A
Beat of Our Own
Independent Fanzine, Issue #1 Fall 2006
This
is the first edition of a new fanzine. It is good to know that there are
still people out there that have the D.I.Y. ethic and are doing what they
love. This zine is chock full of interviews of the likes of Jim Testa of
Jersey Beat magazine, George Tabb of Furious George, band interviews and
more. There are book and music reviews too. The one feature that I
enjoyed the most was a rundown of the Dangerhouse releases from L.A. in the
70's. That's what makes this particular issue a must have.
Recommended.
-- Willy Aadnoy (3/5/06)
Born
To Rock by Todd Taylor
Gorsky Press, 2004
Web site: Gorsky Press
One thing I discovered when reading this book is that I don't read much any more. Most of my time is consumed with this web site as well as work and family obligations. I should read more. It's fun. This book is written by Razorcake fanzine founder, Todd Taylor who started the zine when Flipside magazine went under. He talks of his first exposure to punk and the feeling you get when it hits you and you know it's your calling and eventually ends up in L.A. to pursue his punk rock dreams in whatever way he can contribute. His gift is writing and it shines through in the pages of this book. Much of the book is interviews with various bands and artists from other genres that he is interested in. Although most of the bands whose interviews are included in this book are not ones that I particularly tend to listen to, each one had a story to tell that at times were fascinating and at times inspirational. What comes across and what I have known for years is that there are many extremely smart people in punk rock circles. The author has a masters degree and came close to going for his phD. He ends the book with a rant on aging punks and why someone who is 30 years old feels like their life has passed them by and are no longer able to contribute to something that they loved. Just read the interview with Tim Yohannen who founded MaximumRocknRoll and was 52 at the time of the interview (although he is recently deceased due to Non-Hodgkins lymphoma). Read the interview with Duane Peters who must be going on 40 if not more. And take it from me, a 48 year old punk fanatic since 1976 when I first heard the Ramones and continue to support new bands (there are so many great bands that I cannot keep up) through my record purchases and attendance at shows, that passion for what you love doesn't need to die at any age. A highly recommended read.
-- Willy Aadnoy (6/13/04)
Panic
Action zine,
Issue #1
E-mail:
thetransfusions@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.thetransfusions.com
I
love zines. Monthly, bi-monthly,
or infrequently published zines; computer-generated and professionally
printed, or cut-and-paste, photocopied creations; music-centric or otherwise.
I love zines. So, I was
excited to receive for review the debut issue of Panic Action zine,
which is published by Troy Canady, singer/guitarist of the Transfusions (see
CD-R review of 12/21/03). The
zine’s no-frills layout, with computer-generated, text only pages stapled
together, is reminiscent of Now Wave e-zine head honcho Josh
Rutledge’s old print zine, Pee Pee.
Josh makes an appearance in this issue of Panic Action with a
piece about his unflinching devotion to “timeless” punk music.
It’s a decent enough read, albeit one that comes across as an attempt
to rekindle the tired “punk’s not dead” argument.
More entertaining, however, is a rant by Lew Houston of Vinyl-a-Go-Go
e-zine that touches upon punk inequities.
Like Josh’s piece, Lew’s subject matter is well-traveled, but
whereas Josh’s writing is consistently sound from a technical standpoint,
Lew’s writing drifts in and out of focus, seemingly directed at no one and
everyone simultaneously. Of
course, it goes without saying that both Josh and Lew are among the best
writers in the punk community, but generally speaking, Lew’s rambling
strikes a chord with me more so than Josh’s, if only because I never know
what the next sentence will bring. Aside
from the two columns, Panic Action #1 includes a handful of record
reviews, and interviews with Greg Lowery of the Zodiac Killers/Rip Off
Records, Johnny Stingray of the Controllers/Kaos, the FM Knives, and the Put-Ons.
The interview with Johnny Stingray is the most informative of the
bunch, while Greg Lowery and the FM Knives provide ample comic relief.
Overall, Panic Action #1 is a fun read from cover to cover, and
the zine is off to a great start. Send
an e-mail to the above address for ordering information.
--Mario
Solis (12/21/03)
Prometheus
Zine
E-mail:
crew_374@hotmail.com
Web site: http://crew_374.tripod.com
This zine originates in a rural area of NW Ohio where the folks are not exactly what you would call "open-minded". Some even proudly wave the Confederate flag. The folks at Prometheus are a much more liberal crew, railing against the perversions they see in society such as laws that target young folks, racism and Mr. Bush. It is nice to see young people with a mind, and a purpose to use that mind for the betterment of society. If they can get the younger generation to get out and vote and make themselves a force in politics, more power to them. I received the first three issues which included a coloring book as issue 3. There is very little in the way of actual punk literature; a few reviews in issue 1. If you would like to know more about what young rural punks from NW Ohio are thinking, e-mail at the above address and request your copy.
-- Willy Aadnoy (May 3, 2003)
Talon
by Charles Romalotti
Laymon Books, 2002
Web site: http://www.laymonbooks.com
This book was written by Charles Romalotti who has a reputation within literary circles of writing horror/suspense novels with a little twist of punk. Several bands were mentioned during the book including Cock Sparrer and Flogging Molly. That is the extent to which the book could be considered "punk" literature. What the book is, is a suspense novella with a vast collection of freaks as characters that drive the plot. You're never quite sure where all of the diverse story lines are taking you until everybody shows up at the same place for the gruesome climax. It is a story of love, a story of revenge and a story of several different subcultures. A worthy read.
-- Willy Aadnoy (May 3, 2003)