| VIVE LE ROCK #7 Spring 2012 ***** Vive Le Rock is so popular these days that they are bringing out bi monthly issues, instead of the tried and tested seasonal ones, which I still find really hard to pick up on high street magazine stands. Either they're selling out fast or the store ain't ordering 'em in? So not sure if this ramped up production will last, but here’s to more issues of this slick glossy and professionally presented ‘Rock n Roll, Punk, New Wave mag. Whatever its critic's like me moan about, it does its mainstream coverage of punk pretty good. Although looking at this issues front cover lineup it’s hard to spot a punk band amongst the Jimmy Cliffs and Hank IIII's of this world ha! Cover star's Killing Joke are a band who merge between quite a few genres, but it was punk which first took them to the cultish heights they now frequent. Front man Jaz Coleman still has the stare, not sure about the his marbles or grasp on reality? But who gives a fuck as long as Killing Joke rock, then if the change he predicts at the end of the year materialises we can all wave bye bye with the soundtrack to oblivion? In this 10 page biopsy of their legacy, Killing Joke the dark chord lords always bring some paranoia to the table. They're a band who only seem to turn up with yet another new album of discontent in ‘MMXII’, which if I'm honest I ain't even heard yet? Was neat to hear some views from the other members of this now original line-up, who recorded this latest album. Ex-Damned guitar slinger the highly respected (in punk rocker circles) Brian James who recently teamed up with Rat to blast out the old ditties, has also just released a new album of his own compositions on acoustic and piano with accordion accompaniments. It don’t sound too damning or high octane on paper, but it’s worth noting in this interview he gives us the real deal on how the Damned classics were created. We then head over to Garry Lammin’s new outfit called the Bermondsey Joyriders who look like an ancient crew of Teds, but apparently sound like a Who/Sex Pistols/MC5 hybrid. I like their attitude, but who the hell’s gonna take serious a bunch of old has beens who are demanding change now? Coz no-one was listening 30 years ago? Talking of which, there’s a 6 page interview/profile on the Cockney Rejects career who have a new movie out soon called 'East End Babylon', which is all about their lifestyle and career in punk. Micky Geggus sums up todays climate perfectly. But leaves us with the eternal question of who's gonna play Stinky in the film? The free CD that comes with this issue is a 12 tracker from the Rejects which features rarities from 1980-2012. It’s interesting to hear Stinky’s vocal which now sounds quite tame and eloquent but it don’t really suit the Rejects of old and you can see why these are rarities/demo’s coz there ain’t nothing to shout out about musically, apart from the opening track ‘I love Being Me’ and the live rendition of their best moment ever ‘Bad Man’. As the soundtrack to this mag drones on in the background whatever you think of cult psychobilly headers Demented Are Go you have to take your hat off to em, coz they still look dangerous, mad and definitely demented. Especially lead singer Spark Retard who should be heralded for cult outcast survivor after 30 years of rock ‘n’ roll exuberance and insanity. He still lives the dream, smokes way too much dope, but unlike say Charlie Harper, is way more dangerous, unpredictable and still has the look and growl to excite a new generation. They’ve just released a new DAG album out on People Like You records as we speak. We then come back to normality and get a 6 page update and historical look back at the Buzzcocks career. They also have a new album out which is comprised of 2012 re-recordings of their classics. We then get 4 pages of Blondiemania which features extracts and pics from the new book ‘Blondie: Parallel Lives’ which hit the shelves in June. And finally a Johnny Moped interview as he whizzes (metaphorically speaking) through his career in his inevitable style. As always a little something for everyone including Mr Bowie, but those were the punk highlights. £4.99 from... Vive Le Rock |
| MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #350 July 2012 (Photo Issue) ***** Can’t believe there’s another photo issue so soon after the last one. What was it?.... Like 2 years ago? The front cover this issue ain’t half as impressive or as iconic as the last one. In fact it looks more like a bad take on the Kings Road ‘77 punk look trans morphed to the early 80’s from when it was shot. In this issue they "tried to dig up some lesser known photographers that documented early punk into the present" alongside a whole new breed of punk snappers rising from the dark room, or should that now read transmitting digital tenderness. They do succeed in offering us ground breaking and sometimes cringe worthy photographic evidence of life on planet punk in this broad sweep. It’s still dominated by the older more impact taking snappers, who lets face it, were spoilt by having iconic subject matter within their scope. But hey, punk rock history is still being made today so we are led to believe, just take a look at Tim Armstrong's god awful beard! My current faves this issue are Don Pyle, Chris Boarts Larsen and Irish snapper Ricky Adams, who is a great new find for me. Don captured the Canadian punk scene from early Viletones era in ‘77 right through to now as he prepares to release a book ‘Trouble At The Camera Club’ which includes lots of classic punk bands who toured in or around the Toronto area, and is a definite next on my ‘must get’ book list. At long last we get a much missed Christine Boarts Larsen interview, which was noticeable by its absence last time. Christine arose to prominence in ‘86 along with her highly recommended fanzine Slug And Lettuce, which was always a particular fave. She is probably more well known for her fanzine than her camera shots which she lovingly combined into each issue from the early age of 15. 15 hmmm what a great age to be enveloped by punk, it’s the same age I got into it, so can empathize with her story on how she was overtaken by the whole thing. Her “dystopian landscapes” were very much a part of her fanzine legacy, alongside the classic gig shoots, and her earthy writing made her an all round intrigue in the late 80’s punk scene. Didn’t really know much or anything about Ricky Adams till I seen his Belfast work and read his piece. You really have to check out his online gallery www.rickyadamphoto.com/ as he captured some great punk shots from the not too distant past, along with his fascinating portrayals of urban landscapes and gregarious portraits. He now photographs BMX riders to earn a crust and has publications that have sold out fast! The rest all had their moments Jeanne Hansen captured the early 80's gritty San Francisco punk scene. Maria Da Piedade Morals is a portuguese lady who moved to Rio De Janeiro when she was a kid and between ‘82 through ‘84 booked shows, made flyer's and took photos of this rarely captured punk scene. And finally Justine DeMetrick who captured the essence of the East Coast hardcore scene between 87/88. All we are missing now is Jenny Lens, Ed Colver and Greg Friedman maybe next time? There is an indication these Photo Specials will become a lot more frequent so who knows? The columns this issue are either excruciatingly bland, or completely puerile or as in Al Quints case regarding the best ever punk intros, he had the audacity to include a Slayer track arghhhh, instead of say ‘Pretty Vacant’ or ‘Peaches’ and makes me squirm with anguish and question his taste in punk. So thank fuck for columnists like Felix Havoc who gives us a neat rundown on Slaughter And The Dogs and Cock Sparrer’s pub rock crossover legacy or Sam Lefebvre for the dry humour and Graham Booth for the facts. Although I did quite enjoy Mariam Bastani's space filling haunted tale from the MRR compound. The Ghost of Tim Yo still rises! The reviews are hit or miss but its always fun to check out the demo reviews and of course the zine reviews are more descriptive so you can make up your own mind. $4.00 from.... www.maximumrocknroll.com |
| ARTCORE #29 February 2012 ***** Hot on the heels of last summers sizzling edition we surprisingly get another issue put out by the hard working Welly, an editor who simply loves punk and finds the inspiration to put out quality reads as well as 12 inch vinyl (reviewed later). This issues slab of wax features 20 tracks, mostly exclusive and unreleased, boasting such exotic sounds from creatures like the Night Birds, Arctic Flowers, Off With Their Heads, Pettybone and Burnt Cross. It's beefed up inside the zine with profiles of the artists that come on the record complete with lyrics to some of the tracks. Artcore #29 features interviews with the afore mentioned New York hardcore outfit the Night Birds, whose lyrics are described as "light hearted nihilism" which amused me no end. Portland's (USA) very English sounding Arctic Flowers sound nothing like Rubella Ballet but feature a young Penelope Houston sound-alike. We then recline through the poppy sounding anarcho of Finland's 1981. Londoners Hygiene who are fronted by the side splitting nom de plomb Nat King Dole, a chap who deserves a feature all of his own for the hilarious stage name. Meanwhile the hard to pronounce Ruidosa Immundicia offer up some less attractive shouty, screamy hardcore whose only redeeming feature is a hot sweaty chick if the pics are anything to go by. They're a strange breed because they're based in Austria but sing in Spanish, work that one out? Luckily for us the interview is in English. And finally the reformed metallic crust enigmas Amebix give what seems like a rare interview. Not really my thing at all, but found myself absorbed with their documentary that's on you-tube which gives us a great insight into their dark world of punk squats, axes and acid. We don't always dig the bands who grace the insides of Artcore, but the presentation is always impeccable and it pushes you in directions you wouldn't normally explore. I have to thank Artcore for turning me onto the work of photographer Ed Colver, whose smashed in TV adorns the front of the album in question. Regular features include 3 pages of record and zine reviews, but has a bonus 4th page of record put downs done craftily by two fictitious punk hacks, that literally tears into all the stuff the zine wants to slag off, which will no doubt bring a smile to bands like the Duel or the Destructors lol. The outstanding Vaultage section profiles another neat but recent Agent Orange fanzine interview, we also get the concluding history of the 2 part German punk scene exploration. Last but by no means least, there's an interview with Dirty Donny the Canadian cartoonist whose quirky style has earned him worldwide acclaim. So something for everyone in this highly recommended issue. (£8.00 and £2.75 PPD. U.K. 27 Llantarnam Rd, Mynachdy, Cardiff, CF14REF, Wales, UK ARTCORE |
| MORE NOISE #9 November 2012 ***** First time I read a copy of this hyper active, anarchic boisterous A4 publication outta darkest London. I love its Chaotic, messy, cut 'n' paste till I die attitude and with obvious enthusiasm its edited by a gregarious Swedish punk resident called Tony Slobodanburger. From the editorial this might be his last issue for a while (lets hope not) coz it is amusing. I prefer fanzines like this for the attitude rather than the strictly professional presentation zines, who have every inch of layout in perfect perspective. To tell you the truth I was expecting a way more 'new rock' kinda vibe, but this issue is a punk rock snotty energetic feast and if it had speakers it would hit you at full volume!! More Noize # 9 features some old cunt from Stench waffling on about their cult status and being big in a Huddersfield attic once upon a time. Great intro though. We then get some wrist action from the Wankys, who I assumed were from Japan with a corny name like that. But no they're from the even more exotic location of Leicester. In keeping within the Leicester city limits we get amazingly even less crudity from a band called Fuk, which was a slight let down as a band with a name like that deserves some kinda major attitude emanating from all orifices, but what we get is a short but concise dare I say it interview! Talking of fast blasts, there's an even shorter one with some cider guzzling geezer from Disorder called Taf. However having read other interviews with the Disorder deity in the past, it don't surprise me one bit. At least he does let it slip he got pissed rehearsing on the queens jubilee. Quite liked the hilarious article on the mysterious It Bites punk tape compilations from the 90's, which were doing what the Killed By Death franchise do now, but with no charge obviously before Internet technology took hold. And another redeeming factor was it's conducted by a certain Mick Hucknall, a closet punker fer gawds sake tee hee. There's a spotlight on Greek Crust and how to search or admire from afar those illusive first pressings by some of the most hard to pronounce bands in da punk universe whhoooarrrgghhhh. Token spiky Japanese punks called The Bollocks (tee hee) explain in their very best broken English why the Casualty's, Conflict and Broken Bones have influenced their sound and image. Some geezer called Phil does the reviews along with Marko, who are both pictured, which is brave in this anonymous day and age, and the reviews are all quite detailed too for a zine that's utterly chaotic. But at least More Noize does love punk more than most as they cover a wide range of punk genres, although Japanese punk or Japanese released records seem to be the prevailing factor. And last but by no means least there's an amusing letters page which actually sounds authentic. Tony emailed me a picture of his Stench interview build which was neat to see and brought back fond memories of the Suffragette days when glue and scissors were drawn at every given opportunity. My only gripe was the pics were a little dark but that was a minor detail amidst this much photostatic energy. Limited back issues still available email Tony at... slobodanburgher@gmail.com |
| DEFIANT POSE #7 A4 + AF Formats 2012 ***** An eagerly awaited latest issue of Defiant Pose one of Britain's less publicised fanzines, but definitely as important as any of the best on offer in this photostatic deprived age. This is available in A4 or A5 formats with some slight deviations or additions to both formats, but both are virtually the same. Defiant Pose may not be a regular issue but when one does appear its always brilliantly researched and written, this one spotlights the heyday of UK fanzinedom from 76-84 and this mammoth task is not by any means conclusive, but Mr Clarke's bloodhound detective work delves deeper than a gang of CSI on coke and shames most of any of the publications I've already read so far in 35 years. It features literally a pen and ink stink bomb of crude one issue jobs to the Sniffin Glue blueprint and beyond. The characters behind some of these publications were just as intriguing as the bands they nailed to their photostatic mast, in fact this collection focuses solely on the fanzines themselves which makes for a much more intensive read. As the editorial points out, these smudged manifestos of rebellion had "no editors, no deadlines, no censorship, no rules" which has always been a massive draw in my punk print. 1977 the year punk broke seen a massive influx of rants and screams from the isolation of suburbia or the council tenements of inner city life as our musical landscape exploded and hit hard and fast amongst the nations youth via Punk Rock. Featuring amongst this 31 page spotlight we get fanzines scenes like Manchester with an interview with the editor of the hideously named Ghast Up, meanwhile Sheffield had the gloriously named Gun Rubber which looked and sounded like a porn mag as they had scantily dressed lady's in bondage adorning their covers. Other less championed scenes like Southampton greet us with Breakdown. As the punk fanzines sprouted up from all corners of the nation the pages of information are peppered with covers and art from a lot of the fanzines beamed out for the first time since publication and all in glorious cut 'n' paste style which really seemed to come into its own by '79. Politics also became a more dominant part of fanzine culture as the brilliant Toxic Graffity and Situation detonated the London fanzine scene. Bands like Crass really did ignite a more scary hornets nest of apocalyptic diatribe, it wasn't just us the punks who were the victims of the mainstream straight society but the planet was at risk of corruption, pollution and ultimately annihilation. We also get a neat insight into zine terminals like Better Badges which became the UK's main fanzine distribution and printing hub along with Rough Trade records which distributed the stock around the UK's record shops. North of the border Scotland was birthplace to the legendary Ripped and Torn in 1976 which was the next best known zine after Sniffin Glue. However it was left to the Next Big Thing edited by Lindsay Hutton who explains Scotland's fascination with all things American and strangely how most Americans I met when living in Portland seemed fascinated with all things Scotland. Across the Irish sea Northern Ireland is covered with big hitters like Alernative Ulster and Private World whilst south of the border Heat turns up the temperature. We also get a 10 page look at Crass's effect on fanzines and their attitude, which is possibly the biggest single bands influence on fanzine culture since punk first exploded, along with a brief look at reggae fanzines which sometimes crossed over into punk print. It all makes for a fulfilling experience in this generous 80-page read. A4 = £3.50 A5 = £3.00 Postpaid UK. Go here for more info and other product www.inflammablematerial.bigcartel.com/ |
