, now a self confessed CSI addict and Hell And Damnation honcho reveals this is his first and possibly last attempt at a zine in over 6 years. But he ain't going out wimpering, he's still armed to the teeth with his unique artistic Armageddon gun at the end of his finger. He admits to losing interest in writing about the sounds that inspired but are still part of his daily soundtrack. The process of putting a zine together is these days for the very young or totally immersed individual breed of punk in this computer age. As you get older it is harder to retain that buzz 'n' hunger for glue and scissors and bartering for cheap places to print zines up in a depressed economy, and that's where the internet would be a good choice for his not so regular rants. But I doubt that format appeals to crusty video watching punks in their busy 21st lifestyle. Despite all this I admire his seething anger thats still evident in print as "global fuckin' politics" makes him spit blood. Highlight of his side of this split issue was the impressive 'Zombies Damnation' article which is a comprehensive 6 page run down of all the best and worst zombie flicks to desolate your video player. He reviews each with the same enthusiasm he reserves for his music...damning! Music wise I won't dwell too much on, as its dark, intense and littered with bands who are hard to pronounce, let alone endure or slip off the side of your tongue. But each to their own. I'm sure they are covered with satisfactory glee. There's also rants on Illegal Immigrants and Global warming. UK zines excel in this genre pity they're a dying breed! Ripping Thrash is somewhat slightly less hardcore in approach and style but that's only cos Steve reviews other strains of punk in-between large doses of gore and thrash. Like the title says if it Rips and is Thrash its exalted within these pages. Steve unlike Mr Astro is still heavily involved in the punk scene he's even embraced the internet with an online distro available below. And can be seen at gigs and punk picnics when he ain't doing his allotment or travelling to outback's in far flung places. Reflecting his musical taste and interests. UK or US Punk is a rare commodity within these pages maybe its coz the Japs or Swedes for example do the whooooarrghhhh with so much vigor? Kicking off interview wise with yet another long lost DIY crust d-beat fanzine editor (Chris from Agitate), Aversion as well as others and all with different names but same layout and attitude. This was interesting for me as I got a couple of issues of Aversion in my zine stockpile somewhere? Maybe I should do an article on long lost zinesters? See zines do inspire. The token band interview is with new Hungarian band Step On It who Im reliably informed are "simple fast hardcore". And finally one with the now regular on the road distro Active Rebellion which have made appearances at 3 of the last 5 gigs I've been to. There's a mammoth selection of record and zine reviews with the rare inclusion of sleeves, which adds a new dimension or was it space filling lol. Both good DIY punk zines from the UK that more than adequately cater for their respective genres. So if like me your not prone to that more extreme musical direction you'll definitely get off on some of the other articles here in. As always comes with eye catching cover artwork. www.rippingthtrash.com colinastro321@hotmail.com |
| FEAR AND LOATHING #64 April 2009 ***** Good to read another issue of the highly recommended Fear And Loathing. As always packed solid with intriguing in-depth interviews and gig/record reviews. Since I last read a copy of Fear And Loathing (it's now celebrating 20 years of knocking these out and the first issue came out in April '89 for all you zine train spotters), it has moved base outta London and now resides in Chav land or Essex to you and me. Thankfully with no signs of bling within it's pages it does veer towards the older classic punk scene, but the attention to detail is still as pronounced, focused and with an eternal enthusiasm. So don't be put off by its basic cut 'n' paste format as this reads like a dream compared with most zines out there today. Don't think there's many punks Andy the editor ain't interviewed or tried to in the traditional punk scene? And this 36 A4 page issue is no exception in variety. There's a wide array with London, Cute Lepers, The Lurkers, Flux Of Pink Indians, Johnny Moped and cover stars the Boys who all getting probed. Andy's editorial covers the demise of Ron Asheton and the fact that he regrets calling this zine Fear And Loathing which was taken from the 1971 Hunter S. Thompson novel that I doubt would be as interesting to read. I do think F&L is a great name for zine, and harks back to the classic punk zine era with publications like Ripped 'N' Torn, Sniffin' Glue or more recently Defiant Pose, but hey we all have regrets. Andy does tend to have his faves with TV Smith gigs dominating a lot of his live reviews which can sometimes get repetetive and border on stalking even when TV is playing below par as there's not a hint of criticism. But this zine reviewer goes to more gigs than anyone I know in the current punk scene apart from Charlie Harper maybe. Don't think you'll regret what's on show in here either coz whatever your taste in punk...you can scratch yerself silly to the Cute Lepers, get sectioned with Slimy Toad, have a drink with Arturo Bssick, reminisce with Kid Reid, go for a Mexican with London or enter the dressing room of Flux...the choice is yours? Andy is also compiling a data base and possibly a book about the Damned and he's after any comments or help. So if your a big Damned disciple and want all the goss you might wanna drop him a line or even better buy a copy of his zine as we need zines like this even if we don't shoot up in Las Vegas. www.myspace.com/fearandloathingzine |
| EVERLONG #11 2009 *** Cheers to my old drinking mucka Paul from Bristol for chucking this my way. It's the first time I read a copy of this Bristols zine for a few years, although to be fair Shane did actually offer to send one about 12 months ago but I forgot to reply tut tut. Apparently Everlong has been reduced from A4 (which was only for a 50 edition collectors item Big Issue gig) to A5. And selling on E-bay as we speak. This second reprint is back in the regular A5 format but everything still looks BIG! The text has been enlarged, not that I'm complaining, but I did feel the more compact layout of previous issues was way more appealing and professional looking. Some things don't change however, coz there's another array of smarmy NME type bands in this chunky 68 pager. Beardy local student promoter and drummer in Dig For Fire gets his 15 minutes worth, but was burning with boredom (yawn). The Welsh Industrial black hole of Newport and home to Flyscreen is apparently the new Seattle according to some misguided journo, as Flyscreen look back on their indie career. Jesus Bruiser drags things more towards a punkier vibe but what a god awful name. They apparently poached the Mingers singer (don't tell 3CR), denounce Murdoch's myspace empire, which despite its obvious corporate image is easily the best shop window for unsigned punk bands or any bands on the planet. However they shoot themselves in the foot by enthusiastically publicising the 'Bastard Squad Collective' website built by them on Geocities which is actually owned by Yahoo, and guess who bought out that? Don't these stooodents ever read the small print lol. Followed by the depressing King Blues who are acoustic folk Ska fer fux sake! They do own a pet rat called 'Disorder' as a punk foot note. Finally the Cute Lepers bring in some quality punk puss to the indie dribble and tell us why the band are at this moment in time more fulfilling than the Briefs. Don't count out a Briefs come back though. The ex-Filaments singer (highly rated within Everlong's pages) tells us about the American dream gone wrong. And I totally agree with the geezers take on the massive cultural difference, having spent 4 months hard labour in salubrious Portland one upon a time. On a comical note handwritten zine, Drink The Sunshine (can't you just sniff the hippy at ten paces?) tells us all in squiggly handwriting all we ever wanted to know about geeky fanzine writers. Not content with one local promoter having their say, another one gets his Converse trainer in on the act as 'Trailer Park Trash' give us a synopsis of their decade of turning rebellion into money and name names! And if all that ain't enough, the rest of the zine (over 35 pages) is dedicated to reviews where you can read about a lot of the bands (arrrgghhh) featured in this issue. Not the best issue of Everlong but at least you can squirm or snigger at the subjects inside! £1 from 1 Shilton Close, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 9UZ, England. |
| RIOT ON YOUR OWN #34 September 2009 *** Billy Riot takes time out from his new band Hard Case's busy recording schedule (7 tracks are in the process of being kicked into shape) to dish out a shorter than usual dose of reality from the streets of Belfast, despite last issues threat of imminent closure! Seems a shame that the only Belfast PUNK zine about these days "keeping us safe from the hippy idealism" could be silenced after being around for over a decade now? But the positive editorial looks like Bill could be knocking a few more out just yet, before the Riot coffin gets draped and clapped through the streets of BT5. Riot On Your Own must be the only street punk zine that's gonna feature fashion shows, Rebellion punk festival, kickboxing championships and a Jack the Ripper reveal all in one issue. It may be lacking in TOTAL punk content this time out, but id rather read about Walter Sickert (what a great punk name) or young Scotty's kick boxing bouts, than some 3rd rate punk outfit with absolutely nothing to say. That's why I don't interview bands much either. However there's lots of gig reviews this 'ish that beef up the content with the Drumcanoo Festival in the wilds of County Donegal and of course the massive and annual Rebellion festival from Blackpool dominating the punk action. Visually interesting (courtesy of the various snaps littered throughout the pages) and literally, where we read of the Exploited making a suprising comeback compared to previous attempts and Killing Joke stealing the thunder from the usual skinhead suspects on display. But next year Spain wins out for the Riot family vacation and I gotta say I don't blame 'em either. Agressors BC steal the centre-spread photo shot and you can guess why. With Hard Case bringing up the rear. FREE! FREE! FREE! billyriot@hotmail.com |
| BIG CHEESE #115 September 2009 *** Got this issue as I seem to always do when its got punk interest on the front with a misleading "Punk Rock Summer" emblazoned on the cover. However inside it was meagre pickings as far as punk goes. New York's Casualties tell us tales from their never ending spiky road tours. John Robb waffles on about safe punk outfits. New Jersey punk legends (Big Cheese's words, not mine!) Bouncing Souls reckon punk is being watered down through every generation. Talking of which the Rabbles Chazz is pictured modelling some tacky punk attire along with Kate from Love And A 45. Apparently Louis from X-Factor wants Chazz as support to Jedward on their upcoming tour? There's a big 16 page report and pix on this years Warped tour of the USA which the Gallows seem to have stormed in more ways than one. Anti Flag provide the acrobatic stage shots. While Social Distortion's lean and now meaner Mike Ness spells out his love of dirty rock 'n' roll punk before the jocks got involved. Rancid tell us all about the bands who inspired them, no surprises there but Last Resort fer fux sake. Mick Jones former Clash tune-smith and record producer now looks like a city banker and still listens to Bruce and Dylan but no Elvis, Beatles or the Rolling Stones. Plus a roundup of this years Rebellion festival that attracts over 7,000 punks from all corners of the globe according to Dick Cheese. Mr Russell must be rubbing his grubby paws all the way to the bar in this economic gloom. Finally we get 16 pages of reviews from a wide array of scenes. Big Cheese is glossy totally manufactured but still worth a look every now and then to spot the real punk gems that slide through the filter. www.bigcheesemagazine.com |
| MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #312 MAY 2009 **** Bought this at a recent punk gig in Brum that's distroed by the applaudable Active Rebellion who seem to be the only fanzine sellers doing the gigs in blighty at the moment. So first in a 3 issue review series that will see consequtive reviews over the next few months. The letters page seems to be dominated by some Hardskin comment from an earlier issue where front man Fat Bob stated "all crusties should bathe" which we totally agree with, but seems to have incensed MRR's by now majority crustie readership tee hee. Columns this issue feature a female black lesbian lol. Which sounds like a familiar zine title and covers yeah you guessed it...racism and bigotry in her local punk scene. I'd put money on it she'd get exactly the same reaction if she was in the Dreadzone. Others of note include a tour diary of Scotland, Al Quints I-pod configurations, Mykel Board is still boring, Chuck Barrel's is a new punk based columnist covering new wave type bands, the reliable Felix Havoc gives us an insiders view on working class punk inside the economic gloom, an amusing Lefty Hooligan piece, intersects the more readable music based columnists, which thankfully dominate this issue as Graham Booth joins the gang, And alongside Roahrs and Basement Screams which delves into lo-fi shoestring budget recordings plus a column on zines makes for a rare good column experience. The Last Punk was controversial but highly amusing as Iggy and St Jello get bought to justice in a no holds barred savage piece of criticism. We are bought back to peace and harmony by Fly's cartoon piece. Bands in this issue are mostly relatively new to my ears. The Masonics from London who?, play stripped down R 'N' B punk, the Petticoats front woman Stef tell us about Lesbian punk, hardcore Italian punk is represented Pioggia Nera, Criminal Damage hail from my old stomping ground Portland, Hardcore punk rock 'n' rollers Never Healed come from California, while Condominium come from Minneapolis and give us experimental hardcore and Screaming Females feature the diminutive Marrisa Paternoster from Brunswick New York. He maybe gone but Lance Hahn is certainly not forgotten in print, with his probing Anarcho punk series continuing with obscurities like the Passion Killers. Moving to a more spiky vein the impressive Germ Attak from Ottawa, Ontario get probed. The scene reports are from Belgrade now capital of Serbia and Illinois which makes for a startling contrast.There's an interesting and often scary feature on health issues from various punks covering Dope, Epilepsy, stroke and Prostitis plus a piece on toxicity in San Francisco. The reviews as always are massive as old faves get reissued and rub shoulders with a never ending new breed of sounds and print from the current punk scene. Still worth your cash if you can find a copy. $4.00 from www.maximumrocknroll.com |
| FREEFALL DRUNKPUNK RANTAPHON #4 **** December 2009 Have at to admit I'm still reading this big and I mean gigantic chunky zine from a neighbouring shire. And unlike last issue, number #4 is topped off in spiffing full colour veneer which really does up the ante. F.D.P.R. has in my humble opinion made a massive leap in presentation with silky page standards and crisp print job gives off a very professional read. The pics might be small but they're sharp, and there's every chance the mountain of text in here will keep you goin through any airport shutdown, ferry queue or throne session in the foreseeable future. Apart from a rare Stench interview, this zine covers all walks of contemporary crusty, rebellious low life we often refer to as the punk scene. Inside is packed with a multitude of diversions, tangents and sequels to the beast of Boningdales boundless love affair with punk and all its sins. Editor Tom does have a few bones of contention with some punk big names, but hey if we liked everything, the world would be such a boring place. And your right about Defiance mate, they nicked a zine off me when I left it in their rehearsal space they shared with the ex wife's band one night after I popped out for a drink. So somewhere in PDX is a copy of 4 Minute Warning. Mitch was so pleased to hear that tee hee. We also get views on the The Good, The Bad and the Ugly side of MRR. There's a barrel load of gig reviews as Tom Freefall despite his belligerence, can recall the most infinite anecdote as he slums it from one gig to the next. A piece on how 'War Is Bad' is vented and some good DVD reviews which I might steal as they should be read by as many people as possible. There's a good profile on the rabid but brilliant F.U.A.L. And great to see an in-depth few pages on the bands and tracks that litter the double CD that comes FREE with this issue. A funny but important piece on 'record collecting' as this is a zine i spose aimed at those punk train spotters we are all guilty of being at some time or other. Despite its wall to wall punk leanings, there is space for a review on the classic Hitchcock film 'Lifeboat' that's followed by an amusing (ain't they all?) attack on Henry Rollins. You probably start to see this zine is impossible to categorize in a standard format, as every things in no set order, but with lots of zany variety. The hated Poison Girls get pinned against the wall, while the overrated Leatherface gets applauded. Some Comic reviews are thrown in too, which is new terrain for me, but holds a certain interest. Whatever your views on punk and reading matter, you'll find yourself agreeing with Tom 9 times outta 10. F.D.P.R. is definitely the best Midlands punk zine in existence at this current time and shouldn't be squattin in Pukes former shadow no longer. With its own personality, this bulging 104 page book of worms should be read by a bigger audience without doubt. tomfreefall@btinternet.com |
| ARTCORE #26 December 2009 ***** Artcore greets us with the byline 'Remember When Punk Rock Was Dangerous'...we certainly do! Glad zines like this are still asking that question, because the initial threat has been frustratingly Xeroxed, copied and improvised over the years, that its become almost a blur of contradictions. But Artcore feels real and the editorial spells it out! This long running, defiantly proud fanzine finally gets another review on this site after over a decade. I spotted a sighting on the Active Rebellion stall in Brum last winter so I bought all 3 issues. Welly, the editor and singer in 4 Letter Word, now runs a record store, so that's good to know the recession hasn't smothered all punk expansion. He sounds like he's been keeping punk alive on the streets of Cardiff and beyond with this impressive zine since 1985! Artcore as the name suggests, has gotta be the best looking UK zine around at the moment. Positively dripping with art, but created with a distinct punk edge. Its very sporadic in its publishing output, but every 18 months or so usually sees some new issue splash out from its South Wales HQ. You can't help but admire the high class effort and attention to detail that goes into each issue (this one comes with a FREE CD by House Of Commons (review up soon)). Which gives it an undoubted edge on its contemporaries. Artcore is what artists like Winston Smith would produce if he lived in the Valleys and had a fixation with US Hardcore. It's got that same US thrust for iconic imagery that rolls right through this zines layout. The tiny print also means its also got a helluva lot to say. Don't think no-one could say Welly isn't opinionated, which is good as the shittier elements of punk don't get much of a look-in. I do still think his obsessive American hardcore love affair is worryingly still evident, but besides some iffy Emo crap, thank fuck he does know what he's on about and gives fans of the genre a much needed boost, and fills the gap left by zines like MRR and Al Quint's long lost Suburban Voice. My only minor complaint is the front cover pic has annoying arty speckles on it which loses impact and the interviews ain't preceded by a short introduction as to who or what the band or individuals are involved in? Which for dumbos like myself who ain't familiar, is important? But that's a small detail, as its usually covered in the opening question or 2. Bands featured in this issue are Chicago punks Shot Baker, Long Island's Capital, UK band the Shitty Limits, who despite the name sound more Minor Threat than Ian McKaye did, local Emo kids Harbour, Bristol crusties Warprayer and the Cutups from Exeter. Tattooed ex-junkie novelist Chris Walter complete with inked skull cap, proves that bullshit and the art to convey it in punk writing circles is an ever open door. I gotta say the 'Vaultage' pages held the most interest with good pieces on the Angry Samoans, the lesser known House Of Commons from Vancouver and psycho-billy gore-lords The Cramps. Along with the short lived N.O.T.A from Tulsa and the guy who put the Flex compilations and resource together. Flex is a phonebook of punk that diligently plots the US Hardcore scene but was suprisingly all researched and written in Germany. Nice to see Ultravox's classic 'Young Savage' 45 make a brief but surprise appearance in a modern Hardcore fanzine. More obscurity's surface with early 80's punks Eighth Route Army, and Artcore closes with an interesting interview with artist John Yates. Best known for his Dead Kennedy's/ Crass/ Alternative Tentacles collaborations. Who I suspect is a definite influence on Artcore's own style. I also presumed Mr Yates was American, but is in fact another ex-pat made good in the Californian punk scene. I still think Artcore is the closest to a punk glossy mag your gonna get on a shoe string fanzine budget and by that I mean in a very positive sense. Publications like Big Cheese could do with some of these absorbing layouts and imagine if this was in colour? £5.00 PPD. U.K. €6.50 PPD. EUROPE $11.00 PPD. WORLD ARTCORE |
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