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| EVERLONG #6 February 2005 **** I find Everlong to be constantly one of the easiest zines to read, around the UK today. They don’t go for a maze of cut and paste, but offer a more clean cut, desktop finish. Which although lacks a certain panache, it can make for a fast and easy to suck in guide through it’s 48 pages. There’s quite an interesting floor show of punk luminary’s to make a mess in this issue. So swot up on how Californian punk billionaires Bad Religion, function away from the office. Swoon at how Hull’s Freaks Union (formerly run of the mill guttersnipes), have turned into a real band…shock horror! Or wince at Blaggers AKA/ITA/CIA/C&A who were never punk to start with, but are back sniffing for more of our leftovers. Maybe you wanna simply croon with delight at the progressive, melancholy, Ska, thrash, rock outfit called :howards Alias:. If those fuckers didn’t make yer laugh out loud, you can smirk slyly when no-ones looking as New York’s Leftover Crack singer Stza (this issues cover star) throws down the gauntlet to his former record label BYO’s pretentious Stern Brothers, over threats and intimidation. Those East/West coast punk rivalry’s are something else ain’t they?…my moneys on the Crack head!!! All this subterfuge and big business is thirsty work, but is eclipsed by the massive Headwound (Leeds ‘right on’ Fanzine) interview, which turned out to be the highlight of this issue. Opinionated gob shite’s from Yorkshire or just a stubborn mind-set?…the jury’s still out? Catty editors Rachel and her Geordie crony Chip pan give us their dogmatic views on everything zine wise, gig wise, punk wise and unwise from their Leeds PC ghetto. Finally, Burning Britain book author Ian Glasper reveals his highly anticipated next Anarcho tome is gonna be called ‘The Day The Country Died‘. So a pretty eclectic bunch eh. All this comes along side a multitude of gig, zine and record reviews. The only major bummer I found in this their best issue to date, was these West Country periodical sons, seem to review nothing but Ska punk, which here at Nihilism On The Prowl! is a crime against humanity!!! If I hear one more “brass section” comment it’ll be too soon! But apart from that war crime, this local zine has a definite worldwide appeal so check it out. £1.00 from Shane.Baldwin@uwe.ac.uk |
| PUNK, THE WHOLE TRUTH Mojo March 2005 ****1/2 Not another Mojo Punk Special you may well ask. Yeah it is, but this was really worth getting. If you wanna capture the spirit of the 76-1980 punk boom in Technicolor, you won’t go far wrong with this. Contains some rather pleasing rare pix, in amongst a gigantic pile of long lost punk gems from the Sounds (early UK music weekly) archives. And yeah I know the original wave of punk has been dissected, scrutinised and reproduced so many times before, but this 148 full colour glossy mag manages to regurgitate a load of exceptional interviews that ain’t been seen or published elsewhere for at least 20 years. They contain all the shit you need to accompany those UK punk rock gems from our snotty legacy. And a great way to get the kids into the vibe of their early punk roots too. Nick Kent the Ex-NME junkie scribe and victim of Sidernee Vicious’s rusty chain slinging, gives us an hilarious take on the early punk scene. Nina Antonia lets us in some long lost clandestine Johnny Thunders memoirs. Alongside some terrific early interviews with the Ramones, the Jam, Buzzcocks, the Clash, the Stranglers, the Damned, Siouxsie & the Banshees and the Ruts. As well as a rather good glimpse of the Pistols in Sweden. Best bits however was the short up to date interviews done with punks like Jayne County who in-between caring for her elderly parents in Georgia, is still doing sporadic gigs both here and abroad. Gene October of Chelsea was another scream, as he confides he’s now working for Brighton council on the bins in-between recording a new Chelsea album. They’re funny, intriguing and down right entertaining. And yeah they do ask Billy Idol if he’s made a million, coz he’s probably the only one featured in this mag who has. And Bill answers in prophetic terms by announcing he’s also spent a million too. Other items worth your perusal are a bleak eyewitness accounts of Sid’s last few gigs in New York by people who were there as well. All the major punk records, CD’s and DVD’S get analysed. Plus a good roundup of punk on the TV and the big screen. You can even win a night out with Rat Scabies in the competition if you guess the colour of Rat's barnet. For a more up to date focus on punk, we get the rise of Green Day, but then it all went completely off the rails by checking the modern pulse beat of punk… which included such DIY acts as the Libertines (what?), Kaiser Chiefs (who?) , and Busted fer fucks sake!!! Errr what happened to the Briefs, Midnight Creeps or the Violent Fuckwits that’s what I wanna know? Mojo’s obviously out of touch with today’s scene, but thankfully on an historical level these punk specials really are spot on! special.projects@emap.com |
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| THIRSK FIRST #1 2005 **** Debut issue of this rather dapper looking green 40 page zine risen out the ashes of Small Sailor and My God Can Beat Up Your God zine camps. Thirsk for all the people outside Yorkshire and England is the northern outpost that has an unhealthy punk rock affiliation for sporning bands and zines alike, and with an unrelenting turnover. They don’t all deliver the goods however, but this fucker certainly looks the part and does indeed create an amusing and entertaining read for most of its debut. And like my current fave Thirsk zine Small Sailor, Thirsk First radiates an engaging cut ‘n’ paste veneer to it's spiky and somewhat acidic prose. A neat looking zine that draws you in with every corner of the page bunged up with text on politics and punk in general. However for an added touch of annoyance, co-editor Mr Aron Beatup’s 'Chav' viewpoint on life these days seems totally alien towards our punk rock landscape. Has he really turned into some anal blink weighted white gangsta rapper that are a breed set for obvious ridicule in black hip hop circles let alonre punk? Or is this just another attempt at controversy in the Yorkshire dales? I get the feeling his outlook these days is something the punk scene is or should be attacking not condoning? It seems pretty sad that a punk zine has to resort to other cultures to get its kicks, whatever happened to the spiky punk attitude that was funny and intriguing once upon a time? That aside, we get loads of columnists in here that greet us from all walks of punk life, including Wolverhampton via Portland ferfuzsake! And alongside a varied snapshot of reviews which thankfully don’t suck up to media hype, it keeps the reading ante in the red. However the bands in this issue weren’t really living up to its smart looking interior. The Foamers who’ve since split up are ska tinged street punk which in other words means boring. While the more imaginative Mingers from nearby Leeds seems to have a certain allure all of their own, which remnds me i gotta get hear em for myself. There was a good interview with yank artist Kristen Ferrell who is responsible for some rather apt Alice In Wonderland kinda punky graphics. Not sure if this’ll be an annual thing but I look forward to the next issue of Thirsk First if only to see what scene Mr Beatup has hijacked next time. 50p + (SASE) PO Box 132, Thirsk, YO7 1WR, UK |
| RIOT ON YOUR OWN #19 April 2005 ***
1/2 These are coming at us thick ‘n’ fast and 4 times a year these days, which is always a good sign. However Bill mustn’t succumb to freebie pressure quite so much if you know what I mean. We much prefer his naturally spun script even if it means waiting an extra month or two coz this Issue does seem slightly rushed to meet his quarterly deadline me thinks. Especially if you gotta resort to interviewing web nerds like me till local legends Runnin Riot come back off tour. I was a bit miffed considering my current high profile that I didn’t make the front cover of this issue. But realistically speaking how’s an old wanker like me gonna compete with some young in their prime and contemporary Mohicans, I ask ya? Oh well despite my failed shot at infamy there’s still enough laughs and entertainment in this rapid read to leave most other zines standing. So ever mind the bollocks here’s the booty. As per usual we get some up to date news bites on the local Belfast and international punk scene. A boatload of record, zine, gig and book reviews are administered in Bill’s usual articulate way. Plus some short but rather readworthy bits 'n' pieces on CD and vinyl artwork. And to add a bit of glamour there’s a punk chick centre spread. And for social history buffs a profile on Fatty Arbuckle who caused scandal in the silent movie era. As a bonus we get the missing lyrics to the 1000 Drunken Nights/Violent Fuckwits CD, which no self respecting punk should be without. Plus a misspent tale of youth gone off the rails in 'Land Of Hope And Glory'. Definitely a bit slimmer than usual but as well as the usual spiky pix and witicisms it's FREE, it’s a riot and its punk! billyriot@hotmail.com |
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| RIOT ON YOUR OWN #20 JULY 2005 **** Riot On Your Own comes staggering out the boozer with its 20th instalment and enough debris from the recent Wasted festival that you just know you’re in for a grubby Morecambe treat. Our vet Belfast scribe bears witness to the 4 day drinkathon in between sniffing round the young birds and getting himself photographed with an array of C-list punk celebs. Blackpool’s Sick 56 are this issues cover stars and a bitter Uknige (who also fronts One Way System) gets a severe questioning on subjects like the highly important issue of “what football teams do you support, and should Blackpool FC change their horrendous orange strip?” I must agree with our editor here, coz orange ain’t half as sexy or pleasing to the eye as old gold ‘n’ black. The other band to get pursued round the bar are local punksters 1000 Drunken Nights who give equally zany answers to the extremely wacky questionnaire. Highlight of this issue has to be the hilarious Wasted review, which seems to have cost Bill an arm and a leg in B&B’s and air travel this year. But those extra finances didn’t stop him stalking the young punk pussy or asking Pauline Murray of Penetration to take pictures for him. It’s highly entertaining as our hero prowls the punk resort in his unquenchable quest for action. He manages to get some decent shots of all the female bands in action (why doesn’t that surprise me?). Andi from NY Relix tops the totty chart for about the 3rd year running so no change there. The reviews in here cover a vast selection of the Captain 0i catalogue which makes me pretty envious that the Captain doesn’t deem it suitable to send any of his contraband out to webzines tut tut. All this plus a punk anagram, a giant teddy bear and a Wasted centrespread of pix gives this Belfast Freebie a recommended place in your punk staple diet. Highly entertaining read. billyriot@hotmail.com |
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| ANTHILL #6 2005 *** This is a brand new un, at least to my Wolvo mince pies. And arrives from the less trendy Yorkshire bastion of Sheffield in the UK. I picked up this fluorescent pink freebie on one of my recent Brummy gig outings, and like Riot On Your Own this being Free doesn’t necessarily mean inferior punk rock rants from some sad twisted idiot with a spare photocopier on hand. On the contrary Anthill is well laid out and has a professional print job. It covers a wide range of punk that’s splattered its way through Sheffield and beyond. Editor Jake slides anti hunt gripes at us every so often, but doesn’t quite bore us to death unlike some of the other Yorkshire zines with similar views. This issue is however dominated by a 5 page Goldblade interview. And although their kinda punk rock ‘n’ roll ain’t really up my street, the singer John Robb who used to write for Melody Maker does has some valid points to make about the punk scene today. We also get a UK debut zine interview from Germany’s Shark Soup who are according to Anthill, are Germanys best new punky outfit. They apparently play some sorta hybrid with a psycho Billy edge. Plus we also get an introduction to brassy punk outfit Buzzkill from nearby Leeds. My only niggle regarding the interviews is they don’t include any form of contact or even an email address so you can’t really find out more about the bands in question. There’s a wide selection of gigs reviewed, plus a smattering of records and zines. Jake the editor seems to be a relic from the early 80’s era of UK punk but don’t let that, or his easily pleased outlook put you off coz his enthusiasm for the new punk sounds like the Briefs has to be applauded. We also gets some varied newspaper cuttings and an old Toxic Reasons profile plus some classic US Hardcore albums that pleased Anthill in the dark distant past. Anthills a light hearted fast punk read and worth picking up at a gig near you if you spot a copy or you can get one here instead. Jake Anthill, 68 Southend Place, Sheffield, S2 SFQ, England. |
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| PART TIME PUNK #15
Summer 2005 **** First time I’ve actually checked out Part Time Punk zine that sails from the punk port of Southampton. And after inspecting this issues punky cargo it has to be said this most certainly won’t be the last time either. Part Time Punk boasts some cracking interviews with Poly Styrene, Michelle from Brigandage and Santa Barbara’s Derita Sisters taking the biscuit in my own personnel reading stakes. Bringing up a strong supporting cast is a rare Nicky Tesco (The Members) interview plus part one of a massive interrogation of Jack Rabid from the highly respected New York maga-zine Big Takeover (part 2 comes with next issue). PTP also boasts probably a UK first for you punk train spotters out their as the Thrills from Boston run us through their late 70’s punk career. We also get shorter blasts with Picture Frame Seduction from Wales and Michael Rother of Neu/Harmonia kraut rock specialists. So as you can see this is definitely a diverse zine of taste and substance and with such an interesting clientele, it maintains your interest throughout its 48 A5 pages. We also get some juicy titbits with the sultry Lydia Lunch whose apparently partial to some Tizer and legendary tranny Jayne County whose been appararently baiting Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise (and why the hell fuckin’ not?..pair of cunts!) The reviews cover the whole spectrum of zines, records, gigs and DVDs and leave you with a short but vivid snapshot. This zine reminds me of Punk Throwback in many ways but in a more condensed and less detailed delivery. Ian certainly has the same kinda burning urge for the classic punk sounds which is definitely a plus in its favour. My only real disappointment with Part Time Punk and this is purely cosmetic, is after 15 issues I’d have thought it may have learned to be a bit more adventurous in its cold, sterile desktop layout. If this came with some daring cut n paste attack or some thrilling graphics it would certainly be an all round killer zine. But let’s not lose the fact that this is definitely a zine worth your full time scrutiny. Next issue is due out in September so they’re coming at us thick ‘n’ fast which is always a good to see. And only a quid too. So for more information on how to get a copy check out the online presence here. www.oocities.org/iancanty/index.html |
| FEAR AND LOATHING #60 May 2005 **** Yet another high calibre edition of this long running punk fanzine from inner London and featuring the return of one of California’s all time punk faves, the Avengers on the blood red cover of this the 60th edition. Andy’s editorial points out the scourge of tube travel - ‘corporate buskers’ (boo hiss!!!), which we can all sympathise with. However since this issue was written even Andy could put up with the bloodcurdling drone of those backing taped clones compared with the infinitely more chilling threat of the suicide bomber I reckon! This 32 pager comes at us with a predominantly American fixation that you’d be lucky to read about in an annual dose of the more popular UK zines, let alone one lone issue. I’m always enthralled to read more about the gutsy late 70’s US punk icon Penelope Houston, as she gets compromised in a Kensington bar in another probing F&L conference. We also acquire some enlightening gig reviews from the Avengers recent UK mini tour. Which makes me kick myself for missing their Leicester gig in the confines of a tiny club, which is without doubt the best setting to view classic punk rock. There’s also an exclusive meeting of minds with the reformed MC5 who I wasn’t really that excited to read about. But when guru‘s like Wayne Kramer and Michael Davis dish the dirt it turns into a worthy exercise. Plus we get a massive Northwest Seattle/Portland 2 week Tour diary, which our jet setting hero undertook late last year. This was of particular interest to me as I’d spent some hard labour there meself. My only regret was Andy never got to check out Sabala’s punk club in Portland, as I wanted his take on the club from another UK perspective. However he did manage to gatecrash my scribbling pal (Christeen Aebi’s) 40th birthday bash, even though the bands apparently sucked! I’m not very clued up on anything by Guided By Voices from Daytona, Ohio. They are this issues other main ingredient. They‘re calling it a day after 21 years. But when you read Fear And Loathing you realise they are a permanent fixture in this zines diet for what looks like an eternity. I must say they sound and look way too fuckin’ indie for my snotty tastes but as they seem to be the F&L flagship band, who are we disagree? All this comes along side a mammoth selection of gig and record reviews that are for the main on the ball and can only make for a consistently good read from the Capitals leading punk zine of the moment. andyfnl@dircon.co.uk |
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| 2005 ZINE REVIEWS |
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