Azlan McLennan is an artist that I have always admired. He is a local boy from Canberra, and the first time I had anything to do with him was at this club, I think from memory at the first or second Forward Defence show. Thommo was talking to him about doing some artwork or something, and then we started telling him what we wanted. We were going 'We want this guy, just a normal looking guy, not some musclehead or something, backed against a wall, with a baseball bat, and this kind of manic pushed-to-the-edge look in his eyes, like not attacking anyone with the bat, but just having it there… blah blah blah.' We just heaped these instructions on him, and then he just grabbed a serviette and a pen and sketched this perfect representation of everything we had been telling him in the past ten minutes. After that we got Azlan to do artwork for us on a regular basis, for flyers, t-shirts, stickers etc. I have on my wall two of Azlan's pictures blown up and framed. The Forward Defence 'Hang You Bastard Die' picture, and the 'This Ain't Greenday Punk' picture from the Circle Stomp flyer. He also did work for his friends metal band Semantic as well, so for a while his artwork was plastered all over Canberra. Recently I saw Azlan at Mugshot's last show and gave him a copy of GAHAGAJ #1 and he gave me a copy of his self published book 100 Ways To Die. Unfortunately for him, I definitely got the better part of the deal. I decided to enquire more into the mind behind 100 Ways To Die, so I sent Azlan an email with the following questions…

At the risk of making myself ‘unpopular,’ (God forbid!!!) Rollins has always been and is still an immense influence on me. The rage and alienation he talks about and his whole apocalyptic attitude towards life and one’s self is very real to me. All he’s ever been about is pointing out the ugly realities in life and he executes it with such brutal simplicity.It’s not just his writing that inspires me, though. It’s his whole ‘bull by the horns’ approach to life. Doing it the hard way, honestly and maintaining integrity.

• The character physically resembles you with the shaved head and the freckles, is it supposed to be you?

I ‘d be lying if I said it wasn’t - it is from my perspective of the world, but that’s beside the point. I don’t actually say anywhere in the book that it’s about me personally or name any names. I want anyone to be able to pick up the book and hopefully see themselves in the position of main character.

• A section of your book kicks back against American cultural imperialism. Do you see this as a problem within Australian society?

Not necessarily a problem, more of a shame. Not just in our society, but on a global scale we’re becoming more Americanised everyday. Which is pretty damn depressing, because as much as America has to offer it’s a pretty fucked up country. It bums me out seeing people adopt the cheap, trashy culture with such open arms. I think a lot of countries are losing their identity. Last time I was in Malaysia (my mother’s home country) I saw more fucking McDonald’s than we have here!

• What do you hope to achieve with your artwork?

The main purpose of my artwork, (unless it’s for someone else), is purely to cleanse a few demons. Drawing, for me, is a great way of venting. It’s also a good avenue for self expression. It’s a good challenge to get what’s in my head onto paper, successfully. If I pull it off, then it’s served its purpose. If someone else’s into it, that’s a bonus. Sure, it would be great to live off of my art, but realistically, you’re not going to make a hell of a lot of money if you’re an artist unless you’re fucking H.R. Gieger!

• Who’s artwork has influenced your own?

I used t be a pretty avid comic collector and one of my biggest influences would have to be a man named Frank Miller. In 1986, he revolutionised the comic book industry when he wrote and illustrated a book called ‘Dark Knight.’ He took the character of Batman (back then a camp, tights-wearing nob) and turned him into a bitter, driven psychopath, fighting a one-man-war on society. Miller’s full-on serious portrayal, story-wise and artistically fucking blew my mind. Still does. Another comic artist who really left a mark on me - Eric Drooker. He did this silent comic called ‘Flood.’ No words, just intense imagery of the life of this really depressed guy. I haven’t seen the book for years, but the images are perminentley imprinted on my my mind. I think the whole book was carved out of lino, mostly B/W images. Faith No More used one of his images (a picture of a police dog barking) on one of their album covers, which was a bit of a shame. Associating with such a mainstream band only cheapened his art I think. Raymond Pettibon, (the guy who did all of Black Flag’s artwork), is a huge inspiration to me. He would come up with these dramatic scenes of ugly, urban-American life. He was always able to depict such intensity with one single picture. He was incredible. Depressing, black humour. I fucking love it.

• Have you had any formal art training?

I have a ‘diploma’ in visual arts and am still ‘studying’ art at uni but I think I can safely say that I learned nothing from any art class or teacher. Having the formal piece of paper just opens a lot more options for you career wise. All my skills were self-taught. Comic books were my best art teachers, as a kid. I learned more from reading comics than I did in any art class.

• What do you do outside of drawing?

Apart from work and study (ho ho) - I listen to a shit load of music and still stubbornly pursue my vocal (if you could call it that) ambition. I’ve been in and out of so many shitfull bands, (mostly on my part) for more years than I care to think of.

• The back cover says ‘Ugly Comics’, what is Ugly comics?

Pretty self explanitory, really. It’s the name I chose for my own comic productions. All I’m trying to do with my art and writing is depict grim realities. 100 Ways To Die was actually done for a major assignment I had last year for my diploma course. It’s the first full-length comic I’ve ever done. It’s something I always wanted to do , but never had the patience. Everyone always said to me ‘Man, you should do your own comic one day!’ The course I just finished l gave me the good kick in the arse I needed to finally do this comic. I used to do a lot flyers for bands and that was a great way of expressing my opinions and getting my grievances out about one thing or another, but finishing the comic gave me a new level of fulfillment. Now I’m hooked and working on the next one. Hopefully, there’ll be plenty more Ugly Comics productions.

• Can people purchase 100 Ways To Die anywhere?

I don’t have my own PO box yet, but you can e-mail me on

• Music seems to be a big part of your life, going to shows, doing art for bands, and you’re always plugged into a walkman. What music has really driven you today and over the years?

Hate to be predictable, but - the Rollins Band, obviously. That band, more than any other, has got me through the years. Music would be my biggest venting outlet and the only music that’s real to me, is music that expresses pain. The Rollins Band would have to be the epitome of demon-confronting music, for me. I admire any band that points out the real deal, whether it’s Portishead, for hardcore depression or Public Enemy for real eye opening atrocities. I love how Chuck D debases the image of the mighty land of America and shows it for the cancerous shit hole it is. They did spawn some good bands, though - No Comment. Fucking brutal. I think Australia has spawned some of the greatest world-class bands. Acka Dacka would be the roots of my early grasping for ballsy, soulfull music. Mark Of Cain, for real ‘I hate my ex-girlfriend blues’. I’m a sucker for that kind of shit. Damaged, for full on aggression and shear musical precision. I’ll never forget the first time I saw that band. Matt Sanders is fully carving out new boundries with his drumming. I have a lot of musical heroes. I think Tim Murphy, (ex-F.D./Mugshot/Half Mongrel) has written some of the greatest fucking riffs I’ve ever heard. Every band that guy’s been in has been amazing. Toe To Toe is another of my fave Aussie H.C. bands. I think Scott is a great frontman, awsome lyrics and throat and he’s kept the band going all these years.

• The artwork for the cover of This Fate fanzine, featuring a guy beating down on a junkie with a bat caused a bit of controversy in some parts of the Australian punk scene. Did this surprise you?

Not at all. I would have been surprised if it hadn’t kicked up a stink. It’s not exactly the most ‘PC’ pic in the world. I don’t really take a side to this particular issue - I fucking hate junkies but I don’t think violence is ever a solution in the long run. Kicking someone’s arse doesn’t really solve anything, but it’s definitely saying something. I’m not saying death to junkies, but I’m not ashamed to have my name on the picture. If my drawing can inspire that much emotion in people, I’m proud to call it my own. Violence is a part of life and so is heroin. These are just some of many topics people don’t particularIy like to think about, but they’re there and I chose to remind people of them. I’m not preaching any message, I’m just pointing things out. Why do people make horror movies? Why does H.R. Gieger paint landscapes of penises and vaginas? To get a reaction out of people and the cover of This Fate did exactly that. Heaps of artwork I’ve done (especially for F.D.) was controversial, but that just made people take even more notice.

• You seem to live a drug free lifestyle, but have never associated yourself with the straight edge. Is there a reason for this?

Yes. I don’t get into crews. I don’t want to lose my identity and slot into a label. I’m not singling out straight edgers. I hate all scenesters. I don’t ever want to be a part of anyone’s scene - whether it’s the H.C. scene, the art scene or the sodding library scene - whatever! Unity is cancer to me. I don’t trust people. It’s in their nature to be self serving. It’s always the last thing you think will ever happen, but sometimes the one sticking the knife in your back will be someone you love. I’m not trying to sound all heavy and intense. It happens to everyone. Every H.C. band that’s ever walked the planet has at least one song about betrayal.

• If people would be interested in using your artwork, should they get in touch with you?

For sure. I’m always keen to work on projects. Just e-mail me if you want to get in touch, or order a book or just to hurl abuse. Feel free.

• Anything more that you would like to add?

Yes, thank you Doug, for allowing me to masturbate so publicly in your zine, David Hasslehoff is my favourite American hero and kids South Park is shite shite shite.............