| ARTCORE #28 Summer 2011 ***** Good to see another sussed edition of Artcore hit the shelves so soon after the gigantic (sold out) 25th anniversary issue. And you can't buy that anywhere, believe me I tried! So you know straight away this zine has gotta be doing something right! This follow up copy, however was sent in by Welly to an "online webzine" for review!!! Now that’s gotta be a first lol. Is it me or has the print become large enough to read without squinting my lazy bloodshot eyes? Whatever, it's great for us boring old farts to revel in, but don't worry kids, your not getting short changed either. Coz its still rammed as ever with a mountain to read. I just find it a lot more comfortable this issue. Artcore #28 kicks off with a thought provoking view from the regular 'Daily Terrorgraph' column, where we are educated by a feasible view of whose really in power. Followed by a brave, no holds barred 4 Letter Word (Welly's former band) dissection by the man himself. Giving us a 20 year history of some of the bassists who have either ripped off the band, created turmoil within and/or were just plain nutters! It's a great expose and I just wish more bands would spill the beans. Interviews this issue feature Portland's The Estranged, who have more to do with the Wipers than Poison Idea, which is a relief. The snottier Young Offenders come from San Francisco but originate in the UK. Whats even weirder is they look like an Oi! band but sound like a jangly Dread to me. The Arrivals from Chicago boast too much facial hair for my liking, but have a neat, gritty sound. Shortest interview of the bunch is with the punkier Smogtown from California, who have a new release that rolls off the tongue called 'Incest And Pestilence'. I enjoyed the TJ's of Newport venue history and profile of Simon Phillips its promoter. I recall being in El Seico’s as it was known when it was just a pub a lot when I was working away in Newport on a quarry back in the early 80's. The manager was great to us, coz we used to drink a lot and gave us cut price beer which went down a treat with out of town contractors. It had a weird exotic clientele even then. I recall a midget in there who looked the spit of Tattoo from Fantasy Island and some guy sitting in the plastic palm tree lol. I'd never had guessed bands like Rancid, the Dickies or Flipper would grace the stage in years to come. There's a profile on the Boston punk label Modern Method that brought us the illusive 'This Is Boston Not L.A.' compilation amongst others. The must read Vaultage section features a neat overview of the legendary Wipers. Can you believe an 11 year old Greg Sage was cutting records for friends, well read this! There's some early 80's MRR interviews faithfully reproduced featuring Minor Threat and Wretched. Plus a big piece on Boston band the Proletariat who are new to me, but worth checking out. Welly's 'I Was A Teenage Bootboy' memoir seems a strange flip to his by now legendary US Hardcore obsession. We then get a 3 page run down of the 80's UK fanzine scene which is a fascinating insight as there's less than a handful of zines who have survived that decade and Artcore without a doubt seems to be the best and most prominent. A late 80's HDQ (the US outfit) interview gets rolled out and to go out with a bang or should that read Kaput! We are then served Part 1 of a gigantic West German punk biopsy. And lets not forget, there's a massive 5 pages of reviews that don't pander to labels or egos. So your guaranteed a real reaction instead of a manufactured one that the more accessible publications churn out, which we like a lot! Comes with a neat Artcore badge! Arty with bite! Check out the promo video which is a nice new angle to promote your product. £2.75 ARTCORE |
| VIVE LE ROCK #2 March 2011 ***** Vive Le Rock really does keep the momentum running after what I foolishly presumed would be a one trick pony, more fool me! This second issue boasts the new revitalised Adam Ant on its cover, whose looking like a dandy Jack Sparrow. But to be fair Mr Ant had the pirate look a long time before Hollywood recreated the twinkle in Johnny's eye. The interview itself comes armed with an hilarious and fascinating up close and personal 6 page John Robb debriefing. That really does show us the thin line between Adam Ants genius and insanity. And so relieving to hear him talk about his punk era with as much reverence as his big hitting pop career, that made him a household name. In contrast the dowdy Dropkick Murphy's who are turning into more of an Irish show-band each passing year. Tell us they are teaming up with Bruce Springsteen on their new album, dear oh dear. While a well past his sell-by date Sylvain Sylvain gives us the lowdown on the New York Dolls recent '....High Heels' LP, which is apparently a despairing bag of dried up cosmetics done by wrinkled old queens, if you believe the reviews. Of the newer bands on show it was good to read about my fave ex- Black Flag singer Keith Morris, whose new band Off, are apparently as rabid as his debut 45 snarl back in '78. Sad to see one of Poly Styrene's last interviews printed as she talks optimistically about her last album 'Generation Indigo'. Veteran punk hack Kris Needs of the much missed Zig Zag mag, tells us all about his compilation CD release 'Dirty Water' which don't sound half as drinkable as his legendary punk writing. The other highlight interview wise was with JJ Burnel of the Stranglers, which features 2 pics with Hugh Cornwell still in the line-up. If your a devout Stranglers fan its hard to justify their new stuff, coz any of the new singers that joined never really done it for me. And lets face it Burnel’s ‘baracuda’ bass sound was never the same once he got new gear. The classic gig was a Ramones appearance from '96 which I’m almost sure I attended? Must check my gig tickets. If so, it was neat to recall the set list and hear how the band played. But from my drunken memoirs I wouldn't say it was a classic Ramones performance. I remember a blitzing buzz but not in that controlled classic way coz the songs sounded rushed which didn't suit the band. There's a neat Chiswick Records profile, and was good to be reacquainted with the Stingrays which were a fucking great band, amongst others on this influential label. I've lost a little respect for SLF after I heard about their pop star demands at a Rebellion festival a few years back. But its always an insight to hear if Jake Burns ego prevails in print. A scary looking Mike Monroe who was an androgynous sex symbol when he fronted Hanoi Rocks in the early 80's. But now looks a little hagard and tranny for his own good. However he still has impeccable taste in music. There's a profile and look back at the UK Subs which were undoubtedly a great punk band for 3 albums. I just can't get my head around Charlie's almost god like worship by the subversive fan base. Because either everyone’s blind or they're complete liars! Poor old Charlie’s a great bloke, but is looking very jaded on and off stage these days. Thank fuck the Subs alphabet of albums is almost done. From one old timer to another, but Iggy is a different beast, he may be still carried to the dressing room like an invalid after every gig, but he can still entertain while on stage. Here were given an interesting look into James Williamson's take on the Stooges. In a totally different realm, Wire are a band who haven't really broke up, but I lost interest once 'Chairs Missing' was released and they went off into experimental orbit. So its good to catch up and read about how the Buzzcocks (Howard Devoto era) were a suprise influence. Mike Ness from Social Distortion looks like a late 70's gangster from Miami Vice, instead of a punk rock institution on this Social Distortion profile. Were New Model Army punk? I don't think so! And their music never moved me either, but they did have a unexplainable large following. Maybe it was Justin's classic traveller look that sold them to the masses, coz it certainly wasn't their music? Back on the street, it was good to read about the Cro Mags lead singer John Joseph who has now picked up his pen to become an author, most notably on his often shocking autobiography 'The Evolution Of A Cromagnon'. As always Vive Le Rock comes with some stunning colour shots of the bands in question and you'll be pouring through this for quite some time. The only thing I find a little annoying about Vive Le Rock are the arse licking reviews, but hey, we can't have everything can we? Comes with a free CD 'Revolution Rock’ that features 12 tracks by an array of artists with the Subs and the Duel representing the punkier angle. High St.Punk! Well worth the £4.99 cover price. Vive Le Rock |
| FAILSAFE #8 February 2011 ***** Another annual voyage through the choppy waters of 1980's punk, featuring some of the underdogs and to be fair downright decrepit hasbeens, a few wannabes and even the odd actual punk talent. This issue has ‘em all in various forms and disguises ill leave you to decide who? What seems like mutton dressed as lamb or a very middle aged looking Chron Gen stare out at us on the front cover. Despite this, Chron Gen have reformed for the masses, or more realistically for the bigger gigs like Rebellion. They actually look like they don't feel that comfortable doing all this punk lark again when their straight day jobs and middle aged lifestyles get pushed to one side. Glyn Barber fer instance was once a young hot punk about town who even broke the hearts of a thousand spiky tops when he dated the sexy Beki Bondage of Vice Squad in her prime for a few tortuous months. It's hard to imagine now, when you compare them both. He does try his level best to look moody, as they somewhat awkwardly try to recreate the 'Puppets Of War' pose for one last time. The interview inside asks all the right questions and nails what the band were all about perfectly. Chron Gen certainly had their moments both live and with the rather good 'Reality' 45, they looked set to be one of the few emerging new breed of punk bands to break into the charts. But, fate had other ideas, their debut album was a disappointment and without some focal point like Wattie’s notoriety, they soon faded back into the Hitchin undergrowth. However we first had to scramble through the aftermath left by Ultra Violent, who had a great name but only released one solitary and forgetful single on Riot City records called 'Crime For Revenge'. They just didn't have much more else in their arsenal, so swiftly imploded. However their larger than life lead singer Ade Bailey went on to front English Dogs for a spell and still looks an ominous sight as he’s pictured stalking the streets of Blackpool at a former Rebellion festival. He spills the beans on Ultra Violence, plus two other band members throw their lot in on what turns out to be a mammoth history lesson on the band and its surrounding Halifax punk scene from back in the day. Meanwhile State Victims from Manchester are even more obscure, their only product was a self released tape with a live side and studio side to throw into the ring from the early 80's. We then cross the ocean to New York and a more potent force in Urban Waste, who offer us 4 pages of Kenny Ahrens (their lead singer) take on punk and hardcore in the big Apple during their early 80's reign. On a less enthralling note we get part two of last issues Vatican Commandos spread, regarding their reformation gig but its bolstered by some neat up to date reviews of The Avengers and Channel 3 which I enjoyed a lot more. Another Hitchin band the Bleach Boys closes proceedings. This bunch even I have heard of. They were the first punk band from Hitchin and predate Chron Gen by quite a few years, but slipped under the radar. With only countless support slots despite the intriguing 1981 12" release 'Stocking Clad Nazi Death Squad Bitches' they still perform occasionally. This issue also comes with a 5 page round up of gig and record reviews plus the ever present sharp pics that are this zines piece de resistance. Summing up Failsafe is always done with devout dedication to detail, despite some of the subject matter, and offers us a real lust for punk. Which is reflected back by an array of punks luminaries holding aloft proud copies of past issues. David the editor may now be struggling to feature more news worthy obscurities from those dark distant days, but you gotta give him credit for being brave enough to lift up the soiled, creepy crawly carpet of punk and peering into its dark, dank depths for our reading pleasure. Contact failsafezine@yahoo.com |
| DEFIANT POSE #6 December 2011 ***** A taster issue of this long running, but often out of circulation London punk zine, done by punks who understand what punk is all about. We don't have to suffer all the preaching bollocks or phoney posing and not a hint of heavy screamathons that’s often classed as punk these days within these pages. Defiant Pose this time out is a flyer issue. If like me your an interested voyeur of long gone punk rock artifacts, particularly artwork just to see what you missed or find the art expresses the vibe of the time. Then you could do yourself a favour by checking this out. Especially if you don’t have the means or dosh to visit London's Albert and Victoria art museum on the off chance there’s some punk exhibit, then this little taster will wet your whistle as we crawl through an A4 sized photostatic venture gleaning snapshots from the 77-97 era. 20 years of urban inner city punk activity supplied by Mike Clarke (our editor and guitarist in the reformed Decadent Few) and Andy W's private collection. Mike rightly explains in his editorial that "these flyers are reprinted in the medium which they were originally made because they belong here rather than in some arthouse or coffee table book. Many of them have spent years tacked onto walls or flats which made perfect reproduction problematic thanks to age and wear." But ain't that just how we like it? Punk ain’t supposed to be airbrushed and pristine, it’s about gritty rough round the edges expression and imagination and style. Faded cuttings or flyers with beer stains on and years of tacking just makes them more lovable and precious in my minds eye. Whether its Raped at Dingwalls or an array of vintage Vortex flyers you’ll be mesmerised by some of the art but more importantly the supports. This was a time when the Psychedelic Furs were knocking out punk flyers and local heroes Wolverhampton’s Neon Hearts were supporting the Monochrome Set down the smoke. We had the Spotty Dogs at the Roxy and the Clash playing a Sid Vicious benefit at the Electric Ballroom. Crass at the Acklam Hall complete with typed manifestos and Youthinasia at that long running punk bastion Chats Palace are just some examples. It gives you an insight into what was going on down on the street. From high profile punk gigs to sordid little squats, it’s all here in black ‘n’ white photo stated glory. Its also very inspirational, coz I wanna try and do more myself regarding flyers on the punk Artifax pages that are still laying dormant on this site for way too long. This kinda zine don’t say a lot in text it don't need too just view the visuals they speak a thousand words, and shows you what could and can still be done with a little imagination, a snifter of style, some felt pens and some punk bands! Look out for the follow up issue Defiant Pose #7 which is coming soon and promising to give us an indepth look at UK fanzinedom from 76-84 era....cant wait! INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL |
| FREEFALL DRUNKPUNK RANTAPHON #6 December 2011 ***** Tom Freefall is really getting into these mammoth verbiage (cheers Mish) exercises. He literally smokes, eats and drinks punk and proves you don’t have to live in the eye of the storm (e.g big cities) to really write about punk, appreciate the decadence or convey your deepest inspirational moments. So when Tom puts pencil to paper (which is his usual method of documentation) and drones on about it in a highly positive and sometimes negative but hilarious way. It makes you wonder if fellow scribblers like Marv Gadgie are still buying copies lol? We need fanzines like Rantaphon with opinions, not the faceless fence sitters. And whether or not we agree or not with him these opinions usually create a reaction and that is the key to a good zine. Tom can be a little blinkered coming from his neu metal heritage, but hey the kid seen the light, chopped off those god awful dreads and now he’s into punk full on and don’t we just know it! As you trawl through obscure but relevant book reviews you know he’s read 'em from cover to cover. So when we submerge ourselves into the gig reviews which is where Tom really does come into his own. It makes me go red with embarrassment, as he train hops relentlessly from one venue to the next, commuting between Derby, Brum and Telford, being his main ports of call. And here’s me moaning about a poxy 25 minute train ride to Brum to catch some action. In between scandalous and salacious news reports from around the punk globe, the DVD reviews this time round are are very Anarcho orientated. So it’s no surprise the contributions this time round emanate from Tom’s tape trading buddy Pablo in Switzerland. This is the guy who ponced a free Stench LP off me (via Tom) and seemed put out coz I asked for a decent trade, which he could not supply. I wasn’t after his money or rare artifacts just wanted sommert I could appreciate apart from obscure European Anarcho drudge he tried to foist upon me that next doors cat wouldn’t even piss on. He seemed bemused I actually wanted a trade, as though Stench were a piece of shit on his shoe and he was doing me a favour by taking one off me ha! Well we were shit but thats another story. I knew the cunt would only probably play it once as it ain’t PC and most certainly ain’t his cup of tea, but you know what these collectors are like. They just have to have it even if they don’t like it or play it. In fact they're just like every other corporate consumer wanting something fer nothing. Which is annoying for me as I only have a few copies left and want em to go to genuine reprobates who might even appreciate it. Stench may not be highly sought after in Pablo’s record collecting circles but its cost us a lot of time (25 years in fact) and effort to put those albums out, not to mention financial backup by Pure Punk records. I'm not a charity for some high falutin Anarcho guru who hates CD’s, can just about handle vinyl and salivates over tapes. We certainly do pick em don't we? Anyway back to the zine just thought you’d wanna know that as you can read of his 6 page life story from his first involvement into the dreaded ‘p’ word. Nice also to see a devoted 10 pages of zine reviews skimming between oldie’s and loads of newbies. Rantaphon is one of the few printed zines that I’ve come across that really does go into detail when he reviews zines. We then venture into the subterranean world of comics and graphic novels before moving to one of Tom’s ‘bellend attacks’ his words not mine. This issue it's Brace Belden a columnist in MRR who feels the Shropshire lash, plus Crass get some pros and cons, but it was the Crass crop circle image which really took my eye in this debate. Nice to see Punk Rocker get another mention, just a pity the address is still the wrong one he used last time out lol. Don't forget each issue comes with a free 72 minute cd punk compilation garnered from Mr Freefalls expansive collection and theres always a few goodies on there! Issue #7 will be delayed while Tom moves out of the sticks into his swanky new Telford bachelor pad, which will by all accounts feature punk in the decor, sexy nude babes on its walls and framed copies of his most treasured comics, so bear that in mind if you think he’s dawdling in the local boozer instead of transcribing his scribbled notes into his favoured comic sans script. Contact: tomfreefall@btinternet.com |
