| FEAR AND LOATHING 72 July 20015 ***** The latest issue of Fear & Loathing hits the streets and I read almost all of this on my regular train ride to Wigan, which is rapidly becoming my second home. Some interesting points were covered in the editorial regarding Fear And Loathings new web presence. Which I highly recommend you check out in case, like me you missed previous issues as this zine sells out fast. I have to admit the "illusionary Internet stuff" (editor Andy's words not mine) really does improve this zine's aesthetic. I think eventually he will end up devoting more time to his on-line presence, once he's sussed a few more HTML tricks. And you can see how webspace is gigantic in comparison to a regular fanzine format and wins hands down when colour is entered into the equation. Never mind the expense of his print jobs. But he's right when proclaiming "the physical format of a zine, an artifact you can hold in your hands" is so much more fulfilling and a lot more easy on the eye. So onto the zine itself. This issue features a whole spectrum of musical talent. You couldn't get a more varied mix of genres in one punk zine even if you snorted huge bag of crack cocaine while on a bender round Kilburn with Shane McGowan. However Dieter Mayo from Yello was a hard cross to bear, his tuneful ambiance is just too nice for my tastes, gimme Kraftwerk every time. New York's The Dictators always have some stories to tell and Handsome Dick Manitoba has more than most, he was pinned down at the Garage in London on last years rare UK Tour. Next up are the Sleaford Mods an ugly as sin, foul mouthed urban rap act which combines punk attack and energy with poxy box beats. They sing embittered rants about unemployment, modern working life, celebrities and pop culture, but dress like Chavs and are strangely endearing to a growing fan base. They remind me of John Cooper Clarke but are way more angry, just a pity the backing tracks don't live up to the lyrical delivery. I was looking forward to the Neon Hearts interview and its not a let down either. Being a homegrown talent (for us Wulfrunian's) and having caught them live last summer, they were great and got me jumping around during 'Venus Eccentric'. However I missed the sax and that fucking guitarist has always been a big headed cunt! Despite that, it was nice to read a concise history lesson on the first and best punk band to come outta Wolverhampton. Next up its the Defects from Belfast who have reformed also to positive reviews. Lead singer Buck gives us an honest run through the bands career and even had a good word to say about infamous promoter and WXYZ label boss John Curd. To cap this issues klepto mix of interviews we get the Cockney Rejects interviewed at the 100 club prior to a recent appearance. Never expected to see these grace Fear And Loathings pages so was a nice surprise. Stinky and Micky give a very open view on the bands inception, run ins and of course West Ham, right up until their current video and solo projects. They say diversity is strength and Fear And Loathing brings us all this amongst a mammoth amount of gig and record reviews, highly recommended! Copies cost £2.50 plus postage (send an email for full cost) or otherwise you can buy them at either Rough Trade (the proper shop in Notting Hill) or All Ages in Camden. You can also check out the rather nifty new website for more info plus a load of past interviews, reviews and news. www.fearandloathingfanzine.com/ |
| SUSPECT DEVICE 57 October 2015 ***** First issue I've read of this long standing bastion of hardcore punk from the Southampton area. I must say I was expecting a lot more from Suspect Device, maybe something on a par with Artcore at least in depth of coverage. So was a bit let down with its sparse A4 size, as it looks like one of those zines with not enough info to fill this particular issue. I'd suggest a more compact A5 downsize or don't put an issue out unless you can really fill it comfortably. Suspect Device looks like its a zine that's been around for only a few issues, never mind 30 odd years! I could even forgive the not very imaginative cut 'n' paste layout, but after so many years of practice (this is issue #57 after all) your expectations do somewhat increase. Maybe the tender love and care you have to give fanzine production is more of a chore these days with life's other more intense distractions? Having said that you have to take your hat off for longevity in this day and age, by the two editorial suspects involved. I quite like the arty cover and the honest editorials. The columnists were quite interesting and diverse, although a couple of the views were as exactly as I expected ...PC overkill. There was quite a good Parisian gig diary by Pete Zonked who seems to be the main contributor. The interviews were best though with Torso (great name) from the Bay Area who are an ultra fast, feminist screamathon fest with great energy who sing about misogyny, mental heath you know the usual stuff, but disappointingly don't have an awful lot to say in the interview. Brummies the dreadfully named Healer Of Bastards features an old mate Paul who used to drum for Contempt. Apparently he's now chief programmer in this new angry outfit. By complete contrast we get 'pop punks' (in the traditional sense of the word) the Number Ones from Dublin who sound like a rough round the edges Rudi. Finally Permanent Ruin from San Francisco featuring MRR coordinator Mariam on lead vocals who offer us more screamy intense hardcore, plus the lengthiest interview this issue and easily the most interesting. She admits to being a former dominatrix on one of her more lengthy rants. The reviews are a little too generous but spot on regarding the Cult Maniax. Only a couple of zines are featured, but two are better than none I spose. Suspect Device finishes with a neat shot of MDC's stage backdrop on the back page. I don't feel quite as miffed I'd miss this one after all these years as it didn't quite blow up in my face, but what was included was neat to catch up on. I'd also suggest checking out this zines web presence which I highly recommend as it features lots of back issues restored online, plus their record label, the live band photos gallery is really good and you even get a pod cast featuring most of the bands that appear in the fanzine. So lots going on there. I've just read issue #59 is a split issue with Brighton's Zonked fanzine. £2.25 postpaid Suspect Device |
