| FAILSAFE #7 2010 ***** Agent Orange singer/founder Mike Palm in a skeleton t-shirt beams out at us on the cover of this highly recommended punk fanzine. Great to see the crisp b/w pics that are this zines calling card, coming into sharp focus as you flick through the high class pages, giving the reader that close up and personal vibe. Strangely enough Failsafe is similar to Artcore in one respect (although totally opposite in other aspects). The similarity is that its fixated with the early 80's American punk scene, but from a more traditional punk rock perspective. Which makes for a great contrast on the two genres within these 2 British zines that between them, cover most bases. However its not totally anglophile, UK bands do get a snifter and its UK82 Brit punk what kicks off this zine with a good character shot of Instant Agony's Hocky leaning against a wall in Blackpool. He has a Charlie Harper resonance about him as we are introduced to this Scouse band who are still treading the boards (see review from when I caught em in Brum in 2008). Although musically I wouldn't say I own any of their records, like most of the bands covered, it was just interesting to read what they got to say. Hocky also produced a zine called Sign Of The Times in the 80's. (Don't think Welly had this listed in his Artcore zine rundown?) Strangely no mention of the Eric's (famous Liverpool punk venue) history he's currently compiling either? However best interview of the issue came with Southern California's Agent Orange, whose singer really does look like William Shatner, the resemblance is uncanny. He also gives us the best description of no, not Leutenant Uhuru's legs, but of Huddersfield's legendary Ivanhoe's club. In fact the best I've heard in 30 odd years of punk. We also get a more distinguished interview with Alejandro Escovedo founder member of the Nuns. This defrocked sister of mercy has also played in the Dils and Rank And File to name but a few. So a very varied set of punk icons litter his fascinating interview that runs for 6 pages and covers a lot of sins. We then get some obscurities thrown into the mix with Vatican Commandos from the big apple who do not register at all on my radar. But it just so happens they featured a young Moby in their ranks and I don’t mean Dick either. Not exactly sure who or what Moby is? But even I've heard of the name. However what's really intriguing about the Vatican Commando's is the interviewee Lindsay. She went on to become Kitty Kowalski of the Kowalski's infamy, who even I had heard of. She gives us a frank detailed insight into this bands shelf life that included her dating two of the band members, which as she explains isn't really the best move lol. The 4 page review section is small, but offers detailed chunks by various guest reviewers. Was interesting to hear what Mick Crudge of the Fits was up to these days. Apparently he's turned into some sort of tree hugging Patrick Fitzgerald figurine, and won't ever darken the Fits back catalogue ever again, for some strange reason...all together now ahhhhh! Meanwhile punk bin collector the affable Gene October of Chelsea still knows how to front a punk band with an arrogance that only he could make entertaining. Scariest moment came in the form of the grotesque looking Punishment Of Luxury, whose singer still looks as Hammer Horror today as he did in the glory days of Sounds features, and Peel sessions. Failsafe finishes off with more third division UK82 punk in the form of Chesterfield's Septic Spycho's who you'd be forgiven for dismissing with a huff and a name that bad. But hold on, they actually sound great on myspace with their fast, energetic punk that comes with lashings of buzz saw guitar. And we can't get enough of that here at Punk Rocker. Bloodstains! Contact failsafezine@yahoo.com |
| MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #321 February 2010 (Photo Issue) ***** It's been 20 years since the last Maximumrocknroll ‘Photo Issue’, so was really keen to see what they would come up with, having missed out on the last one. MRR must have an absolute gold mine of punk imagery to access as far as punk photos are concerned. Shitworker Mark 'Icki' Murrman seems to be the man in charge of co-ordination this issue and had over 80 photographers submitting their work. They had to shrink their search criteria to cover the last 10-15 years of punk, focusing as ever mainly on the more recent era. And despite this, and the moans and groans for using some of the totally shitty pics on display, they still produce some spectacular images. And kicks off with an impressive cover shot of Spanish punks Invasion taken by the gifted Matteus Mondino. We all have our faves, but punk was always destined to have been captured on film. Since the halcyon days of Rotten's lazer beam stare, or Joey Ramones ripped up jeans, right through the decades of hardcore thrash, mohawks and all the other studded spiky discordant kids performing punk rock. Begging the question...who will surface in the 21st century? And more importantly how can they decide which shot goes in? Have to admit most of the subjects and photographers are totally new for me. However Punk today is still indeed the most photogenic of all music genres, nearly every band may wear a black t- shirt and everyone’s idea of a classic punk shot doesn’t always tally. But you get the feeling different generations of punk can still capture those rare shots of in your face decadence or generate a frenzied, snotty vibe to catch your attention. The clothes may not be as cool or the faces as iconic, but the intensity still can come through as you scan the photos that litter this issue. I think these days people behind the scenes, be it photographers, zine writers or even tour drivers can conjure up the best stories to tell. More so than the fucking bands! So it made a nice change to read interviews with the photographers themselves, who brought to us some of these classic punk shots. Original MRR photo zine coordinators, man mountain Murray Bowles gets us started along with German Helge Schreiber from Plastic Bomb fanzine, who both supply some original ideas on in the pit dynamics which I may even try myself. And talking of dynamism, the exceptional Brazilian lens duo of Daigo Oliva and Mateus Mondini seem the best of the new talent and really did impress the most! The bands may not always be your preferred choice musically, but the way they capture them is a true art form. Punk photography ain't a world dominated by guys either, Chrissy Piper and Karoline Collins give us a female perspective, while Germany’s Patrick Baclet tells us of his 'Out Of Vogue' book and art. Gotta say none of the photographers apart from Murray Bowles are familiar names. And there's no Christine Boarts interview (but she does get name checked quite a lot). But more than most whose name seems to crop up is Greg Friedman. He should be familiar with everyone having shot all the iconic hardcore outfits. But they all offer some classic punk shots between them, including Gary Go! from Chile and vet snapper Larry Wolfley from the Bay Area who has some really frenzied shots in his portfolio. Also more East Bay snappers are included like Canderson and our man Icki. Most notable thing about these photographer’s is its rare you actually see pics of themselves. They all just let their shots do the talking. Mind you, you can understand why, coz have you seen some of 'em lol. It comes with an almost complete bibliography of publications, punk photo books that are geared to the imagery of the punk scene and most are really well worth tracking down. The columns and reviews this issue seem to take a back seat to the impressive photography section which takes up most of this zine and why the hell not? Punk has always been a visual experience as well as aural one in my book. A second your life! $4.00 from www.maximumrocknroll.com |
| ANTI HIPPIE #6 2010 ***** Another issue of this now well established Oi!/skin/punk fanzine from Finland. Was a bit puzzled by the innocuous front cover as it looks more like a column page from inside. Not the usual boot boy imagery we come to expect from Anti Hippie. And the column reads like a rant against the current crust scene by a certain Jonathon Fuck, who fancies himself as a bit of an expert? I neither know nor care! But you gotta give him some credit for his upfront name. It's followed in hot pursuit with lets just say an artistically licenced mosh-pit autopsy by US greaser author Russ Lippitt. Inside the desktop layout is very good, and utilises all the space with its customary neat, arty punk design. The interviews may not be as in-depth as we'd like, but cover a broad range of streetpunk/Oi! band's, with Oi! being the predominant factor. To be honest all this skinhead bravado can come across as uninspiring as the music they churn out, but we do get a massive coverage spanning lots of country’s and scenes from Europe mainly. And its all printed in English. We get Spanish Oi! from Rebelion, American street rock 'n' roll with the hilarious sounding Aires And Graces, more Prague Oi! with The Riot, while the uncharacteristically named Bubbles from the Ukraine are yeah you guessed it, more skinheads with guitars. The highly rated Rust all the way from Oz supply an Antipedes perspective. There's an interview with UK zine writer Trev Hagl who always has a lot to say, plus he supplies a neat Barse history. Along with an SS Kaliert Russian tour diary. At the end of the day this zine does more for the European alliance than any of the so- called European Unions or politicians. So if the skinheads can get it together there must be hope ha! French street punk label and fanzine Une Vie Pour Rien offer a zine and discography. Along with short fast profiles on such household names like the ExplorersZ from Strasbourg, Russian Oi! by Via Sboias, French Punks Ruthless Pride, Finnish hardcore On The Job, streetcore Open Finger Is A Broken Finger and Canadian punks Germ Attack. Plus a piece on H8-piece record label and Spanish fanzine distro Crossfire. The review section is gigantic with 15 pages dedicated to records alone, and a generous 5 pages on our beloved underground music press. The surprise bonus is a free 21 track CD compilation featuring most, if not all the bands covered inside. So you actually get to hear them as well as read about them in the same issue. If your main musical stomping ground is Oi! this will be right up your street. But some punks may feel left out. However any bands from whatever genre who want some European press coverage send in a track and you could be featured in the next issue or appear on the next Anti Hippie compilation. Oi! Oi! Oi! For more information visit www.mypace.com/oibootboy |
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