| 2007 ZINE REVIEWS PAGE 1 - PAGE 2 |
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| RIOT ON YOUR OWN #28 November 2007 **** Billy Riot's in festive mood this issue. Especially with his band of cut throats (the Violent Fuckwits) debut CD doing the rounds. So just so we don't forget we get editor Mr Riot and his fellow Fuckwit assassins leering out of the front cover of this issue! Now if that ain't a case of pure unadulterated vanity, it definitely has gotta be seen as a brilliant piece of publicity for his band and the Belfast community to take hold of lol. How many of today's zine editors have the balls or inclination to do such a trick, let alone serve it in cold blood without a hint of nepotism. Well at least Bill ain't camera shy like some zine writers and we can nearly always ponce a drink or a zine off him at gigs. The bi line of this zine is 'a living lie that's true' which we all know is bullshit, but when the bullshits done this good, you just gotta come back for more. If your not up to date on what Captain Oi! or Cherry Red record empires are up to? You soon will be with this issues crate load of latest releases and reviews. Also in prominence is a massive Rebellion festival diary which seen Bill and his family enjoying a festival of punk rock indulgence with some amusing entry's. But it does make you wonder where punk is going in this day 'n' age? Call me out of step if you like, but wasn't punk meant to be dangerous, and on the edge? Somewhere you wouldn't take your older brother, let alone your grandmother. It makes you realise just how safe punk rock has become. Bands are so polite, positively no lewd behaviour, they've all got ethics and wouldn't dream of bursting a little kids balloon, let alone gob on some untalented morons reliving their youth on stage coz it ain't nice either tut tut. These marathon Punk festivals although great social events wasn't exactly how I perceived the original idea of punk rock when I was a kid watching Johnny Rotten blow his nose on the floor of the Lafayette club. Anyway forgive me for getting side tracked there as Riot On Your Own veers away from the punk domain for a short while and delves into the way more dangerous and edgier Ultimate Fighting sport, which I personally knew nothing about? And considering its the fastest growing combat sport in the world, was an interesting insight for any fighting fans out there who are fed up of watching Amir Khan knock out no hopers. Still with boxing, we get profiles on boxers Johnny Owen/Lupe Pinter. Meanwhile back on punk rock we get obituary's on Hilly Crystal (CBGB's founder) and Tony Wilson (punk rock entrepreneur) and a piece on the growing divide amongst the young and older punk scenes in Belfast. And of course the inevitable punk quiz. Not so many pix in this issue, but there's still a large cache in the centre spread from last years Rebellion festival. Despite the bullshit, despite the egos this is still one of the most honest and entertaining zines around today. FREE with an SAE to BILL, 5 GLEN ROAD, BELFAST BT5 7JH billyriot@hotmail.com |
| NEGATIVE REACTION #8 Summer 2007 **** Trev Hagl seems to be knocking these out as fast 'n' furious as he did in the old HAGL days, and that's just how we like it. Although the lions share of this zines interviews are done by his gobby Margate side kick (and I don't mean his Mrs), its still worth your coinage and investigation. We kick off with yet another punk rock death and tribute this time to Toots who used to promote punk gigs at Gateshead's legendary Station venue back in the early 80s. He died last year on the streets of Plymouth. Still in a sombre mood there's an expose on the Royal Mail, which having worked there myself, I can totally agree with. There's an hilarious Negative Reaction vs The Modern World piece, where Comfy Pub Sofa's and E-Bay Fuckwits are amongst an array of targets that gets a severe bashing from NR's Mr Angry. The interviews arevaried and spotlight the complex selection of punk available today from '77 to Oi! and back to Anarcho. But kicks off with Cass from the Violators (UK82 outfit) who were a band who didn't fit into any kinda genre which made them way more memorable. He tells us they've been gigging with a dilluted Violators line-up (sorry no Helen) and why they were referred to as 'street level Joy Division'. I always thought the Warriors were way over rated even amongst the Oi! fraternity and thankfully they only give us brief answers, which we should swiftly move along from. The Tights are a first wave UK punk band who have reformed with gigs and new material for the album "they always wanted to make". But realistically speaking the personality's like their jangly music is pretty average even if they did have the nerve to burst the Clash's football. From one extreme to another, the Cardinal of the notorious Blood lets rip in a somewhat sensible kinda disappointing middle aged way, with only the bands media manipulated gory past (inspired by the late JJ Bedsore) and a couple of good singles to cling too for dear life. He now strums away in his true persona under the Blood name which is slightly, no make that completely naff. When I see a Conflict interview in a zine I recoil, coz its usually done by bedroom anarchists in awe or right on punks waffling on about Animal fucking liberation. This interview does a degree of both, but at least Mr Jerwood does get confronted with the 'being a rip-off' tag and the hilarious Oi Polloi fall out (couldn't resist that one). He of course totally denys any ill feeling or blatant greed, blaming the hectic catapult to infamy of the times as the mitigating factor. I'm still waiting for the Armarni suits and rave club owner rumours to be outed from the early 90s? He did leave us with one exemplory note "just do things the way you see right". There's also loads of zines, a few books and DVD reviews which you can count on being almost 95 percent correct, coz after all we don't all live in Stanley. Hmmm Issue #9 and #10 are out as we speak...! For more information write to Trev c/o Rosehill, 20 New Front St, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 9LY, UK trevhagl@hotmail.com |
| MOST PUNKS ARE TOTAL ARSEHOLES #3 Autumn 2007 **** This was a blast from the past! Last time I recall an edition of one of the more imaginative London punk zine creations (Fear and Loathing still taking the choice cut for bumper punk rock exposes) was way back on its debut issue circa 2002. 5 years later and I'm only missing one issue? Dunno what editor Marks been up to since? Maybe he's been banged up for jumping the tube, busy squattin in the wilds of Hackney or forming a Anarchist circle with like minded individuals? Well he's back and pleads for a 'gentle' review. As I can't really see him poncing down the 'dilly' he might just get one, coz that affinity for intelligent articles and stylish layouts is still very MUCH prevalent in this right on but but still pro working class outlook zeen. Alongside long gone punk snot rag monikers such as My God Can Beat Up Your God or Gluebag Baby, Most Punks Are Total Arseholes says everything in its title alone. You just know this is gonna be a snotty punk zine with something to say either you'll agree with or will be at least informed about, without the usual preaching that usually goes into the more challenging zines. I do however find myself reading well past their 'sell by date' reviews in the music and zine department. I suspect these were written when the records were out and valid maybe 2 years previous? And in this day 'n' age of web zine reviews, a few months later is classed as old news, which I'm very much aware of being guilty of myself. But you do notice within printed zines its more like years in some instances. That aside we savour this kinda zine for its superb choice of articles that cover a wide range of subject matter and content. Just too many to mention here, but the bigger chunks involved end of the world scenarios to 'Fuck Lilly Allen' outbursts, which I probably would. Some punks just ain't got no morals have they? Some of the more political features were hard to get into like 'If You Were Middle Class You'd Be Massive' and 'Catechism Of The Revolutionist', which both sound like Class War pilfered propaganda. But alongside more relevant 'East Enders Under the British Empire' by Jack London and 'Drugs A Solution' written well before punk was even a twinkling in a dead dogs eye, makes you realise punks were about even then! Music wise we get a sincere Dee Dee Ramone epitaph plus a profile with Spanish Antichrists Sin Dios and an interview with UK band Left For Dead from Hastings. This zine is literally sardined with black humour (read the workshy piece) and some of the ads, film reviews, digs at the rich, cops and authority as well as loads of other amusing side notes and snippets. And is presented in a well thought out design which beats its London rivals hands down. This is worthy of your attention and way less patronising than say Bald Cactus so there! Was that gentle enough? Still only £1.00 (postpaid) $3/3 Euro) worldwide (postpaid) or TRADE! Contact Mark at punkarseholes@blueyonder.co.uk |
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| FAST 'N' LOUD #8 Late 2007 *** Another Dayglo cover sets this zine up as one of the better looking zines knocking around the UK scene. Featuring and focusing on the early 80's in decor as its primary source of inspiration and design. The Lurkers, 999, MDM and Norfucks Hotwired are all bands who have been going or have members involved from the times when punk really was a social pariah. But by far the best interview in this issue is with the Lurkers Arturo Bassick. He cant sing for England let alone the Lurkers, but is the real deal compared with so many others involved with Punk. Not sure I totally agree with his attack on CD burners destroying the livelihood of gigging PUNK bands, coz lets face it every fuckers done it! But id quite happily pay for stuff if I could access it as easily. You try buying a Lurkers album in the high street these days? He also sticks the boot into SLF's primadonna attitude to support bands and their fans. Which as most of you know is a rumour thats been circulating for quite a few years now. 999 in comparison is very short. Drummer Pablo La Britain a man of very few words tells us he went to school with Joe Strummer and has a diary of every gig 999 have done. Love to read the extract he put in after their 3 minutes in Wolves Lafayette club back in '77. There's a great shot of Mandy from MDM reclining on her bed in black leather as she purrs and disses Punks Picnics for lack of real organisation. Newest band of the bunch Hotwired seem to be gigging frenziedly of late. I ain't heard them since their abysmal 'Friday Night' demo back in 2001, but from what I can gather theres been a massive overhaul in their sound and I should fucking hope so as well. We get lots of fanzine reviews and records coming this time in a crisp and clear type face and some news updates too. We dont get a sniff of sloganeering from this zine. Which is always a bonus. But then again we don't actually get anything written by John on his view of the punk world in general or even Fred West central? Fast 'N' Loud with its cut 'n' paste or die layout and leopardskin backgrounds lets you know this is Punk literature for leather clad morons who still buy Exploited records and of course curious fuckers like myself. Please note John has a new email address for his latest information. £1.50 + 66p sae john@fastnloudzine.orangehome.co.uk or write to 88 Overbrook Road, Hardwicke, Gloucester, GL2 4RZ UK |
| NEGATIVE REACTION #9/ SUCK TILL I SAG #6 Split Late 2007 *** Split zines are usually one sided affairs with a stronger zine blowing their sparring partners away in layout and attitude. And this ain't no different. Negative Reaction leads the way with a less contrived comic aspect and with more political sloganeering, but not enough to bore you to death. While the Suck Till I Sag pariahs just sucked as they try way too hard to be funny, crude, outrageous and all the other expletives we'd associate with punk. They seem to need a safety blanket instead of a safety pin for credibility and its usually just not very funny. It often makes you wonder if their sister record label Winston Records is equally as desperate? Especially if you review them glowingly in your own mag? To be fair they do have a good interview with The Disruptors Bangkok Steve, who admits to marrying a mental Greek woman and nearly got off with lady boy in Thailand. And a not so memorable one with Homebrew who are still fermenting. The 'How To Spot A Fanzine Seller At The Next Gig You Go To' was amusing. Having had the privilege of selling 11 issues of zines at various gigs during the 90's I was hoping I didn't come across as such a nerd. However it looks like those wire framed glasses were a dead give away and working for Royal Mail must've been my destiny? Wonder if ill go vegan next? Suck Till I Sag do get about a bit for zinesters with something to prove. We have reports from Rebellion festivals in Holland plus a road trip to Berlin. And Rotten Randys hike round some UK toilets was note worthy. If this zine stuck to music more instead of trying to prove their credibility ratings it might be worth your 50p? Negative Reaction comes out not exactly blazing but with confidence in part one of a massive interview with Scotland's Toxic Ephex (part 2 is in Negative Reaction #10). Lead Toxic Fred gives us a very detailed insight into one of the few good punk bands knocking about during punks dark ages (late 80s) and seems to be in all kinds of weird n wacky bands in the local vicinity. I often wonder about individuals who are in so many bands. Is it because theyd go insane with only one or are they truly immersed in music? Also getting interrogated is young oi'sters from Holland called the Young Ones. Who i suspect are more Menace than Cliff after hearing them on myspace. The reviews are trust worthy with not too much bullshit or favouritism creeping in. Theres another BIG rebellion festival report from last years Blackpool leg taking up the lions share. The rants are all over the shop in this issue ranging from noisy neighbours from hell to the absurd Farmers TV page which was unshamedly filler. I particularly liked the Mike Hunt column which would be really interesting if Mike wasn't so soiled by socialism, but Negative Reaction is still an entertaining read for anyone not from Nottingham! Contact Trev c/o Rosehill, 20 New Front St, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 9LY, UK trevhagl@hotmail.com |
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