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Home , 2013 Summer Tour, Alice Glass, All I Want to Do, Anything in Return, An Horse, At War with Reality

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Between Humility and Humiliation As I mentioned a couple issues back, I’ve become a ghost. said. “Good friends. They didn’t talk for two years afterwards. That’s I’ve been working on a novel and am digging deep into the guts of why I gave you the heads up.” Razorcake while still orchestrating the day-to-day of putting a bi- “Thanks.” monthly together. I won’t lie. It’s been a dark, challenging time. “I thought that you might punch me,” Jim said. I’m starting to feel like a ghost of a skeleton: barely there bones, a “Nah. I’ve just got a massive headache.” wispy suggestion of a skull. We talked for four hours. It ended with flights of tacos instead of A conversation Jim Ruland and I had recently could have put our insults, bent feelings, and bodily injury. relationship in jeopardy, perhaps ended it. If it’d happened a decade It’s hard to hear from a trusted friend that a 782-page draft isn’t ago—let’s just say he was still drinking then and my anger was seldom good enough, that I have to rethink a core principle of the book. Fuck far from the surface. him because he’s right. I’d given the novel manuscript to two people—Jim and Sean It’s fine if you scoff at this: I believe in the core behind DIY punk. Carswell. They’re two of my best friends. We went to school together. I respect the hell out of writers like Jim and Sean, Liz Prince, Cassie J. I’ve trusted them and respected them as fellow writers for the past Sneider, Cheryl Klein, Adrian Chi, Kiyoshi Nakazawa, Mike Faloon, twenty years. The first draft of this novel was finished in 1996. They Jennifer Whiteford, Jimmy Alvarado, and everyone in the thank you both read the new version and struggled to finish it. Before either of list right below, but I don’t feel like I’m in any sort of competition them said a word, I realized I still have a lot to learn. That’s humbling with them. The opposite. I feel a kinship, a community. I want to after putting twenty-five years into a craft. support them any way I can. Oh, I can be competitive and ambitious “Are you willing to re-write it?” Jim asked. and a righteous asshole—but with myself. I won’t step on anyone’s “Yeah,” I said. “I just need to air it out for a bit. It’s a lot to take neck to reach the next rung, whatever it may be. The advice Jim gave in.” He had read the third “finished draft” of the novel. I thought I’d me was hard to take, but it was given from the heart of a fellow writer pretty much nailed it and it was time to tidy the corners, do some light who knows my strengths and weaknesses; not from any sort of angle line editing, and start thinking about the cover and jacket copy. to push me down, minimize my work, or benefit from my failure. He “I’m glad to hear that,” Jim said. “I’ve got a lot of notes. It’ll take wants the novel to succeed on its own terms, not to poison me. a bit to put them all together.” And that’s the difference between humility and humiliation. “I couldn’t sleep last night when you emailed me that you didn’t I’ll start the fourth draft in a little bit. I just need to catch my love it,” I replied. breath and untangle some of these dark guts. “A buddy of mine had a similar talk with another writer,” Jim –Todd Taylor Cover design by Nation of Amanda Razorcake (nationofamanda.tumblr.com) THANK YOU: Such gorgeous watercolors, power of positive revision, full-color PO Box 42129, LA, CA 90042 thanks to Nation of Amanda for her cover; I bet Hobbes would have a razorcake.org “Sometimes, if you just as good as Billy And The Boingers thanks to Brad Beshaw for his illo. in gorskypress.com Sean’s column; Photorealism of an illustrated world thanks to Marcos Siref for .com/razorcake want to live and his illo. in Jim’s column; Your worst fears are plentiful and staring at you four .com/razorcakegorsky breathe tomorrow, rows deep thanks to Steve Thueson for his illo. in Cassie’s column; Thirteen- .com/RazorcakeGorsky year-olds and twelve inches—“Do you know Rancid?” thanks to Alex for his razorcake.tumblr.com you have to dive illo. in Nørb’s column; Dale baby sack—that’s conjoined to a quadruplet of razorcake-records..com into the black rock—thanks to Jackie Rusted for her Designated illo.; “I lost a fuckin’ contact gorskypress.bandcamp.com now?” thanks to Kasia Oniszczuk for her photo in the Chicken’s column; RZA instagram.com/razorcakegorsky depths today.” megafi st vs. extendo-fi nger thanks to Evan Wolff for his illo.; There are fewer arbitrary, more colonial concepts that do more harm than the enforced ADVERTISING / CONTRIBUTOR DEADLINE –Neal Stephenson Cryptonomicon law of “international borders”—the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo can suck it— ISSUE #85 Razorcake/ Gorsky, Inc. Board of Directors: thanks to Jimmy Alvarado, Andy Garcia, Jose Guillermo Cortez, Javie Martinez, Feb. 1, 2015 Todd Taylor, Sean Carswell, Daryl Gussin, Jeff Tsuji, and Eric Baskauskas for the Aztlan Underground, Part II interview, Visit razorcake.org/advertising Dan Clarke, Katy Spining, Leo Emil Tober III, Ad rates start at $40. and Catherine Casada Hornberger. transcription, photos, and layout; In that bear trap between hardcore and pop— that delicious, toothy snare that Amos from Tenement is absorbing from the This issue is dedicated to the births of Ottawians Joey Marc Collister and Nicke Williams speaker thanks to Shannon Z. Thompson, Patrick Houdek, and Matt “Criminally Underrated” Average for the Boilerman interview, photos, and layout; Bask in the glory of a saddle stitcher, an ergonomic razor cutter and… “eye contact when they put sausage in a backpack” (not a euphemism) thanks to Justin George, Welcome to the universe, Andy Garcia, and Lauren Measure for the L.A. Zine Fest transcription, photos, and Imogen! layout; Bike rack. Rack of beer. Coincidence? Sprocketed and cabled thanks to John Miskelly, Alex Daymond-King, and Becky Bennett for the “One Punk’s Guide Imogen’s mom and to Bike Touring” article, photos, and layout; Mattresses as sonic buffers in the living room and existential waffl e talk thanks to Danielle Kordani, Gary Bonetti, dad, Jennifer Jensel and Eric Baskauskas for the Peeple Watchin’ interview, photos, and layout. and Jeremy Richman are dear friends of are physical things. They are not blogs. Records are physical things. They Razorcake columnist, are not untethered digital strings of 0s and 1s in a vast electronic darkness. Jim Ruland. You might I’m sticking to my guns on this one… Thanks to #84’s rotation of music, zines, remember his column books, and video reviewers: Bianca, Claire Palermo, Kelley O’Death, Lisa Weiss, Nicole Madden, Sal Lucci, Keith Rosson, Rich Cocksedge, Indiana Laub, Camylle about going to Newtown, Reynolds, Matt Werts, Ryan Nichols, MP Johnson, Mike Frame, Ty Stranglehold, Connecticut for their Steve Hart, Steve Adamyk, Paul J. Comeau, Juan Espinosa, Sean Arenas, Jimmy daughter Avielle’s Alvarado, Matt Seward, Art Ettinger, Billups Allen, Mark Twistworthy, Bryan memorial service after Static, Sean Koepenick, Jim Joyce, Ashley Ravelo, Kurt Morris, Kayla Greet, the shootings at Vincent, Lord Kveldulfr, Nørb, Garrett Barnwell, Chad Williams, Matt Average, John Mule, Michael T. Fournier, Jackie Rusted, Ollie Mikse, Simon Sotelo, Jim Sandy Hook. Woster, Aphid Peewit, and Craven Rock.

Imogen’s middle name If you’re a woman—or identify as a woman—who is knowledgeable about DIY is Joy, and that’s what punk, are good with deadlines, and are open to the editorial process, this is an we’re feeling right now. open invitation to drop us a line about doing reviews, interviews, articles, or a webcolumn for Razorcake. (razorcake.org/contact-us)

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Issue #84 Feb. / Mar. 2015 PO Box 42129 Los Angeles, CA 90042 razorcake.org WE DO OUR PART COLUMNS 36 6 Sean Carswell A Monkey to Ride the Dog 8 Jim Ruland Lazy Mick 10 Ben Snakepit Snakepit 11 Shanty Cheryl Photo Page 13 Liz Prince I Don't Want to Grow Up 14 Cassie J. Sneider Here Comes Success! 16 Rev. Nørb American Grilled Review 18 Designated Dale I’m Against It 20 Rhythm Chicken Dinghole Reports 4846 23 Art Fuentes Chico Simio 25 Kiyoshi Nakazawa Won Ton Not Now 26 Nardwuar The Human Serviette Who Are You? 28 Adrian Chi Bite the Cactus 29 Dan Monick Photo Page 31 Rachel Murray Framingheddu Photo Page FEATURES 32 Aztlan Underground Part II by Jimmy Alvarado 54 and Todd Taylor 46 Boilerman by Shannon Z. Thompson 32 5656 56 56 L.A. Zine Fest interview by Todd Taylor and Daryl Gussin 66 One Punk's Guide to Bike Touring by John Miskelly 70 Peeple Watchin' by Danielle Kordani FAVORITES // REVIEWS 76 Top 5s Worst to Hear on the Lite FM Station at Your Office Job 78 Record This record doesn’t have a lyric sheet. It has trading cards. 104 Zine Zines as a semi-public forum makes a lot of sense. 107 Book Barfing up things of genuine oddness from time to time.

The following folks stepped forward to help us do our part over the past two months. Without their help, Razorcake wouldn’t be what it is: Todd Taylor, Daryl Gussin, Sean Carswell, Skinny Dan, Katy Spining, Candice Tobin, Kari Hamanaka, Matthew Hart, Donna Ramone, 66 6670 Phill Legault, Chris Baxter, Mary Clare Stevens, Robert El Diablo, Steve Couch, Justin George, Moving? Have a subscription to Razorcake? Please do us both a favor and contact us before you move. Bulk Mark McBride, James Hernandez, Alice Bag, Marty Ploy, Rene Navarro, Billy Kostka III, Derek “Bar Patron, Girls Night mail doesn't forward and we won't resend the issue. Out” Whipple, Jason Willis, Janeth Galaviz, Rishbha Bhagi, Adrian Chi, Megan Pants, Alex Martinez, Jimmy Alvarado, Want to distribute Razorcake? Andrew Wagher, Matt Average, Ever Velasquez, Joe Dana, Christina Zamora, Juan Espinosa, Meztli Hernandez, Visit razorcake.org/wholesale Sean Arenas, Aaron Kovacs, Nicole Macias, Yvonne Drazan, Julia Smut, Jenn Witte, Dave Eck, Chris Pepus, Tim Burkert, Domestic prices start at $8.00 Jeff Proctor, Josh Rosa, Toby Tober, Sal Lucci, Jennifer Federico, Jennifer Whiteford, Kayla Greet, Nighthawk, Individual opinions expressed within are not Marcos Siref, Steve Thueson, Evan Wolff, Cassie J. Sneider, Vadim Dozmorov, Bill Pinkel, Kurt Morris, Laura Collins, necessarily those of Razorcake/Gorsky Press, Inc. Nation of Amanda, Eric Baskauskas, Vee Liu, Evan Wolff, Bianca, Russ Van Cleave, Samantha Mc Bride, Christine Arguello, This issue of Razorcake Simon Sotelo, Susan de Place, Bryan Static, Mitch Clem, John Miskelly, Jamie L. Rotante, Genesis Bautista, Andy Garcia, is made possible in part Camylle Reynolds, Becky Bennett, Adam Perry, Craven Rock, Replay Dave, Adam Ali, Matt Sweeting, Chris Devlin, Codey Richards, Ryan Nichols, Kiyoshi Nakazawa, Ollie Miske, Aimee Pijpers, Liz Mayorga, Brad Dwyer, MP Johnson, by grants from the City of Mor Fleisher, Ryan Leach, Brooke Mccarley, Tim Brooks, Patrick Houdek, Javier Cabral, David Crimaldi, Louis Jacinto, Los Angeles, Department Chris Boarts Larson, J.V. McDonough, Isaac Thotz, and Cahnie Galletta. of Cultural Affairs and is supported by the Los Razorcake is bi-monthly. Yearly subscriptions (six issues) are $17.00 bulk rate or $23.00 first class mail. Plus you get some free Angeles County Board of gooch. These prices are only valid for people who live in the U.S. and are not in prison. Issues and subs are more for everyone else (because we have to pay more in postage). Visit razorcake.org for a price. Prisoners may receive free single issues of Supervisors through the Los Razorcake via Prison Lit. Project, c/o Bound Together Books, 1369 Haight St., SF, CA 94117. Angeles Arts Commission. LAZY MICK “Days just seem TO RIDE THE DOG more fun when AI’M MONKEYMONKEY AGAINST IT these songs get SEAN CARSWELL tangled up with my thoughts.” Darkness and Sweet

These Sugar Stems are taking I think Felizon’s makeshift would degree in the past now can. This causes all over. I made the mistake of buying three of be the perfect way to teach the importance kinds of new challenges. them within a few months of each other. Now of commas to the meaning of a sentence. I had a psychotic student one semester. I’m playing at least one of them every day. “Dry your ass crack, baby” means something He was a great kid until he went off his meds. I can’t help myself. That is so clean significantly different than, “Dry your ass, He’d come by my office and lay out all kinds of and bright, it’s deceptive. Those melodies crack baby.” conspiracy theories. He was collecting creep into my ear and make themselves Maybe that’s a mini lesson I’ll bring to to write a book, he told me. He was going to at home. I’m waking up with these songs class next week. blow this shit wide open. Sometimes, he’d Tin . I’m along even when misinterpret class discussions for complicity in there’s no music playing. And the lyrics, The opening riffs of the latest Sugar these conspiracies. He’d get agitated. It wasn’t well, they’re something just short of sinister. Stems , Only Come Out at Night, has the easiest situation. I did my best to gently They’re mischievous like an old comic strip. echoes of Blondie’s “Dreamin’.” This is cool prod him into getting back on meds. Remember Susie Derkins from Calvin & with me. “Dreamin’” is my favorite Blondie I had a delusional student one semester. Hobbes? She was the neighborhood girl who , and I have no problem admitting I like She complained to administration that I had could always out-Calvin Calvin. Imagine she Blondie enough to have a favorite Blondie an evil eye. I spent a lot of time after that grew up and a band. That song. Only, instead of finding comfort in an wondering just exactly what a person could band could very well be the Sugar Stems. imaginary lover the way Debbie Harry does, do with an evil eye and whether or not it was My second mistake was downloading the Betsy Heibler’s song is more grounded. She possible for me to genuinely get one. songs and making them available to Felizon. sings about the “miserable mistakes” we I’m working on it. I burned her a CD and put the songs on make while living a life “somewhere between The dean is telling me about a student her mp3 player. So on top of my incessant right and wrong.” The rest of the band backs at his school who is a diagnosed paranoid spinning of Sugar Stems records, I hear the her with music as happy and poppy as the schizophrenic. The student is convinced that CD playing when I get into my wife’s car. sweetest Blondie song. This contrast is the the administration is infiltrating her brain. She’s playing the album Sounds power and beauty of the band. She can hear the radio waves pulsating in the of the Sugar Stems. It’s almost over. She’s Betsy sings songs about the reasons she classroom. The dean rolls his eyes and sighs. singing along with the song “Crybaby.” Only only comes out at night. She warns you to “tell I ask, “Is she failing her classes?” Felizon has inserted her own lyrics. The the truth before it tells on you.” The Sugar “No,” he tells me. “She’s doing fine.” singer sings, “Dry your eyes, crybaby, and Stems song about the ghost of a boyfriend “Is she acting dangerously in any way?” have a good time.” Felizon sings something haunting the girl who murdered him—which The dean shakes his head. different. She does it a few times before I is sung by Drew (I think)—sounds like a This conversation starts to fire me up a catch on. I ask, “What are you singing?” response to “Love You to Pieces” from their bit, first because I hate it when people who Felizon says, “Dry your ass crack, baby, previous album, in which Betsy sings things work at educational institutions complain and have a good time.” like, “I wanna hug and kiss and hold you all about their students behind the students’ I laugh. night, but sometimes when I do, I want to backs. It typically sounds so narcissistic to She smiles and says, “What? Aren’t those kill you at the same time,” and, “if I could me, like the whole point of the conversations the lyrics?” find a way to just hold you tight, I’d wrap my is, “Ugh, I’m surrounded by idiots.” Boring. I can’t tell if she’s kidding. And the arms around you till I’m choking out your air The dean’s complaint also fires me up kicker is, Felizon’s lyrics would fit in with supply.” Because the guitar is so chipper and because he’s way too uptight and judgmental the rest of the album just as much as the real the drums are so upbeat, the songs put me about mental illness. If the kid can pass her lyrics do. in a weird mood. My id wants to roam free classes, then the dean needs to lighten up. He Felizon keeps singing. I go back to what a bit. needs to see mental illness the way he’d view I’d been thinking about before “Crybaby” any other obstacle beyond the student’s power. inserted itself into my thoughts. I think about The song “Some Might Say” is running To me, rolling your eyes about schizophrenia the stack of essays I just finished grading. They through my head while I chat with a dean is like rolling your eyes because someone is were littered with punctuation problems. This who works at a different university than the in a wheel chair: “You wouldn’t believe this has been more and more as texting one I work at. We’re talking about students kid. He won’t even walk on his feet. He put and tweeting continue to gain popularity. with mental illnesses. We’ve both been fucking wheels on his chair so he doesn’t People don’t take the time to use capital letters seeing more of these kids in recent years. It have to stand up.” Roll eyes. Sigh. and commas and apostrophes as much as they makes a certain amount of sense. Universities What’s really behind the dean’s should. I don’t drag out the red pen and put have done a lot in recent years to increase complaints is fear. He fears mental illness. those commas or capital letters in myself. That access to people who previously couldn’t The way to deal with that is understanding. would seem like too much of a waste of time. get a higher education. There are now more Talk to the woman. Get to know her. But I also think punctuation is important. We accommodations for the blind and deaf, for Encourage her to stick with her medication. all know the old joke about the importance of people with learning disabilities, and for Offer her help, if she wants it. Find the right capital letters. They’re the difference between people with mental illnesses. Because of places to take her to get that help. helping your Uncle Jack off a horse and these accommodations, a lot of people who I don’t say any of this. I have a head full helping your uncle jack off a horse. are smart and motivated but couldn’t get a of Sugar Stems. I’m feeling mischievous. I BRAD BESHAW Remember Susie Derkins from Calvin & Hobbes? Imagine she grew up and started a punk rock band. say to the dean, “Have you thought about lyrics so much as the feel of the record. best part of my day comes when I catch turning off the radio waves?” It’s dark and sweet. The contradictions a smart ass comment just before it slips “She’s schizophrenic,” he says, as if he turn into harmonies. This is the balance off my tongue. Sometimes my best days doesn’t realize that I’m fucking with him. I’ve been searching for lately. I’m a come when that smart ass comment slips I say, “All the more reason to stop blue collar guy living in a white collar out, anyway. infiltrating her brain.” world. I grew up a carpenter and now These Sugar Stems songs don’t calm the Betsy sings in my head: “Some might I’m a literature professor. I see myself as conflicts inside. They don’t teach me right say the things in my brain are fictional. But a punk rocker, but I often have to work and wrong or genuinely impact the way I act. we’re one step away from disaster. It doesn’t with administration to determine who Days just seem more fun when these songs matter, no.” gets hired and when kids get kicked out get tangled up with my thoughts. of school. These battles rage inside of I drop the needle on the first song me, conflicts between my identity and –Sean Carswell of the Sugar Stems Can’t Wait album. my actions, clashes between what I want “Greatest Pretender.” It’s not even the to do and what I should. Sometimes the

07 “I love casinos. I’MLAZYLAZY AGAINST MICKMICK MICK IT The irony is I’m a terrible JIM RULAND gambler.” Book Tour Part II On the Road Again...

In the last issue, I talked about the West • The views from loft apartments on the educators who put me on the path to being Coast of my book tour for my debut waterfront do not suck. the writer I am today, and they are all still novel Forest of Fortune; in this column • There will always be a piece of my at Radford. While I had a great time at the I’ll try to cover the East Coast. I say “try” heart in Newtown. reading Lou organized for me, it was great to because there were so many detours and side connect with them one-on-one. trips, I don’t see how I can fit them all in. On Virginia, West Virginia & Washington: DC: It was Homecoming Weekend at the West Coast I traveled solo at a leisurely 5 days, 3 events Radford University and all the motels were pace, but for the second leg of my tour I The day after Nuvia flew back to full, so I stayed in a motel in Christiansburg Iwas returning to the cities where I was born, on the other side of the river. I spent a lot California, I took a train to Washington, raised, attended college, and went to boot D.C. and my brother, Emmett, picked me of time driving back and forth between the camp. I was never far from family and, in up and drove me to his house in Haymarket, two towns. The night of my reading, it was many ways, it was a kind of homecoming. Virginia. The next day we went to visit my exceptionally damp and the fog crept along father in Charlestown, West Virginia, and we the river bottom. The wet, earthy smell of Brooklyn, Manhattan & Newtown: had dinner at his favorite restaurant, which that ancient Appalachian River triggered 4 days, 1 reading happens to be a steakhouse inside memories of all those late nights and early I started the tour in , the city Casino, which sits alongside the track at mornings when I was roaming the campus of my birth. I’m not a New Yorker because Charlestown Raceways. and countryside with a head full of acid. I only spent about a year in the city before Even though my novel presents a less- The next day I joined my fraternity my family moved away, but my mother and than-flattering portrait of a fictional Indian brothers at the Alumni Village where I’d father are both from New York, so New York casino and the people compelled to spend been given a table to promote my book is more than a place on the map for me. My all their time in them, I love casinos. The big and talk to passersby. I caught up with old cousin still lives in Bay Ridge—the part of open spaces, the psychedelic carpeting, the classmates, guys I haven’t seen in decades, Brooklyn that John Travolta made famous slot machines cranking out attract sequences and rode that nostalgia train for a while. in Saturday Night Fever. It’s also where my never fail to fire me up. The irony is I’m a Afterwards, we went to the bar where I mother was born and raised. The bar where terrible gambler. drank red bull and soda water while my my grandfather, Pinchy Flanagan, used to Back when I was an employee at an old drinking partners got sloshed. As my work is just a couple blocks from my cousin Indian casino, every time I told someone old mates slowly started to disappear I got Noreen’s house on Colonial Avenue. where I worked I would invariably get asked to know a lot of the new members of the Bay Ridge is a long way from the city, if I was a blackjack dealer. It happened with fraternity, many of whom were curious to but to me it’s the heart of New York, so it such frequency, that I put it in my book as a know what the hell an old sober tattooed was great to kick off my tour in Williamsburg kind of joke because I really suck at blackjack. punk rocker was doing in their midst. We where Brooklyn writer Jami Attenberg runs My father and my brother, however, do not shared stories. They invited me back to a reading series out of her loft apartment. suck, and their winnings more than offset my the fraternity house where two amazing Writers read their work and then everyone meager losses. My seventy-year-old father things happened: 1) I was asked to do an goes up to the roof and oohs and aahs at the did so well that he attracted the attention of impromptu reading and 2) I was offered sunset. Jami and I invited Brooklyn novelists what I’ll charitably call a lady of the evening, LSD. I accepted the former and declined the Adam Johnson and D Foy, firebrand which was as hilarious as it sounds. latter and the reading I gave to a roomful Lindsay Hunter, and SoCal memoirist and The next day I borrowed my brother’s car of enthusiastic frat guys and sorority girls former sex worker Antonia Crane, most of and drove to Radford, Virginia, where I went may well have been the highlight of the trip. whom are all friends. Plus, my wife Nuvia to college. I attended Radford immediately Who says you can’t go home again? and my cousins Noreen and Anthony were in after I got out of the Navy. It was the only On Sunday night I drove back to Virginia the audience. Very cool to be 3,000+ miles college in Virginia that would take me. and that night my brother and I went into from home and have the opportunity to read Radford had a reputation as a party school Washington DC for the Three Tents reading in front of so many familiar faces. and I did my part to legitimize the claim. series at a bar called The Big Hunt. I had the The rest of the trip was spent doing very While I was very serious about my studies, pleasure of reading with old friends Pamela New York things: going to a Giants football during my first year at Radford I was a bit at Erens and Roy Kesey and new friend Sarah game, riding the subway, eating Brooklyn sea. I partied my ass off, joined a fraternity, Lippman, whose grandmother is from Bay pizza, breaking bread with friends in diners and took gross quantities of LSD. I was Ridge. The next day my brother and I played and cafes. Nuvia and I even squeezed in a trip always up for going on a trip. touch football with his two sons Trevor and to Newtown to visit our dear friends Jeremy During the course of my self-directed Casey, and I managed to injure my ankle in and Jenn (See “Notes on Grief” in issue #73) studies in enlightenment, I received a great seventeen different places. Thankfully, I’d a few days before the arrival of their new deal of individual attention from several brought my Doctor Marten orthopedic shoes baby Imogen. members of the English department: Tim and I was able to finish the tour. What I learned: Poland turned me on to Jack Kerouac and the What I learned: • That Brooklyn pizza rules the Beats, Lou Gallo encouraged my early efforts • I still suck at blackjack. universe is a lesson worth learning as a fiction writer, and Jolanta Wawrzycka • My old man still has game. over and over again. introduced me to . These are the • I’m still thinking about that tab of acid. MARCOS SIREF I partied my ass off, joined a fraternity, and took gross quantities of LSD. I was always up for going on a trip.

Indiana & Illinois: took to Ireland with my mother and the many I was participating in an event called 4 days, 1 event times I nearly died on the motorways. Words + Music with a showcase of writers After a quick visit with my sister Thankfully, we made it to Kewanna from Chicago indie press Curbside Splendor: Meghan, I flew out to Indianapolis. My without causing a minor calamity. No one Erika Wurth, James Tadd Adcox, Susan mother spends half the year living with my died and we only screamed at each other a Hope Lanier, Cassandra Troyan and hosted brother in Haymarket and half in Kewanna, little bit. I was expecting something modest, by Jacob Knabb, an indispensible fixture on Indiana, a tiny little town inside a township but her house—an old Victorian home with the indie lit scene. I was one of the featured in the heart of the heart of the country. My a confusing layout—was enormous. I kept guests with old friend Joe Meno. I’d sold the mother had been going out to Kewanna for taking wrong turns and mistaking closets for last of my books at my reading in Washington painting workshops for years, and she was passageways like Mr. Earbrass in Edward DC so I decided to make my mother proud by so smitten by the quaint town and cheap real Gorey’s The Unstrung Harp. My mother lives telling a story from my boot camp days about estate that she bought a house there. in “downtown” Kewanna across from the the time a Navy cook invited me to have sex Before we headed to Kewanna, we paid a post office and next to the library but most with a hot hunk of roast beef. visit to the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library of the other buildings in town are boarded up What I learned: in Indianapolis. It’s not that I had a burning and abandoned. During one of my morning • Kurt Vonnegut was not a happy fellow. desire to see the place, but my mother is a walks, I was followed by a lonely stray cat and • I don’t hate Chicago anymore. terrible driver and I was terrified of getting stumbled upon “Aryan Brotherhood” graffiti. • I wouldn’t trade my sports-loving, on the road with her. When I used to teach After a few days we drove to Chicago gambling-addicted, hard-partying, bad- composition, I used to give my students an and checked into a downtown hotel right on driving family for anything in the world. essay I’d written that had all the common Lake . My memories of Chicago mistakes and easy errors that beginning aren’t pleasant: I went to Navy boot camp in –Jim Ruland writing students make. I didn’t want my the middle of winter at a desolate stretch of students to think I was making fun of them, Illinois marshland a few miles up the coast, so I made the content of the essay more and I still haven’t forgiven Chicago for the ludicrous than the writing: it’s about a trip I harshness of those months. 09

Shanty Cheryl's Photo Page Sarah Utter of Western Hymn, Babes Warehouse, Long Beach, CA

13 “Jenny was used I’MHERE AGAINST COMESCOMES IT to a constant LAZYSUCCESS MICK! open-season of CASSIE J SNEIDER humiliation.” Radioactive Nuts

I had a crush on an underclassman “Can you make a flyer for my band’s She slowed down, hurling her heavy named Lou Federbaum when I was a senior show?” he asked, changing the disc from honors student backpack to the ground with a in high school. Most of my crushes were on Abbey Road to Figure 8. relieved sigh. “Oh, cool! As what?” older dudes: Bono, Dickie Barrett, and even “Sure!” If there is one thing I am good at, “?” Jenny asked. Steven Tyler in a disturbing “Craigslist it is taking the menial task of making a flyer “Okay. But is there indeed a bass encounter with a grandmother who owns a for a shitty band and distorting it into an epic at our disposal?” Diana asked, using Itanning bed”-sort of way. But Lou had chest art installation showing tropes of unrequited, the language of someone who rarely hair, played guitar, and worked full time at obsessive lust. I got home from school, interacted outside of reading nineteenth Kmart, something my teenage brain was dropped my backpack on the dining room century women’s literature. really intrigued by. His musical taste was the floor, and commenced to make a ridiculously “We can borrow my brother’s,” Jenny first of many pretentious dudes intricate cut-and-paste flyer for the very same said. “I’m sure Matt wouldn’t mind.” I would come to know in my life: , person who asked if my car was okay when I Later that night we met at my house to , . These were on told him I got into a massive accident. bake cupcakes and figure out what our name a permanent rotation on his Discman in our The next day, I used my access to our was going to be. I proposed Soiled Linen student leadership class, and I had never school’s photocopier to run off four hundred after a sign I saw on hospital laundry bins listened to any of them. I listened to a lot of copies of the flyer, otherwise known as The when my sister was having her appendix . I hated my parents, so I never got into The Sistine Chapel Ceiling of My Desperation, taken out. Jenny suggested The Genetically Beatles. I loved the Bouncing Souls and the and I was standing in the main hallway giving Altered Squirrels, a name so good we didn’t Dwarves and everything on Go-Kart Records. them out after school when I ran into Jenny. even need to put it to vote. “We can call our Lou’s tastes were downright exotic for a time “Why don’t we start a band? The talent first album Radioactive Nuts,” she said. “You when every male in my graduating class was show is coming up,” she said, looking at the can’t go wrong with that.” bleaching their hair to look like Eminem. hundreds of magazine letters carefully laid Lou said he couldn’t go to my birthday out on the xeroxed page like a ransom note ** party because he was observing the in a Liam Neeson movie. anniversary of John Lennon’s death, which “I dunno. I don’t play anything.” I had I gently laid my guitar in the backseat of I accepted as a perfectly reasonable excuse saved up to buy an electric guitar for my the crushed Buick Regal, ignoring the slow not to help me blow out the candles on my sixteenth birthday to impress a different boy, drip of antifreeze and small plume of smoke Simpsons birthday cake. I crashed my first but when I couldn’t afford to take lessons from the radiator, and together we drove to car on the drive back from asking Lou to the it ended up functioning as an expensive our first practice. Jenny and I shoved aside prom. He had said “no,” and that he just got holder of leis and light-up necklaces from a weightlifting bench and garbage bags of a girlfriend. And I was trying to convince weddings. Jenny had been trying to learn the molding stuffed animals to make room in the myself that the feeling of having my organs entirety of Master of Puppets on guitar with basement for the drum set and bass. There ripped out by a Mortal Combat character her older brother, who, coincidentally, I also was no microphone, so I just screamed as would eventually fade when I ran a red light had a crush on. Usually, Jenny played flute loudly as I could for the first time in my life in front of the movie theater in our town, in the school’s marching band, the Sachem as a shy weirdo with a crush on every slightly an accident that is still reflected in my car Flaming Arrows, a name that was not only alternative male who looked at me. The song insurance rates fourteen years later. completely insensitive to Native Americans, we planned on taking us to high school talent He invited me to his New Year’s Eve party but also lent itself to countless homophobic victory was written on receipt paper at my and then made out with his new girlfriend on slurs from opposing marching bands. Jenny job as a grocery store cashier. Jenny was the an air hockey table in the basement in full was used to a constant open-season of only one of us who was actually familiar with view of everyone in attendance. Lou’s new humiliation, so public performance was no her assigned instrument, so she figured out a girlfriend loved the Spice Girls and had kind big deal to her. musical . This song was called, of a receding hairline. The sight of their wet “You can sing. I’ll play guitar,” she said. I “I Wanna Be Mr. T,” and it only utilized one tongues moving around outside of their bodies barely spoke in school, and the idea of singing part of the drum set: the high hat. How could was like a National Geographic special I had in front of an assembly of my classmates we lose? seen on the banana slugs in Santa Cruz. I during a talent show was terrifying, but it We had one other practice a month later. It pretended I was sick and found a phone to was also all of my fantasies was the day before the talent show tryouts and call my mother to pick me up at 11:30 on New coming true at once. we were forced to make a lineup change when Year’s Eve. I spent the last moments of the “That leaves drums and bass,” I said. At Diana had to choose between the band and our year 2000 crying in my room and kissing our that moment, our other friend Diana walked drama club’s production of Pippin. The day of family’s beloved weinerdog at midnight. by. Diana could usually be found at home the tryouts, Jenny and I waited in the audience I don’t know why I still wanted to be wrapped in a blanket, watching a six-hour for our bassist and drummer to arrive. I bit friends with Lou. Likely, I was just hoping VHS set of the BBC’s production of Pride my nails and watched the other acts before my teen love voodoo would strike his & Prejudice. She read a lot of Anne Rice us. There were a lot of girls singing a capella, girlfriend dead, and then we could sloppily and played cello in the school orchestra. a troupe that performed a too-sexy make out on an air hockey table in a dim, “Hey Diana, want to be in a band with me routine to Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We wood-paneled basement. and Jenny?” Do It,” a baton twirler, and a few bands. The STEVE THUESON No one gets cut from a high school talent show, right? There has to be some sort of self-esteem clause that prevents them from hurting people’s feelings. boys in my leadership class who wore pukka Jenny lifted the bass drum into the Federbaum had promised that he would shell necklaces had a Dave Matthews rip-off backseat. “No one gets cut from a high school bring over his band’s P.A. if I made him band. The guys who wore trench coats had a talent show, right?” more flyers. The day of the party, I ran an sludgy industrial band called Mind Detergent. I thought about it. “There has to be some extension cord to the patio and brought over Lou Federbaum performed an acoustic set. sort of self-esteem clause that prevents them all of Jenny’s brother’s gear, but Lou never He walked confidently to a stool he had a from hurting people’s feelings.” showed. When I called, his mother answered friend plant center stage, tweaked the knobs “Then why would they call it a talent and I heard muffled talking. She said he was on the headstock of his guitar, and played show?” sick, but I knew he was probably tonguing a painfully slow version of Elliott Smith’s None of us had an answer. his bald girlfriend in the rec room. Jenny and “Miss Misery.” Something about his level of I put the drums and back in the hot self-seriousness that day finally dissolved my ** car, disappointed that we could not play the feelings for him. cover of “Enter Sandman” we had added to When the rest of our band arrived, we set When the list was put on display at the our repertoire for my extended family. up our instruments. This was the first time end of the week, Jenny and I were the first two But then we jumped in the pool and beat in my life I was using an actual microphone, waiting while a secretary taped it to the glass each other with until mosquitoes and where I thought I would automatically case containing sports trophies from the years came out and it got dark and the CD started drop to my knees and move with a James 1970-‘79. We read and reread the list twice. to skip. By then, I had stopped repeating the Brown level of self-assuredness, I was more “This is bullshit,” I said. unhealthy mantra of, “I can’t believe we didn’t or less frozen. I sang stiffly where I stood, “How can it be legal to hurt teenagers’ make the high school talent show.” Once the studying the reactions of the audience and feelings on purpose? I’m still a minor!” shock wore off, I finally came to see how judges. They watched our performance for I squinted at the list in disbelief and then ridiculous it was a jury of our educators had only about eight seconds of a one-minute I saw a name I recognized: Lou Federbaum. decided that we were so untalented that we punk song. We finished and brought our There was just no justice. weren’t worthy of the chance to try harder. equipment back to the damaged Buick. “This is bullshit,” I repeated. “Nobody can ever say I’m not outgoing The Genetically Altered Squirrels –Cassie J. Sneider again,” I said, wiping beads of sweat from practiced one other time: in preparation my forehead with my shaking hand. for my high school graduation party. Lou 15 “A 45 is twelve AMERICANI’MLAZY AGAINST MICK GRILLEDGRILLED IT louder than CHEESE REVIEWREVIEW a 33. That’s a REV. NORBI damn fact.” MY BIG TWELVE-INCH

A friend of mine has a thirteen-year-old son infinitely more gluttonous rubber cement in the definition of EP-ness, only the number who texts me about twenty questions a day blobs like Plastic Surgery Disasters roll over of tracks contained, it follows that records about punk rock, because i am, apparently, and absorb?? CAN THE VALIANT AND like Black Flag’s and —as the way, the truth, and the light. Or maybe MISUNDERSTOOD 12” EP FORMAT well as Marquee Moon, , and he’s just bored, i dunno. Do you like the STAND FIRM AGAINST THE White Light/White Heat—are, by definition, Misfits? Do you like the ? PERNICIOUS ASS-PUMMELING OF EPs, not LPs. LOGICAL FALLACY! Did you ever meet the Misfits? Did you ever TIME??? And what about Naomi? I realize SYSTEMIC BREAKDOWN!! TRANS- meet the Dead Kennedys? Do you like the this is heavy shit, man. I mean, obviously we SIBERIAN PANDEMIC!!! I declare this ARamones? Have you ever met the ? can’t move forward as a species or thriving definition faulty and unreliable! Our What were the Ramones like? Did I ever ask subculture thereof until we get some kind of definition of “mini-LP” seems more you if you met the Misfits? I field about as handle on what’s to become of our 12” EPs workable, but it too is not without its own many questions as i can stand ((noblesse going forward ((further, the topic of 12” fraught-with-perilness! After all, Beware the oblige and all like that)), hoping to be repaid records which spin at 45 rpm has suddenly Misfits, which certainly seems like a mini- in the next life. Yesterday, he asked me what become interesting to me: I’ve been on about album to me, has but seven songs! That my favorite Dead Kennedys record was, to thirty or forty records in my life, over the would seem to bump it down to the status of which i responded In God We Trust, Inc. He course of the last thirty years, and, up until a mere 12” EP, which is nebulous enough of told me he’d never heard of that one. I was this year, i’d never been on a 12” 45, ever. a term that it could refer to, say, the Ramones flabbergasted—not so much that a thirteen- This year, i wound up on two of them. When Real Cool Time 12”, which only has one song year-old wasn’t familiar with In God We Beer City Records® re-issued my first band’s on the A side and two songs on the B side, Trust, Inc. ((i mean, kids today, ya know??)), album earlier this year [[The Opera Ain’t and can hardly be imagined to be in the same but that a thirteen-year-old who cared enough Over Til the Fat Lady Sings by Suburban taxonomical class as Beware ((enterprising about the Dead Kennedys to ask someone Mutilation, thank you very much]], they young whippersnappers among you might be almost quadruple his age what his favorite pressed up the reissue at 45 rpm, even though wondering WHY THE ACTUAL FUCK Dead Kennedys record was wasn’t familiar it originally spun at 33 [[the reason for doing bands/labels would bother putting out a with it. Like, how exactly did you manage to so is that a 45 rpm record sounds better than twelve-inch record with only three goddamn gloss over the band’s best record, a 33 rpm record, on account of more songs on it in the first place. This is a fair Grasshopper? After ruminating upon the little chunks of vinyl can be banging into question. This rather dopey practice seemed situation for a while, i speculated that, in the one’s stylus per second, for your intensified to blossom in the pre-digital days of the CD era ((or whatever era this is)), In God We stimulation. A 45 is twelve louder than a 33. 1980s, when college radio was still kind of a Trust, Inc.—by virtue of being an eight-song That’s a damn fact]]. In point of fact, not only thing. As Bill Stevenson of All explained to 12”, and not an album proper—was likely did the record originally spin at 33 rpm, but me at the time, releasing a 7” was a total absorbed into bonus tracks for the following the back cover very helpfully stated “for best waste of time from a college radio album, Plastic Surgery Disasters. A bit of results, play at 33 rpm.” And, in super-ultra- standpoint: The DJs were lazy bastards who internet research quickly confirmed this was extra point of fact, that’s what the back cover couldn’t be bothered to sift through a pile of the case, which, of course, led me into giving still states, to this day, even though the record seven-inch vinyl. They would, however, flip him a long-winded tangential history lecture now spins at 45. Well, don’t believe through a stack of twelve-inch records, or about how the cover art for PSD was basically everything you read. In addition to this, my cock their head sideways and read the spines, ripped off from the cover art from the Off of current band, Rev. Nørb & the Onions, so you had to put out 12” singles if you the Leash 7” by Society Dog, sending him released our twelve-song debut album at 45 wanted them to notice you [[this explains a various links and images to corroborate my rpm, using the same volume-based rationale. lot of the screwy 12” singles they put out, claim, et cetera, et cetera. He responded to So, although these records are both twelve- like the “” b/w “Wishing Well” this by asking me if i’d ever met the Sex inch platters that spin at 45 rpm, I consider thing with the bulldozer dumping the dirt all Pistols ((ya know what else is weird? “Police neither of them to be a 12” EP, if you’re over them, et al. DJs were also too busy Truck” is no longer on Fresh Fruit for Rotting scoring at home)). And what exactly do we getting stoned in the record library to be Vegetables. Nutty. Now get off my lawn, and mean by the term “12” EP” anyway? The bothered to cue up any song that wasn’t at the pull up your pants)). This, then, caused me to Razorcake style conventions document, to very beginning of a 12” side, so expecting deeply ponder the age-old ((okay, minutes- which all contributors slavishly adhere, them to play, say, song number four on your old)) question of what, exactly, the fate of defines a 12” EP as “under ten songs” and a new album was as Quixotic a windmill tilt as 12” EP releases will become, as a whole, as 12” LP, which must never be referred to as expecting them to play your 7” was]])). I mankind slides ever further into the vanishing such ((“LP” must stand alone, like the Nature mean, Beware is almost certainly the best point of the future. How will these records be Boy)) as containing ten songs or more. The Misfits record ever, and i live in mortal fear remembered in our collective conventions add that “A newer option is MLP that one day i’ll wake up and it’ll be nothing consciousnesses? Are they fated to just be (for mini-LP) which are usually eight or nine more than the bonus tracks on Earth A.D. or rolled up and consumed, Katamari-like, by songs and feel more like a full-length than an something! The fact of the matter is that their nearest full-length neighbor? Are the In EP.” This set of definitions, taken at face some sort of weird 12” 45 / mini-LP / 12”- God We Trust, Inc.’s of the world just a bunch value, provide an interesting set of problems: that-spins-at-33-but-only-has-like-eight- of little rubber cement blobs that larger, Since running time is not taken into account songs-on-it thing is, with alarming frequency, THE ANNALS OF PUNK ROCK HISTORY ARE CLOGGED WITH ALEX BARRETT THESE WEIRD FUCKING RECORDS THAT WE CAN BARELY DEFINE AND CONFUSE US ALL GREATLY!!! the BEST RECORD MANY PUNK BANDS song 12” that spins at 33 and is almost THAT WE CAN BARELY DEFINE AND RELEASE IN THEIR LIFETIME. We were certainly the poster child for the term “mini- CONFUSE US ALL GREATLY!!! What speaking of All—what’s their best record? LP” ((of course, were the same becomes of them as the formats march The Allroy for Prez six-song 12” EP! What’s folks who gave us the self-identified “white steadily onward into unrecognizability? Do the best Replacements record? Stink, an vinyl maxi single” which was a ten-inch they just get absorbed into other, larger eight-song 12” 45! Black Flag’s Jealous record and therefore beneath our contempt works, like In God We Trust, Inc. did? Do Again five-song 12” 45 is only their second for now)). DOA’s eight-song War on 45 is they absorb smaller works, and elevate best record, but i think most of us put Keith probably only their third-best record, but i themselves to full album status? I don’t know Morris in his own special cage anyway. still consider it to be their “third album,” anyone who doesn’t consider Stink the second TSOL’s five-or-six-song ((give or take a conceding it a level of respect i do not afford Replacements album, yet I know no one who backslash)) 12” 45 is clearly the best thing the four-song Triumph of the Ignoroids, a considers the first Black Flag they ever recorded, and you can debate the record of the same diameter and velocity. album. What separates a mini-LP from a maxi- comparative merits of Red Cross’s first six- ’s Out of Step 12” is not quite an single? The number of songs? The running song 12” 45, but you can’t really argue that album, but, then again, it’s their worst record, length? The turntable speed? Some elusive, it’s their punkest ((and perhaps only punk?)) so who gives a fuck? The four-song Fighting indefinable, spiritual whatzit? What about Into record ever. Hüsker Dü’s best record is not a Boys 12” by Battalion Of Saints is surely the Unknown by , and why do all 12” 45, but they add an entirely new level of their best work. A case could be made that the these formats sound like feminine hygiene intrigue to the proceedings by having their six-song Inside My Brain 12” is the Angry products anyway? Actually, I think my last twelve-song, nineteen-minute Everything Samoans’ finest work, and Living in two questions just answered each other. Now, Falls Apart album pressed at 45 rpm, and Darkness, the closest thing to a good album please excuse me. A thirteen-year-old kid their next major release, Metal Circus, be a Agent Orange ever produced, is a scant eight wants to know if i’ve ever met Rancid. seven-song 12” 45 that’s only a minute songs long. THE ANNALS OF PUNK shorter than its predecessor! The best Dickies ROCK HISTORY ARE CLOGGED WITH Love record is Stukas Over Disneyland, an eight- THESE WEIRD FUCKING RECORDS –Nørb

17 “There were some I’M AGAINST IT hugely infl uential I’M AGAINSTAGAINST IT IT albums that came DESIGNATED DALE out the same year I was squirted out unto this world.” 1970 Happy Belated New Year. The fine Hornet Piñata full length, and Swedish their debut record in roughly twelve hours. publication perched between your fingers and rollers supreme, The All of the takes were recorded live, with a has been going strong nearly fourteen years Hellacopters, recorded a heavy-duty version few minimal guitar and vocal overdubs. straight without missing a single issue. That’s of one of my fave MC5 tunes, “The American Twelve hours recording, then another day something to be said, especially in these Ruse,” back in 2000 on a split they did with to mix the whole album down. Two days, economically dry-humped times. This past Gluecifer entitled Respect the Rock America. completely done. That’s five days less than January 4 also marked my forty-fifth year on Respect the rock indeed, as ’s MC5 what it took the Ramones to just record their this rock we call earth, too, so go ahead and did throughout their entire short-lived career. debut album (and even a week in the ‘70s was Hyuk it up, shitkids—everyone’s time starts Much love to departed brothers , unheard of). accomplishing hauling ass in the blink of an eye once you Fred “Sonic” Smith, and . this is punk as fuck, if you ask me, especially hit thirty. That noted, it dawned on me that with the results of what they nailed down in there were some hugely influential albums BLACK SABBATH the studio. Don’t believe me? Listen to this that came out the same year I was squirted Black Sabbath, released Feb. 13, 1970 record, especially the tracks “N.I.B.,” “The out unto this world. These four albums are of Yep, Black Sabbath. Love ‘em or hate Wizard,” “Wicked World,” or the forever- some of the greatest releases that joined me ‘em, there’s not a single person in the world ominous opening track, “Black Sabbath.” I on my release back in 1970. who can deny what this band did to (and know without a doubt that if CJ Ramone is for) during that specific time. reading this, he is whole-heartedly saying MC5 I honestly think a lot of people at that time “FUCK, yeah!” out loud this very moment. Back in the USA, released Jan. 15, 1970 looked at this debut record from one of Cheers, CJ. While this isn’t their first face-walloping England’s best bands to be as scary—and album that was recorded live (yes, a live debut), not only scary because of the overall tone the studio-recorded Back delivers the MC5’s the band was sharing with the music world— Fun House, released July 7, 1970 over-flowing, stripped-down rock’n’roll but because a good number of people Considered by many at the time to be the urgency in spades, and man, does this record simply didn’t know what to make of them. identifying studio moment of The Stooges’ runneth over. Bookended in between two Remember, this band started playing at a career, Fun House continues to be the album covers (Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti” and time when the genre heavy metal, real heavy to influence many an outsider/outsider artist Chuck Berry’s “Back in the USA”), the metal, was completely unknown because it to pick up an instrument and start a band. tracks cut on this album laid a trail for a good didn’t even exist. Like their Detroit, Mich. brothers in the number of soon-to-be pioneers wagoning out This debut record is arguably the catalyst MC5 across the way, Ann Arbor’s Stooges to become punk rock’s first wave. Calling the that set the bar and put heavy metal in motion, were biting at the chance to blow minds with government out on their horseshittery (“The but that’s for a whole other column. And their tainted rock-and-rollified version of the American Ruse”), eyeing up the opposite sex before you start pissing and moaning about , one madman and guitar-screaming (“Looking at You”), just trying to get some that, . You’d be surprised how many show at a time. sex happening (“Teenage Lust”), making the die-hard Sabbath fans there are amongst the While their 1969 debut The Stooges was scene (“Tonight”), or acting on your human early and current punk rock artists people hold no slouch by any means, this second studio DNA (“Call Me Animal”)—it’s all here and so dear. This debut, while not my personal full-length guaranteed the band a much- then some, pressed on the grooves of this fave full-length of theirs during the Ozzy era, deserved future in the proto-punk Hall full-length that’s guaranteed to get the blood has continued to elbow its way to the front of Fame with its rolling bass, pulsating coursing through your veins and your body of the crowd, a crowd that has followed suit drum beats, and lashing guitar work. Even movin’. It must be noted that MC5 guitarists over the last four decades. if you’ve never heard this record before and Fred “Sonic” Smith and Wayne kept What I’ve loved about this band, besides pay little attention to ’s lyrics or his the fiery guitar tension blazing on this album, the songs being so damned heavy, is that their howling, the music itself sets an urban tone the pummeling, slippery fluidity of Dennis material from the early years sounds like it of desperation—something that was very “Machine Gun” Thompson on the kit locks could have been recorded yesterday. It’s still well going on in America during this time— it all down here. got the hooks that grab you by the face; it’s with the Vietnam War, unemployment, and The Damned did a bang-up job paying still relevant. The other thing I’ve come to the ongoing racial tensions throughout most their respects to the band by laying down a learn over the years about the early years of of the country. Instead of the usual hippified frenzied version of “Looking at You” on their Black Sabbath is that they are a band’s band. attitude a lot of bands were 1979 classic album, Machine Gun Etiquette. No matter the different genres of all the punk expressing at this time towards these topics Also in 1979, the MC5’s “High School” bands I’ve played with over the years, there of desperation, The Stooges embraced that was included in the film soundtrack for were/are at least a few members (if not all) desperation, added a heavy dose of isolation the Roger Corman cult classic Rock‘n’Roll in those bands who understand that (quoting with substance abuse, and fed it through the High School, but didn’t make the cut onto Father Merrin) “the power of Sabbath wall of sound that they ended up nurturing the actual soundtrack that was available for compels you!” into live gigs and top-notch albums like sale in stores. The Didjits recorded a faithful Four guys from Birmingham, churned Fun House. The entire album is a sobering version of “Call Me Animal” for their 1990 out an entirely new hybrid of rock’n’roll for reality check that the world isn’t all right, JACKIE RUSTED The songs make the utmost sense when listened to by those who are just as alienated. and that’s the whole point: that the songs Fourteen days later, the band had all the takes diehard will tell you that Ronson’s era with make the utmost sense when listened to they needed (all of which can be had in a box Bowie proved to produce some of the most by those who are just as alienated and/or set celebrating the entire sessions of Fun beloved and endeared albums in his career, . This record doesn’t simply kill, House, and is well worth getting your hands and that’s coming from yours truly who loves it kills on many levels. on). Although three-quarters of the original the shit out of Diamond Dogs. The great A whole new breed of bands a few years lineup have passed on (Dave Alexander, Ron thing about The Man is that you can actually later heavily identified with this approach to Asheton, and Scott Asheton), Iggy Pop has hear Bowie and Ronson starting to get their rock’n’roll, including four guys from Forest been holding the torch with his solo career, as rock ducks in a row with songs like “Black Hills, in New York who would end well as different versions of The Stooges off ,” that, by the way, Big Drill up being the original lineup of the Ramones. and on over the years. This record, however, Car did a rollicking version of on a seven-inch Tommy Ramone vividly remembered meeting still holds its own from the day it was released many moons ago. Other cuts from this album Dee Dee Ramone for the first time through some forty-five years ago. that take a future peek of the glam floodgates their being mutual fans of The Stooges, being slammed open are “She Shook Me repeatedly listening to a bootlegged cassette Cold,” “The Width of a Circle,” and “The of a live while they sat around their The Man Who Sold the World, Supermen.” Fans of Nirvana will instantly neighborhood and drank with the other two released Nov. 4, 1970 recognize the original version of the record’s guys. Johnny Ramone always referred to The A lot of Bowie fans and music fans alike title track that Kurt Cobain took and made a Stooges as “sick music,” meaning they were consider this album to be the starting point hit with, even though the original recording great in a terribly warped and dark way. Joey for the glam era in rock’n’roll, not only remains the better of the two, simply from Ramone cited on numerous occasions that because this album of Bowie’s leans harder Bowie’s singing alone. Sorry, Kurt, you may the first three Stooges records were some of on the electric guitar than his first two full- be dead, but even I ain’t giving you this one. his biggest influences. lengths, but because it marks the beginning And speaking of the departed, Mick Ronson Fun House was recorded in about two of the David Bowie/Mick Ronson team, the unfortunately passed on back in 1993 battling weeks, and supposedly when they went in to same team that would go on to give us the liver cancer, ending any rumors that he and run through the songs for the first day, they epic The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and Bowie would ever share a stage again. weren’t having the way it sounded. So they the Spiders from Mars album that kicked a stripped down the traditional isolated setup huge bottle of glitter rock all over the planet –Designated Dale completely and set up in one room exactly just two years later. [email protected] as they would when playing live, even David Bowie wrote the hell out of a lot of with Iggy singing through a handheld mic. songs, but any self-respecting Bowie fan or 19 I’M AGAINST IT “A children’s THE DINGHOLEDINGHOLE REPORTS REPORTS ball cage of RHYTHM CHICKEN punk rock!” Adding Songs to a Setlist

It started like any other November to Green Bay I played a CD of the Moving Dinghole Report #146: day for me here in northern Door County, Targets—Brave Noise and Burning in Thanksgiving-Eve Ruckus Wisconsin. My alarm went off at 6:20AM. I, Water—their first two albums. Burning in with Kepi and Company! of course, pressed the snooze button three or Water was another favorite album of mine (Rhythm Chicken four times before I dragged my forty-three- in high school. I remember walking around sighting #692) year-old corpse out of bed, down the stairs, Green Bay many summer nights with a yo-yo I walked outside of the Crunchy Frog and into yet another day of soup shop labors. and my walkman blaring this album into my with my Hen and the Bearded Shane. It was It was the day before Thanksgiving, my last headphones. The drumming was intense and snowing again as we shuffled out to my Iday open before the crazy shopping-frenzy amazing. Every song on this album totally car full of crappy drums. As we hauled the weekend of chaos. I took my ceremonial first blew me away. Even today, the production drums into the venue a few heads turned and dump of the day, cleaned up, and dressed and songwriting on this album just leave me scurried behind us. I led us to the center of for the workday. I chose my purple Amoeba in awe. It’s one of those bands from long ago the band room and started setting up shop Records shirt from Berkeley. I got the shirt which I think of as my pearl, unspoiled by right in the middle of the crowd. A few free for spending enough during my one visit mass attention. I can enjoy it today, twenty- confused concert-goers were irate as my in 1996. I scored some rare Devo vinyl and five years later, and still feel like it’s mine, new stage pushed them aside, re-arranging a Six-Finger Satellite promo from . I all mine. The snow fell again and the roads the dynamics of the stage and audience like that shirt. became dangerous. perspectives. I pulled on the Chickenhead Once downstairs in the shop, I looked Once in Green Bay, we made a beeline and rocked the Chickenrock! The crowd outside and noticed the snow, checked the for the new Jake’s Pizza. The old Jake’s gathered around, yet somehow knew enough temperature, and looked at the forecast for Pizza was a pinnacle of pizza excellence for to keep a safe distance. I pounded out the the day. I ran out to the outside-access back the entire Titletown area. The new Jake’s is time- chicken beats and milked the room with the circuit board and flicked some quickly reclaiming the crown! The old Jake’s crowd for cheers and jeers! Just as fast as I switches to maintain a low-heat setup for was right across the street from the Concert dished it out, they ate it up! The room was the day. Back inside, I started heating up Cafe, the rock venue which hosted most of simply electric with ad-hoc lunacy! the soups which, in turn, helped warm the Green Bay’s great shows from the nineties. After a few rounds of chaotic drumbeats shop. I tuned into the local Wisconsin Public The new Jake’s is across the street from that and responding cheers, I tossed my little Radio station to hear the most recent news evening’s show at the Crunchy Frog. The drumsticks to the crowd. I could hear the and whatever inane subject was occupying evening’s line-up included Kepi Ghoulie, “oohs” and “aahs” as I rose up my glorious their talk show for the day. They were talking the Mean Jeans, the Jetty Boys, and Beach ruckus logs, the largest drumsticks known about different Thanksgiving recipes so I Patrol. With a line-up like this, a belly full to man! I pounded out some ridiculous turned to the CD player. I had the CD You by of Jake’s pizza was near essential. Kepi, a Godzilla rhythms as my drums crumbled cued up. I love this album. faithful patron of the old Jake’s Pizza, was under pressure. My mannequin head fell It was one of my favorites in high school. I’ll ecstatic to learn of the new Jake’s. My Hen off the bass drum (a sure sign of rock’n’roll never forget seeing them at Kutska’s Hall just and I were joined by the Bearded Shane for meltdown) and the ruckus became terminal! outside of Green Bay. pizza and PBRs. Some things in Green Bay Like a fish out of water, I flailed around in I finished all my prepping duties and got just refuse to die, and Jake’s is one such a pile of drum debris! I twitched and jerked the shop up and running on time. Soon a few thing. Their pizza is just timeless, eternal. It ‘til the forces of ruckus subsided, leaving regulars stopped in and the business day was is the Green Bay Packers of pizza. me on the floor gasping for beer. My nerves underway. I served a substantial amount of We carried some pizzas across the guided me to arise and hippity-hop back up soup while preparing soup for the day after street for the bands and were welcomed to the bar. Thanksgiving. I was kept busy enough, but with open mouths! Kepi introduced me to Next up was Kepi. He had the Mean still found time to sit and call my friend the Mean Jeans and then they all went face- Jeans backing him as he ripped through a Timebomb Tom down in Green Bay. He runs first into the pizzas. Beach Patrol opened set of all ’ classic hits. As the record store there and is my old boss. I and wooed the audience with always, Kepi is simply the nonstop king of knew winter was here for good and I would their Tom Petty meets Elvis Costello blend high-energy fun! He and the Mean Jeans need a CD of my favorite Christmas album of rock’n’roll, always a crowd pleaser! rocked the Crunchy Frog through a crazy to get me through the next month. Tom said Next up were the Jetty Boys from nearby set of pop punk hits of the ‘90s, all Groovie he would have it for me at the rock show that Sheboygan. Having not seen them since Ghoulies originals, and the entire crowd sang evening. I was excited to get out of the shop, Insubordination Fest ‘09 in , it and hopped along to the chaotic fun! Soon the out of the county, and into the rock show was a joy to see them back in our own neck room was filled with balloons and it was like scene I’ve been all too absent from for the of the woods. Drew and company brought a children’s ball cage of punk rock! Towards last seven months. The workday ended and I the punk at high volume and the end of Kepi’s set, I noticed Timebomb was soon on the road. had me gulping PBR just trying to keep up. Tom standing directly in front of the band. I got all my supplies loaded into the They finished their set and I locked eyes He bent down and took a Sharpie to the setlist Rooster Roller and ran across town to pick with my Hen and the Bearded Shane, my directly in front of Kepi. He started ADDING up my Hen. For the two-hour drive down . It was time. SONGS TO THE LIST! Never in my years KASIA ONISZCZUK Like a fish out of water, I flailed around in a pile of drum debris!

of rock shows have I EVER seen someone fun ruckus-rock! The sad part was that my from Thelonious Monster, California Clam add their requests ONTO THE BAND’S Hen and I had to depart. After only three , and stared into the fire with a SETLIST! It was a ballsy move, I must songs, we bade Kepi farewell. Timebomb cool can of Hamms in my wing. I remember say! Kepi explained that the Mean Jeans Tom handed me my requested CD, and we seeing Thelonious Monster play at Kutska’s knew only so many of the Ghoulies’ songs, headed out to the car. Hall as well, over twenty years ago. They still so they kept Tom happy with a Ramones Once in the car, I put the CD into my sound pretty good. Happy Thanksgiving. cover. The room erupted. One drunk and car stereo. It was the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s Three hours later, I awoke to drive back over-celebratory bearded gentleman fell “Charlie Brown Christmas” album. I’m south for my family’s Thanksgiving gathering. face-first onto the stage and appeared to be not really one for Christmas music, but Vince Guaraldi and the Jetty Boys kept my knocked out! His buddies pulled him back this album has always won me over. It’s car between the lines. The coffee kept my to life and thrust a beer into his palm, the ol’ the best background music for working eyes from slamming shut. My mom’s brandy- Wisconsin smelling salt! ROCK’N’ROLL. with a hangover, and it also works for spiked apple cider kept the day within the realm My roadies helped me haul the remains stressful drives through treacherous, snowy of comfortability. The turkey and stuffing kept of my chickenkit out to the Rooster Roller, conditions. I filled up my coffee mug at the me full and warm. The gas station coffee through the increasing snow accumulation gas station and headed north. Vince Guaraldi and Vince Guaraldi helped me drive back up outside. My Hen and I quickly headed straight soothed my nerves as my car surfed over the north through another snowfall. And back at to the merch table to help out the punk rock snowy highway back up to Door County. my shop, I built another fire while listening cause. I got a Jetty Boys’ CD, some Kepi art After a night of blazing funner-than-fun to ’s Reign in Blood. The third track, trading cards, and a Mean Jeans coozie. Black punk rock, it was the perfect calming agent “Necrophobic,” clocks in at exactly 1:38. Friday can suck my beak. I sat and clucked for what would otherwise be a white-knuckle Huh, well whad’ya know. with Kepi a little until the Mean Jeans started trip. I dropped off my hen at four AM, and their set of rock’em sock’em rock rock rock. then back at my place I quickly built a small –Rhythm Chicken They sounded GREAT, like super amped-up fire in the fireplace. I threw in the new CD 21

23

25 I’M AGAINST IT “We fi nd beauty in WHO AREARE YOU? YOU? things that have been neglected.” Nardwuar Wu-Tang The Human Serviette vs. Clan Nardwuar: Who are you? RZA: No, they became pornos. They were so RZA: I got emails, texts all the way up to RZA: I’m me, yo. The Zig Zag Zane, born dirty, that they couldn’t—they went down to the last day like, “You’re gonna do it, you’re the Zig Zag Zig a law, the RZA, aka Bobby porno theatres—you know what I’m saying? gonna do it?” I’m like, fuck it, I’m going to Steels, Bobby Digital, you know what I’m [laughter] Right? do it, you know what I mean? saying? RFD, know what I mean? The Nardwuar: What about Channel 5, you Nardwuar: And also I had heard — Scientist, the RZA-rector, the Abbott, you could watch them on Channel 5, right? I heard that you believe that Wu-Tang Clan know what I mean? They say there is ninety- RZA: Yeah, you know what I’m sayin’? could have invented Facebook and Twitter, Nnine names of a law, right? I’ve got sixteen so This guy knows a lot, man. Hey Nard, you’re is that true? far baby, I’m working on it. starting, you know what I mean. [laughs] Raekwon: Where do you get them slacks Nardwuar: Wu-Tang Clan, live in You’re starting to surprise me, kid. [laughter] from, B? , , Canada. And You know what I mean? Nardwuar: Tiger of London. who is beside you? Can you introduce, who Nardwuar: RZA, I wanted to ask you, going Raekwon: [Pointing to Nardwuar’s pants] do we have in the room right now, RZA? way back, Prince Rakeem. What can you tell This snake got the illest fit on in the world, B. RZA: Well, we’ve got a lot of people in the the people about Prince Rakeem? [Nardwuar RZA: Hey Nard, come back, come back, room. Can I curse? Alright, cool. I like this. hands RZA a Prince Rakeem LP] come back, come back, come back. Let me Okay first of all, come on. RZA: Wah, wah, wah. Lemme… [laughs] tell you something, let me tell you something. Ghostface Killah: You know me. You know Nardwuar: Ghost, what can you tell the Wanna hear something? Ready, son? Music me. You know me. people about your Prince Rakeem LP? inspires, and over the years I’ve met doctors, Nardwuar: Who are you? Ghostface: Yo, you’re genius, you’re genius. screenwriters, scientists, I mean, even you Ghostface: Tony Stark. Ghostface, baby. We That’s my brother, yo. know, you know, billionaires, you know, in the building. RZA: Let me just talk about this. I can have told me Wu-Tang has inspired them to Nardwuar: And who else is in the room finally talk about this. I never got a chance do certain things, you know? One guy told right now? to talk about this. This is back when, I think, me that the internet itself, the modem, was RZA: If you really want to get ninja, if you MC Hammer and the Fresh Prince was, like invented listening to Wu-Tang. want to get ninja, if you go right here to the left the biggest, and Young MC were the biggest Nardwuar: Now there’s a guy out there that corner over there, you got Raekwon the Chef. rappers, and so the labels were trying to calls you the “Poon Tang Clan.” Nardwuar: Hello, Raekwon the Chef! make everybody be a certain way. So they RZA: I don’t know where you are coming Raekwon the Chef: Don’t you believe it. decided to draw a character, thinking that it from. Nardwuar: RZA, Wu-Tang Clan, I have a would be cool. It kind of looked more like a Nardwuar: And you have sampled him. In gift for you here. A special poster. What can West Coast—what’s my man, Humpty Hump fact, he has a new album out. Blowfly calls you tell the people about this poster right and them. Yeah. you the “Poon Tang Clan.” [Nardwuar shows here? It’s a movie you have sampled from, Nardwuar: The Digital Underground. RZA Blowfly record] Shaolin versus… [Nardwuar hands Shaolin RZA: Yeah, The Digital Underground, that’s RZA: Well now Blowfly, there’s a funny vs Lama poster] my man. I like Shock G and them. But it’s dude right there now. RZA: Hold on, hold on. Oh Shaolin vs the kind of, that seems more the inspiration, but Nardwuar: And you sampled him on “Uzi.” Lama. Oh this is one of my favorite kung-fu if you look on the back of this thing, I want RZA: I sampled… listen. First of all, flicks right here. We find beauty in things to show you all something, if you zoom in Blowfly has been around since we was kids, that have been neglected. Like, like Buddha here on the back of the record, what it says he’s a dude like Richard Prior, he make dirty said. He said, “A lotus, it grows on mud,” but there—“Wu-Tang Mix.” I was already ready. jokes. Blowfly Zodiac, that was my joint. We yet it’s the symbol of their whole religion. They just wasn’t ready. [Laughter] They did sample him on one of the songs before. So even in mud, beauty can grow. So we find wasn’t ready, son. But no, Blowfly is a great musician. He also things in the most unpredictable… that’s Then we also had the DMD, yes another wrote songs like “Cleanup Woman” from why it’s witty, unpredictable—it’s talent crew, Dick ‘Em Down, “talk about the Dick Betty Wright, you know him. You know I here. But we will find something, and we ‘Em Down, you come around, we dick ‘em know that. will make something better out of it. Maybe down.” Ladies, they ain’t getting away Nardwuar: Clarence Reid. only, maybe only fifteen thousand people in from us, you know what I mean? Back RZA: Clarence. Blowfly is Clarence Reid, the whole world seen this movie, but now then, like I said, we was young, supporting for those who don’t know. Check it. one million knows about it, you know what our brothers, and we also wanted to be Nardwuar: “Cereal Killa” sampled “The Rub.” I’m saying? seen. So that is how it is. But now, I duck RZA: Exactly. The point I’m making though Nardwuar: Now when you watched these cameras, you know what I mean? They had is, he said the “Poon Tang Clan.” How come movies years ago, you saw them in theaters. to ask me fifteen times to do this interview he always thinks about pussy? How dirty were the theaters, were they ex- with you. Nardwuar: He calls you the “Poon Tang porno theaters? Nardwuar: Thank you. Clan,” but he actually also said ODB was EVAN WOLFF One guy told me that the internet itself, the modem, was invented listening to Wu-Tang. incredible because ODB sampled him for got back on his feet after some energy like Nardwuar: This is his greatest movie, from Return to the 36 Chambers. that, you know what I mean? me to you, a gift. The name of the movie? RZA: Yeah, sampled him. He parodied him. And think about Sonny Carson, The RZA: Dirty Ho right here. Dirty Ho. Yeah. What happened was, like I said, we used to Education of Sonny Carson, a movie you Nardwuar: What can you tell the people listen to this dude’s records and say his shit, had never heard of until Ghostface used it about Dirty Ho? I was curious. then Dirty did a version of that, he was like on the Ironman album, you know what I RZA: Well first of all, Dirty Ho, classic [sings] “the first time ever you sucked my…” mean? We went and built a studio for his movie, got Gordon Liu, you know what I That was someone else. [laughter] family at the Brooklyn Restoration, where mean, Wong Yue. It’s very, very, directed Nardwuar: What’s cool though is Blowfly many kids was able to come and make by Lau Kar-leung. And we also had a homie has said ODB sent him a check for six music. You know, Wu-Tang always give that was down with us named Dirty Ho who thousand dollars just because he loved him so back. We don’t get out there and talk about hanged with ODB. ODB loved that movie, much. Have you ever heard of stuff like that it, actually I shouldn’t be talking about Dirty Ho, he gave that name, Dirty Ho to happening? Do you know if ODB actually it anyway. We’re not talking about it for his man. did that? merit, but it’s no surprise for Ol’ Dirty to Nardwuar: Well thanks so much Wu-Tang RZA: Let me tell you something. You want send six grand to Blowfly. Wu-Tang, we Clan, really appreciate your time. Anything to talk history? You know we sampled a song, are giving back so much because we gained else you want to add to the people out there there’s a song called “Different Strokes,” much, you know what I mean? At the same at all? when the song plays, when it starts going time, you got some people who don’t even RZA: Man! [laughs] Yo, thank you. Oh yeah, off on a 45, like the last fade-out when you deserve nothing trying to come take from anyway, my name is RZA, you’re with the can hardly hear anything, I sampled that one us, you know? Wu-Tang Clan. Also you can check us out… part. I had to normalize it over and over on Ghostface: You ready? We gotta go, baby. just check us out, man. my sampler just to get that loop, aiyt? And RZA: Yeah, that’s it. That’s it. Nardwuar: Well thanks very much Wu-Tang that became one of the top hip hop songs in Nardwuar: And lastly, I have another poster, Clan, keep on rocking in the free world, and history, sampled by Syl Johnson. And you another gift here for you, Wu-Tang Clan, Doot doola doot doo… know what I did? Syl Johnson was not being from Run Run Shaw’s greatest movie from RZA: Doot doo! respected at the time by the music industry me, Nardwuar the Human Serviette, to you. and not, you know, getting what he was His greatest movie that he ever produced. To see and hear the full, unedited interview getting. And we sent him a check between RZA: This is his greatest movie you got? please hop to nardwuar.com sixty and one hundred thousand K, put him Nardwuar: Run Run Shaw? back on his feet. We told him we were going RZA: Run Run Shaw, his greatest movie to use more of his music. I loved what he was Eight Diagram Pole Fighter. [Nardwuar does. He was underrated in his time, and he hands RZA a Dirty Ho movie poster]

27 28 Dan Monick's Photo Page Jeff Electric and Bud, Los Angeles, 10/11/14

Rachel Framingheddu's Photo Page The Careeners, Gainesville, FL 11/01/14 It never ceases to amaze me how diverse the punk experience can be. For some, it’s just a passing phase they “went through as a kid” before cashing in their trust fund and securing their corner office at the family corporation or law firm. For others, it’s a philosophy, to paraphrase Steve Martin, that fucks you up for the rest of your life. For the latter, it empowers them to actively resist the veil of twisted truths and lies foisted upon the population to maintain the status quo. Sometimes, it can also lead to personal connections to histories and traditions often lost in the morass of the dominant culture. With roots reaching back into 1980s , Aztlan Underground has taken that scene’s insurgent fire, melded it with hip hop and Native American influences, and infused it with customs and cultures dating back millennia before even Rome got its groove on. In a world of increasingly plastic and prefabricated “artists” who’d rather shimmy mindlessly than take creative risks or make a career-killing faux pas, AUG continue to “step in a revolution manner,” stand in solidarity with the world’s indigenous populations, and speak truths those in power would prefer to be either forgotten or eradicated. While the punters slice, dice, and sub-sub-categorize parts of the underground into irrelevancy, lifers like AUG continue to push beyond terms like “hip hop,” “rock,” and “punk” and offer glimpses of the possibilities that lay beyond for those willing to commit their lives to their art and working toward a better world for all oppressed peoples.

AUG at Festival Lisbon, Portugal, 2000 | JAVIE MARTINEZ 32 AUG promotional photo at the oil refi neries in Wilmington, CA, 2010 | JOSE GUILLERMO CORTEZ Jimmy: Have you guys ever caught any shit Yaotl: And they don’t even release that, too, know? It’s what you are. It just happened to for your lyrics? Because you guys are very because I was telling you when I was trying be that that was the label. straightforward with your lyrics and they to get a job in probation camps, and they do Peps: You’re still questioning, you know? don’t pull any punches. a mean background check, but, apparently, Jimmy: Yeah. I’m always going to be Peps: Tell him about . they don’t even—apparently they only look that person. So yeah, it’s true. The other Yaotl: Arizona, man. We got banned. “We as far as your D.O.J. criminal record. And interesting thing is about the context that didn’t cross the borders, the borders crossed that F.B.I. file is a different access that they you guys speak. When you speak about us” got banned with the books. (As part of an don’t show to people who are working with Chicanismo, you’ve always downplayed the anti-Mexican backlash fueled by hysterical juveniles, you know what I’m saying? Mestizo, the “Raza Cosmica,” the Latino, the conservatives fearing a “reconquista” of the Peps: Really? Hispanic and stuff like that, and you’ve kind southwest, Arizona passed HB 2281, which Yaotl: So it’s a trip. Even within law of pushed the indigenous aspect of it. outlawed a Mexican-American Studies enforcement they don’t have access. Yaotl: Right. program in 2010. The Tucson Unified School That’s why if I get that probation camp Jimmy: Which is interesting, because they’re District then infamously “confiscated” job, it would be interesting, because I’m always kind of—especially in Mexico, several related books and other materials in like, “Wow, they didn’t look.” Not that I because of the caste system—pushing 2012, including William Shakespeare’s The feel that—what am I doing but freedom Spanish is best, Mestizo is next best, and Tempest.) I don’t know if you read about, of speech, freedom of expression? Really, then you have the Indians who are down at during the... there’s nothing terrorist, there’s nothing the bottom. Jimmy: Yeah. illegal about what we’re saying. What Peps: So true. Again, as you mature, you Yaotl: They banned our song... we’re saying is just our history, asserting really understand that there’s a way of Jimmy: Which one? our rights as human beings. engaging more than just disengaging. You Yaotl: ... “Decolonize.” They banned that Peps: And more than anything, it’s always know again, within the Chicano music scene song in schools and all that. been about humanity, too. at the time with Quinto Sol and us coming up Jimmy: [laughs] Because they were playing Jimmy: Even at its most liberal, the at the same time... it in schools everyday or something? American government has always been very, Jimmy: Yeah, we used to joke that Quinto Yaotl: For us, that’s our Grammy. very touchy about anybody who criticizes... Sol was the “kill the white-man band.” Todd: Hell yeah, dude. That’s a badge of honor. Todd: Encroaching on their power. [laughter] Yaotl: Dude, exactly. But what’s funny, is Jimmy: Right, and that’s why you guys have Peps: But the thing with them—at the time that the part they could’ve used to totally never minced words with regards to that... we were being labeled as that, too, and we put us down or dismiss what we were about, Yaotl: Right, right, exactly. weren’t, you know? And now it’s like… they didn’t fucking use. They just used, Jimmy: To be honest, I’m surprised you Yaotl: People couldn’t differentiate. “American dream, only for some / play the guys haven’t gotten the racism thing Peps: No they couldn’t. role and forget where you came from.” They screamed at you. Yaotl: And we were having ideological highlighted that, when they could’ve fucking Peps: They’re looking for a good moment tension between us. But because we were easily put “Get the fuck out!”... [laughter] for it. [laughter] trying to follow the Zapatistas’ example “...Wasichu, eater of the fat! Waster of earth Jimmy: And, ironically, looking at your of “many worlds where many worlds fit,” mother and people! Get the fuck out!” They lyrics, what could’ve been classified as and true democracy, and we felt that within could’ve put that, bro. [laughs] maybe even racist lyrics would’ve been our community we needed to exercise Jimmy: They were just looking for the words heavy-loaded at the beginning because democracy. Because even though we didn’t that they identified as being anti-American. you’ve gotten a lot more internationalist. agree with what… Peps: Right, true, true. Yaotl: Since the Zapatistas, exactly. Peps: …they were saying. Jimmy: For them, it’s not even about being Jimmy: Right, It’s been more about Yaotl: …with their perspective which is very anti-white anymore, it’s about being anti- culture… kind of entrenched in the Nation of Islam’s American. Yaotl: A world culture. “white man is the devil” trip, which, to me, Todd: And they don’t even want to use the Peps: World resistance. is the same paradigm of what we’re trying to swearing. Jimmy: … and cultural struggles for every fight against. So they would always accuse Peps: Exactly, and again, too, also the indigenous person. us of, oh, we’re sell-outs, we’re the pro-gay Minutemen always have us on their websites, Yaotl: Exactly, for human beings. white-lovers because we were pro-gay back analyzing “Decolonize” or even our lyrics. Todd: And just personal enlightenment, too. then. So then we would… Todd: Not the band though, [laughs] just Peps: Right. Peps: …question that. clarifying. Todd: And knowing the difference between Yaotl: But because we worked with them on Peps: No, no, no, no. Not the Minutemen, really being proud of what you are, finding this idea of trying to dialogue with each other not . where your power comes from, and not using to another level… Todd: [laughs] that as an act of oppression to other people. Jimmy: And enlighten each other. Jimmy: So have either of you tried to get Peps: Exactly. Yaotl: …and enlighten each other and we your F.B.I. file, just to see what it says? Yaotl: You become the same colonial were getting pulled in. But with all due Peps: I never thought of that, but I know mindset that we’re battling against, if you do respect, it’s conveyed in that way in this we have a pretty good one [laughs]. To this something like that. interview and not shit-talking, you know? It’s point, even as we speak right now, I’m sure, Todd: And that’s where a good balance just a matter of evolution and how it goes. you know. comes in, you know? Jimmy: And we all kind of went through that. Jimmy: Right, right, somebody’s listening. Yaotl: And that’s what, to me, punk rock is. There were so many different perspectives in Peps: Yeah, yeah, of course I like that when Facebook is all, “If you say what they called the “Chicano groove” scene. Yaotl: Uh-oh. you used to be punk, you never were.” There were so many disparate perspectives Peps: I know, sorry guys. But anyway... Jimmy: Right. That’s a very true statement. that were coming out of that. And, again, we Yaotl: How long does it take to get that Peps: It is. used to joke about that with Quinto Sol, but anyway? Jimmy: You can’t have gone through punk I never had a problem with those guys. I get Jimmy: I don’t know. You have to go through rock—I mean, maybe now, I don’t know. We along with them, I got along with Quetzal, the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), but have thirty some-odd years into this now. and I got along with all those people. it depends. My understanding is that it’s even For me, that name was something I could Everybody had all these different ideas, you gotten harder now than it was under Bush to apply to myself, because I had always been would find this commonality, and that’s how get it. this way. How can you now be that way, you you worked together. Peps live in the studio, 2011 | JEFF TSUJI

Peps: Exactly. Peps: Definitely. Bank, you know? But it gave us an economic Yaotl: And that’s the beauty of it. And the Yaotl: Like when you asked the question of analysis of that. As much as even the western Zapatistas talk about it—“Many worlds how we became involved, we came out of it world talks about borders, those borders where many worlds fit.” The beauty in it is because we knew the importance, because of don’t exist monetarily and economically… that we are all different and unique in our the racial experience coming from where we Jimmy: Exactly. own little perspective. lived with white people and ignorance, and Yaotl: …exploitation-wise. So we were like, Todd: Your story with the Zapatistas was this sense of—well, we didn’t feel we had a “Damn.” We were a little in the dark. amazing in the part where you go down place. We were really motivated already to Todd: You see the people who are in control there to Chiapas and you’re like, “What can the identity politics, the band… of it are looking at it globally and they are we do to help?” and they’re like, “Oh no, Jimmy: As a reaction. using these arbitrary borders, divisions no, you need to help yourself. You need to Yaotl: …Yeah, “I’m indigenous, you don’t within divisions. get your tools. You need to go back to your even know,” like, “We didn’t cross the Jimmy: It’s just like MDC said back in communities and you take these things back. borders, the borders crossed us,” and “We’re back in ‘83, “It’s socialism for the rich and We’re fine.” not wetbacks,” you know? “Who’s the real capitalism for the rest of you.” Yaotl: Exactly. pilgrim?” trip like that, right? So that’s Peps: [laughs] Jimmy: That must’ve been very humbling why we were very centered on that, and we Yaotl: Interestingly enough, though, the too, because you’re being told this by a bunch were initially—for a small moment very indigenous worldview already held those of guys in the fucking jungle with sticks. nationalist—until we were turned on by the ideas. Like if you look at Indian Givers Yaotl: With rifles. And there was low- Zapatistas and we realized that it’s also a by Jack Rutherford, he talks about how intensity warfare going on against them, colonial mindset to be nationalist and to be socialism, Marxism, and were man. And they were telling us… flag and territorial states. role-modeled off of studying native societal Todd: “Get your shit together.” The indigenous worldview is that the values. And even… Peps: We were using that sample on Sub- earth mother is the mother of all people. Jimmy: …Even the Verses right? It talks about that, “Find art or We’re all the children of the same earth government. find your weapon in your own community to mother and that we all have our different Yaotl: So you see, there was like a full circle. engage,” you know? If it’s art, painting, theater, regions—our habitat, our origin—where we Interesting that I got it though punk rock, but it or whatever. That was a vehicle to express, but originate from, but we share the air, the same was also part of the culture and part of a better more to engage for social change. That was earth, the same fire, the same water. For us way for all humanity and it’s benefited all of always the goal to really uplift in that way, to stake a claim, “Only this is our territory,” humanity. It’s kept this mindset of democracy, and again yes, with no guns, but this is our that’s the same thing that’s been imposed of real democracy; the Congress was going to weapon—through music, through our work. upon since 1492, you know what I mean? be called “The Grand Council” after the Six Jimmy: And you guys have been doing it. So we evolved. The Zapatistas talk Nations, right? And so there’s just a lot of modes You guys have been very active in social/ about, “Well, many worlds fit,” and looking of society and self-governance that come from community activism and art beautification at the globe under the neo-liberal economic indigenous understandings or worldviews. The projects and things like that. system that is really the I.M.F. and the World Zapatistas brought that back into perspective. 35 Jimmy: Kind of like what you were saying Peps: Full circle, right? Full circle. solid five years to write those songs. It took about going to a sweat lodge and realizing, Jimmy: So going off topic a little bit here. four, almost five to even record it, mix it, “This is home.” You’re learning about all Your first album came out in 1995, your master it, and then put the whole concept of these politics and then you find out this shit’s second one came out in 1998, your third the artwork and elements put into that record. been going back generations. one came out 2009. That’s a lot of time There’s a lot that was put into that record. So Peps: Right, it slaps you in the face. between things… [laughter] You guys it took that long to really get a good product Jimmy: …all these little fucking kids with think you’re The Dickies, or influenced by out. We really wanted to come out stronger mohawks. “Dude, you wouldn’t even know or something? through all aspects of art and music, you how close you are….” Peps: Nah. What happened was that we know? It was a big shift from the Sub-Verses. Peps: Right, it’s so true. The parallels are so went through a lot of member changes and With the Sub-Verses album we were always close that, again, it took that long to… rebuilding all over again. So within ‘98— labeled or put in that same category as, Jimmy: “Indigenous and you don’t even when Sub-Verses came out—to ‘99 a lot of “Oh, you guys sound like Rage Against the know it.” [laughter] the old members left. Even though we were Machine,” because it’s like hip hop, rock, or Yaotl: You guys are going to laugh. You guys playing the similar songs that were done in whatever; punk in there, too. So, from that are going to think I’m all nationalist here Sub-Verses, to recreate ourselves we had to last record to the last self-titled record, we… right now in a way, but I’m not because I’m start over again with a lot of new members. Jimmy: It’s a stretch. telling you. So we just took some time to eventually get Peps: Yeah, we just took the whole element Peps: [laughs] Doesn’t make sense. the solid core group to write the last material of, “Let’s just reinvent ourselves completely. Yaotl: Even the word “punk” is indigenous; that came out. Let’s clean the slate,” and it’s the core it’s a word for... Yaotl: Then in 2003 the drummer we had members that we are right now. It was just Peps: …Ember. from ‘99-‘03, he ended up leaving so we the four of us at the time that wrote the songs, Yaotl: Yeah, the fire ember. ended up with Caxo. We were blessed to and the concepts that came out, and the Jimmy: Yeah, the thing you light fire with. have worked with Caxo. current issues that were happening—fucking Yaotl: Yeah, because tobacco was introduced Jimmy: He comes from the backyards Iraq and Afghanistan and the war at the time by native people, right? So back in those too, right? when 9/11 hit. We were there the day before colonial times in the East Coast, they would Peps: Oh yeah, he’s from Tezacrifico, 9/11 hit, you know? call the little cigarettes “punks,” because they Kontrattaque, Los Crudos, all those punk We were inspired by that because we were looked like little embers, right? So the white bands. right across the street from the World Trade people, who were, I guess, turning “injun,” Jimmy: Yeah, he was in that band with Center Marriott, like out of my hotel room they (other whites) would tell them, “Man, Ignacio, Tezacrifico. I’m telling you, it’s a I could see the Trade Centers. Coming out you’re all little punks” —they were acting small, incestuous little world. of that element and doing some shows there like natives. In other words, they were pretty Yaotl: Incestuous. [laughs] with Welfare Poets and the commemoration much ostracized, the first Europeans who Peps: It is, right? It’s so small that you don’t of the thirty years of the Attica massacre started smoking cigarettes…dude, so they even know. and so on, with John Splitting The Sky (an would call them punks. Because they would Jimmy: Everybody has been in a band with activist who was a leader in the 1972 revolt say “What is that, punk?” “You’re a punk.” somebody else, you know? in Attica prison, and was arrested in 2009 So it’s a trip, punk rock, dude… [laughter] Peps: So I guess that long gap that happened when he attempted to make a citizen’s arrest Jimmy: It came all the way around again. was that. I think it took at least like, a good on former president George W. Bush). All

Caxo and Peps, Chicano Park, San Diego, CA 2013 | JEFF TSUJI of that inspired this last self-titled album. Peps: …Because it wasn’t going to be on the that song that was so powerful that we had So that’s why it has the elements of what’s record, actually. to bring it back in, and then that’s where that going on. Yaotl: So I had lyrics and I was like, “I think song complemented the whole record, which Jimmy: The “Message to the Dominant I’m going to do this.” Then Caxo and I met, got nominated for the Native American Culture.” (Referencing one of the album’s then we recorded the bass line. We pretty Music award. song titles.) much went in there and laid it down and then Jimmy: Definitely. That album works very Peps: Right, well that one was a long time put guitar over it. It was driven by his bass well as a fully-realized piece. coming. line. And it was impromptu. Dude, it just Peps: Thank you. Jimmy: I remember when I listened to that happened. It was one of those beautiful… Jimmy: The whole package is gorgeous, you record—for a lack of a better term—that was Jimmy: Was it, “Our 1492 is your 9/11” or know? And the music itself—each song has the “single” for me. It’s three minutes long something like that? its kind of peak and its valleys. and it just encapsulates everything else that’s Peps: “Your 9/11 is our Oct 12th.” But again, Peps: Yes, it does. And there’s a similar going on in the whole album, you know what it wasn’t going to be on the record at the pattern going on. I mean? time, in the moment when we were writing. Jimmy: And it just goes like that, it’s like Yaotl: Trip out. Because a lot of those songs—if you really these waves crashing on this caustic fucking Peps: Tell him, tell him. listen to that whole record—it has all these beach, like, “Wham! Wham!” Jimmy: That’s your fucking period-point, hills and valleys, changes. Peps: [laughs] Yeah, you’re right. you know, right there. Boom. And everything Jimmy: Oh, definitely. Jimmy: And just when it starts to calm down, else kind of expands upon it. Peps: All these little changes. We didn’t it just starts to go right back up again. Yaotl: That’s dope. There was a lot of have a song that would say, “Okay, this is Peps: Definitely. creative beauty that happened in that album a straightforward in-and-out” kind of thing. Yaotl: I love the way you... [laughs] and that writing. But there was also a lot of Then it took us at least a week and a half to Jimmy: That’s why I get paid the big bucks. kind of overlooking of a lot of contributions kind of—even though it’s straight forward [laughter] that Joe himself would come up with and octaves and so on—to actually come up Peps: And again starting it off—a lot of the then it wouldn’t be validated. And what with the concept on that, and with Yaotl time when some people first hear that record ended up happening is the producer—and I bringing out the lyrics of “Message to the it’s because the first song is in full Nahuatl, want to give him props for that. I know we Dominant Culture.” But yeah, we had that the traditional original Mexican language, and have a weird working relationship and I love song, “Smell the Dead”. At one point, we people are like, “Oh that’s pretty cool because him—we have our little trips but, I want to ended up dissecting it and taking the middle it’s in the native language, but I don’t know give him props for that, Manny Nieto. He part out of it. We were going to make it into what he’s saying. So it’s rocking, but we don’t (Peps) was jamming that bass line and what a more straightforward song. So when you’re know what he’s really saying or what he’s happened was… a certain member was like, working with two-inch reel tape, you can trying to tell us.” I really felt that song itself— “Whatever,” but we were like, “That’s dope.” slice it— “All right, we don’t want this part, the first one at least—really set the platform But he’s (the producer) like, “You know we’re going to move this part in….” to the rest of them coming in. Because even what? I’m not going to charge you to record. Jimmy: Slice and dice. I got a sample of an indigenous record from I’m giving you guys a week and a half to Peps: Slice and dice, right. So that was going Michoacán, and if you hear that little write to that bass line, because I want that.” to be the more straightforward song, but then in the end, that’s what it is. It’s a traditional Like he saw… something happened in the middle part of native trumpet kind of thing going on.

37 Jimmy: Then you go into “Be God” and it’s here, you go back and organize over there.” for thousands of years before the system like the whole… And pretty much their thing was you don’t came over?” Peps: Right, it shifts everything. have to carry a gun to be a resistor. If you’re Jimmy: And can’t get out of the fucking Yaotl: Kick back, dude! a writer, write; if you’re a teacher, teach; if prison cell, the economic prison cell that you Peps: That’s why he gets paid the big bucks. you’re a musician, do music; if you’re an put them in. [laughter] artist, do art and do whatever you can to try to Yaotl: Exactly, so that’s why we also Jimmy: That’s why I get paid the big bucks. bring dialogue so a better world can exist. So celebrated Thankstaking, which is also a Peps: Nah, but maybe he can tell you a little we thought, because they always talk about native atrocity, but anyways. So we started bit about that, Yaotl, because I think… true democracy, true justice, true liberty, with that event and we got all the bands Yaotl: “Moztlitta”—so it’s talking about the we thought, “If they can organize 30,000 to perform and what it turned into is that western world. It says that in the western indigenous people, who speak different every year the money would go to a specific world, love does not exist but love lives in dialects of Mayan—who at one time were cause—I think the first year was to Estacion our heart, we sing the sad songs, we sing at odds because of religious differences and Libre, which was a Zapatista kind of bridge the songs of love, we sing the angry songs. territorial petty differences—how could we organization between U.S. consciousness That’s what it pretty much suggests. not come back to L.A. and try to organize people and the Zapatistas in Chiapas. So Peps: Then it says, “Know that your creator the different perspectives within our own all the bands would play—you’d have lives in your heart.” community of artists? Quinto, you’d have Ozomatli, Quetzal would Yaotl: “Know the Creator lives in your Jimmy: Get along with each other. participate even though they weren’t part heart,” that we live to see tomorrow and Yaotl: Get along with each other and try of XRF, Ollin of course, everybody, Blues that if we don’t understand it, it pretty to create a collective of artists known as Experiment, Slowrider, different bands. So much says that if we don’t recognize it, XRF—Xicanos Records and Film, Xicano every year we’d try to have a different lineup then this love dies. Revolutionary Front, or what have you, but sometimes they’re the same almost, but it Peps: Or that the earth is perishing too, Xicano Rebel Front. So we came back and was always for different events. right? made a call-out and we hit Blues Experiment, Jimmy: It was a different year. Yaotl: Or that if the earth is sick, we’re sick we hit up Ollin, we hit up Quinto Sol, we hit Yaotl: Every year it would be different, for a too. But it actually conjugates, so it actually up Quetzal and pretty much only Quinto Sol different event. makes sense. [laughs] responded, but then other bands that were Peps: Blackfire would participate too, from Jimmy: It sounds like that if you looked at coming up like Subsistencia and Cihuatl Navajo land. it as a book, or as your introductory piece, Tonali, they were down to do that. So what Yaotl: Exactly, Casper, Tijuana No, Dead Prez. it kind of lays out everything that happens we did is we started—because back in the Jimmy: And The Brat. afterwards… anarchist days there was always counter- Peps: And The Brat, too. Peps: Exactly. celebrations of popular American holidays Jimmy: The Farce of July—you guys are Jimmy: …and everything else kind of just that brought to light the truth of stuff—that’s still having those shows every year as far as goes back and touches on that. where The Farce of July came from. There I know. Peps: Definitely. were like odd little events of what really Yaotl: Yeah, we still have them. Jimmy: So what’s XRF? Explain that. happened on the Fourth of July, back in the Jimmy: Have you missed a year? I don’t Yaotl: That was actually initiated in ‘96 anarcho-punk days, but we transferred it into, think you’ve missed a year. because, like the story you brought out about like, trying to say, “Is it really Independence Yaotl: No we haven’t. We almost did last year. the Zapatistas telling us, “Don’t come over Day for human beings who’ve existed here Peps: Yeah, we did. Yaotl at “Skalloween” Show, Alpine Village 2012 | JEFF TSUJI

Yaotl: It came out wack, but… we need to the right to use that venue, but I guess it got It was like a two-story, there was another organize now, actually, now that I think about overcrowded, it got packed. floor… it. It’s February or whatever. Jimmy: It was a storefront or something, Jimmy: Yeah, there was stairs. That was a Peps: But it was definitely a way to bridge right? crazy night, I mean there was a shit-ton of all of us to become kind of a support system, Yaotl: Yeah, yeah. people at that place. And I remember, when to help each other out and put each other’s Peps: Tito actually helped. me and my wife first started going out records out. Jimmy: Tito from Ollin. together, that was one of the gigs I took her Jimmy: Like a collective mentality. Yaotl: Well, anyways, and as you saw, it to, you know? [laughter] Peps: Yeah, collective mentality, exactly. was packed, right? But, apparently, the Yaotl: So I was up there on the second floor Jimmy: And I remember that it also extended police started harassing people in the front and I was just chilling and my brother-in- into shows. I remember you guys with, I of the place. So people inside kept telling law comes up and tells me, “Dude, they’re think it was with maybe with Sub-Verses, but me, “Hey they pushed me, they did this, fucking pissed, bro. They want to fucking you guys were doing that benefit for a record, did that, they’re harassing out find you, bro. They’re totally like, ‘Who the it was at some place downtown… here.” So I was like, “What the fuck?” So, fuck is he?’ and we’re like, ‘I don’t know, I Peps: MacArthur Park? apparently, right when they got in to shut don’t know’.” Jimmy: Yeah, that’s the one, with SX-10. down the spot, I was all like, “Man, F-this So he took off his hoodie and he gave (A metal/punk side project for Cypress Hill’s and F-that. I heard that this is F’n going on, me his hoodie. I was like—fuck—they were Sen Dog) F-this and F-them.” I was like straight out, evacuating our spot and it was close to the Peps: When they came at us? and then the next band played, SX-10, and end. I go, “If I’m the very last, they’re going Jimmy: …When la jura [the police] came maybe played half their set… to know… motherfucker.” So I go, “Shit, back and they were looking for Yaotl. Jimmy: Half the set, yeah. I better go now.” So I’m totally like this Yaotl: Yeah, that story’s one of my most Yaotl: … and at that point, I think Cesar was [head down, trying to look inconspicuous], memorable moments, that night. running over there with them too, and that and there are two cops on each side of the Peps: It was incredible. they [the police] were like, “Who is that? door, dude, with two lights, straight fucking Yaotl: We were trying to raise funds and as Who is that? I swear to God, who is that?” looking for me. And I’m like, “Shit! Fuck!” SX-10 played, was it Thankstaking? They were all on a mission… So I start walking towards the door and Peps: No, it was the fundraiser for a CD, for Jimmy: All the cops. they’re looking at everybody, and they are Sub-Verses. Peps: Thirty cop cars outside. right about to shine the light on me when Jimmy: Yeah, I remember the fundraiser, Yaotl: I remember there was about nine cop fucking Andrew’s group... and SX-10 played and I think Blues cars out there, and they were like “Who is it? Peps: …So this native drum group all of a Experiment played. I swear to God, who is it?” sudden started drumming the drums. Peps: Yes. Jimmy: It felt like 1983 all over again. Yaotl: Dude, in the middle of the street bro, Yaotl: Well, what happened was that we had Yaotl: Dude, “those punk rockers,” exactly. they go “Ahhhh-ahhhhh-ahhhh!” So then, it 39 “Prey” painting by GENETIC WINDSONGS aka JOE “PEPS” GALARZA flipped them all out. All the fucking placas but Obama is because the Wall Street paper him saying—after being embedded with the (cops) looked in the direction of the drummers, is going to Obama. And so Obama is going to troops, seeing all the combat and bullshit and I’m all like voom [sneaks by]. win no matter what.” going on—he talks about him and points out Peps: Right in that moment, dude. So during that time we’re already he’s saying, “Oh yeah, Obama is a pussy and Jimmy: Right the fuck out. discussing that, and there was a little event Obama is a little bitch and he was scared of Peps: It was like a magical moment. in East Los—Olmeca was playing, and this me, man.” And he exposes that that happens. Yaotl: Holy shit. [laughs] isn’t a bash on Olmeca or anything—and we Then after, he’s about to put out a thing on Jimmy: And we’re inside and we were on got invited to play, and it was “un-earthed,” the CIA—he told everybody, “Yeah, I got this the stairs watching. I remember when you just like, where we do drums and vocals, it exposé. It’s going to blow people’s minds.” went up on stage and SX-10 was playing and was only Caxo and myself. And because he had already done that shit… then we were like “It’s over? That’s it?” And Peps: More tribal. Peps: They caught him. everybody—just this wall of fucking people Yaotl: People were excited, I guess, about Yaotl: … he sent out e-mails. “Dude, I’m trying to get out. It was nuts, man. Obama and so Olmeca performed and it was being followed.” But how they fucking Yaotl: But it was such a beautiful thing like, at Nico’s place in East Los, Teocintle. It’s a downplayed his fucking death (Hastings died “Ahhhhhh-ahhhhh-ahhhh.” Dude, that made small room, maybe a little bit bigger than this June 18, 2013 in a car crash. Subsequent me invisible, bro—all of a sudden I’m just— and he’s performing. He’s got all these youth, press reports called the crash “suspicious,” shoom—and they were still looking for me freshman probably from Cal State L.A. because of the emails he sent out the day even after I walked out, because I thought and Cal State Northridge, whatever. And before, which also indicated he believed he they were going to fucking yell… “Hey they were like “Blah, blah, blah, change is was being followed by the FBI), is that they come here!” But they were still out. They happening and Zapatistas this, and Obama.” said, “Oh, he used to be a meth head” and he couldn’t comprehend the drumming. It was And I was like “Okay,” and this is no bash said he was relapsing or whatever. But even almost like the fucking wagon times, bro. on Olmeca, but I think he was trying to be the head of homeland security said, “There They never heard anything like that. It just optimistic, you know? A lot of people were. is reason to believe that intelligence agencies blew their minds. Jimmy: A lot of us were. for major powers—including the United Jimmy: You got the fuck out there by the Yaotl: And that was the whole point. That’s States—know how to remotely seize control skin of your teeth. how smart they are. of a car. So if there were a cyber attack on Peps: Yeah, that was a pretty close call, Peps: They’re ahead of the game. his car, and I’m not saying there was, I think definitely. Yaotl: They are like, “Damn, we got to quell whoever did it would probably get away with Peps: It’s like when John Macias or something, this fucking revolution.” So then we go up it.” So even his white privilege couldn’t save Circle One or some shit going on. and I’m all, “They’re going to bring Obama him, bro. Jimmy: Bum-rushing the door at the in and you’re going to be, ‘Oh, everything’s Jimmy: No, just like Gary Webb, the guy Olympic and shit. cool,’ but fucking bullshit. It’s going to be who brought up the whole crack cocaine Peps: Yeah, right! [laughs] the same fucking shit. I don’t care that he’s Contra thing. He had all his shit straightened Jimmy: Again, everything has kind of come black and that’s exactly why....” I was going out. They fucking destroyed that guy. He full-circle in a lot of ways. It was one of the off, dude. And then everyone just started ended up killing himself because they just questions I was going to ask you. You guys walking away. made his life so fucking miserable because lived through the “Reagan Revolution,” Jimmy: They’re like, “Shit, he’s angry.” he told the truth. and you guys enjoyed the Clinton and the Yaotl: Except for Ruben Guevara [legendary Peps: Pushed him to that edge. Bush years. How are you guys enjoying this East L.A. musician, who’s played with Frank Jimmy: And that’s what I was saying Obama “post-racial America”? Zappa, Ruben & The Jets, and Con Safos, before. That’s why I was kind of being Peps: Well, I don’t know. For me at least, among others]. facetious— “Have you guys checked your or even us as Aztlan Underground, when Yaotl: He’s all, “Heck yeah!” [laughter] FBI file lately?”—because that kind of shit it started shifting to that, I already saw it Peps: Old school and shit. still happens, you know? It’s funny, at the coming. It was just a different mask. They Jimmy: An old dude, he’s like “Fuck same time it’s like since Bush, especially were going to continue doing what they were yeah!” since Bush, everything is so out in the open going to do, but in this case they just had to Yaotl: The whole room just fucking left, bro. that you’re almost desensitized. I watched win everyone over, you know? Peps: Well, because he knows the history, that movie Dirty Wars the other day, which Jimmy: They got the guy who could speak. too. Patterns, you know. is about the drone attacks, and about how we Peps: But, at the same time, win everyone Yaotl: Talking about what the fuck happened, were fighting in Afghanistan and the Afghani over thinking that there is a form of hope right? Dude, it was crazy. I remember Caxo people supposedly loved us until we started coming because the fact… was like “You know what, dude? We had to bombing them with these fucking drones. Jimmy: He’s not Bush. say what we had to say, dude. That’s what Yaotl: Exactly. Peps: Yeah, exactly. Well, with Bush, he was a we’re about. If everyone doesn’t like us, Jimmy: And that it started off with a couple straight out racist and with Obama, they would fuck it.” of tribal areas and now it’s become an use him in a way they could win everyone Jimmy: Right—different face, same system. undeclared war that the United States is in back but, at the same time, manipulate. Peps: Exactly, you know, because we saw over 127 countries. Jimmy: I think they knew what they were it coming, man. They just had to paint a Yaotl: Exactly. doing. different face on it. They’re like, “All right, Jimmy: And that’s under Obama, who’s Yaotl: Yeah, because before the election, let’s just shift it, but let’s still manipulate.” supposed to be this big fucking “change,” everybody was fed up with all the bullshit, Jimmy: And yeah, all these people he’s put and he’s bombing more fucking people and all the stuff that was going on with Bush and into power. People from corporations are all killing more people than Bush was. with Cheney being this Halliburton CEO and the people he’s filled his cabinet with. Yaotl: O-Bomb-a. all that shit. I mean, it was just unabashed… Yaotl: Exactly, exactly dude. Goldman Sachs Peps: O-Bomb-a. [laughs] Peps: In your face. ex-heads. I love that dude, Matt Taibbi. But Yaotl: And he’s had the most deportations of Yaotl: ...and you saw your average Midwest it’s crazy how we do have a limited sense any President… American was like, “Fuck this system. It’s of—we have a freedom to speak up to an Peps: Oh yeah, throughout history. fucking bullshit.” But, meanwhile, during extent, right? Even though we say the truth, Yaotl: …hundreds of thousands. this time , one dude named Matt we are tame, considering what happened to Jimmy: He’s got one of the most secretive Taibbi, an investigative journalist, talking Michael Hastings, a guy from Rolling Stone, governments, and they supposedly were about how he was: “From the information thirty-three-year-old guy who topples the going to be… I’m gathering, McCain is not going to win, commander of the army because he captures Todd: Transparent. 41

Jimmy: … and all that other shit and all this Yaotl: Yeah, I saw that. [laughter] it’s all about people saving themselves. So we stuff that happened under Bush was going to Jimmy: And you’re living vicariously just got to see if we survive it.” stop. It just got worse. through all of that, too. And it’s funny Jimmy: We’re just going to sit back and Todd: It’s more nuanced and complicated because, again, going back to ‘82-‘83, those “watch the whole shit-house go up in and when you try to say, “Hey, these are all records that were so important to us and had flames.” (Paraphrasing a famous bit of Jim the problems,” people are just like, “No, it’s opened up our eyes at this point, personally, Morrison stage banter.) better than Bush.” I can’t think of a record coming out today Yaotl: …in his drunk wisdom, like fucking Peps: Exactly. that could’ve… Charles Bukowski. Sorry, I had to put that Jimmy: When actually it’s not, you know? Peps: Get that level. in there. [laughter] But he is dope. He was Peps: They don’t know the inside of what’s Jimmy: … and I listen to them—but I mean, also sharing some sacred knowledge. And been going down. I listen to a lot of records—I don’t think there then my son—he’s nineteen now but at Todd: It’s also extremely manipulative of is going to be any one of them anytime soon the time he was seventeen—he was like, people too, I think. that’s going to have that kind of visceral “Dad you know there’s no future, there’s no Jimmy: And they did the same thing under impact on such a level as those records, future….” Clinton. Everybody was like, “Clinton was because of the fact that everything has Jimmy: Sound familiar? [laughter] so much better than the Reagan/Bush years.” become too oversaturated. And at the same Peps: [singing] No future! No future! That’s when NAFTA was pushed through. time, there are so many different “truths” out Yaotl: …and I’m like “What the fuck?” That’s when neo-liberalism became this huge there now, so you’re getting bombarded and, Unsolicited, dude. Telling me, “Dad…” fucking thing and became the go-to place to at this point, you don’t know what’s fucking Peps: “Why did you bring me into this go, you know? You give people iPods and real and what’s not anymore. world?” [laughs] you give them these fucking cell phones that Yaotl: Exactly. Yaotl: Right, right. He used to tell me, “I’m are the modern equivalent of those calculator Peps: So true, dude. not going to have kids.” watches and they’re all so busy being happy Yaotl: Another good point. That’s what’s a Todd: “Thanks, dad.” about that, they don’t realize all the shit fucking tripped-out situation, bro. That’s why Yaotl: And so no wonder they are saying this that’s happening to them… one of the songs, “She Rids Herself”, one of generation is a fucking “party” generation. Peps: …what’s really going on, in the the new songs we’ve written is. It’s inspired Jimmy: They’ve got nothing to lose. background. by a conversation with my son and also a Yaotl: Exactly, and that’s what “She Jimmy: …and they go back to their go- conversation with Thomas (Benally, a Diné, Rids Herself” is about. It goes, “Speak to to’s: they blame Asians, and they blame the or Navajo, friend of the band). One day I was language / grovel to the rhythms of the off- Mexicans, and they blame everybody but the taking him to practice with us and he was like, beat / enjoy the laughter of servitude / the people who are actually doing it to them. I’m “Hey man, you know what dude? It’s cool comfort of scripted direction / the bliss of surprised that there is this backlash against what Aztlan Underground does. You put out ignorance floats this capsizing boat into the rich. It’s only going to be a matter of time stories and traditions. We’ve been instructed to oblivion / into the abyss of no return / we until they find that somebody to scapegoat, watch the white man’s world kill itself and let’s dance the dance of the final call / concurrent because there is no way they are going to see if we survive it, because it’s on the brink of with the sorrows of new generations with give up their power. killing itself. And so when people are “saving no tomorrow / hooting and hollering all the Peps: I feel like, even within this upcoming the earth”—like George Carlin figured out— while / surfing the waves of a crumbling election, if it comes down, it’s going to get even worse and more bluntly in your face. AUG (Rudy, Bean, Yaotl) backstage after “Battle of Mexico City” gig, with Tom Morello and Jimmy: They don’t fucking hide it. Zack De La Rocha of , Mexico City, 1999 Peps: No, they don’t. They don’t need to. And, at the same time, people don’t even see it for what it is, as bluntly as it is. They are just letting it happen, you know? They are so desensitized that they let it happen—“Oh, who cares? Fuck it.” They don’t realize that it affects them directly, but it does. Yaotl: It’s weird. It’s almost like the information highway—the networks of information that we have so much access to now—it’s almost intoxicating. I heard from Atari Teenage Riot, she got interviewed. I’m a fan of hers. She’s interesting and made a good point in her interview. She’s like, “What’s really harrowing now is that we don’t really need to be out there saying what’s going on, but now that the youth do know what’s going on, they are so saturated they are apathetic because they end up easily distracted by the silliness of what’s all over the internet…” Peps: So true. Yaotl: …So even though they’re like, “Oh yeah, the system is screwing us, and religion is stupid…” it’s almost like creating people to become—almost medicating them. And so, I was like, “Wow, that’s an amazing point,” because it’s very true. It seems like you have like, “Hey did you know the system…?” “Yeah I know, but…” Jimmy: “Yeah, but Paris Hilton did another porn movie again.” [laughter] 43

Jimmy: Pinky pie. [laughs] What’s the most important thing you think you’ve managed to take from punk rock, looking back at your existence so far? What is the one thing you can see as a thread that you think was the most important one you’ve managed to retain? Yaotl: I think it’s to be a critical thinker. Todd: It’s a huge one. Jimmy: Question everything. Peps: Yeah, question everything, definitely. Yaotl: That’s what we’re blessed with. I think that saved all of us, it saved our lives. So we try to do it, continue that tradition with the art. Todd: That’s huge. Peps: What else? I know there are other existence / but no need to concern however Peps: No, you do, you do. But I think the things. for it just is the great cleansing / grandmother medium of music and art in general really Todd: I think with being a critical thinker, cleaning it up / wiping it clean / ridding can push those. We’re just the people who you’re inherently political in your actions, herself of infection and negative energies.” pose the questions and let everyone else because you’ve dealt with stuff that comes To me that was just a testament to what’s create their own analysis. at you when you’re not asking for it, in a going on. Todd: Living by example too, I think, is huge. large mass. If you just take it, you’re just a Jimmy: The earth getting rid of the Peps: Yes, I agree. product of that. By resisting it—or even its parasites. Jimmy: As an artist, do you think that art existence or why it’s there—it’s still right Peps: Yeah, cleansing herself. and politics can live separately, or do you in front of you all the time. Questioning. Peps: And it’s true in a way. I mean, to think they’re intertwined? That’s inherently political, even without a this point, where are we going? Where is Peps: I think they’re intertwined. I mean, big “P.” this place? In ancient cultures—to even our even at the time when I started—at age Yaotl: Exactly. culture—and, ceremonially, it’s to renew the seventeen—trying to find myself in culture Jimmy: The most political act you can do is earth, to bring things in balance in a lot of and participating in the Big Mountain ask, “Why?” ways. But, again, for our future generation, struggle and all of that, I remember a lot of Peps: Yes, exactly. For me, even as an where they’re at now, they aren’t even the elders would say, “Don’t mix politics educator and teacher—I teach in juvenile seeing that element now, and that’s a sad with spirituality.” But then I realized, “Then hall detention centers—my question would situation, man, because where are we as what are we doing here?” always be—to at least our youth—“If you humanity, right? Jimmy: They’re one and the same. don’t know your past, then you really don’t Jimmy: We live in world where capitalism Peps: Yeah, it had to be merged. So, for know your future,” you know? It’s like you can’t survive any more, you know? You can’t me, art was always the vehicle to really really have to know a foundation of where buy a fucking thing, you can’t work a job. In pose those questions again, and, more you’re from and where you’re at. And, again, Los Angeles, you can’t find a job that will pay than anything, it’s the way of life to really humanity in the spectrum of we’re all in this you enough to live in a fucking apartment, let question. To really be used as a vehicle to together definitely, but cultural identity: alone buy a house, let alone buy food… expose truth and tell truth, at least through where you come from and especially when Peps: No, right. your eyes and what you see, and allow you start building those relationships with Jimmy: … let alone raise a kid, or put them everyone else to analyze it and make their Mother Earth, because, more than man- into college and shit, because they are already own analysis of it. Because, again, we made law, it’s natural law. raising the price of the colleges. aren’t saying that we know certain things, Jimmy: It’s a hell of a lot more Peps: I read a quote today that said, “When because we don’t. We’re still picking up the internationalistic. the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, pieces from where we left off, but more than Peps: Yes, exactly. So punk rock, I think, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize anything it’s all about bringing in that little from that time to where we’re at now, I that you cannot eat money.” I was like “Wow, seed of a question to make you grow. And really feel it’s building those relationships all that’s incredible.” That’s where it’s at. if you agree or disagree, that’s fine, too. over again to being a critical thinker. But, at Todd: I get into really heavy thoughts too, You can always agree to disagree. It’s like a least within our music, it’s rebuilding those like, “Life is death, death is life,” too… dialogue, a true dialogue. relationships with the natural elements. The Peps: Of course, a balance. Jimmy: You can take inspiration from people gourds that we use with rattles are plants, the Todd: Yeah, it’s always a turning wheel. you disagree with. flutes, the wind. Back in the ‘60s, even when And then it comes back again to, how do Yaotl: [looking at his cell phone] I was trying Nuyorican music brought in the conga… you process it? How do you deal with it to check in. You guys don’t have it on here, well, in our case, we bring in the huehue, personally? You can deal with society on huh? I was going to check in at Razorcake… which is the ancient drum—we call him the a large scale only so much and then it gets Jimmy: [laughs] “old man.” But again, it’s always a must to super fucking depressing. But, if you can Peps: We’re in the underground. We’re in the rebuild those relationships. control what you’re doing and hopefully put bomb shelter. Jimmy: And stop and listen to the things we that out, even on a small level… Jimmy: We’re in the bunker. don’t really listen to anymore. Jimmy: And change your world. Peps: [laughs] Peps: Of course, of course. Because I Todd: … and change your world and have Jimmy: So what do you guys think about pie? think even after we’re gone, that’s still little, small parts you’re secure with… Todd: Yeah, let’s end it with pie. going to exist. Peps: Live by example, in a way. Peps: We’ll move on to more happy things. Todd: Yeah. Jimmy: Is it peach pie? [laughter] Yaotl: And that’s exactly—I feel—where Peps: I love peach pie, more than any other we’re at. We’re just doing what we can, and pie. [laughter] we’re sharing what we can. Jimmy: I guess, a little more esoteric… Todd: Because I get overwhelmed. [laughs] Yaotl: Pinky pie. [laughter]

45

Shannon: You all have your own fairly active time I look at it written, I read “Skrewdriver,” pop punk for the hardcore kids. So in that record labels (Nervous Habits, Hip Kid, and and get really confused for a second. “Why is regard, it’s kind of a disadvantage, but I Ice Age). Do you all just think that highly of there a fucking…”͒ don’t really care. your own taste? Joey: Get all pissed that there’s a Skrewdriver Kris: I think it is an advantage in that it makes Jim: Yes. record at the record store, then you’re like, me feel better about the music we write, Kris: Well, yeah. “Ohhhh.” because I think we’re doing something that Shannon: Or hate money that much? Kris: On Spotify. I look at my Spotify playlist we like more regardless of what other people Kris: That too. and I’m like… think. But I do think it makes other people Joey: It’s mostly hating money. Jim: When did I like racist oi? a little more apprehensive about us. They’re Kris: With the exception of Joey, we all have Kris: When did I like bad oi, regardless of its like, “This is not all of one thing I like.” great taste. racial undertones? But yeah, Swervedriver is Jim: One plus side that I find, though, is that Jim: Yeah, he puts out records for bands like cool. There’s a lot of cool stuff coming out of the people who really like us tend to have The Valenteens (a band Kris is in). Philly right now. pretty eclectic tastes, similar to all of us. So Joey: I’m going to. If they ever finish it. I Jim: Cheesesteaks, RAMBO, Pointless Fest. I feel like less people like it, but the people have to hear it first. It might suck shit. Kris: There’s some cool stuff in Chicago. who do like it, like it a lot, because it’s not… I Jim: I do hate money. It bums me out so much. I’m a brat, so I’m not a good person to ask don’t want to say not more of the same, but it’s Kris: “I go to work every day just so I can live, about anything. something a little different. I feel like I would and I don’t even like money.” (Dystopia) Shannon: That’s why I did it. So I’ve heard rather engage with people who are more like- Shannon: Kris, are there any good bands? you guys described as “pop punk for hardcore minded. I find people more interesting if they Kris: In general? No. No, there are very few. kids” or played by hardcore kids. I feel like have a broader view and a broader palette of Jim: What about that one you liked recently? you are a lot harder to pin down musically things they like, rather than, “I just like pop Kris: Skrewdriver? The alt-rock than many of the bands that you play with on punk” or, “I just like hardcore.” band from England? No, there are cool bands tour. Do you feel that that’s been an advantage Joey: “I just like to .”͒ every once in a while. or a disadvantage? Jim: Yeah, well, everyone likes to pogo, but Joey: Okay, please clarify that! I don’t want… Joey: I’ve heard people say that we’re too sometimes you want to pogo to Screeching Kris: Skrewdriver is Swervedriver. Every hardcore for the pop punk kids and too Weasel and sometimes you want to pogo

47 little while ago, and they’re not easily sing- along-able. But I do think they’re catchy. Whenever someone asks me to describe the band, I have the hardest time. Shannon: I think that’s universal though. Jim: Yeah, that’s true. I usually go off of what other people say. [To Joey] Yeah, that’s fine. Joey: Let the record show that I am asking for a piece of chewing gum, and Jim said yes. Shannon: That’s interesting, because I feel like the guitar parts get stuck in my head or are memorable more so than the vocal parts, which is backwards from how a lot of pop punk bands do it. There’s a big emphasis on participation and group sing-a-longs, which you don’t really do. Jim: Very rarely. Yeah, we always write the music first, so I think that might come partially from that, and I try to write vocal parts that aren’t boring. Kris: I mean, I joined Boilerman because I thought it was good. Shannon: Yeah, there are catchy parts or choruses in some songs, but there are so many changes and different parts going on around it that it ends up being less of a centerpiece and more of a hidden jewel. Jim: I like that. Kris: A diamond in the rough. Shannon: How does it feel to no longer be ’s ambassadors to pop punk? [pointed glance at Joey] All: [uproarious laughter] Jim: Bad! Kris: Shameful! Jim: I was in the shower the other day—this is weird—and I was thinking about… Joey: Me? Jim: You! And I was thinking, there’s nothing wrong with breaking edge except that you’re no longer straight edge and therefore a poser and therefore will die because… Jim and Shannon: Only posers die. Jim: I mean, Aaron Cometbus bought Joey a drink so… Joey: Yeah, if I hadn’t already broken edge, that would be the time to. Jim: Joey recently told me how much he likes , which is pretty suspect. That would’ve been an edge break regardless! Shannon: Musical edge break. Jim: Yeah, there are a lot of ways to break edge. Kris: Admitting you like The Dead, admitting you don’t think The Dead are horrible, admitting you don’t think The Dead are the worst band ever. to Discharge. I don’t pogo to Screeching than you were—the newest stuff you’ve Jim: Calling them “The Dead.” Weasel anymore. recorded has a lot of really weird elements in Joey: Speaking of The Dead… Shannon: Strictly no pogoing since the there that not a lot of people are doing. Shannon: We’re talking about the Dead incident (in 2011 where Ben Weasel swung Jim: I was thinking about that recently; I’m a Kennedys, right? on a female audience member)? little bit concerned. I don’t think pop punk will Joey: No, The Grateful Dead. Jim: Yeah. be a reasonable descriptor anymore. There Kris: [vomiting noises] Shannon: But you have covered Screeching are elements of it, but not so much. Wells Joey: For a job I pedicab, and I pedicabbed a Weasel since then. from 86’d (Records), who is doing the 10”, concert. They did three days in Chicago Jim: Yeah, I mean, someone’s got to play described it as the Born Against/Screeching a few weekends ago. In my first ride there, songs who isn’t an idiot. Weasel split in one band. I think that’s a I got some people with a cooler, and they All: [laughter] pretty good description. It’s getting less and were like, “Hey, can you take us up closer?” Shannon: Yeah, I was thinking when I less “pop punk,” if you’re going by… And I’m like, “Oh yeah, what you got in the wrote that last question, I don’t know if that Shannon: Strict definitions. cooler?” They’re like, “Tea.” “How much description has become more or less apt over Jim: Yeah, exactly. Very few of our songs are you selling it for?” They say, “Twenty time. You’re less of a straight pop punk band have ever had choruses, which I realized a dollars.” There are mushrooms in the tea and 80 they ask if I want to trade for a ride and, you Jim: Then he played our hundredth show in Shannon: But back on the topic of your know, I’d rather have money. I don’t want a cast. artwork. to be hallucinating while I’m trying to drive Kris: Carrie, who played guitar in the band, Kris: Why don’t you want to talk about people around. laughed at me when I told her I thought my nü metal? Jim: Do you want me to have that when I’m leg was broken. Shannon: I don’t know if you’ve ever gotten riding around with you in the back? Jim: Yeah, when you told me, I was like, this, but when the first 7” was the only thing Kris: They don’t care. They’re Phish fans. “Your leg’s not broken. You can’t break your you had out, someone told me it looked like Joey: About half of the Phish fans offered me leg that way!” “mysterious guy pop punk.” drugs in exchange for rides. Kris: I didn’t think so, either. I thought I had Jim: That’s awesome! I think it always comes Jim: If I was a Phish fan, I would gladly take a muscle spasm! I woke up at nine o’ clock out looking way more like ‘90s Ebullition death whenever it came. and didn’t call my parents until one in the stuff or weird . I always think that I kind Joey: I ended up leaving, because it was afternoon. I elevated my foot at night and was of bite Tommy Borst’s flyer style a little bit. terrible. So I haven’t started liking the Dead like, “It’ll probably be better in the morning” He’s a guy who lives around here and has been or Phish. and then it was worse and I was like, “Is it in bands. He’s in Carbon Leak right now. Jim: He wants to though. broken?” I was weighing the odds of—if I get Joey: Great band. Kris: The Grateful Dead is straight up the up and go to with Cold Lovers Kris: They’re a good band. I will admit most hick shit I’ve ever heard in my life, and and it’s broken, I’ll do serious damage, but they’re good. Phish is just terrible. if it’s not broken I’ll have a lot of fun and Jim: No, I’ve never gotten mysterious guy Jim: The first time I heard those bands just hurt, and if I go to the doctor and it’s not pop punk. I never want it to look cartoony, recorded, I couldn’t believe it. I was astounded broken I’ll waste a bunch of money and time I never want it to look fun. I want it to look that that’s what it sounded like and that people and bother my parents for nothing, but if it serious and be taken seriously. like it and listen to it. is broken it will be good. I Googled how to Shannon: So is that why you did a Waffle Kris: But, straight edge. Straight edge is tell if a bone is broken. It wasn’t poking out, House layout tape? basically a frat, so it’s not that big a deal. it wasn’t bruised at all. Then I just called my Jim: That’s where I get out all my dumb Like, straight edge sucks. I’m straight edge, mom. “Hey, I don’t want you to worry, but I ideas is on the tapes. We have a tendency to and I’m happy with my life decisions. might have broken my leg last night, and you do smaller runs of limited tapes. We did the Shannon: Really? have my insurance card. Can you take me to Waffle House tape. We did a live tape. We Joey: You might want to re-evaluate. the doctor? Thanks mom!” did a discography CD. We did a full color Jim: You need some self-reflection time. Shannon: Do you still jump during shows? foldout tape insert for the live tape that has Kris: Hey man, I’ve got some cool records. Kris: I do now, yes. a picture of Kris falling down. Live, in-the- All: [laughter] Jim: I remember your first jump coming back. radio-studio photos. Kris: But straight edge culture really sucks. It was a proud moment. It was beautiful, like Joey: Which Kris actually jumped in the Everything sucks, says Dope. watching a child take its first steps. studio and then fell down. Jim: So sayeth Dope. I’ve been told before Shannon: I really like the aesthetic unity of Kris: What happened was when we were that drinking coffee is not straight edge. Then all your major releases. Jim, you do all the doing Strangers (a short-lived hardcore band I’m not straight edge! That’s how little I care. artwork, right? that all the members of Boilerman were in) I don’t buy new sneakers, I’ve never owned Jim: Yeah. with Ralph, he would practice like he was a Champion hoodie—brand or band—so I Shannon: Is there some idea behind the playing a show. I thought that was a really don’t even know if I am straight edge. Not minimalist approach? good idea because I’m in horrible shape and really. I think I might not be. Unit Of Pride is Jim: I definitely wanted there to be a cohesive I feel like I’m going to throw up after every the worst band I’ve ever heard. aesthetic for everything. Joey did the artwork set. So I was like, “I’ll start practicing like Joey: I don’t think Jim is straight edge, for the demo. I’m playing a show,” and that only lasted because have you seen him try to two-step? Joey: Very pixilated. for a little while because it’s horrible and I Not very coordinated. Jim: I just couldn’t think of anyone to ask don’t want to feel like I’m going to die after Jim: I’ve gotten a lot better at stage dives to do it, either—no one else who would even practice. That was during the time when we though. I’ve been pretty good at diving lately. want to—so I just started doing it. I try to played the radio set, so I decided to jump Kris: I have the opposite problem. choose photos that go with the theme of the around, and yeah, I fell. Jim: You’re great at two-stepping unless your record, or something on the record. I just try Jim: In terms of the Waffle House thing, we leg gets broken. to keep it simple. Our new record is the first eat a lot of Waffle House on tour because Shannon: Did your leg get broken two- release of ours since the demo that I haven’t why would you ever not do that? If you’re stepping? done the artwork for. It’s a lot different. anywhere near a Waffle House and you’re Kris: Yeah, I broke my leg in the pit and kept Shannon: It looks pretty metal. not eating it, what’s the point of living? So I . Jim: It does look pretty metal. decided to make Waffle House-themed art for Shannon: Who was playing? Shannon: Pretty nü metal. our really long tour on which I hoped to eat as Kris: Cold Lovers, another band from Kris: We were listening to System Of A much Waffle House as possible. Chicago. It was like their third-to-last show Down in Jim’s car this week. Kris: We ate a lot of Waffle House. and I was putting out a tape for their last Jim: The whole week! Jim: We ate a pretty significant amount of show. They were good and I was moshing and Kris: Well, I was only in there for part of the Waffle House. Unfortunately, the East Coast I broke my fibula, then I kept moshing. week. We’re all avid fans. has no Waffle Houses. 49

Kris: Nightmare. Non-America. Shannon: Did you ever consult Kris’s is the use of French fries as a topping. My Joey: We did go to Sheetz, though. secret master list of band names when the friend Kyle folded up his pizza and started Jim: Yeah, Sheetz might be the next theme art. time came? sprinkling French fries on it and said “skater Joey: Ehh…. Eh… [indicating a “so-so” Jim: Not yet. Soon enough. lettuce,” and that’s when it hit me. Skull motion with his hand] Kris: Dale Earnhardt Señor will be a band. Bucket. Mushy Banana. Butt Spray. Jim: Get out of my face! Jim: Let’s hear top five. Joey: You have a lot. Joey: No, I love Sheetz. I just don’t think we Kris: [scrolling through list on his phone] Oh Jim: It could mean something you spray on should make a tape of it! man, there’s a lot of band names on here. or out of your butt. Jim: Yeah, probably not. It’s not as true to my Jim: I know, but let’s be honest. Some of Kris: Buttmunch, which was a band for one art as Waffle House. them are filler. practice. We wrote songs about Die Hard. Shannon: What can Kris and Joey (being [Kris continues scrolling] That’s a movie. vegans) even eat at Waffle House? Jim: Velvet Elvis is definitely… Jim: Perhaps you’ve heard of it. A series of Kris: Hash browns. Kris: Velvet Elvis is good. I’m a big fan of acclaimed films. Joey: Yeah, hash browns and coffee is pretty Big Ass Pinky Ring. Electric Anchovy and Kris: The greatest film trilogy ever made. much all we can get. Anchovy Omelet are two. Shannon: Band names are very difficult, Kris: Hash browns—I don’t remember the Jim: The reason I like Electric Anchovy is though. terminology, forgive me—but mushrooms, because of what the band is. Kris: They are. Luckily they come very onions, and jalapeños. Kris: Well yeah—it’s an a capella harsh noise easily to me. Jim: We were also given at a show in Fort band, and Anchovy Omelet is a surf band. Jim: It’s a gift. Myers a couple bucks for a T-shirt and a bunch Shannon: They have a split, I imagine. Kris: I was blessed. of Waffle House coupons for free waffles and Kris: Well yeah. I was going to do a four- Shannon: How did y’all wind up with coffee. Absolutely, I would rather have that way comp with Velvet Elvis and Big Ass Boilerman? than money! Pinky Ring. Jim: We had a very hard time coming up Kris: Praise Jah! Jim: The anchovy bands should do a split with a band name, because all of the good Jim: I didn’t know these existed! where they cover each other’s songs. ones are taken. I was watching this movie Joey: That might be the only time we were Kris: I really like Male Pattern Baldness. Spirited Away, it’s a cartoon, and there is a offered something other than money that was Nacho Blood has been a favorite. Asshole character in it who is referred to once as the worth having. Casserole. Leather Meatball. The Buttheads boiler man, and I was like, “That’s a really Shannon: You all play in a lot of bands, right? is a favorite of mine. Skater Lettuce, which cool band name.” I texted it to Joey and he Jim: Unfortunately. I have to explain. I feel like skater lettuce is was like, “Well, I was already in a band called Kris: Yeah. It sucks. a term for marijuana, but to me skater lettuce Boiling Over.”͒ 51

Joey: No, I was currently in a band called Kris: That wasn’t our idea though. like, “Well, I hope I don’t want to listen to Boiling Over. Jim: It’s surprisingly not our idea. I’ve this more than ten times.” Jim: That’s right! He was like, “I don’t wanted to do a 10” for any band I’ve been in Shannon: I was told to ask why Joey is not know if I want to do two ‘boil’ names.” I for a long time. allowed in Chicago hardcore. was like, “All right, well, let me know what Kris: 10”s are such a pleasing format. Jim: Oh, that’s true! Joey has been banned you decide.” Jim: We were originally going to do two from Chicago hardcore by a professor. Joey: And I decided it was okay. different 7”s, like a darker one and a poppier Kris: Since 2011? Jim: I think it’s for the best. I came up with one, and we were going to talk to people about Joey: 2012. some other ones that were questionable. it and I was casually talking about it with Jim: What an embarrassing idiot. Go ahead. Joey: I was made fun of for a while. People Wells from 86’d and I sent it to him because Tell how you got kicked out of hardcore by would just say, “Do you want to go see he wanted to hear it because he likes us. Professor Hardcore. Boiling Over Man?” Kris: He’s a Boilerfan. Joey: Oh, god. I was in a band that toured Jim: So yeah, it came from Spirited Away. All: [laughter] and I quit the tour because the singer Shannon: What do you guys have against Jim: A term he coined that I’d like to was a fucking idiot. Like, saying xenophobic the Pope? propagate. He listened to it and was like, shit on stage, so I quit. I walked off-stage in Jim: Nothing anymore. This new one is a real “Aw, this is awesome. I was supposed to Toulouse, France. Basically, when I got back, standup human being. not put out any stuff besides this one CD there was some fallout and the singer told Kris: I mean, I am a proud Catholic. I’m doing this year, but I kind of want to some people that I was no longer allowed in Shannon: I’ve just seen you do that song do this.” I was like, “Okay, cool.” And he Chicago hardcore, and everyone laughed. explanation (for “An Open Letter to the was like, “What do you think about doing Jim: The first show that we (Boilerman) Pope”) most times I’ve seen you guys. a one-sided 12” of it?” And we were like played after that, we played with Poison Jim: I try to change it. I try to not ever “That sounds cool.” I have a really specific Planet, and Nick, who normally does very repeat it. format in artwork and stuff for the poppier long-winded political speeches between Kris: You never have. one. I want it to be like a 7” single in those songs was like, “I have something to say Jim: I don’t think I have, either. We cut single sleeves, kind of like a Condominium that’s really important, everyone here needs down on playing it, which is good because I sleeve, but for this one I don’t care. to know about that maybe you haven’t was running pretty thin. What I have against Definitely do that. And then he was like, heard about before. I know I normally make the Pope is that he’s the figurehead for the “It’s the same price for a 10”,” and I was speeches, but this is the most important thing Catholic Church, which is a terrible institution like “10”! Do the 10”!” I will ever say. We cannot stand for Joey that way too many people are a part of that Kris: Hell yeah. Kappel in hardcore. He needs to get out. is a huge part of systematically taking away Jim: It was Wells’ stupid idea instead of our He is not welcome here, and we need to do people’s rights to do things that they should stupid idea, but I think it’s great! everything we can to make that a reality.” be able to do. Kris: Wonderful. Shannon: Was that speech a joke? Joey: I grew up Catholic, so I have a lot—I Jim: I’m really excited. Jim: Absolutely! have a big problem with the Pope. Kris: Spectacular. Joey: Oh, yeah, yeah! Kris: Also that stupid hat. But that tight-ass Jim: And, honestly, I like the fact that it’s Shannon: I don’t know this person or your ring is sick. all on one side better. Because before it was relationship to them. Jim: Yeah, that’s true. four originals and a cover, and it would Jim: That was our first show back [upon Shannon: Is it a big ass pinky ring? have been three pretty short songs on the Joey’s return], and it was a show we played Kris: I don’t think so, but it should be. A-side, then a significantly lengthy cover with a bunch of friends’ bands. So Joey got Jim: He probably has a pinky ring. I feel like and another short song on the B-side. It was banned from hardcore. he has all the rings. kind of lopsided. I’m much happier with it Joey: Yeah. Kris: Layers of rings. just going straight through in a line. I think Jim: And that band broke up. Jim: I want a Pope with knuckle tattoos that it sounds better. I like the sequencing a lot Kris: They are not broken up! are of rings. better… and now we have a 10”, so next we Jim: No, they are broken up. They have a Joey: Or that say “THEE POPE.” just need to do an 11” or 9”. new band. Jim: Or “BEST POPE.” Kris: All I want to do are 9” and 11” records. Kris: Can I speak to the singer of this band’s Joey: “ONLY POPE.” Joey: [yelling from the bathroom] An 8” flexi! intellectual prowess? Kris: “LAST POPE.” Jim: I will say I would rather never put out a Joey: Sure. Jim: I called it! I’m the last one! flexi than ever put out a flexi. Kris: He’s like thirty-something? Joey: I’m going to live forever motherfuckers. Joey: They’re the worst format. Joey: He’s probably twenty-nine? Shannon: So you’re doing a one-sided 10”. Jim: I have some that I really like, and I’m Kris: And he’s going to school for his Ph.D.? 53

Joey: I think he has it. I mean I haven’t talked not either.” And he says, “No, I know you! shit from his friend he was staying with. to him in two years, so… You will!” I don’t need to; people know that Another for beating his girlfriend. Another Kris: Well, either way, that’s his area of life. he’s a fucking idiot already. for being racist/saying very insensitive stuff They played a show at my house in which Jim: And that’s why Joey can’t go to hardcore about someone who was sexually assaulted/ at one point he said, “Eating meat is for shows. Hasn’t been to one since. smashing out the windows on a touring faggots,” and then after that song said, “I’m Joey: Yeah, I’m just fucking around with my band’s vehicle because they told him that sorry I got really emotional.” shitty fucking pop punk bands. he couldn’t come into the show. Another for Joey: Which should’ve been when I quit Kris: Don’t call me anymore! being a shitty philosophy professor, and one the band. Joey: I’m so satisfied with the bands I’m for just being kind of a sketchball. Kris: An adult who can’t not say dumb things in now—Earth Girls and Broken Prayer— Jim: That’s it, that’s why Joey can’t go to because of his emotions. because I’m not in bands with terrible people. shows. Shannon: I remember seeing something that For a while, while Boilerman was going on, Joey: I’m much happier. that band had posted after all that went down, I was in terrible bands with terrible people. I Shannon: I think that’s a good note to end and saying something like, “We have chosen was in two hardcore bands, and five people on. Any parting words? not to pursue a scorched earth approach…” out of seven people from those two bands… Kris: I’m excited to listen to the new Korn Joey: “Policy.” Towards me. When we met up Jim: …there was some overlap. record. after the set, he was like, “I’m not going to go Joey: Have pretty much been exiled, back to Chicago and spread a ton of rumors ostracized out of Chicago hardcore for being about you.” And I was like, “Whatever, I’m pieces of shit. One for stealing a bunch of 55 80 Simon: But that is not the point! Bianca: But that’s what—apparently— makes something valuable, you know? I think we’ve told this story a couple of times and people always remember it different than I do… We were always pretty drunk in the early days. [laughs] I started doing zines because my best friend was doing a zine with a bunch of people and they were going to go to Comic-Con to present and I thought I would contribute to that. This was before I did my own zine. Todd: The indie-press section of Comic-Con? Bianca: There was a small press section. It was very depressing. I’ve heard it’s worse now. It was kinda overflowing with Klingons, people who didn’t really care what you were doing. No one wanted to look. Todd: “Hey is the restroom here?” [laughter] Simon: To be fair, you didn’t even have a 3D dome experience. [laughter] Todd: So you dressed up as airline attendants to go… Bianca: Have you heard this story before or did you find the picture? Todd: Found it! Bianca: Oh my god! Those outfits were my favorite thing! We were all coordinated. We had orange outfits, little stewardess outfits… Simon: You could even say you cosplayed. Bianca: You could say that! Todd: Bianca, you were a Fulbright scholar? I have lots to say about this. Why not zines? Todd: Into zines! Bianca: Oh my god [laughs]… [laughter]. I believe that is the question! Bianca: Into zines! [laughs] We went and Todd: [reading research] “…in 2006 teaching Todd: So you guys are so multidisciplinary. had a good time. It was cool. I didn’t do English in South Korea and she was born and You are multifaceted and multitalented another zine for six years. It was a positive raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles.” ladies. Why pick the format of zines to do a memory, you know? I met so many cool Bianca: Fact! zine fest? Why that other than anything else? people from other parts of the country who Todd: “…and her first zine was in There are so many things… were publishing their own stuff—who were 2009/2010… Simon was born and raised Simon: Why choose zines to make a fest out proud enough of what they made to go to in and around Central Los Angeles. She is of, or why start doing zines? this place where they were destined to be a graduate of the Otis College of Art and Bianca: I think why choose zines to put our humiliated [laughter] and stand at a table for Design’s illustration program with a focus energy into? hours without anyone else but other tablers on highly detailed art-folk portraiture. She Todd: Yes. talking to them. This must be something that is named after a drug cartel and started the Simon: Because a zine is probably the least is very important. Church of Simontology. Creepy Coven…” amount of energy. [laughter] So when I made a zine again, it was Simon: Creepy Coven! I have a feeling that Todd: Oh so they’re easy and anybody can because I wanted to be a writer and I never part of that…wait…what? How do you know do it? copped to it, and I was really afraid to try and about Creepy Coven? Simon: They’re easy… maybe they’re not get a job as a writer or join the school paper. Todd: Internet. easy but they’re definitely cheap. I was like, “This is something that I can do Bianca: That’s some James Lipton shit. Daryl: They’re possible. that I’m physically in charge of everything Simon: He’s very good at Google. This is Simon: Possible, as I said before it’s not and no one tells me ‘this is good’ or ‘this is some James Lipton shit! rocket science. It’s a couple of Xeroxes and a bad’ and I get to control everything,” which Bianca: We’re inside the “Zinester’s Studio.” staple… or two because you gotta staple your is great as I’m kinda a control freak. I liked Todd: I can’t bang rocks together, but goddamn zines. it as it was very laborious. There was a lot of I can use the internet when I have to go Bianca: Please staple your zines. This is a editing that went through it. I got to spend a down the wormhole. public service announcement. lot of purposeful time alone [laughs]. I liked Bianca: What’s my credit score? I know you Simon: That’s one of the reasons I chose this that. I went to the San Francisco Zine Fest found that! format, because it’s accessible and cheap to and I presented it. Everyone was so nice and Todd: That costs money. [laughs] produce and reproduce. fun. I got a really good response, and I don’t Daryl: I’m going to say it’s pretty good. Bianca: I think people say that anyone can think it was just because I had candy on my [laughs] do it like that’s a bad thing, you know? table, but I think it helped! Bianca: Thank you. [to Simon] Do you Todd: But not everybody does it. They could Daryl: What was the candy? have credit? do it… Bianca: I had a really good mix! I had the Simon: This isn’t about me. Bianca: [putting on a voice] “Anyone can do Dum-Dums, I had Snickers, Red Hots. I Todd: We’re going to start off first with a a zine. Why should I read this zine? Nobody’s thought, “Here are all these people who are real basic question. Why zines? paid to make it!” fearlessly standing in front of their wares, Simon: Hmm… basic but not easy. Simon: [laughs] That’s not true. open to criticism and compliments. This Todd: Nice. Bianca: But people are like, “I guess you must be something special.” Simon: Bianca? couldn’t get a publishing deal, so you made Todd: So, Simon, why zines in particular? Bianca: Thanks for turning it over, Simon. the zine’.” Jen Witte (Feminist Library On Wheels) said 57 something that I thought was really awesome small scale mass producing these books and definitely fell together. It was definitely fate about zines: “It smells like something.” I selling them and trading them. So that’s how us together and, in my mind, like one never thought of that. My thing is that I don’t I got into zines. I was a pretty late bloomer. person met the other person and it started this need another machine to read the zine. The Todd: That was another thing I was going to chain reaction… zine stands up by itself. It’s tactile. say: commitment. There’s a commitment to Simon: And one of us already knew the other Simon: This is true. zines. Also with zines is they’re not—which one really well and it was like, “How do you Bianca: The tactility of it is important. I think I like about them a lot—they’re not traceable know…her?” when people asked us right when we started to how far they go from hand to hand to hand. Bianca: Yeah, “…we’re working together on to get zine fests together, a lot of people were My favorite example is if a zine is on top of this thing.” like, “What’s a zine?” or “Why do you need the toilet, you’ve got at least ten readers for Daryl: Do you want to talk about who these a zine if you have a blog?” that kind of thing. that zine, you know? [laughter] people are at all…? I think the tactility of it is really important Bianca: That makes me never want to touch Bianca: No! [laughs] Rhea is one of the because it’s literally something you can hold a bathroom publication! [laughter] organizers… on to. Todd: I’m going to quote Rhea who is Simon: Founders… Todd: Let’s not kid ourselves. It’s not just another zine coordinator. Bianca: …Co-founders. Meredith, who is no about zines though. I’m quoting… “Zines Bianca: She’s here in spirit. longer with us…she’s alive [laughter] but she make me feel like I’m a member of a secret Todd: She’s here in spirit and she said that just doesn’t organize this zine fest anymore. group of people throughout the country who the community supporting zine culture is as Simon: She’s gone to a better place. In fact care about what they’re making enough to see important to her as the actual zine itself. So I she’s gone to a worse place. [laughter] it through from beginning to end, regardless think this is where the L.A. Zine Fest comes Bianca: She’s gone to a far worse place! Sorry whether or not they make a zine again.” in… so I’m thinking it was super easy to pull Meredith but the Bay can [deepens voice] Todd: That quote was from Bianca. off, right? [laughs] suck iiiit! [laughter] …All I have against the Bianca: I must have had a couple of drinks Bianca: [joking] It was sooooo easy! And it Bay Area is that it took away my sweet, sweet [laughter] continues to be easy every single year! Meredith. Otherwise, it’s an a-okay place. So Simon: I didn’t immediately get into zines. Simon: You’d be surprised. All we had to she’s not in Los Angeles anymore. I was making little one-off books with my do was just—the tables were already there, Todd: What do you have against Green Bay? friends and we would…we had this little everyone knew where to go and what to do… [laughter] club that was open to anyone. There were Todd: The internet blogged everything. Bianca: Cheeseheads suck! [laughter] times where it seemed like a lot to do but Bianca: None of us wept in the elevator space Simon: So it was myself, Bianca, Rhea, it was also really fun. A lot of people that I [laughter]. None of us dry heaved [laughter]. Meredith and Eryca. I forget the timeline… know work well under pressure and a lot my No toilet paper was needed that wasn’t there, The way it happened was that my friend J.T. favorite books I’ve made have been made in there was no blood, it was flawless… no and I who were doing this A Book A Week three to four hours. panic attacks. [laughter] stuff we were also doing a bunch of So it was this club called “A Book Simon: My parents were proud. [laughter] things here and there at the Meltdown Gallery A Week.” It started in college and after I Bianca: Yeah, proud parents! and Meltdown Comics. Before Nerdist got graduated, we just took it to different parks or Simon: [laughs] That was a lie! crazy and took over, he would regularly have museums or wherever the fuck around L.A. Bianca: Simon was joking. “We were pretty art shows there twice a year—they were all and we would read our books to each other drunk in the early days.” Obviously, there with his students—so that’s how we would and we would videotape them. We would was drinking but I think we were drunk do stuff at Meltdown and then Meredith hang out and draw and we started on a very on the idea of just finding each other. We had a fairly popular zine distro and she was

KENZO

PHOTO BY TODD TAYLOR RHEA

doing a really tiny, teeny tiny version of and I tend to get… [laughter] …I was just still hold a grudge… I’m still holding it tight! the zine fest out of Meltdown. It was called doing a Run DMC tribute [laughter] So after being pushed around long enough, “Supermarket.” She would have a bunch of Todd: [laughs] Beatboxing. we had that conversation: “Why isn’t there different vendors there and I believe that’s Bianca: …and we knew that it was meant a zine fest in L.A.?” I think we were talking where she met Rhea. to be. We were talking it out and one of us about San Francisco Zine Fest and how cool it Todd: That’s Team Falsestart? said something like, “Oh man, that’s so crazy is. Portland and Chicago—they’re just really Simon: Her distro was called Falsestart. that you’re here at Unique L.A. but there’s good and really established zine fests. Fuck, Bianca: We were Team Falsestart. no zine fest. “You’re the only person here why doesn’t L.A. have one? It had been ten Simon: So that’s how Bianca met Rhea, selling zines or any printed material. Really? years since L.A. had any major zine event. and she and Rhea were talking about doing How come? Why?” So that’s how we had gone from where things together and here’s where fate comes Simon: Why weren’t you selling knitted beer we were working together as a group trying into play. J.T. and myself were already cozies or berets? to do things that were related to DIY and really good friends with Rhea. Rhea and her Bianca: It was like, “Sacramento has a zine art. From there, we looked at L.A. and us then-partner were part of A Book A Week. fest. Why doesn’t L.A. have a zine fest?!” not having a zine fest and said, “Fuck it, we I saw those people at least once a week to That’s how I met Meredith, just talking shit can do it.” So our first year was a series of just make weird shit together. So fate steps on the fact that L.A. didn’t have a zine fest. surprising… I don’t know how to word this? in again. The first time… so I met Meredith Simon: So Meredith got together with Rhea Simon: Surprising successes? at Supermarket and I was like, “Oh yeah, and Bianca and we got together because Bianca: There you go! There were some very there’s my new neighbor putting on that Meltdown had asked Meredith to put on a surprising successes because there were a lot weird thing at Meltdown.” Meredith had monthly “something.” That was kind of how of things that fell into place that was almost, just moved into my apartment; we shared either Meredith pitched it to them or they maybe, luck and circumstance. walls. So she approaches me and was pitched it to us, but they wanted her to—as Todd: Such as? like ‘Do you know Rhea?’ and I was like, Falsestart—put on something. We would get Simon: I’d like to briefly interject that Eryca “How do you know Rhea? I know Rhea, the gallery once a month to do a workshop Sender at some point moved from Chicago to but how do you know Rhea?” Then Bianca or some sort of art show. So we were all Los Angeles and Meredith knew her through happened too, somewhere. super excited and I think we got to do one zine fests and stuff and Chicago has a zine Bianca: I was in there, I was in the mix. I event. [laughs] festival. It’s great. I’ve never been, but I’ve actually met Meredith. Meredith was tabling Bianca: [laughs] Yeah we did one, but it was seen pictures and that’s kinda like going at Unique L.A. with Falsestart Distro and she really good though! It was sooo good. [laughter]—I’ve been on YouTube a couple had her display. I came up and I was talking Simon: I bring it back to Nerdist, which of times [laughter]—and Eryca came and she to her and I think we were kinda joking cause might be the reason L.A. Zine Fest exists. was super pumped. She had been involved it’s super crafty in Unique L.A. and there’s Every time we would schedule something over there and she said, “I think we can do artisanal chocolate and a Captain Morgan at Meltdown, they would email us and say, this. It’s going to be easy.” [laughter] “All we team running around giving people shots of “Sorry. Nerdist is using it that day. Email have to do is get sponsored by the university spiced rum… this girl and she will reschedule you.” And and it’s going to work. It’s going to flow so Todd: [laughs] Artisanal… every time we would reschedule, we would smooth,” and I think we just needed someone Simon: Artisanal pirate rum. That’s going to get bumped. to say that even though we knew that it was a be Zine Fest in 2030… Bianca: We also often got bumped by the lie! We just needed someone to jump in first. Bianca: And we were just kind of rapping Dungeons and Dragons group [laughter]. I Bianca: So Eryca joined us after we had

59 already started looking for a venue. We when they were over in a smaller space on down, it was just really great. had already decided that we were going to Main Street and I knew that they had moved Simon: Outside of planning, it was a very, put on the L.A. Zine Fest. We had made our to this huge freakin’ space. very positive experience. Facebook group, so it was official. [laughter] Bianca: It’s an old bank. They’ve got a vault. Todd: It was one event that I walked away I think our first big surprising success was It’s where the people eat their lunch… with, “Wow! That was actually fun and people getting a venue. Simon: They have several vaults. were nice.” Those are two things people don’t Todd: It’s where you worked, Bianca. Bianca: So we availed ourselves to Josh associate when it’s free in Los Angeles. Bianca: I did after. I actually got a job from from The Last Bookstore and he met us Daryl: That was the first time I had ever seen Zine Fest. once and said yes. He let us piggyback on that many people interested in what I was Todd: So The Last Bookstore (a Los Angeles his insurance, he let us use his security, he interested in in my entire life of mostly living bookstore). We can say their name. offered to host events on the ground floor of in Los Angeles. It was crazy. Simon: They were awesome, by the way, the bookstore. He was super nice in every Simon: It was. and continued to be super awesome and way. He essentially gave us the venue for Todd: So let’s go to number two at the supportive. free. He was like an angel. If we had not Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Center. Todd: Were they surprised at the turnout? found him, we would not have been able to Simon: We forgot the part about Bianca Bianca: Yes, I think everybody but Henry have the zine fest that year. The space was writing emails to . Rollins was surprised. [laughter] so enormous that it bolstered everybody’s Bianca: We don’t have to talk about that. It’s not important! Simon: No one here cares about Black Flag, right? No one who’s going to listen or read cares about Black Flag. [laughter] Bianca: It’s not really a great story. Todd: Just condense it to make it funny. Bianca: It’s in its simplicity that it’s amazing. I was charged with writing to Henry Rollins, so as is my thought process, I got super drunk on two dollar wine and I poured my heart out to Henry Rollins about the city and why he needed to come to the zine fest. It was like huge. It must have been—on a conservative side it was 1,200 words to Henry Rollins. He wrote me back “If Vale is in, so am I.” [laughter] That was to set the tone of every communication I would have with Henry Rollins. I would write him this huge thing about you know, “We’re going have parking here for you. We need you here at this time. Do you need anything?” “No. Good to go. –Henry” Simon: What I like about his first email to us he was like, “If you don’t have Vale, you don’t have me.” That’s how he ended it. That also set the tone. [laughs] Todd: Wow. “Here are my boundaries”? Simon: Yeah. Bianca: I don’t even need fifteen words ZINE HUT, PHOTO BY ANDY GARCIA [laughter]. I can tell you what I want right now! Simon: All you needed to say was Henry, Vale, Los Angeles bookstore, February. Todd: “Oh, this is it?” [laughter] spirits. We felt so good about it that any kind Todd: Let’s just tell everyone that V.Vale is Bianca: Henry Rollins shows up, fucking of doubt that we had was erased… the publisher of Re/Search. swollen—big muscles—and looking tough, Simon: At the time, we were overwhelmed Simon: He’s incredible. thick neck just like “Hey! Where do you need by that size. Bianca: Him and Henry are like… me?!” Bianca: We were like, “How are we going Todd: Long time… Simon: No, you go to his arms. There’s to fill this?” Oh, with two thousand really Bianca: Buddies. They have friendship physics at work Bianca. stinky people… who we love. [laughs] bracelets [laughter]. They’re really, really tight. Bianca: I can’t even talk about that—it’s Daryl: Sorry. [laughter] Simon: They have friendship necklaces. warm in here [laughter]. It is. Bianca: It was mostly me! Okay, I should say [laughs] Todd: So he said yes because of V Vale? with 1,998 people and me sweating nervously. Bianca: They’ve been good friends for most Bianca: So he approached us, we—okay Todd: It had narrow hallways. of their life and Vale is probably the greatest, [laughter] I—was in charge of getting Henry Bianca: It’s an old building! There’s no nicest person. Rollins to… modern air conditioning. Simon: He’s so cool [sighs] and so smart and Simon: Wait! I’m sorry. I was talking Simon: Plus everyone got wall space. so excited. about The Last Bookstore. [laughter] We Daryl and Todd: That’s true. Bianca: I don’t know if you follow Re/Search approached them. We approached them on Bianca: Everyone got seen. Everybody was publications or Vale on his social media, but our knees. I said, “Josh, you’re a nice guy…I amazed at how many people were there… he’s constantly tweeting about cats and how think.” [laughter] “I don’t know you super Simon: Except Henry Rollins. great they are! [laughter] It’s the best thing in well but a little bit and if you can find it in Bianca: Even though everybody was super the world. The man is an oracle. your heart to help us with a venue?” He had sweaty and super tired at the end, everybody Simon: Papa Vale [laughter]. So Zine Fest II. moved. I used to go to The Last Bookstore said thank you. People were helping tear Todd: At what point did the owners of the 60 Ukrainian Cultural Center freak out that so Simon: “What table number are they at?!” that there was anything bad going on from many people were coming to look at zines? Bianca: He was amazing, so good. We’ve you two during the zine fest. [laughter] Bianca: They were never freaked! They had so much help. People have just stepped Simon: Sweet! were always happy. in. Simon’s mom always buys Subway for all Daryl: At the end when you’re like, “I’m Daryl: Who was in charge of capacity? the volunteers. going to sleep for a week,” [laughter] and Simon: Oh. So security is another thing Todd: Aww. I’m like, “But we just had so much fun. What that… so Meredith had a friend of hers, I think Bianca: People’s parents come and help. are you talking about?” an old boyfriend who’s really good friends People’s friends are like, “Dude, have you Todd: Alright, third one? with her. So we gave him a shirt, I sharpied had a break?! I’ll watch this info table while Simon: Oh, the third zine fair. [laughs] “Security” on the back, and I gave him a you go pee.” Bianca: I wish Rhea was here! The third zine clicker [laughter]. So it was his job to keep Simon: Since our first year, it’s been fest was…every year we do a different venue. track of the people as they go in and out. An phenomenal how many people so quickly Todd: Is that intentional? hour and a half into zine fest, he comes up to and so adamantly offered to help in any Simon: Nooo… us and was like, “We need to close the doors. way they can, for as long as they can. They Bianca: I think it is, I think it is. We’re over capacity,” and the second year never really asked for anything in return. Simon: It’s not really because… not really. was… awful [laughter]. It was awful because It’s always been that we’ll always find a lot Bianca: We had said from the beginning that there’s this constant stream of people, it’s not of people who want to help us not go crazy it would be cool if we had—because we’re even noon and you’re telling them, “No, you [laughter]. I don’t think they know that—that L.A. Zine Fest, L.A. is huge. We can’t have can’t come in. Line up outside the door.” they’re helping. They want to help. I’m never it at one place all the time. That said, it’s Bianca: It’s the hottest part of the day. People going to not be surprised by that. It’s… I’m no coincidence that we’ve never been asked have come from all over the place. humbled by everyone who’s ever helped us. to return. It’s not that we’ve been kicked Simon: We had made a nightclub for zines Bianca: Yeah. out. The Last Bookstore would have loved basically. Oh, it was bad. [laughs] It was Todd: It’s really because you’re so friendly. to have us back but they filled second-floor stressful. The owners weren’t freaking out, [laughter] space with books and retail. Ukrainian we were. Bianca: It’s ‘cause we’re drunk all the time! Cultural Center—we don’t want to pay that Bianca: The owners were totally fine! Todd: No, seriously, because even when much money again to pay for that venue. Simon: He was like, “Look at this venue things were—I knew things were tense Simon: It was a lot of money. and success.” with you—it was still a super fun time for Bianca: And Helms Bakery, they are doing Bianca: He was so happy that so many both people going to it, and when they were construction that was supposed to be finished people were there and we were cold sweating inside the room, the vendors, people were in time for zine fest and it’s not. So we were about the line… very nice to us. invited back but that invitation was rescinded Simon: His solution to our capacity problem Daryl: I don’t think I’d ever be able to tell because the construction made it impossible was that he called someone that he had on security on speed dial. He showed up wearing a full security uniform. Bianca: Pads and nightstick. Simon:So, apparently, this new security guy’s clicker was set to “just under capacity.” Bianca: Never goes over! [laughter] Simon: And didn’t actually work. Actually, Meredith’s dad was doing a really good job at being the bouncer. Bianca: He was great, as he’s a dad! Everybody’s like, “Alright, alright. It’s a dad, it’s a dad.” Todd: Kinda an authority but not dickish. Bianca: He’s got a tattoo, so… Simon: Vendors were going in and out, but sometimes they would have an extra friend who was helping with the table or someone who was sharing tables with them, so we were like, “Okay, you guys can come.” Meanwhile the doors closed, line around the block, and there’s a little kid who comes in who’s with a tabler and he (Meredith’s dad) was, “Who are you?! Who’s your parents?!’ [laughter] Daryl: So concerned. PHOTO BY TODD TAYLOR where they needed to be. I know he was very busy as well. Simon: Oh yeah! Kenzo is now an organizer. Bianca: We got a new organizer. Simon: He joined us our second year as a volunteer and he had a bigger role. He was the greater volunteer coordinator… Bianca: For the third fest. Simon: Which helped us out a lot, so this last year he was a full organizer. Also taking on the duties of being in charge of what needs to happen with the volunteers and where they needed to go, which is huge. He did a great job. Bianca: We had so many volunteers again, it was really awesome. Simon: They all got T-shirts. Bianca: We had some as young as fourteen. Simon: That was so cute to see. [laughter] Todd: What is not a zine that someone has tried to convince you that it is a zine? PHOTO BY TODD TAYLOR Simon: A T-shirt. Beer koozies [laughter] Todd: [laughs] Because you had to put the foot down on… for us to occupy that same space and there Bianca: We had a lot of problems with Simon: Our first year, again, we didn’t know really isn’t another place for us to go. It’s permits. We hadn’t had an issue with permits a whole lot of what we were doing. People kind of like… before. Getting to Day 1 for almost everyone are applying. We said yes as they came in. Simon: I just want one year in the same was hard, but then on the day it was [laughs] Our second year we said, “Paper goods. You space, just one. only hard for Rhea. Because Rhea had need to have paper goods…” Bianca: [laughs] It would have been so great volunteered to do all the event coordination Todd: So, for L.A. Zine Fest has a zinester to have it in the same place as it’s huge. We and it was—it had kind of fallen on her to tried to block another zinester? would be aware of the challenges of the space make the event space where there would be Bianca: What do you mean? Like in love? and we would be able, for the first time ever, panels and speakers…um hospitable. We [laughter] Like a cock block? [laughter] I to anticipate the challenges and fix things so were having the speakers on the other side don’t know about that, Todd! those challenges don’t appear this time. But of a pull-down door where there was a DJ Todd: No. “If they’re going to show up, we did not get a chance to do that. and tablers and attendees. She was trying to I’m not going to show up and all my friends Simon: So the third year comes. The second create a projection screen where there wasn’t aren’t going to show up.” year, I had vocalized, “This is going to one. There was a lot of Friday/Saturday Simon: No we haven’t had that. probably continue to be hard because the first before zine fest working late nights and the Bianca: Fuck that. year was really lucky to fall into place.” So we day-of there was a lot of troubleshooting for Todd: Just wondering. had the obstacle of differentiating the things Rhea. For everyone else, I think we had a Bianca: We just hope that most people will that were lucky from the things that were… freakishly smooth day. There were several be grown-ass adults. Bianca: From the things we caused [laughs]. times during the day where I was like, “I Simon: There are a lot of people who do have What was luck and what was the result of don’t feel nervous, I don’t want to go into a very militant classifications with what a zine both our work and thought and planning? small room and cry while breathing quickly is and it has caused drama, but not with us. Simon: What are good ways to plan L.A. [laughs]. This is very weird!” Todd: I also wanted to thank you publicly for Zine Fest from the things that were, “Okay, Simon: I ate. [laughter] not being zine cops. they worked the first time because we didn’t Bianca: I ate! I had a sandwich and a cookie. Simon: You’re welcome! know any better.” It just so happened… It was very strange! [laughter] Bianca: We had said the first year. We were Todd: I think that’s called learning. [laughs] Simon: It was like everything was so like, “I don’t want to be the DIY police.” Simon: The second year was a lot of unusually smooth this last year for us… [laughter] That’s not for me to do. I don’t feel learning. Bianca: Except for Rhea. confident in that. Bianca: So much learning! Simon: Yeah, except for Rhea. Simon: Because I’m pretty sure amongst us Simon: The third year was still difficult in its Bianca: Kenzo was also really great at all we all have different ideas of what should own ways… coordinating volunteers. Sending people to be there and what we want to see there. BIANCA AND SIMON, PHOTO BY TODD TAYLOR

Todd: It’s part of the actual, real dialogue know these are necessary? logo on the website I was like, “It happened. of people talking about it back and forth. Todd: Sanitation? What are you talking about? They’re on to us!” [laughter] I think that’s really important—human Bianca: So we had been writing to Metro for Bianca: Yeah! I made a zine about people beings sharing tangible objects. That really a long time, playing up the angle of it: “Hey, I met on the train. People have done zines trumps a lot of this psychological internet, we really encourage people to take public about interviews with bus drivers. There’s so digital stuff. transit and we consciously choose places that much that’s connecting. Simon: There was this one guy—and to this are easy to access via public transit.” The expo Daryl: Constant Rider. day I still don’t know if it was a joke or not— line with the last zine fest, Vermont/Santa Simon: It’s been a long time since I found a but he applied with his blog under the pretext Monica station with the second zine fest. zine on a bus or the subway. that he was going to show up with flyers for Simon: Last Bookstore. Daryl: This one may be a little tricky. How his blog. What he called an e-zine, which is Bianca: Downtown is the convergence of so do you feel that L.A. Zine Fest is different technically an e-zine. many bus lines. So we’ve always tried to play from other zine fests you’ve been to? Daryl: Wait, I think I know this person. this angle. Last year, we finally came through Bianca: That’s not tricky at all, man! Todd: [laughs] Was he joking? when they decided to get in touch with us [laughter] Daryl: Yeah. after our third attempt to get them to sponsor Simon: First and foremost, it all started Simon: When we said no… was he joking? us. They said, “What we’ll do is we’ll feature with Hank. Good ole’ Hank! Henry Rollins. Daryl: His e-zine is like a big joke on zines. you in our destinations booklet.” If it wasn’t for him being our co-keynote Simon: Because when we said no he went on Simon: I have no idea what that is… speaker our first year, most of the people a few rants about how… Bianca: They have that flyer in the trains that who know about us wouldn’t ever have Bianca: I remember this! says, “Go Metro to this place.” We missed known about us. That weekend, there were Simon: You remember that guy? the deadline [laughs] for being included in probably a lot of people who showed up Bianca: I always thought he was an internet the booklet because we were too slow, but because they knew… crazy. [laughter] we’re on their website with a calendar. Todd: Black Flag. Simon: And he probably was, but I Simon: “Destination booklet” sounds like Simon: [laughs] Yeah, they knew Black Flag couldn’t tell. something Heaven’s Gate gave its members. was playing a show. Bianca: Good on you, fellow! [laughter] Bianca: They knew Black Flag was reuniting Simon: You got me! Bianca: You don’t drink any Kool-Aid to to play. V.Vale was going to sing! [laughter] Daryl: So Metro (the Los Angeles public claim this discount. What happened was they Simon: They just knew he was going to be transport system) is actually a sponsor of said, “We’re going to include you in our ‘Go somewhere. They knew where it was but L.A. Zine Fest? Metro to this place’ website section.” didn’t know what it was. Simon and Bianca: Sorta, yeah. Daryl: Destination TV. Todd: It was free, during the day. [laughs] Daryl: I’m curious as to how they are a sponsor Bianca: If you give people something when Simon: It was free and that’s why they and how that actually came about too? they show you their Metro card. So we showed up. Maybe they knew about zines Bianca: We wrote them a very nice email, partnered with Tiny Splendor and they had but they had no idea for a zine fest. So if it per usual. this great zine they had made. They had wasn’t for him, we probably wouldn’t have Todd: A long one. previously made a zine that was how to make been able to have as big of an audience as we Bianca: Again! a zine, but it actually kind of oriented towards have now. Which is kind of the reason I think Simon: A drunken email. [laughs] different levels of zines already. There were that a lot of people are willing to partner or Bianca: So, from the very beginning, we suggestions for people who didn’t know what sponsor us, because we do have a larger-than- have tried to get money anywhere and a zine was at all… normal reach for being a zine fest. everywhere we could because we don’t have Daryl: I also feel like mass transit and zines I would say that L.A. is not unique a lot of money and we have expenses. have a long, unspoken history… from other zine fests; I would say that every Simon: No one gets paid. Bianca: Absolutely. zine fest has its own personality. I haven’t Bianca: We have to get port-a-potties. You Daryl: And so when I noticed that Metro visited every zine fest that we advertise. I 63 know there’s one in Albuquerque, I know there’s one in Chicago, I know there’s one in Portland. Simon: There’s one in Scranton, there’s one in . Todd: Milwaukee. Bianca: They’re all over! It’s so great and I wish I had the money to travel according to zine fests. Daryl: Do you think there’s something important about going to other zine fests? Bianca: Yes! I think it’s really vital to your planning experience to learn how other people do it. To get ideas to share. I think it’s also important to talk to other organizers. Simon: If you only wait for people to come to your zine fest, you’re never going to get a chance to hang out with them because you’re organizing the zine fest that’s going on. So when I’ve gone to Portland—and it was awesome—I didn’t do a goddamn thing beside sit there [laughs]. It was so nice, not having to worry about anything but show up. Bianca: I think it’s also really important because organizers understand things about SIERRA MORRIS READING, PHOTO BY ANDY GARCIA zines fests that only other organizers can understand. As far as I know, none of the zine fest organizers in the U.S. are getting paid. So we were in this train car and me and December, and my boss was like, “Hey, I Everybody’s a volunteer. my friend Dana were sleeping on bunk beds. don’t usually do this, but I’m going to be Daryl: So Bianca, I hear you’re a fan of the We had this Mongolian trader and he was taking the day off after February 16. You fermented horse ? [laughter] sitting across from us and he was smiling should be fine.” So I was like, “Cool, so Bianca: Who told you about that?! and then customs came and they checked all you’re going to be gone for the first time Simon: Daryl Lipton. our passports. He was very nervous and then ever and I’m going to be in charge for the Bianca: I wouldn’t say that I’m a fan. I customs left and they gave us our passports first time ever, right after the L.A. Zine Fest would say that I drank it and I found it back and he started pulling things out of [laughter]. So I woke up at like 6:30 AM and pleasing [laughter]. I have not sought it out everywhere in the car, including watermelons I… started working. And by 7:30 AM, I was since! Technically, it’s fermented mare’s and he kept opening thermoses. In all of these weeping. I was just weeping [laughter]. milk. It’s from a special kind of horse, I thermoses that he had was a lot of fermented We had reserved an Airbnb two blocks think? [laughter]. It’s kind of a, “You had to mare’s milk and he was trading it with people away from Helms for the next day so I could be there” kind of thing. for other sausages, trading it with people for stay there and work. So I was weeping in the Todd: Where were you? fruits and vegetables, and he drank some of it room, typing on my computer because you Bianca: I was in Mongolia. [laughter] with us and then we drank it later again. can’t not be productive. You have to work, Daryl: Did you exchange watermelons for Todd: What did it smell like? so I’m just weeping through the work and this fermented horse milk? [laughter] Bianca: It kind of just smelled like . then my boyfriend was like, “Bianca, we Bianca: Who have you been talking to?! Oh It kind of looked like non-fat milk but it have to leave the Airbnb,” and I was like, wow! My mom doesn’t even know this story! was a little bubbly, it was kind of good. In [upset voice] “Okay.” So I went to the Surfas My mom doesn’t even care about this story! Korea, they have a fermented rice drink restaurant where everybody bought coffee My mom is like, “Oh, that’s nice.” called Makkoli, and it basically tastes like the day of the zine fest. I was sitting on their Simon: Your mom just knew she was out of carbonated milk. It’s kind of good, so having patio, eating soup, weeping, just using their watermelons. [laughter] come off drinking a lot of that, it was fine. wi-fi. I just cried all day. Bianca: After I’d finished teaching in South [laughter] Very low alcohol. I would suggest Simon: I went home and I got tacos. Korea, my really good friend Dana and I took it to give you a nice steady buzz in your yurt [laughter] a trip. We took the Trans-Siberian railroad but in the winter. [laughter] Bianca: Goddamn you, Simon. Goddamn we didn’t take it to Siberia. We took the other Todd: Daryl’s brother used to live in a yurt. you to hell. Everybody has their own leg that goes through . So we started [laughter] decompression routines. in China, we went up to Mongolia, we went Bianca: I love yurts! I love them. Was it in Simon: My boyfriend and I got tacos and through Russia. [laughs] When you cross Mongolia? then we watched a movie or maybe we fell the border from China into Mongolia, you Daryl: No. it was in Vermont. [laughter] asleep eating. [laughter] The next day—my are sharing the train with a lot of people who Bianca: That’s cool, it’s cold there. feet felt like they had been punching bags the are maybe smuggling things into Mongolia. Daryl: What do you do after ? day before. Things like watermelons and vodka and Simon: Sleep, bath, Epsom salts. Bianca: Yeah, your feet hurt. sausages [laughter]. They hide them in your Bianca: It’s very anticlimactic. You’re like, “Is Simon: It just hurts to walk and your legs are luggage and in your shoes, without asking, it done? Am I done? No, we can’t be done.” probably really sore, too. So I didn’t really because they don’t speak English and you Simon: We’ll go around in circles just like, “So do much. Maybe got more tacos but that’s it. don’t speak Mongolian. So there’s just a it’s done. Everyone has returned everything [laughter] hopeful look in their eyes. They’re making that we’ve rented.” And it just ends with an, Bianca: [laughs] Fell asleep eating again? eye contact as they’re smiling and nodding “Okayyy, so I guess I’ll just go.” Simon: As you would. Everyone has their and putting a sausage into your backpack. Bianca: There’s like hugs and then goodbye own ritual. [laughs] And that’s not a euphemism at all! It’s and we’re all, “I’ll call you.” [laughter] This actually what’s happening. [laughter] most recent fest, I had gotten a new job in

65 One Punk’s Guide to Bike Touring By John Miskelly

I cycle, but I am not a cyclist.

Photos: Alex Daymond-King and John Miskelly Layout: Becky Bennett John Miskelly he humble bicycle is merely an elaborate a gig, some wildlife, the point at which you lose interest in finding set of mechanisms designed to carry the points of interest and either pitch camp or go home. But it should operator from point A to B for most folks. feel like a trip, an adventure, and it should cover at least two or three T nights. And you should ache at least a bit the next morning. Whatever In modern punk circles, it’s more than just a set of tubes, your definition is, though, make sure it’s in a similar ballpark to that chains, and rubbery bits: it’s a venerated sub-cultural icon in its of your riding buddy. Don’t let unforeseen “artistic differences” sour own right. Bikes are everywhere in punk—in lyrics, in zines, the touring experience. on tattoos, chained in ramshackle disarray outside venues and basements and coffee shops and bars and any other sub- Finding Time cultural assembly point you might think of. What the private jet is to vulgar rock superstardom the bike is to the punk, but This is trickier for you careerist types with your annual salaries in reverse; not a status symbol, but a lack-of-status symbol, and responsibilities and measly three weeks of annual leave, a physical manifestation of an ethic that rejects conventional especially if you want to do a heftier distance that can’t be squeezed into a weekend or bank holiday. Likewise people with spawn; I guess expectations of how real grown-up people are supposed to live you should have dropped out of life like the rest of us. Cycling is an and embraces a new way—greener, cheaper, healthier. Punks inexact science. The weather, mechanical or bodily failure, and a host love bikes like Murdoch hates facts. of other variables could set you back hours, so predicting an exact It’s no wonder that members of our globally dispersed arrival time or even day can be tricky. Plus you’ll probably want a community have sought to further consummate this relationship couple of days rest immediately afterwards. If you’re running way between punk and bikes by riding not just to and from their behind schedule, but are determined to make your end point, make a local boozer, but very, very far indeed; across states, countries mental list of excuses to feed to your boss should you need to steal a and continents. Usually it’s the freakishly motivated types; couple more days of leave. the ones already looking towards their Master’s degree when Of course, for all the whinging and moaning we might indulge in, most of us do have time—loads of it in fact—that we spend you were still basking in the glory of even graduating high doing either nothing at all or something that eventually amounts to school, or starting labels when you could still barely tune your something less than nothing. Catch yourself before you fall into that bass. Maybe it’s your partner, or bandmate, or your local co-op oldest and stalest of self-deceptions: “I just don’t have time.” It’s as coffee shop barista who rode the length of the African continent boring and played out as a Lord of the Rings internet meme. on a brakeless fixed gear bamboo bike they made themselves, with just one pair of underwear, a sleeping bag they made from Get Your Shit Together upcycled flannel shirts, and survived only on food gifted to them by the people of the villages they passed through. When researching a kit, you’ll probably hear a lot of romantic I am not that person. I cycle, but I am not a cyclist. I am bullshit and self-aggrandizing Kerouacian spiel about how all you need for a bike tour is something vaguely resembling a bike, a twenty-eight-year-old of slight physique and fairly rude something almost recognizable as a sleeping bag, and, if you can health, but I play no sports and am certainly no adventurer. squeeze it into the Wall Mart carrier bag that you’ve substituted for I like Netflix and records and reading. I get conscious of my a pannier, possibly a decent tin opener. In a literal sense, this is true. legs aching while standing up during a boring band’s set. I’m It can and has been done, and if that truly is the best you can afford, vegetarian, but not vegan because I’m not that committed I suppose a bike tour full of abject misery and emotionally crippling to anything and lack conviction. My trip was carried out on tedium might be better than no tour at all. If, on the other hand, you’re a whim conceived and nurtured by a far more pragmatic and a normal human with a limited patience for sitting around duck-taping motivated friend. Alex was my enabler. He had a large amount a derailleur back together for the fifth time that morning, then you’re of time on his hands and was going on a bike tour. going to have to invest some time and money in kit gathering. Get a bike that fits your body size with two decent brakes, some “Fuck man, you should come.” gears, and an adjustable seat post, and then acquire both the skills and “No thanks, that sounds difficult and uncomfortable tools to adjust/repair all of them. Some people don’t think you need and hard.” gears on a touring bike, but I found them very useful in dealing with “But you’ve no commitments and you hate your job and, upward gradients and preserving the use of my knee ligaments. Why anyway, it’s a temp contract. And you’re always going on about are you taking your cues from a guy with no lenses in his glasses and leaving town. It might be a bit hard but it might also be fun and a moustache he stole off an 18th century German tobacconist anyway? life affirming.” Leave the fixie hipsterdom in the city where it belongs and get some I went on a bike tour basically by accident, because it’s gears. Take said tools with you along with two spare inner tubes. summer and you’ve got to do something in summer, right? Learn how to change an inner tube and how to fix a puncture. Tools for more substantial maintenance jobs should only be bought on very France, , a bit more France, a bit more Belgium, back remote rides or in poorly developed countries: is your bottom bracket to France, left at Strasbourg, Eastwards to Munich: six hundred really liable to explode in the time between first feeling that slight odd miles in fifteen days. Is that fast? Is that far? I don’t know. tickle of play and the next bike shop? Probably not, and you should I don’t care. I did it. I learned some stuff. Here it is. have checked that it was tight before you left anyway. Get a pannier rack and some panniers. Ask yourself how many What Is a Bike Tour? T-shirts you need and then half that number. During our fifteen day ride, I wore two “riding” shirts and two none-riding shirts for evening This is almost wholly subjective. For some it’s a race, a challenge; excursions into civil society. I wore one pair of light, breathable shorts a matter of pounding away the miles as quickly as their lycra-clad for pretty much the whole trip and bought one pair of jeans for cooler legs can propel their carbon fiber frames. We met a couple of these evenings. I wore three pairs of boxers and three pairs of socks, which people and they are, for the most part, extremely boring and tedious I washed only once and I’m not ashamed. The weight of your panniers to talk to—nerdy, obsessive dorks disguised in the bodies of athletes. is limited only by your squeamishness and consideration for those you For others—and I think most punks would fall into this category due might meet . Ensure that your riding buddy has a similar to the relative lack of conventional ambition it projects—the bike crust tolerance as yourself; is his limit “pop punk band’s van on sixth tour is a whimsy, meandering soirée between a series of either pre- day of European tour,” or full-on “cider swilling gutter punk with planned or spontaneously discovered points of interest. What’s a point battle jacket held together by grime and Exploited patches”? Establish of interest? Potentially anything: a pub, a café, an historical landmark, this before departure. 67 Consider the climate (aka “the weather”). I bought a waterproof of irrationality at the back of one’s mind that you might be busted jacket and wish I’d bought waterproof panniers. If you don’t have and moved on. Logic dictates, of course, that the chance of a normal waterproof panniers, put all your shit in a trash bag and put the trash person spotting a solitary tent in their local woods and actually giving bag inside your panniers. I learned this too late. Consider your pannier enough of a fuck to even approach it, let alone have you turfed off purchases carefully. Not everything over twenty bucks is a shameless your spot, is slim to none at all. But the thought remains stubbornly corporate ploy to extract money from suckers for cheap, worthless there nonetheless. Campsites, meanwhile, have showers, toilets, often shit. Some things are pricier than others because they work better, and boozers, and sometimes even whole towns attached to them. Also, don’t—without warning—jump off your pannier rack and into your searching for a concealed wild camping spot after a full day’s riding spokes where they tear themselves apart like wet toilet paper. can be a tiresome and stressful bore. If you really want to stick it to the man (aka nice old French chap who runs the reasonably priced camp site in question) it’s really easy to steal a night’s camping at Eat, Hydrate, Ride, Repeat those places. But, then again, you’re not a fifteen-year-kid with a mohawk and a Crass T-shirt and some very confused ideas about what Over our fifteen days, we averaged a daily distance of 75km constitutes anarchy, so whatever. (around 46 miles), riding probably about six or seven hours a day. I have no idea if this is good or bad going, but I do know my Route appetite tripled over that period. We ate a lot. If you’re in a foreign country, take this as an opportunity to stuff your face with all kinds Just because it’s the quickest route on the map, doesn’t mean it’s of interesting deliciousness and caffeinated beverages. If you stop for at all pleasurable to ride. Unless you like the sensation of a semi truck a snack and can’t decide between sweet or savory: fuck it; eat them thundering past three inches from your elbow while you pedal through both. You’ll burn off those calories eventually. This is all dependent the tumult like a baby turtle floundering through a beach break, I’d on budget and diet of course (veganism obviously takes some work in suggest staying off the highways and main roads. Check the map the a strange town, but it can be maintained in most of Western Europe. I night before, choose your roads, plan a route, and be prepared to adapt rode with a vegan and he had no problems consistently outpacing me to unforeseen road blocks, non-existent or un-rideable bike paths, and up every hill.) Buy sugary comfort foods that can be stored on your various other annoyances. If you can get a map with contour lines, bike or about your person and then forget about them, then joyfully you can avoid demoralizing, energy-sapping hills. Remember: roads remember them again midway up an epic forty-minute climb through that follow railway lines or rivers tend to be flat(er). Try not to ride a shade-less, sun-scorched wheat field in the middle of nowhere: through busy city centers if you can. They mostly consist of waiting sweet, revitalizing dark chocolaty goodness. at red lights and getting lost. (I suck at all navigation as a general For lunch we usually stopped for an hour or two, popped into rule.) My buddy Alex used the Maps With Me mobile app which did a food store, and bought the materials for some truly titanic-sized us fine. The maps are detailed and can be viewed offline. You just sandwiches, which we constructed and ate on a park bench. While need to download particular areas before you leave. For cell phones buying lunch, get some fresh veg and a tin of protein (beans, lentils, though, you need electrificational power. Alex had some kind of black etc.) that can be mixed into a packet of Uncle Ben’s instant rice, the magic dynamo hub to juice his battery, but if you can’t shell out for kind you usually put in the microwave for a couple of minutes, for a one of these, or, like me, are too easily flustered by such sorcery, bring hearty evening meal. We couldn’t fit a microwave into our panniers, a paper map just in case. Come to think of it, bring one anyway. Cell but we did have a little meth cooker made from an old beer can (look phones have a tendency to fly out of bags and smash, or fly out of it up on the internet) which worked brilliantly well. Remember to bags into the innocent hands of people who then make no effort to leave excess room in your panniers for food storage. Bring a sharp return them. knife/penknife for chopping shit up. Take note of and stock up before public holidays and any day Reading when shops might be shut. In France and , for instance, nearly all shops are closed on Sundays. In fact, quite a lot of France Bring two books. Swap ‘em with your buddy when you’re done. seemed shut for quite a lot of the time. In a way, it’s awesome and Kindles can fuck right off. probably part of the reason they don’t kill themselves or each other at quite the same rate Brits and Yanks do, but it can also make subsisting Aches and Pains on a meal-by-meal basis quite tricky. Even if there’s only a dozen or so kilometers between you and the These are pretty much unavoidable, but can be lessened and next town, you never know what might stop you making the distance, managed simply by knowing what is and isn’t the correct way to set so always have at least a morsel of food on you at all times. up your bike. First of all, get your saddle position right, at a height so In terms of water: I had two bottle cages on my bike (aka Blue that at the lowest point of your peddle stroke your legs are slightly Chunder) containing a regular-sized bike bottle in one and a 1.5 liter bent but not locked out. Get some handlebars that allow you to place plastic bottle in the other, the kind they sell soft drinks in. These can your hands in a variety of positions, so you can move your upper body be squashed down to fit quite snugly in a normal sized drinks cage. about a bit and aren’t fixed into one position. Drop bars are good for Ask friendly bar and café staff to fill them up with tap water whenever this as long as you don’t ride fully bent forward at the lowest point you can. for too long. If by chance you accidently ride through the hottest three hours There’s loads of stuff on the internet about riding position and of a very hot day, a sachet of electrolyte powder dissolved in a cup bike set up. Check it out, but don’t obsess. Saddle pain will persist, of water can be an absolute life saver, possibly even literally. You can but will lessen in intensity after a couple of days. Don’t be tempted buy them cheap at drug stores. to just buy the softest saddle you can find. It won’t necessarily equate to a more comfortable ride. I found that muscle pains came in fifteen Accommodation minute increments; my upper thigh would twinge for a while, then my knee, then nothing for a while, then my thigh, then another part of my We camped every night and it was mostly awesome. Personally, other knee. Small changes in the position of your feet on the pedals I’d always choose a cramped tent over a hostel dorm room infested can help with these pains. Occasionally, I applied menthol rub to my with beer swigging, Abercrombie and Fitch-wearing Australian muscles, but don’t know how much it did or didn’t help. It sure does student jocks trying to out drink, out muscle, and out grunt each smell nice though, and it’s tingly! The first twenty minutes of every other until four in the morning. Our only real decision was whether to morning sucks. Just push through it. Don’t play the hero and try and “wild” camp for free or pick out a real camping site. Wild camping is ride through serious and persistent pain. It’s not worth it. If you’re satisfying, punker, and makes for a more authentic experience, but in fucked, you’re fucked. Sorry. Just accept it, stop, and live to thrash countries where it’s not legal, there remains that ever-present kernel another day. 68 Essentials • Bike • Maps • Pannier rack • Compass • Panniers • Food • Tent • Water • Sleeping bag • Time • Roll mat • Lungs • Allen key set • Legs • Two inner tubes • Heart • Hand pump • Adjustable spanner (wrench) • Puncture repair kit (with tire levers)

Attitude

A happy-go-lucky “ah, shucks” approach to hardship and fatigue is unbearable, but so is a hair-trigger tempered neuroticism. Somewhere between the two is a harmonious level of stoic realism. For the sake of your companion’s sanity and will to live: find it, or risk waking up in the middle of the night with their hands round your throat. No one wants to die in a sleeping bag. It’s incredible how quickly and painlessly What the private jet is to a hill can pass when you’re thinking about something completely different. The hard bit is trying not to think about not thinking about it, because by thinking about not thinking vulgar rock superstardom about it you will inevitably think about it. So just don’t think at all. Don’t obsess over mileage. For one thing, unless you have a little on board distance- ometer whatchamacallit it’s hard to measure. the bike is to the punk, Also, you risk becoming a boring person to be around à la the aforementioned carbon fiber lycra dorks. but in reverse. Ignore Everything

You Just Read All photos on this page: Alex Daymond-King The above is not a set of instructions, but advice based on my own experiences. We are all three dimensional unique snowflakes of differing needs and desires and what works for me might suck for you. In the end, the only way to find out what suits you is to go ahead and do it.

For advice, inspiration, and how to tour on a budget check out tomsbiketrip.com For inspiration and an insight into what kind of distances are actually possible on a bike, read Alistair Humphreys’ account of his four-year round-the-world bike tour in Mood of Future Joys.

John Miskelly lives in Bristol, England, where he divides his time between standing at the back of shows like a tired dad and watching Th e Th ick of It on repeat for eternity. He writes bi-monthly short stories for razorcake.org and an irregular blog at protagonistcomplex.blogspot.com. He is almost completely without purpose or direction but takes pride in the knowledge that he has never in his life set foot in an Ikea. GARY BONETTI Peeple Watchin’ from Boston, Mass. fosters a special connection only their brand of pop punk can elicit. A sense of dejection loom over lyrics that are sometimes angry, sometimes sad, and yet always full of heart. They’re couched in raw, melodic guitar riffs that get stuck in your head for days. These songs are personal as fuck; Sadie Smith leaves the sugarcoating in the gutter and tells you straight up about not feeling at home in her body, the painful ache of drunken loneliness, about growing but not growing up. Poppy and gritty, this band is the iconoclastic force that is much needed around here. They let their true-queer-freak flags fly and create a precious berth around them that invites people to fly their own. This band is important.

This interview took place in Portland, Ore. in our living room the morning after the show. We sat on mattresses on the floor that they slept on, surrounded by amps, speakers, drums, beer cans—all the remnants of an amazing show. This show was one of the most exciting and provocative ones I had seen in a while. All show-goers rocked out, respectful of each other and the house. No one said anything dumb or offensive. My housemates got on the mic and spoke their feelings in-between songs and were received with loving kindness. All the bands ruled. People of varying ages and genders and backgrounds all came together in this highly positive and energized space. It reminded me why punk is the best.

Interview and Photos by Danielle Kordani and Gary Bonetti Layout by Eric Baskauskas Sadie—guitar and vocals Mambo—vocals, bass, and occasional Jake—drums Vicky—guitar and vocals

Danielle: How do you describe your band? with whiskey and drink Bud Light Limes all Sadie: I would say we are queer punk that day and record things.” is poppy. Sadie: That’s how we bonded, with Bud Light Mambo: That’s pretty accurate. Limes, ‘cause Jake was also just getting into Sadie: Region, rock-influenced punk. Bud Light Lime and then we bonded. Mambo: Twang. Mambo: Whiskey. [laughs] Sadie: Gay country. [laughs] Danielle: What’s the history of your name? Danielle: Give us your origin story. How and Jake: Sadie was like, “It’s gonna be Peeple when did you form? Watchin’ but with two E’s!” Jake: Mambo dropped a fish bowl down the Sadie: I was hanging out with Vacation and sewer and found some mutant ooze. they have a song called “People Watching” Danielle: Kinda like Teenage Mutant and I thought that would be a good band Ninja Turtles? name, but I’ll just change it. Jake: Maybe. Danielle: So they’ll never know. Danielle: When did you start? Sadie: So they’ll never know, yes. Jake: Sadie called me when I was mowing Jake: We were originally called the Goo Goo my grandmother’s lawn, and I didn’t Dolls but then we found there was another know her really. I mean, sorta. I had only band with that name. [laughs] been playing drums for a little while and Danielle: So, the big question—you’re she was like, “Do you wanna play in this currently on tour with the objective of moving band?” and I was like, “What instrument?” yourselves to Olympia. Is everyone moving? “Drums, obviously.” What is attractive to you about Olympia? Danielle: What year was this? Vicky: That’s a loaded question! [long pause] Jake: 2011 maybe. Mambo: I’m not moving to Olympia. I still Mambo: Me and Sadie’s old bands used to have stuff to wrap up in Boston; you know play together and stuff, so we toured and like our friend group… knew each other for a long time. So we were Sadie: Gotta wrap ‘em up! [laughs] like, “Oh let’s do this weird drunk side project Jake: Wrap ‘em up and ship ‘em out here! 71 Mambo: It’s really cool on this tour to escort It’s always a thing where—are we going to Jenna (from HIRS) was super cool and said four of my really close loved ones across the live somewhere where everything’s already “We should do a split together!” We were country ‘cause I’ve done that move alone and good or be somewhere where we try to make like “Yeah!” and it came together super it’s really scary and dumb, but I met these things better? Both things are cool, I guess. awesome. We have two songs and they have people on that move and it’s cool to be a part We did that a lot in Boston already and I eight songs or something. [laughs] They are of that process and finish up stuff out there feel really good about stuff that happened in all fifteen seconds. and come back. Boston. Boston is exhausting. Jake: I first met Jenna when a band I Danielle: Are you planning on moving to Mambo: It’s exhausting. It’s really taxing. used to play in called Nervous Condition Olympia eventually? Danielle: Are there people in Boston who are was playing a zine fest in western Mass. Mambo: Probably not Olympia, maybe even going to continue that work strongly? that HIRS also played. There is a Nervous here (Portland, Ore). Jake: Definitely. Condition cover on the HIRS split. It’s Sadie: Look out! Danielle: I guess that brings me to another really funny. It was a surprise. Mambo: Yeah, here or . Probably not question of what other projects are you in? Sadie: Jenna is a super inspiring person; she the Bay Area again. Are they going to continue? Is this band is just very in your face and super queer. It’s Jake: Mambo is from the West Coast and the going to continue? cool to have a split with another trans woman. rest of us are all from Boston and none of us Sadie: Well, we just recorded a ten-song LP. I feel like there are not a lot of those. have ever moved anywhere. It’s called Gutter Flower. Once it gets mixed, Mambo: Scott (member of HIRS) is also a Danielle: Big change. we’re going to put it out and try to tour off sweetie! Jake: I don’t know, only speaking for myself, it at some point. So we’re definitely going Sadie: And Scott! I love Scott! Olympia wasn’t like this big thing of, “I am to keep being a band. We’re just not doing Mambo: True freak, always remembered. gonna move there.” It was more like, “I need anything for like six months. Danielle: You played Fed Up Fest this to move out of Boston.” We decided to move Jake: We have two splits coming out, too. summer, right? That happened. Can you tell to Olympia really casually while we were on With HIRS and with Babe Quest. us about this festival? How are the politics tour. We were like, “That would be cool!” and Danielle: Babe Quest! Really? I love that band! important to you—personally or as a band? then we just went with it like a year later. Gary: Are there other bands you are in— Sadie: It was a super important weekend Danielle: Is there anything specifically other ones that you are going to be sad to for me to be in a room with that many queer attractive about Olympia that you’re leave behind? people and trans people playing and it was excited for? Vicky: We are all leaving behind some just a really intense moment. It felt really Vicky: No mutant bros. projects, or putting them on hiatus. But, me good to be there, especially after driving Sadie: [laughs] No mutant bros! and Jake are in Parasol and Josh, who is also through the Midwest and being really anxious Jake: There are probably some mutant bros. moving with us, is in Parasol. We’re hoping at gas stations. Like Vicky said, mutants Sadie: It’s cheap and there are way more Mambo moves out. We’re hoping Lily moves everywhere. It was really emotional for me. queer people in the punk scene; it’s more out. We love that band and don’t want it to To have a space like that is really rare. I hope integrated than Boston. There are more trans stop being a band. There are some bands left they do it again. women—it seems like—in the Northwest, behind or put on hiatus. I totally doubt we’ll Vicky: Their selection of workshops and in general. ever tour. speakers was awesome. I think that can really Jake: It’s just different than Boston, in Jake: Vicky played in the band Fleabite, also set the tone for fests. When you are bringing general. That’s what attracts me to it. Discipline, which is definitely one of those together all of these bands because of their Gary: What is it like being a queer pop punk bands that will keep carrying the queer torch politics and you have all these workshops that band in a city that is saturated with a history in Boston. so many people attended and participated in, of militant hardcore? As a band, do you feel Jake: I play in a band called Rash Tongue. that was just great. at home in that scene or will a move to the It’s a hardcore band that will hopefully Jake: Yeah. There was a strong focus on West Coast be a better fit for your desires and do something in the winter. We might tour anti-racism, which I felt was really awesome ideals as musicians and punks? with this band called Leather Daddy. We’re and sometimes doesn’t necessarily happen at Sadie: Boston is definitely a hardcore town. recording another record. queer events. I feel like it was the best fest No one really likes pop punk there. I think Sadie: I was in Baja Blatz! I have ever been to because I usually don’t between Parasol and Peeple Watchin’, we Jake: Yeeaaah! have fun at fests—even though I like them kind of helped start a more pop-oriented Danielle: I just got your tape. in theory. Usually I like all the bands and all scene. There definitely wasn’t a queer scene Mambo: Luckily. Max Ono, who plays the people and everything that is going on. I there three years ago, I don’t think as much. drums in Brave Hands, which is my usually don’t have fun. But, also I think people in hardcore bands other project—just moved to Portland. Danielle: It’s stressful. love to talk shit on pop punk being sexist Hopefully, touring in the winter and maybe Sadie: It was cool because they didn’t and misogynist, which a lot of it is. But it’s moving out here. overload it with bands. It just felt really good. hardcore! Most of it is really fucked up. I think Jake: A big ol’ Mambo move! Jake got MRSA on his fucking face. just assuming that based on genre something Gary: You mentioned y’all are having a split Jake: I had MRSA on my face. is fucked up without paying attention to the with HIRS. What do you have to say about Danielle: Holy shit! lyrics and the people is kinda—whatever. that? How did y’all get together? Jake: Mambo and Sadie spent all night with Jake: I feel like it’s weird ‘cause there is this Sadie: I’m super excited about it because I me in the emergency room. element where it’s cool to be in a city where think it’s cool to do a cross-genre split that is Mambo: University of Chicago. it’s kinda like you’re doing something that more based on our identities and our politics Jake: Then we all raged all day the next day. pushes the limits a little more… than what the music sounds like. I feel like Mambo: That was hand-downs one of the Sadie: [laughs] Something that is completely with pop punk—well now I’m just talking best, most important sets we’ve ever played. ignored? shit about pop punk—a lot of it is apolitical Jake: Yeah. Jake: Yeah. I don’t think that’s true at and bro bands that are like, “Yeah, let’s like Sadie: Yeah. I cried. all. I mean, I feel like Boston has made a uh do a split.” Mambo: I cried a little while we played. ton of headway in terms of a queer scene Mambo: Like most music, though. Danielle: Would you feel comfortable developing and it’s been really cool but Sadie: How did we meet? Oh yeah, we talking about what it’s like being a trans really tiring ‘cause it’s like battling a tide. just played a show with HIRS in Philly and person on tour?

72 Sadie: Yeah, I would. Fed Up Fest was really (Crabapple and Joyride) band. Sadie: The waffle would just fuck up cool because we toured with eight or nine Mambo: Jenna Marx! Super star. snuggling. people. It can definitely be nerve-wracking Sadie: Every band we played with on tour Danielle: Or it would make it more and stuff. Not because everyone doesn’t have was awesome. interesting. my back, but people aren’t always around or Jake: I feel like with the shifting balance Mambo: For a year! it’s like, “What bathroom am I going to use stuff it’s really hard to say. Are we just Jake: No way I would do something for a year at this place?” We were at Del Taco and some finding our niche better or are there really when I could do something in five minutes. woman was giving me a hard time about more queer bands and bands with women? Danielle: You could probably also tape it to being in the woman’s bathroom. I was just I feel like there is at least more of that sort your chest. trying to shit in peace, ya’ know? [laughs] of thing happening. Punk scenes in general Jake: That wasn’t in the original scenario. There are a lot of situations where I just stay are becoming more integrated or is it just Mambo: That’s bullshit. in the van. Also, I think it is really important becoming available as its own thing? It feels Vicky: Is it the same waffle the whole time? to do, and go to the places where you don’t like wherever we go there is more or less that Danielle: You can change it if it starts to know there are going to be a lot of queer sort of scene. get gross. people. It’s really rewarding when people Danielle: Do you make an effort when you Mambo: I like the blood. come up to you and say, “Thank you so much are booking a tour to request to play with Jake: One personal assistant or a friend for being here.” That makes it all worth it. bands with more queers? who knows they have to change your waffle Jake: Especially when driving through corn Sadie: I think because we are an “out” band every day. fields for eight hours and you show up in a that people just kind of know. So that’s cool. Mambo: Do you have to eat it at the end of weird business park and you walk into this Jake: People are like, “I can do that!” and the year? seemingly abandoned warehouse and it’s an then there’s like one band with a woman. Danielle: If you want to. That’s not a arts space full of queers. Sadie: Yeah, it also depends on where we condition, though. Sadie: Kansas City! are, to a certain extent. Mambo: I kind of want to eat the waffle. Danielle: That’s awesome. Speaking about Danielle: Would you rather drink a cup of Vicky: What if you just ate the waffle the tour more, give us a nationwide snapshot. your own blood or wear a waffle taped to every day? What bands were you stoked to play with? your back that you had to and syrup Jake: Nobody else is going answer the Do you feel like the gender balance in bands every day for a year? fucking question. [laughs] and attendance is shifting throughout the Jake: I’d drink a cup of my own blood. Mambo: I said I would drink the blood! country or not? Mambo: That sounds sick! Vicky: I said blood. Sadie: Philly is always second home to us. Danielle: You would probably throw up. Mambo: We all said blood! Immediately! It’s amazing. Sadie: Nourishing. Yeah, I would throw up Sadie: Uh, undecided. Mambo: The Bay. every morning. Danielle: Are all-ages shows important to Sadie: Yeah, the Bay. Every Jenna Marx Mambo: Throwing up is ... life. you? Why or why not?

DANIELLE KORDANI

GARY BONETTI

Mambo: Absolutely, I remember trying rather always have shows that are all-ages Danielle: I think they still hold up. to sneak into shows when I was twelve or but I don’t think there is anything wrong with Gary: Mine was Garth Brooks in the fifth thirteen years old for bands I really cared hanging out with your friends and drinking at grade. about. Sneaking outside or breaking into a the bar. But I think it’s important to not lose Sadie: I love pop country. back door or jumping over a fence. Trying sight of what it was like to be a kid. Mambo: There was a lot of pop country on to get in and getting thrown the fuck out. My Jake: It can be a slippery slope. this tour. eighty-pound body! Having access to art or Danielle: Speaking of that, and being Jake: We have become true freaks. True pop politics is so important. That’s a big problem relatively adult—if you could travel back in country freaks. with Boston right now: the cracking down on time and communicate something to your Danielle: Is there anything else you would house shows where a lot of younger people sixteen-year-old self, what would it be? like to tell the readers of Razorcake? want to come. There is a big bar scene there Mambo: “Listen to more Rancid.” [laughs] Sadie: [whispers] Can you ask us about our and they just don’t have access. On the flip Maybe that’s more like my fourteen-year-old latest record? Don’t write that. side, a lot of those people will start opening self. Gary: So your most recent record is called ... their own homes to shows if they are able Jake: Such a good question. Dumpster Flower? [laughs] to. Without having that availability, a lot of Sadie: [whispers]“You are a girl.” [laughs] Jake: It’s called Gutter Flower. bands come through having no idea where to Do you remember those shirts that say Jake: There is no other record called that. go. They are like, “Oh we’ll play this bar shit “Nobody Knows I’m a Lesbian”? You could Sadie: Don’t look it up on the internet. You and people will just hang outside.” It’s hard. get them at Newbury Comics. I really wanted can figure it out. We trust the readers. Access is so important. that shirt. I didn’t know why, but now I know. Danielle: Secret tracks? Sadie: You can’t really put addresses on [laughs] Sadie: There is a secret track, yeah! fliers and stuff in Boston. Vicky: I would be like, “Don’t worry Mambo: Shhh! Danielle: The cops are pretty brutal about Vicky, in a couple of months you’re going Sadie: Shit, oops! I’m really proud of it. I think shutting down house shows. to meet Jake.” the songs are more cohesive, more diverse. Sadie: Yeah, totally. Everyone: Aww! Gary: Is there a general theme to the lyrical Jake: To me it’s most important when there Jake: I would be like, “Don’t worry Jake, in content? is a touring band on the bill that you know four years you are going to meet Vicky.” Sadie: You know, the same boring shit— people are going to come out for. If you think Danielle: What was your first concert? dejection, alienation, queer misery. There are it’s a band that kids in the suburbs will want Mambo: The Living End in Melbourne, some more interesting songs. There is a song to come and see, even kids from the city who Australia. That band was so good. about being called out and trying not to be are younger, that’s when it takes on a lot Sadie: ALL and Pennywise. defensive and trying to grow that way. of importance for me—especially thinking Vicky: It was probably Anti-Flag. Danielle: Is that from a personal experience about being a kid when bands came through Jake: Mine was Modest Mouse and the of yours? and I couldn’t go. Flaming Lips. Sadie: Yeah. It’s more experience stuff. Sadie: People are so focused on if its all- Danielle: Yours are way cooler than me. Mine ages or not. People don’t really think about was Korn at the Palladium in Worcester. It how it might be exclusive in other ways. I was with Mindless Self-Indulgence in 1999. definitely think all-ages are important but Mambo: So good. there is definitely something to be said for Jake: Actually, I might have seen System Of local, age-restricted shows that ... I would A Down before that show. 75 TOP FIVES RAZORCAKE

Adam Bowers 2. “Butterfly Kisses” Dave Williams George Rager • Pity Sex, Feast of Love by Bob Carlisle Top Ten Records of 2014 Not-So- Top 5 Recent Discogs Purchases • Potty Mouth, Hell Bent 3. “Wonderful Tonight” Sneakily Masquerading As a Top Five • Lost Kids, Bla Bla • Cloud Nothings, by Eric Clapton 1. Martha, Courting Strong / • Elton Motello, Victim of Time Here and Nowhere Else 4. “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan Märvel, Hadal Zone Express (tie) • Soda Fraise, • An Horse, Rearrange Beds 5. “Ebony & Ivory” by Paul 2. , At War with Reality Ça Baigne Dans L’Huile • Owen, Other People’s Songs McCartney & Stevie Wonder / Needles//Pins, Shamebirds (tie) • Jet Staxx, French Girls 3. Cold World, How the Gods Chill • Fehlfarben, Monarchie und Alltag Alex Barrett Chad Williams / Taylor Swift, 1989 (tie) 1. Caves, Leaving Top 5 from Rock The Ship: Pirates 4. Pallbearer, Foundations of Indiana Laub 2. Ex-Cult, Midnight Passenger Press 10th Anniversary Weekend Burden / , Wakedafucup (tie) • Notches, Self-titled EP 3. Long Knife, 1. Secret Cock Sparrer set at 5. Bane, Don’t Wait Up / The • Glass Cake, Lunar Caustic EP Meditations on Self Destruction midnight at Bottom Of The Hill Raging Nathans, Losing It (tie) • Moto Surf, Self-titled EP 4. Neighborhood Brats, Recovery 2. Cock Sparrer literally playing on • Venkman, “Throw Rocks at Cats” 5. Sonic Avenues, Mistakes the streets of San Francisco Designated Dale • Forrest Conifer, 3. Smalltown at 1 PM! 1. Molotov at the Regent in “Awkward Cult Forever” Andy Garcia 4. Reducers SF back in action! DTLA, never a bad show with 1. Frau, Punk Is My Boyfriend 7” 5. Giants winning World Series these guys. Ever. Jamie Rotante 2. Destruction Unit, live at Not Game 4 during Cock Sparrer. 2. Ripping through a Ramones set Top 5 Band Name Ideas Inspired Dead Yet Fest, , ON Take ‘em All! with homies Art, Kyle, and Mike by Dinosaurs 3. S.H.I.T., Feeding Time 7” (AKA Charm Like Bricks) at the 1. Beast Foot (Theropod) 4. Big Zit, Electric Zit Vol. 1 Chris Mason annual VLHS Halloween Show to 2. Swift Seize (Velociraptor) 5. Depths Of Reality, The Demo 1. Martha, Courting Strong LP a packed house, rain be damned. 3. Terrible Claw (Deinonychus) 2. Total Control, Typical System LP 3. Dangerhouse Records night at 4. Tidal Giant (Paralititan) Art Ettinger 3. Ex Hex, Rips LP the Echoplex in Echo Park. Say 5. Different Lizard (Allosaurus) • M.D.C., Millions of Dead Cops: 4. Protomartyr, Under Color of what ya want about the other Millennium Edition LP Official Right LP bands, but The Deadbeats stole the Javier Cabral • Kepi Ghoulie, 5. Radiator Hospital, Torch Song LP fuckin’ show. Top 5 L.A. Pop Punk Shows of 2014 Kepi Goes Country LP 4. These four fantabulous full- 1. • Reducers SF, Essentials 4 x LP Chris Terry lengths that turn forty-five this at Santa Anita Racetrack • Apocalypse Meow / Todd 1. Run The Jewels, RTJ2 LP year: MC5, Back in the USA, Black 2. Masked Intruder at Roxy Congelliere, split 7” 2. FKA Twigs, LP1 LP Sabbath, Self-titled, The Stooges, 3. Direct Hit! at the Redwood • Little Dave Merriman, 3. Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Fun House, and David Bowie, The 4. at Warped Odd Bird Cassette Jerk by Tony Dushane (novel) Man Who Sold the World. Tour (Pomona) 4. My short story “At Home 5. My mom’s pumpkin pie recipe. 5. / Wonder Years Bill Pinkel with Rapper’s Delight” on It’s simply the best that I’ve put at Fox Theater • Black Rainbow, Self-titled TheNewerYork.com away over the years and I ain’t • , Manipulator 5. Felix Lynn Terry, 9 lbs. 7 oz., being biased one iota, shit you not. Jeff Proctor • Neighborhood Brats, Recovery October 7, 2014 Top Shows to Kick off 2015 • Martha, Courting Strong Daryl Gussin 1. Octagrape and Stalins Of Sound, • I know I’m like way late to the Craven Rock • The Brokedowns, Life is a Breeze Jan. 3 at the Redwood Bar, DTLA party on this one, but Chance The 1. Ferguson Uprising and all • Neighborhood Brats, Recovery 2. and Angry Rapper, Acid Rap resistance in support. • Steppe People 7” Samoans, Jan. 16 at the Roxy, 2. Seattle anti-police brutality • Delay, live at The Wulf Den West Hollywood Billy Kostka protestors shutting down Westlake • People all over the country taking 3. Beat, Jan. 23 at 1. Golden Pelicans, Self-titled Center Mall on Black Friday their frustration to the streets. No the Smell, DTLA 2. Gino And The Goons, Shake It! resisting Darren Wilson verdict and justice, no peace. 4. Rocket From the Crypt, Jan. 31 3. Icky Boyfriends, continued presence in the streets at Alex’s Bar, Long Beach Live in San Francisco almost daily. Eric Baskauskas 5. Burgerama 4, Black Lips, 4. The Monsieurs, Self-titled 3. Gina Siciliano’s release of I Fest 13 Top 5ish Bleached, Witch, Shannon And The 5. Nots, We Are Nots Know What I Am and the release • Night Birds Clams, Audacity, Ty Segall, Gang event where she read her essay • Tie: Direct Hit! / 5 Star Pizza Of Four, King Khan & BBQ Show, Cassie Sneider about it. • Tie: Donovan Wolfington / J. Mascis, Coathangers, Roky Top 5 Worst Songs to Hear on the 4. at Neptune Theater Hard Girls Erickson, March 28 and 29 at the Lite FM Station at Your Office Job (Thanks Kayla Greet!) • Direct Effect Observatory, Santa Ana 1. “Live Like You Were Dying” by 5. Seeing Simon Henneman’s • Tim McGraw Meridian Big Band premier at The Jennifer Federico Josephine and then Mike Watt at Evan Wolff Top 5 Traveling Bands the Tractor. 1. Swim Team • Warsaw: bus from Belgrade to 2. Bad Matches Zagreb (winter) 3. Gazer • Echo & The Bunnymen: bus from 4. Leggy Gothenburg to Oslo (winter) Top 5 5. Bummers Eve • : train from Fukuoka Band Name Ideas to Nagasaki (autumn) Inspired by Dinosaurs • Mark Lanegan: train from Paris to 5. Jawbreaker, 24 Hour Revenge Naked Rob 2. Tying up and peeing on my Geneva (spring) Therapy LP reissue Radio Valencia 87.9FM SFCA consenting partner • ɂO///sé: subway from Oakland to • Long Knife, Possession 7” (PDX 1. The Brokedowns, Life is a Breeze San Francisco (whenever!) Kurt Morris hardcore punk) 1. The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds • Psychic Teens, Face/All 7” Sean Arenas Jim Joyce 2. Jesu (everything) (Philly post-punk shoegaze) • New Junk City, Self-titled LP 1. Sheer Mag, “Hard Lovin’” 3. Misfits, Collection I & II • Faking, Vices 7” (Philly ) • Your Pest Band, Time to Go LP from self-titled 7” 4. I Love You But I’ve Chosen • Movie Star Junkies, Evil Moods • Touming Magazine, Self-titled 7” 2. Jonas Canon’s zine, SRVIV Darkness, Dust CD (Italian garage psych rock) • Sharkpact, Run LP (compilation) 5. Minor Threat, • The Shrine, Waiting for the War 12” • Mallory Whitten, Collected 3. Eula Biss’ book On Immunity Complete Discography (Venice Beach skate metal punk) Poems & Stories in particular, the perseverance of indie bookstores in general Mark Twistworthy Nighthawk Sean Koepenick 4. Winter months/tonsil hockey • , Self-titled LP Rad Stuff Happening in 2015 Best RSD/Black Friday Scores season • , LP • Dudes Weekend 1. , 5. Brimstone Howl, • Wet Lungs, Vile Hobbies EP • My Two Moms reunion Real Times10”EP Blowhard Deluxe • Mixed Band Philanthropist, The • Working a new job 2. Joey Ramone, Impossible Humane LP reissue • Putting out records again Christmas Spirit… 10”EP Jimmy Alvarado’s • Spank Rock, The Upside EP • Really learning to play bass 3. Hüsker Dü, Warehouse: Songs Funky Four Plus One More and Stories 2 x LP • Deadbeats’ set at the Frontier Matt Average Paul J. Comeau 4. Joan Jett, Recorded Records/Part Time Punks’ • Brody’s Militia, Napalm Zeppelin EP 1. The Bad Doctors, Burning City LP and Booked 7” (plus book) “Dangerhouse Night” at the Echoplex • Zex, Wanderlust 7” single 2. Möbius Strip, 5. Sneakers, Self-titled 10”EP • Pre-”Dangerhouse Night” • , Palabras Podridas 7”EP grubbin’ at El Tepeyac with the Lawrence of Newark LP 3. La Armada, Crisis 12”EP Steve Hart homie Designated Dale • Eric Dolphy, Iron Man LP 4. Unwed, “Made Of” b/w “Pope” 7” 1. Graduating from the University • Part Time Punks Sampler #5 comp • Dystopia, Human=Garbage 2 x LP 5. Leonard Cohen, Popular Problems Of • Sin 34, Do You Feel Safe? reissue 2. , • Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Matt Werts Paul Silver “Motherfucker” single TV series. Yeah, I’m a geek. • Ivy, Self-titled 1. Pears and The Atom Age at the 3. Neil Hamburger on Oahu • Hot Tip, Demo Ken Club, San Diego 4. Daniel Lanois, Flesh and Joe Dana • Leonard Cohen, Popular Problems 2. Great Apes, Machine LP Top 5 Releases of 2014 to Lil’ ol’ Me • Belle & Sebastian, Playland at the Beach EP 5. , 1. Against Me!, Transgender The Boy with the Arab Strap 3. Trumans Water, Octagrape, A World Lit Only by Fire LP Dysphoria Blues • Stepping Out, Permanent Makeup at the Casbah, 2. Chromeo, White Women zine by Jason Schulmerich San Diego Toby Tober 3. Fartbarf, Dirty Power 4. New Colonies, Self-titled EP Top 5 Movies I Have 4. Run The Jewels, RTJ2 Michael T. Fournier 5. Entropy, Enjoyed Recently 5. Neighborhood Brats, Recovery • Screaming Females, Downtown All Work, No Plagiarism LP 1. The Real Dirt on Farmer John Boys, Pujol, Whore Paint at Spark 2. Bill Burr: I’m Sorry You Feel John Mule City, Providence, RI 11/07/2014 Rev. Nørb That Way Swingin’ Utters songs That I Would • Survival Knife, Hungry Ghost • Mother’s Children, Lemon LP 3. Kumaré Give a Thumb to Have Written... at Great Scott, Allston, MA • Various Artists, Power Pop from 4. Electric : The Wild, 1. “No Eager Men” 11/20/2014 the Garage CD Untold Story of Cannon Films 2. “A Promise to Distinction” • Sub Pop USA: The Subterranean • White Ass, Self-titled LP 5. Alive Inside: A Story of Music 3. “Angels Pissing on Your Head” Anthology 1980-1988 • Boys [Australia], Self-titled CD and Memory 4. “Pills & Smoke” by Bruce Pavitt • Various Artists, 5. “After Thoughts” (Filthy • Parkay Quartz, Content Nausea LP Charred Remains 2 x LP Todd Taylor Thieving Bastards) • Trophy Wife, All the Sides LP • Neighborhood Brats, Recovery LP Rich Cocksedge • Big Crux, Ponchito LP Juan Espinosa Mike Dumps My November Has Been Enhanced • Brokedowns, Life Is a Breeze LP • Big Crux, Ponchito LP 1. Ryan Adams, 1984 7”EP by the Following Items • Tie: Delay, live at The Wulf Den / • Low Culture / Needles//Pins, 2. Ryan Adams, Self-titled LP • : The Story of Iron Chic, The Constant One LP split 7” 3. Stay Clean Jolene, Self-titled LP /ALL DVD • Tie: Still Lifes / Dead Animals, • The Repos, Lost Nut Cassette 4. Recess Records, Cavalcade of • Wovenhand, Simon Sotelo (zine) / Problem? • No Love, Tape # 2 Cassette, tie with Clowns Tour 7” Refractory Obdurate LP Solution, Bianca (zine) Freak Vibe, Prostration Cassette 5. Even Hand, Drifted • Vicious Pleasures, Self-titled 7” • , Big Lizard in • The No Marks, Light of One LP Tommy Vandervort My Back Yard LP reissue Mike Faloon • Bleeding Rainbow, Interrupt LP 1. Brokedowns, Life Is a Breeze LP My 5 Favorite Songs on the Minus 2. Gateway District, Partial Traces EP Kelley O’Death 5’s New 5 x LP, Scott the Hoople in Sal Lucci 3. Shallow Cuts, Stormwatch EP 1. Miss Lana Rebel, All I Need the Dungeon of Horrors 1. Ausmuteants, 4. , The 2. Amigo The Devil, Diggers, 1. “Boyce & Hart” Order of Operations LP Methadones, The Brokedowns, Manimals, and The Liars Club single 2. “Michael Nesmith” 2. Ausmuteants, at The 10 Year Anniversary Party 3. The Mountain , 3. “Dead Irish Writers” Fed Through a Tube 7” for Red Scare Records, The Tallahassee 4. “Remain in Lifeboat” 3. The Humans (comic book) Metro, Chicago 4. Lucero, Tennessee 5. “Hold Down the Fort” 4. The Klitz, 5. Memorial for Bob Popp 5. The Smart Brothers, Self-titled Sounds of Memphis, ‘78 7” at Liars Club Mike Frame 5. Buck Biloxi And The Fucks, Kevin Dunn 1. AC/DC, Rock or Bust CD Culture Demanufacturer LP Ty Stranglehold 1. Sonic Avenues, Mistakes LP 2. Haden Triplets, Self-titled CD Top 5 Bands of 2014 2. Sugar Stems, Only Come Out at 3. John Felice, Sammy thrashLife 1. Radioactivity Night LP entire catalog celebrated 5. Phone sex on long drives 2. Neighborhood Brats 3. Big Eyes / Post Teens, split 7” 4. The existence of Billy Joe Shaver 4. The Copyrights, Report 3. Mind Spiders 4. Low Culture / Needles//Pins, 5. Black Hills Vinyl, Rapid City, 3. Returning to Florida 4. Needles//Pins split 7” SD (store) 5. Video AARON & THE BURRS: BASIC SKILLS REVIEW: Self-titled: 7” EP Release the Bats!: 7” Six-song platter from this band that Two snappy surf tunes, all major chord hails from the rolling hills of Virginia. zippy and true to the genre. Considering RECORD REVIEWS Obviously, they’re fans of some of the horror motif used in the artwork their former neighbors (like Scream), and song titles one would’ve expected but these gentlemen bring more a bit more of a somber tone to the than their influences to the party. proceedings, but they do what they with vocals that rail do well. –Jimmy Alvarado (Feral Kid, against injustice makes for a potent feralkidrecords.com) combination. All of these players have paid their dues in the DC underground. ACID BABY JESUS: Vegetable: 7” EP The end result is fantastic. “Infinity” If Lenguas Largas huffed paint and is the fresh horse out of the gate for looped Warhol’s Blood for Dracula, me, but they all burn hard and fast. Acid Baby Jesus from Athens, Do yourself a favor and grab this bad Greece would be their kaleidoscopic boy. Reston Hardcore=represent! hallucinations. “Vegetable” is –Sean Koepenick (Undercurrent, psychedelic garage rock, while “Brain [email protected]) Damage” is textural noise-scapes destined to upset your dog. These two BATS, THE: Demo 5:26:84: 12”EP songs would make a great soundtrack The Bats are the kind of band that gets to your home haunt, but for those who forgotten easily. Even today, many prefer catchiness over atonality, Acid great bands play shows and break up Baby Jesus is too abstract. Sadly, the without recording, but that was even record doesn’t include an insert so I can’t truer in the pre-digital era. Michael comment on the lyrics, but I have never Chabon, best known for his novels been disturbed by cauliflower and baby "They’re trying to build a divergent path including Mysteries of and tomatoes until I saw Vegetable’s cover. Wonder Boys, briefly fronted The Bats, That can’t be achieved with words. off a band that built a divergent path." a cool, very ‘80s-sounding band in the –Sean Arenas (Slovenly, slovenly.com, vein of the . Two of the [email protected]) –Jimmy Alvarado members of The Bats are currently in Big Crux: Ponchito: LP the stellar Pittsburgh act The Sicks. ANGRY DEAD PIRATES, THE: The download included with the vinyl Garage Music for Mind and Body: LP also features a recording of the one full At this point, garage rock seems to be talking about—the words are beautiful, AWESOME AND THE ASSKICKERS: live set Chabon performed with The the premiere scene of rock music for and the strong message is there. Quit Fucking with Our Crops!: CD Bats. Not just an article of historical the last decade or so. Sometimes, that’s Musically, they’re angsty hardcore I have never dropped acid, but I interest, these songs hold up well, with great. I love a good garage record, but punk with a metal tinge. Fans of have now listened to Awesome And the vinyl having an incredible quality, it seems to translate to letting a lot Nausea, Appalachian Terror Unit, and The Ass Kickers, a band of men in considering the fact that it was mastered of bands just sort of phone it in. Just Skarp will enjoy. Good stuff. Seek it capes and luchador masks that sound from a demo tape. Mind Cure Records enough slack in the vocals to make it out. –Kayla Greet (Vinyl Conflict) like The Aquabats if they wrote an continues to perform a tremendous sound like the singer doesn’t care, just album’s worth of material for Rancid. public service by restoring fascinating enough reverb in the guitar to make it AUSMUTEANTS: Order of Operation: LP This album is fucking weird but it will works from Pittsburgh’s past. Bassist sound like guitarist is always about to AUSMUTEANTS: Fed through a Tube: 7” be in my rotation for a while. I like Lee Skirboll’s liner notes are as miss the notes, just enough simplicity How does a band appear seemingly out the sound and the playfulness of the interesting as the music, rounding out in the drums to never confuse anyone of nowhere, being so young yet so fully songs. There is a strange connection this must-have release. –Art Ettinger where the song is going. It just gets formed? There are only a few I can to Tombstone pizza—an entire song (Mind Cure) rather uninspiring sometimes. Angry think of in the past fifteen or so years and the band doing an advertisement Dead Pirates at their best do what at (Reatards, Exploding Hearts, Davila for the product in the liner notes— BEDS, THE: Ride Again: Cassette least a hundred other bands do, but not 666, Horribly Wrong). Add to this list don’t ask me what that’s all about. Some serious bad trip potential in a way that raises your eyebrows. You Australia’s Ausmuteants. Order of Good music, anyway. –John Mule happening on this one, which speeds simply see it, think, “Yeah, that sounds Operation is their second LP and second (Self-released) up the riffs from side B of My War alright,” and move on with your day. this year (I’m not sure where to place from trudge to mid-tempo and throws Interchangeable garage rock. Grade: C. their Split Personalities tape, which BARRERACUDAS: “Promises, in blown-out amp scuzz. At first, I –Bryan Static (Frantic City, franticcity. was recently pressed on LP). On top Promises” b/w “Young & Dumb”: 7” thought the singer’s screaming vox free.fr / Barbarella Club / Laboratoire) of two LPs this year, there’s this Total There’s something indefinable were gonna be all Springa all the time, Punk 7” and at least two other 7”s that about Barreracudas’ ability to but he has chops, and can mix it up: ASYLUM: Self-titled: 7” I know of. Think Ramones-ish rhythms capture the early evening airiness deadpan on some songs, howling on This is the type of band that could be with synths. Themes are of everyday of the sliver of ‘80s bands that did others, with echo mixed in to sinister on ’s roster if the life: alienation, even from one’s own this kind of music well enough effect. Hostility reigns supreme songs were more politically minded. friends (“Freedom of Information” to remain relevant. I’m already a throughout. These cats would fit Don’t get me wrong, this band has very and “Depersonalisation”); having to fan, and Barreracudas have not seamlessly into a Metz/Ex-Cult bill. intelligent lyrics and content, they just pretend you like someone’s band just disappointed yet. They have a Recommended. –Michael T. Fournier tend to lean on the human spirit for because they’re nice. Some critics dub knack for this type of catchiness. (Ranch, ranchrecords.bigcartel.com/) subject matter. The song “Shitshow” Ausmuteants as “dumb” but they really Both songs are solid. Power pop- focuses on ridding yourself of apathetic don’t get it, and might just deserve to inspired rock’n’roll great for BEEKEEPERS: Self-titled: 7” EP behavior and taking assertive action or be stabbed with a . Keep your listening to while leaning on a Beekeepers lead their record off you’ll, “endure a blind existence with eyes and ears on these kids! –Sal Lucci wall. –Billups Allen (Oops Baby, with a faux-, four-minute-long a faint, tepid heart.” This is what I’m (Goner / Total Punk) oopsbabyrecords.com) spiel about the inane and depressing RAZORCAKE RECORD REVIEW • Are you really sending us a download card or a link to •It is very important to put a postal address on each GUIDELINES AND FAQS review? Seriously? That’s weak. Many of our contributors and every piece of music sent in. Many packages get don’t have computers. 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78 life of a warehouse employee called don’t get all emotional or experimental. the vocalist is adept, as are the players. The opening to “Old Lake” sounds like “Pallet Stacking.” The following two Nothing ground breaking, but well The lyrics are somewhat embarrassing, it could be a Melvins’ song—the guitar songs are uniform with the central done. This album keeps the pace. I tend but that’s par for the course with this sounds that good! Then the drums kick in theme of brainless consumerism to still look for a mosh riff to put a HC sort of cock rock- influenced material. and it gets noisy and out of whack from and a depressingly mind-numbing album over the top for me, but if you’re Turbojugend members worldwide will that point on in. There’s an uneasiness in suburban existence. The presentation esoteric about hardcore, this would be rejoice. Everyone else will run for the these songs that is alluring, something is artful, although at times musically a good CD to have. –Billups Allen door. Which side are you on? –Art that would sound perfect in a show grandiose, which is a turn off for me. (Better Off Damned) Ettinger (Luxnoise) like True Detective. These songs are I do appreciate that the effort is DIY dark—mixing punk, psych, surf, and with all the songs being recorded at BIG CRUX: Ponchito: LP BLACK RAINBOW: Self-titled: LP other strains of rock’s distant glories to either their homes or work places, but This has “Minutemen” writ large across You’re going to form a relationship make this sinister sound. The songs are the final product still leaves a lot to be it in big letters, but don’t be quick to with Black Rainbow. They designed moderately fast paced, catchy, slightly desired. Anti-authoritarian bands such dismiss it as rehash. ‘Tis true they owe the walls of your dream home. They’re damaged, and wound tight. “Parachute” as Crass shared similar views but opted much to that much ballyhooed band coming over to feed the cats while bounces back and forth from a fast, for reckless aggression to drive their of yore—the tinny telecaster sound, you’re on vacation. They’re in your driving pace to bouts of laying back and point across and it worked so much the song lengths, even their name I’m kitchen, humming as steel-cut oats assessing the moment, then that gives better than avant garde saxophone guessing was cribbed from a line in warm for breakfast. Black Rainbow are way to the swaggering “Dots in the Fog.” blowing ever will. –Juan Espinosa (X!, “Political Song for Michael Jackson to the friends you trust with your house Towards the end of the album, after the beekeepersweb.angelfire.com) Sing”—but they take that inspiration off keys or that you call, even after two driving “Pollen,” things start to get a little in other interesting directions (choruses years of no contact, when a real problem more noisy and drawn out when they slip BEN DISASTER: “Another Word” b/w and bilingual lyrics that don’t read arises. So it makes sense that Black into “In a Trance,” and they ride it out “Come Alive, Close My Eyes”: 7” quite as much like blue-collar haikus, Rainbow is the fuzzy favorite blanket until the very end. –M.Avrg (Goner) This was my favorite record of the lot for starters) as well as mooshing in bits at the foot of your bed. It’s extra warm, this month. It reminds me of the bands of other influences and sounds to brand can wipe away your tears, doubles as a BLUE BLOODS, THE: Non-Rhotic: CD like the Plimsouls that fell just off the resulting output as theirs. While superhero cape, or provides your dog First release from this Boston band popularity’s beaten path. The vocals are today’s prevailing trend seems to be with a home base. If you’re familiar in ten years! Was it worth the wait? rough in a sincere Replacements kind to stick to pre-determined and pre- with Allergic To Bullshit, Miami, or Absolutely! Fourteen barn-burners of way. The music is mostly upbeat approved templates, it’s nice to hear a Los Canadians, you’re already tight and are presented, showing that the chops with a dirty rock and roll vibe. This is band that sounds like they’re trying to you’ll just be accepting another friend are still intact. “Click” and “Drawn the kind of band that you’d hear in a build a divergent path off a band that into your circle. If not, take a chance and Quartered” have been getting dive bar and fall in love with. –Ryan built a divergent path. This is aces, I and wrap yourself up in the warmth repeat action, but this one is flame Nichols (Crude City) can only see them getting better from of Black Rainbow’s friendship. “Hold resistant from start to finish. It looks here, and I bet they rip live. –Jimmy on to what’s possible.” –Matt Seward like there a handful of reworked Pug BETTER OFF DAMNED: Alvarado (Big Crux, bigcrux@gmail. (Starcleaner, starcleaner.com) Uglies classics included as well, since Endless Fight: CD com / Not Normal) they seem to share a member. If that I don’t really seek out this type of HC BLIND SHAKE, THE: is not enough to wet your whistle, regularly these days, but this is a pretty BITCH QUEENS: Kill Your Friends: CD Breakfast of Failures: LP they sample Weird Science on the solid load of pissed songs in a relatively Kill Your Friends is a well-produced, The guitar on here is so heavy and dark last song. What else do you need to old school style. There are some sleazy, punky, bar rock record from Basel, I was a little fearful it was on the wrong know? –Sean Koepenick (East Grand; breakdowns. Some back-ups. They . Certainly not for all tastes, speed, as it sounded too good to be true. [email protected]) BOYS: Demo 2013: 7” facilitates a good time. –Claire Palermo acoustic and makes sure the reviewer for a free download of “Singles This is a recognizable Bloated Kat (Bloated Kat, bloatedkatrecords@ knows that this individual is not that. He Collection,” also great. –Jim Joyce release upon first listen. Intentionally gmail.com, bloatedkatrecords. moved to the mountains and immersed (Dead Beat, dead-beat-records.com) progressive, the label prioritizes bandcamp.com) himself in American folk tradition. female and/or queer musicians at the Too bad that did not include learning BRODY’S MILITIA: front of their acts, and also promotes BREAKOUT: True Crime: 7” EP how to write a decent song. This is an Napalm Zeppelin Raids: EP flyover country punks not hailing In a lot of ways, hardcore has become entire album of overwrought vocals, Right fuckin’ here is a record that you from the coastal behemoths of Los as entrenched a style as disco— uninteresting melodies, and ham- need to run out and get. Or make your Angeles or New York. Bloated Kat has form over substance, quality, or fisted lyrics. I continually find myself fingers do that tappy across a tightly honed brand, and Boys are innovation—and the response from wondering how Drag The River can be your keyboard or mobile device and right on it, but pleasantly so. Hailing its staunchest proponents is often to such a phenomenal band and the rest of order this righteous black slab and from , , Boys serves hurl abuse and contempt at any band the “Punk dude goes acoustic” stuff is so have it sent direct to your turntable. up guitar-propelled bubblegum pop that has the temerity to fuck with the not good. –Mike Frame (Creep) Many have tried and most have failed, punk along the lines of labelmates formula. Some of the swellest stuff but Brody’s Militia have successfully Lipstick Homicide and Jabber. to come out of that scene, however— BRIMSTONE HOWL: blended thrashy hardcore with a more None of these bands exist to make Black Flag, , Big Black, Blowhard Deluxe: LP hard rocking edge. It’s like it was groundbreaking, innovative records, Criminal Code, Butthole Surfers, I love the slurry and swinging tracks their secret weapon and they’ve been but they’re all tireless ambassadors Bill Bondsmen, Fugazi, and so on Blowhard Deluxe. This album is waiting some time to unleash it on for the art of making one’s own fun. on—liberally pissed in the gene pool grimier than Magic Hour, a bit less the unsuspecting masses. This opens Maura Weaver of the now-defunct with often stunning results. That said, pop bop-your-head wild than Big up with the skull-jarring thrash of Mixtapes contributes strong, sweet there’s some nice thinking outside the Deal. A bit of The Mummies, a bit “Toothless Skull” and then, suddenly, vocals with a ‘90s alternative pop box going on here. Although firmly Alex Chilton torn free from the Box there’s this catchy-as-hell riff that edge, displaying a slight homage to Liz within the hardcore camp, Breakout Tops and Big Star. Blowhard Deluxe catches you unprepared—but it’s so Phair or even Alanis. Relatable lyrics amalgamates the mid-tempo, primal is heavy on the spooky blues reverb good and executed with precision— speak of suburban disillusionment with yet oddly accessible qualities of and rocker’s drawl, which I hear can you go with it, and the songs and the the predictability of daily life and the Europe’s punk/hardcore tradition with be achieved only through a devotion rock just keep getting better and more awkwardness of forging relationships. Midwestern U.S. sensibilities and a to Lone Star lager; monastic study dominant as the record plays. Hit the “Long Walk” is my favorite track, as gruff howl reminiscent of Out Cold’s of the works of Faulkner, Hannah, second side, and the Southern-fried the heaviest and most vulnerable, with Mark Sheehan into five potent, succinct and O’Connor; or eating an Elvis rock seasonings really come to the a moody, contemplative slowdown blasts. Derivative? Sure, but the Presley Rose from the highest point fore, and yet the lyrical content is very that sweeps in at the minute-thirty way they mix things up, and the way of Graceland. And yet they are from much on the hardcore punk side with mark. The production is DIY-rough, in they own the sound makes ‘em stand Nebraska. Who can say which is its straight-to-the-point attacks on a a warm living room way. In “Sundae out from the pack. –Jimmy Alvarado true Brimstone Howl? In any case, vapid world. “Sheep Fucking in the Skool” I hear a nod to Bratmobile and (Grave Mistake) Blowhard Deluxe rocks with the Heartland” and “Dumbfuck Fanfare” similar pop-driven , but also bright guitars on “King of the Scene,” kill! The guitar tone is , and the a slide into hardcore with a no-holds- BRIAN MCGEE: Ruin Creek: LP and rolls with mid-tempo thump delivery has the finesse of a blunt barred acceleration at the end. It’s easy Apparently, this is the third solo LP of “Landlocked+Waylaid.” This instrument to the skull. I’m really to know what to expect from Bloated from an ex-Plow United member. The album is a more patient, plodding, hoping there’s more to come from Kat—and therefore from Boys—but pretentious one sheet takes note of the and steady than the others, but it’s these guys. Continue down this path, that also guarantees quality music that amount of ex punk band members going a keeper. Check out their bandcamp please! –M.Avrg (SPHC) BUCK BILOXI AND THE FUCKS: wear of years of hollering and emoting, couple of notes on repeat from fifteen long-distance project, meaning these Culture Demanufacturer: LP but his delivery remains as strong as seconds in and onward—it carries ten songs were recorded across the Buck Biloxi is home on Total Punk and ever. –Jimmy Alvarado (Buzzcocks, along, then second twenty-two hits span of three years and five states. I Total Punk has a spokesman in Buck buzzcocks.com) and the whole band locks into that respect the perseverance it takes to Biloxi. Take a listen to these songs and riff and doesn’t let go. We need more keep a band from fading out under that look at the packaging. This record has CAFFIENDS: Self-titled: LP adjectives that combine the sensation kind of pressure, but it always seems a more street level assault feel than Orlando, Florida’s Caffiends rip and of beauty and trouble. On the sleeve of to come at a cost. Everything sounds the Fucks’ debut LP (a most powerful roar through this pop punk, mayhem- the LP, a picture of a toilet filling with flattened out and forced together, and record by all means.) Home-fi by praising release. I love the sound piss, framed by sparkling water, framed somehow it’s all too apparent that necessity, but a sonic force when seen of this record and look forward to by outer space: all those pretty sharp these guys probably haven’t played in live. Buck Biloxi is no joke! –Sal Lucci learning more about the band. Want edges, and in the center, splish splash the same room for years. It’s missing (Total Punk) to know what it sounds like? Imagine urine bash in the bathroom. the kind of energy you really need to that you felt uneasy listening to one of Is everything a metaphor? It can be. put the power in the pop, you know BUZZCOCKS: The Way: CD your favorite bands, an American punk If Cassilis’s 2011 album, My Colors, what I mean? –Indiana Laub (Cassettes I’ve adored this band from the first staple, because the legendary lead was rough edged and powerful stone On Record, cassettesonrecordrecords. time I heard their Singles Going singer can be seen punching a female then Quitting is ruthless, muscular, and bigcartel.com) Steady album some thirty-odd years fan in the face on Youtube. Let’s say you sharper than the older work; quicker ago, so bearing that in mind, to my still love their music and its playfulness angles and better everything this time : total geek-fan mind there are three and all that it represents, but, you know, around. –Jim Joyce (Zegema Beach, Teenage Retirement: LP/CD Buzzcocks eras: 1) their “classic” period punching your fans is for MTV, rock- zegemabeachrecords.com / Square Of Chumped’s first release featured half which begins with Spiral Scratch and god douchebaggery, not punks. Then, Opposition,squareofopposition.com / The a dozen tracks of hook-laden pop ends with Trade Test Transmissions; you put on the Caffiends and the sound Ghost Is Clear, theghostisclearrecords. punk structured to cater for a loose 2) Modern, easily their nadir; and 3) is familiar but, as far as you know, no com / Black Lake, blacklakerecords.net) and energetic delivery, which worked their “second wind” period of their one was punched in the face to make favorably for the band. The band’s most recent three albums, including this good shit happen. Perhaps that was CHEAP CASSETTES, THE: debut album contains twice as many the one currently under discussion. a long walk for a short trip. In short: All Anxious, All the Time: CD songs but I would be hard pressed to The songs here are solid meat ‘n’ Caffiends rule. Check them out. –John Punk historians, take note that the exclusively use the term pop punk potatoes work for these cats—nothing Mule (Brassneck, brassneckrecords. aesthetic of this CD is the total this time around as Chumped have will send the listener’s jaw bouncing bigcartel.com / Chisel, chiselrecords. embodiment of DIY self-promotion added an edge of something verging off the floor in wide-eyed wonder the com / Jolly Ronnie, jollyronnierecords. circa ten years ago. I’m talking printed on introspection to its music. There way “What Do I Get” or “I Believe” com / Swamp Cabbage, paper label, WordArt drop shadows, is less of an emphasis on the raucous once did, but they’re handily working swampcabbagerecords.com) photo collage of the band members and more of an equal footing for a at levels well above the average gaggle for the insert. I swear that’s not a melancholic approach, found both in of punters. Shelley and Diggle split CASSILIS: Quitting: LP cheap shot—I just haven’t seen a new the lyrics but more noticeably in the songwriting evenly down the middle “Bloom Brigade” and “Softie” come release like this since 2004, when they music. That switch is evident in the first this time ‘round, with five apiece, and halfway through Quitting and catch all looked just like this. Anyway, this four tracks with the first two providing both allow themselves to experiment a Cassilis’s skill for blending the all- is some heavily Costello-influenced a gradual stepping stone up to the more bit within the parameters of the band’s instrument-as-percussion of hardcore power pop, mixed in with some New hectic “Coffee” before leading into sonic palette. Shelley’s vocals may be with surprising melodies, like the York Dolls and roughed up with a little “Novella Ella Ella Eh” where the foot a bit gruffer than usual, no doubt the latter song’s ostinado, just a nice angry Replacements grit. Apparently this is a is put firmly to the floor. As the album reaches a close, that foot eases off the bass.) However, with repeated plays brings to mind early Black Flag but on here, and promptly split up before pedal, resulting in a final pair of tracks, the lead track slowly began to grow with a riot grrrl’s laser focus on the this was even released (which took “The Pains of Being …” and “Old and on me. There’s no denying that this political implications of household over thirty years to happen). But at least Tired” which lead Teenage Retirement has some Ramones influences heard in items: “I took out the trash / I brought it happened, and thank fuck that it did. into a relatively somber end. One of both the guitars and some of the vocals. in the mail / Sit, watch the world / These songs are great. Catchy without many positives on this album is its It’s a catchy number—albeit one which From my TV.” Feminist sentiment is being wimpy or sappy, shot through recording, which retains the same is fairly predictable in terms of chord strong throughout. “Left” is the most with urgency and wound up tight. carefree quality of its predecessor, progressions and song structure—but Submission Hold-ish track, shifting on My favorite of the two is the flipside, helping the songs breathe and not be eventually it found a modicum of a pin from lumbering stoner drag-step “Vivons Tres Vite.” It comes on with compressed into a lifeless entity. The favor from my overly picky brain. I into a rolling, tribal metal rhythm with some scratchy “chika-chicka” guitar versatility shown by Chumped makes can’t be anywhere near so forgiving impassioned war cries layered over with a stabbing downstroke which it stand out as a band worth keeping with the flipside though, despite the the doom. There is room for growth comes in every couple seconds that track of in the future. –Rich Cocksedge involvement of on guitar sonically. At times, Ashleigh chants in immediately has the energy at a simmer. (Anchorless, anchorlessrecords@ and backing vocals. Black Flag’s her own world and the rest of the band The vocals are delivered in an excited hotmail.com, anchorlessrecords.com) original “Rise Above” had grit and bile is in a manic sprint to keep up with manner and sometimes he hangs on oozing from every crevice, resulting in her. But if the soul of anarcho is the the end of a word for effect. The beat CJ RAMONE: “Understand Me?” a track that, to this day, still makes my message, Disarm succeeds in getting is catchy as hell, and, as the song goes b/w “Rise Above”: 7” hairs stand on end. This cover drops all that across: question everything, from along, the energy picks up and up. It’s The word “Ramone” has to be enough of those qualities and offers nothing the coffee cup on your desk to cops songs like this that remind me of what to open more than a few doors for more than a bland rendition of a true in the street. In the spirit of Crass, made/makes punk awesome. If you anyone who legitimately holds that classic. –Rich Cocksedge (Fat Wreck) each member of Collapse walks the like bands like No Hope For The Kids, moniker. Such a person certainly radical path that they’re spitting about. or the Vicious, then you will want to deserves a level of respect for having COLLAPSE: Disarm: 7” EP Every component of this release was seek this one out. –M.Avrg (Danger, performed in one of the greatest bands Out of Detroit comes this fast, handmade with care, from its spray- [email protected]) ever. As such, I am intrigued when new radical hardcore that defies the easy painted and etched jewel case, to the musical ventures are attempted by a categorization of anarcho. Collapse zine-style typewriter text lyric sheet COPYRIGHTS, THE: Report: CD former Ramone, approaching them is solid crust, dishing up plenty of and a personalized letter to “the good The Copyrights propagated a style of with higher expectations than I would breakdowns and blast beats, but veiled people of Razorcake” enclosed. This pop punk before the market became many other artists’ new work. At this in a stoner fog that avoids cliché and is a band that wants an individual, saturated. Because of the many imitators stage I must admit this is an almost total approaches the forest-moss darkness reciprocal connection to their fans, since, they can sound derivative. It’s rewrite of my first version this review of Thou or Cloud Rat. There’s even and they’re earning it. –Claire Palermo hard for me to fully enjoy this album I initially felt the 7” was lackluster and a song called “My Little Droney,” (Self-released, collapsebooking@ because it reminds me so much of high insipid, comparing it to a two-week- betraying their love of drone. Yet gmail.com, collapsepunk.com) school. However, once past the, at old lettuce discovered in the fridge. there’s too much of a message to risk times, slightly juvenile and repetitive (My first attempt at reviewing this was getting lost in unintelligible bellowing. CONTINGENT: hooks, there are some amusingly written on 8th October 2014, which Their vocalist Ashleigh brings to mind Homme Sauvage: 7”single clever lyrics—something that never coincidentally is CJ’s birthday as well the formidable Mia Zapata of the Gits Absolute killer single here! Contingent fails to delight me. “I’m throwing as being the twenty fifth anniversary and Jen Thorpe of Submission Hold, are an old band from Brussels who nickels at my student loans / and they of me last seeing the Ramones and the emoting each word with the weight existed from 1979 to 1981, released haven’t made a dent” is a sentiment only time I saw the band with him on of a manifesto. “Fuck You I’m Done” one single, then recorded the two songs relatable to any college student or graduate. “The New Frontier” is a printed in brown was Vern Nussbaum’s have a sparsely-twiddled demo quality Tyrants is the dudes who tried to make musical ode to the works of Steinbeck. immortal The Man LP circa to them, which works against them the spaceship out of a pickup truck, And the simple, but honest, lines, “I 1975, so buy with confidence. –Rev. in matters of providing transcendent rubber bands, and hot toddies: big, wouldn’t change it if I could / But Nørb (Hozac, hozacrecords.com) moments of refined excellence, bone-warming earth rock with a bit that’s easy to say / I can’t change it but works in their favor as regards of that aerial zoominess that at least I anyway,” from “This World Is Such a CURTIS SEALS / CHRISTIAN D’ORBIT: projecting creator intimacy. Traders associate with vocal-free instrument- Drag” are a perfect summation of my “The Scandalizer” b/w in black fabric dye futures take note driven groups. Comes with a digital current outlook towards my dead end “Drive Me Crazy”: 7” and plan accordingly. BEST SONG: download so you can listen to this job and overwhelming school load. All This is a bit of an unusual reissue from “Rebel House Girl.” BEST SONG fine shit while you walk around in that this, wrapped in a pop punk package, 1981. The folks on here are related to TITLE: “Hey Gene.” FANTASTIC white snowy ambiance. –Jim Joyce make for an easily digestible—if The Penetrators, who released both AMAZING TRIVIA FACT: Lyrics (Tor Johnson, torjohnsonrecords.com) saccharine—listening experience. of these tracks (on a record Slovenly and liner notes make reference to—and –Ashley Ravelo (Red Scare, redscare. recently reissued), although neither misspell—Kezar Stadium, former DEATHWISH: Self-titled: Box Set net, [email protected]) seem to have any other solo releases. home of the San Francisco 49ers, and, This is a three-piece vinyl box set by The fact that it is an unusual choice for briefly, the Oakland Raiders. –Rev. a Boston band that shed its skin from COZY: Button by Button: LP a reissue, however, does not make it a Nørb (Rebel House) record to record. A brief history of Hoarders of vinyl and purveyors bad choice. Beyond that, who doesn’t the band: Record one was recorded in of tropes and idioms, Cozy deliver like a 7” stuffed full of swingin’ sounds? DEAD SPACE, THE: Faker: LP 1983 and has been expanded to seven dork anthems of shoulder-shaking “The Scandalizer” is a rhythm and blues Beefed-up post-punk in the vein of songs from the unauthorized bootleg insouciance patterned after early rock’n’roller, wherein the dude screams Joy Division or early Swans. They release that made the rounds online. ‘70s ((band members are about how he’s “the best around.” do what all good post-punk bands do: It’s crisp and clear now since it was named “Bonkers Waddington,” “Baz Sounds like it could have been sitting create a sense of openness and space remixed by ace Don Zientara in 2013. Bosworthy,” “Gordie Leatherby” and on a shelf for about twenty-five years within their music that allows the Record two first came out as a cassette “Fabian Blockbuster,” if that tells you before its initial release. The flip features listener to fall into the vast soundscape. release in 1987 in a limited run. The anything)) but coming across as more a raw and catchy garage punk number As always, the heavier songs are my band went under the alias of The Loved of a mash-up between AC/DC and the with yelled female vocals over the top. favorite. There’s a good balance, too, Ones (sort of like Angry Samoans with Rubinoos than anything else. When Definitely worth looking up, especially because bands can sometimes lean too Queer Pills) and changed gears a bit to these clever lads have it all clickin’, for the backside. –Vincent (Windian) far in the direction of slower songs. more of a psychedelic ‘70s punk angle. they’re pretty formidable, but I don’t This record did not put me to sleep, and Mostly just distributed in the Boston think the Charlie-Watts-style behind- DARK GYPSIES: Greco’s Back: CD that’s a great thing. Grade: B+. –Bryan area at that point, most everyone who the-beat drumming always works The Greco in question is Ron Greco, Static (12XU, 12xu.net) got a copy knew it was still Deathwish. in their favor. Wrong trope, Fabian! aka “Ron the Ripper” of full-tenured Record three was recorded one year Surely singing the falsetto part to “Pure SF punk legends Crime. These seven DEATH TO TYRANTS: Untitled: 7”EP earlier, but wasn’t finished until 1995. Lady” must have been a special time in songs do have a bit of that darkly Hypnotic instrumental tracks, volatile Bassist Jordan Wood (Slapshot) plays that young man’s life. Carry on. BEST shambolic Crime-y feel to them, but melodies, and ample crash and splash on one song and bassist Pat Leonard SONG: “Button by Button.” BEST were also reminding me of The Gun in the drum department. If El Ten (Moving Targets) is featured on the SONG TITLE: “Denim Dream.” Club, if Jeffrey Lee Pierce’s Delta Eleven is the electronic tinkles of a other. So drop the pencil, the pop quiz FANTASTIC AMAZING TRIVIA Blues leanings would have been new spaceship, and Explosions In The will be later. The music on this box FACT: The only other album cover I erased and replaced with a more San Sky is a crash-landed spaceship from set requires a dissection. Record one can remember that has the band photos Francisco-y vibe. These recordings ancient civilizations, then Death To is a furious blast of hardcore from its time. Think Jerry’s Kids jamming is great. “Say You Love Me” is a hit. aftermath, you wonder if you pumped Goes to Bitburg” melody in the mix. with Minor Threat. “Condemned for Glam garage from NYC that’s done it up more than it pumped you up. In But these dudes have a sound that is Life” and “Backstab” will benefit well. Lots of grit and proper attitude other words, II & I/II begins with this all their own; you just need to take the from high volume on your turntable. with these cats. Poppy, with dirtbag big psychedelic garage ripper, replete plunge. Highly recommended. –Sean Once your ears stop ringing, file this swagger, recorded by Miss Alex White. with snarled vox buried and blended, Koepenick (duckcover1.bandcamp. next to the first Gang Green record A fine crunch of a record, courtesy of that just won’t quit; literally, there were com/releases, duckandcoverboston@ in your collection. Record two is a Warren Bailey’s Oops Baby Records. several parts where you thought it was gmail.com) different animal. What if The Dictators Some labels chug out releases you the end of the ride, but then they take made a record with Stiv Bators, David can trust, and this powerhouse ya for another worthwhile spin. Once DYSTOPIA: Human=Garbage: 2 x LP Johansen, and Nick Marsh (Flesh mostly-singles label falls into that the first track finally relinquishes its I remember the first time I heard this For Lulu) as guest singers? This category. –Steve Adamyk (Oops Baby, last breath, Drugs Dragons charge album, back around 1994. I bought this would have come pretty damn close. oopsbabyrecords.com) into a march on a psychedelic spiral. on CD along with stuff like Deviated “Minnesota Strip” is my favorite here, The spiral continues, feeling as though Instinct and Doom. I listened to those but “Back of the Bus” sports some Dag DOT DASH!: Humanity Will Fall / you’re moving neither up nor down, a few times, but the Dystopia disc Nasty-ish guitar riffage that will keep Devastation: CD yet the ride is thoroughly grand. But stayed in my player for a long, long the punters smiling. Finally, record I initially heard Dot Dash! a few years then it descends furiously until burns time. There was nothing else like three. Only two songs. “What We’ve ago when they were on a nifty split out. Next up is a wild and danceable them. Towards the end of the decade, Got” is a studio version of what was 10” with Ultraman. Now their first two blast, but it sounds pretty accessible there were some bands that did try normally an instrumental show opener albums are compiled on one handy CD, after what was just put forth. After to bite their style, and it was pretty for the band. “Young and Undefined” for those not in a hunting mood. Dot that, kinda felt like the jams were apparent these interlopers were cheesy features Leonard’s fluid bass playing Dash! sing in English, but hail from being unenthusiastically spewed out as hell and quickly forgotten. For me, to great effect. The only way to get France. They sound like a happier, more than kicked out. The rest of the Dystopia is one of the best bands from this is direct from the label’s site and more accessible version of . album nonetheless maintains aspects of the 1990s, and one I can still listen then play it loud. –Sean Koepenick This is a real treat for fans of earnest, the big start, and doesn’t whimper as to and be blown away. Musically, (Disclaim, disclaimrecordings.com) emo-ish pop, which—judging by my such, but it didn’t go out with its bang. they were a perfect mix of metal and nonstop swaying—includes me. Dash –Vincent (Dusty Medical) hardcore punk with all the offshoots— DIGITAL LEATHER / THE HUSSY: to your local record store and look like , crust, grind, and Split: LP for Dot Dash! –Art Ettinger (Dashrok DUCK & COVER: Self-titled: LP sludge—thrown in for flavoring. The Digital Leather: Minimalist synth Zound, [email protected]) Boston four-piece delivers an eight- guitar sounds evil, the percussion is stuff—sludgy, bee-buzz bass lines and song shotgun blast that may cause you tight and forceful, and the bass has this an overall gloomy, depressed vibe. The DRUGS DRAGONS: II & I/II: LP to go stone deaf forever. But just know sinister lurking way about it. The part Hussy: Synth-drenched mid-tempo Drugs Dragons start quick and fuck your limits and you will be fine. This is of “Stress Builds Character,” when the punk with a much brighter vibe than you up hard, but then they leave ya no rookie ball by these rabble-rousers. music kicks in never gets old. So f’n their recordmates. –Jimmy Alvarado with a long comedown. Not a bad life- They have all paid their dues and good it’s unreal! The whole album is (Southpaw, southpaw-records.com) questioning comedown. Rather, you get their effort shows the proper results. solid as hell. There’s never a moment stuck with glimpses of your previous “Dead Giveaway” features a Stooge- where it gets dull or repetitive. They DIRTY FENCES: Ladies Choice: 7” heights, and false signals of their return. like vibe while “Stand Corrected” keep the tempos varied, such as the Dirty Fences are a band I’ve heard Until you realize that you aren’t getting would not have been out of place on instrumental “The Middle” and some about for some time, but never really back where you want, and the feeling the first ‘Mats platter. “Gather Your songs that are largely sound collages, checked out. My loss, since this single dissipates into nothing. And in the Strength” even has a bit of a “Bonzo like “Sanctity,” “Love//Hate,” or the lumbering “Ignorance of Pride” to The title track contains my favorite about girls, love, and… did I mention came after it, from R.E.M. to Smashing offset the sonic pummeling of songs line—zero convictions but a litany of girls? If you like the less traditionally Pumpkins to Grandaddy. Frontman like “Ruptured Silence” and “Hands guilt”—evoking a kind of working- “punk” Descendents songs about girls, Dave Taha does take on an uncanny That Mold.” This edition is true to the class restlessness. Dueling yell-vocals then you’ll love this. But you’ve most Michael Stipe drawl to deliver lines like, CD version, as it has the five songs blend the renegade marching band likely already had this record for years “Like a video game, flashing nothing, from the original vinyl pressing, along rollick of the Taxpayers with Minor anyways. –Mark Twistworthy (Don everybody is stuck on explode.” The with their material from their splits with Threat urgency. “Where Have All the Giovanni, dongiovannirecords.com) pacing is the real accomplishment of Embittered and Grief. All pressed on Demons Gone” is the most sonically this record; this is a band that knows two clear sheets of vinyl to be played interesting, seasoned with keyboard- ESPECTROSTATIC: Escape from how to ramp up and mellow out in at 45 rpm. I’m reluctant to call most synth roars that verge on Nine Inch Witchtropolis: LP exactly the right places. Not something records classic, but this truly is. I would Nails industrial territory. Unpopular I remember one time while reviewing you really notice until you hear it done like to think that over time people, if opinion: I couldn’t get through the horn- Alex Cuervo’s band Hex Dispensers right. There’s the hint of a folksy twang they haven’t already, will come to see less versions of each song. I hear the that I felt that each song was like a running through side A, especially the this is as a pretty important piece in for allowing listeners to curate story on an episode of show like The one-two opening punch of “Don’t You history of underground music. Original, the album to personal taste, but it’s just Twilight Zone or Outer Limits. If that is Know” and “Waiting on a Train”—not groundbreaking, and all that. –M.Avrg not the same. With the brass, we’re at a the case, then Cuervo’s solo, electronic so much as to nudge this thing into (Tankcrimes, tankcrimes.com) thinking man’s soul party—who could project Espectrostatic is the soundtrack full-on territory, but enough ask for more? Put this on, get sweaty, to the individual scenes in any given to call maybe the first Titus Andronicus EASTER TEETH: Being Alone with Your and pour one out for D. Boon and the episode of that same show. This is album to mind. It’s on side B that this Thoughts Is for Inmates: CD Godfather of . –Claire Palermo the second LP for Espectrostatic and I tendency blossoms into the swingy Imagine a Minutemen show in a church (Veritas Vinyl, veritasvinyl@gmail. couldn’t be happier. I love to sink into melancholy of “Wild Abandon” and “Is basement, but with on com, veritasvinyl.net) the creepiness of songs like “Removing You Is,” the aching gospel finale. This bass and James Brown howling on the the Bandages” or “The Cold Spot” or is my first listen to Filmstrip, but I get mic. That’s Easter Teeth. Blood brothers ERGS, THE: Dorkrockcorkrod: LP get tensed up by the futuristic chase the feeling I’m catching them on their Josh and Tim Eymann serve up a fresh The vinyl version of this record sounds of “The Feral Kids” or “This Is way up to something bigger. –Indiana take on funk-punk convergence that is originally came out in 2005 and has a War Universe.” As a horror and sci- Laub ( Stencil, info@exitstencil. light-hearted and unforced. Easter Teeth been unavailable for a bit, so to mark fi fan, I really love how I can take the org, exitstencil.org) tosses away the econo jam and goes big the ten year anniversary of its release, song titles, and while listening to the with Death From Above 1979 growling the folks at Don Giovanni have re- songs, I can fully imagine the scenario. FISTULA: Vermin Prolifi cus: LP bass and a Contortions horn section, but mastered and re-released this, the It is a completely different listening There’s a repeating mantra in this maintains DIY finesse, using whatever debut LP from The Ergs. It’s a move experience and I can’t get enough. I’ve record, pulled from what sounds like a gadgets are around. They play super- that makes sense, as The Ergs legacy also got to mention the amazing cover sound clip from an old movie, which tight, stopping on a dime. If “Break is bigger than ever, despite the fact art by Drazen Kozjan. It fits the record goes, “The drugs are more important out the Knives” doesn’t get your toes that they broke up in 2008. The Ergs perfectly. –Ty Stranglehold (Trouble In than you.” This record is really dumb, , you might not be human. “Get were a great band—playing out like Mind, troubleinmindrecs.com) but in its own way really great. It’s up, get down, just as long as you get an updated version of the Descendents made for stoners who like evil stuff there,” or in other words, get up offa with softer edges yet still with the FILMSTRIP: Moments of Matter: LP and demons, so get on that if you’re that thang! Hardcore roots emerge in ability to pen a fucking near perfect pop This has a lot in common with the high as fuck right now. The record will the lyrics, which mix cute wordplay punk song. This LP is a modern classic, softer, smoother side of college alt- constantly remind you about drugs, by with anti-government provocation. jam packed with some truly great songs rock and the various waves of indie that the way, so be prepared to have some weird feelings as it addresses you, the of my favorite bands, Synthetic ID. song to finish up the record? I believe GIVV: Self-titled: Cassette audience, directly. It’s like , “Fake Affair” features drummer Liz it is. This is a killer record that is going I’d classify this as hip-hop beatbox but I don’t know enough about the genre on vocals. She’s got a flat, atonal cool to get a lot of mileage around here. –Ty noise. Which I’m ill-equipped to do, but to compare to another band accurately. girl sound. They also make good use Stranglehold (Rockstar) that’s my best guess. Looped industrial There’s definitely some in of her voice on backup throughout as noise with warped, slowed down there. I wish I could type out a picture well. And “Drugs” is a drunken lazy GENERACION SUICIDA: beatboxing. I’m a bit perplexed as to of the cover art, but I’m not that good at rock’n’roll song that makes me want Todo Termina: 12” why they sent this one in to Razorcake. ASCII art. GRADE: Ä-. –Bryan Static to… well… get drunk and party. Well Killer Los Angeles punk rock. Dark, Not saying it’s bad, I’m saying it’s not (To Live A Lie, tolivealie.com) done. –Camylle Reynolds (Mt. St. Mtn, melodic guitar lines, driving, mid-tempo punk. –Camylle Reynolds (Ranch, mtstmtn.com) rhythms, and raw but melodic vocals, rachrecords.bigcartel.com) FRAU: Self-titled: LP delivered entirely in Spanish. This Crude, bass-heavy, lady-punk with G.F.P. / SCHEISSE MINNELLI: reminds me a lot of Masshysteri from GOD GIVEN ASS: Keeping Up yelly vocals. A spontaneous Penis Envy Best at Its Worst: 12” Sweden. Both contain a melancholic Appearances!: 7” influenced by early hardcore. It would So you say you’ve got a split record yet energetic musical feel and though Ever wonder what might have happened have fit in perfectly with one of the featuring a crazy drawing of a Viking I don’t understand either language, the if the Beatles had decided to reinvent “artier” tracks on the Welcome to 1984 skeleton coping on a pool full melodies and obvious passion carry themselves and start a punk band? comp (I’m looking at you “Fish In a of radioactive waste while slamming the vocals enough to make up for not Finnish power poppers God Given Bowl”). Frantic and hard, while still back a bottle of booze on the front knowing the content of the lyrics. More Ass entertain that fantasy, presenting a being off-kilter and righteous. –Daryl cover? I’m listening. General Fucking than enough to earn repeated listens. classic power pop collage of ‘60s/’70s (Dead Beat) Principle kicks it off with a heavy mid- –Chad Williams (Going Underground, rock in Keeping Up Appearances! God ’80s hardcore vibe. Dayglo Abortions goingundergroundrecords.net) Given Ass shows fun potential, but they G. GREEN: Area Codes: LP come to mind (not an unusual need to move beyond retro emulation Second LP offered up by Sacramento occurrence for me). This is really GINO AND THE GOONS: Shake It!: LP and find something distinct to explore. band G. Green. A contrast to their first LP, good stuff. After I listened, I noticed The excellent first Gino And The The vocals are low and resonant, with Area Codes is more focused and mature, that G.F.P. features punk rock legend Goons 12” on Total Punk was a mess a sound like channeling with their signature alt-quirk post-punk on guitar and skateboard of furious garage rock that I couldn’t Danzig’s baritone, and could be sound. Still, it’s sharp, odd, and catchy legend Tony Alva on bass. Rad! Now get enough of—loud, distorted, and harnessed to dramatic effect if the band pop. Area Codes is cleanly recorded—a on to the other side and Scheisse catchy. It’s a couple years later and wanted to go in a heavier direction. yin to the yang of their gnarly—albeit Minnelli. This is a band that I’ve never Gino And The Goons are back with a My expectations were elevated by the hell of a lot more inebriated—live set. heard, but I’ve always been an admirer new offering that initially seems a little glam Bowie-nod name and gender- Mike’s anxious post-punk guitar sets the of their band name. It makes me laugh more restrained, yet, at the same time, bending cover art (which features a tone of each song, sounding slightly off every time I think of it, let alone read brings the garage rock’n’roll ferocity man in a pink apron and pink thigh kilter but somehow perfectly balancing it or hear someone say it. I am happy to a new level with this band. There high stockings reclining on a bed) and each melody, weaving in and out of to be able to say that I really like their are some serious nods to the Ramones then I was handed a cheap wedding Andrew’s more distorted rhythms. tunes, too. Very similar to G.F.P., but here, but, ultimately, I see this as a entertainer attempt at punk. “It’s Not Both Andrew and Mike sing on this I’d say that Scheisse is a little more fringe piece of the Budget Rock puzzle Alright” has a nice Wipers-ish guitar LP, their screechy yelps and hollers technical. Bonus points for working that keeps getting better and better sound, but at this point I also began to are both lighthearted and emotive. The “No Whammys, No Whammys, Big with every listen. –Mark Twistworthy realize that every single song on this stand out, “Brain Fuck,” is choppy Bucks” into a song. Holy shit, is that (Black Gladiator / Slovenly) record is about women from a man’s dance punk that sounds a lot like one Tesco Vee rapping on a funky disco perspective, either on how she’s totally missing out by not dating him or pissing female gang vocals. Flip to B-side wanting to raise my fists and kick HOLLY & PLASTIC: him off by acting like one of the boys. for a rockin’ Bay City Rollers cover down doors while simultaneously We Will Give This World Away: CD That’s an element of music that doesn’t of “Yesterday’s Hero.” Hard Left is feeling the urge to bop bop bop around Track three is called, “If I Were a Folk need to be revived. –Claire Palermo self-described as “Hard Mod,” a mix the room. Harsh Realms have got it Singer, Folk Singers Would Laugh,” (Blast Of Silence, info@blastofsilence. of , mod rock, and pop. going on—I’m really looking forward and it perfectly sums up the sounds that org, blastofsilence.org) Members of Manatee, Lunchbox, and to going deaf to this on my way to Andrew Johnson (Holly & Plastic) has Boyracer make up Hard Left, but don’t work. –The Lord Kveldulfr (Shield, created. I had looked for a band lineup GOOO: Globular Clusterfuck: Cassette let that fool you; this is straight punk. harshrealms.com) and learned that this is a one man band Quirky, experimental laptop songs This will be a post Xmas review, but project. These songs are very full for which remind me of grade-Z . this can definitely be in rotation for HDQ: When Worlds Collide: 7” just one man. Guitar (both electric and Tried; can’t. –Michael T. Fournier your eggnog-chugging party next Melodic hardcore that, if you wanted acoustic), drums, bass, and he even back (SDMPDX) December. –Camylle Reynolds (Future to, you could trace all the way back to up vocals—I’m guessing he sings with Perfect, futureperfectrecords.com) Revolution Summer. You could also himself, though the voices don’t always GUNK: Gradual Shove: LP just put on the Embrace record, which seem to match. There are moments I’m Take yer standard indie rock-type HARD SKIN: We Are the Wankers: 7” would probably be better for you. reminded of , a little Death stuff, put it in a Shake ‘n’ Bake bag It’s kind of hard to pinpoint what From that chugging, over-produced, Cab For Cutie, but mostly Andrew with a bit of psychedelic influence makes Hard Skin so great. Is it the “barre chord wallpaper” school of Jackson Jihad. Fairly typical singer / and that overblown production sound fact that they are an amazing oi band, punk. –Matt Werts (Boss Tuneage, mellow jams that are good popular within certain factions of the or that they’re “takin’ the piss” so to bosstuneage.com) for chillin’ the fuck out. A few of these ‘90s shoegaze phenomenon, and mix speak? It doesn’t matter. All I know is songs, especially the last track, nearly vigorously. Results are surprisingly when I put a Hard Skin record on, I’ve HEXIS: XI: LP put me to sleep. If that’s your thing, this consistent—loud, woozy, sludgy, got a smile on my face and I can feel Dark doom hardcore metal out of is for you. –Kayla Greet (Double Plus and still tuneful. –Jimmy Alvarado my liver clench up because it knows Denmark rises forth from Hexis. Good, doubleplusgoodrecords.com) (Square Of Opposition, square_of_ it’s going to been beaten with alcohol The striking, minimalist black and [email protected]) again. Another round for the wankers! white matte LP cover is desolate and HORROR SECTION / EATEN BACK TO –Ty Stranglehold (1-2-3-4 Go!) beautiful. Rapid fire bass drum and LIFE: Split in Two: LP HARD LEFT: throbbing bass pummel your ears to This record ruined lyric sheets for me. Home for Christmas: 7” HARSH REALMS: Pølp: CD submission. Slow-churning at first, the Up until now, my ritual upon cracking Something to spike your holiday If my Menzingers and Riverboat record ebbs then whips to a straight-up open a new record was to first inspect punch with. I pretty much hate most Gamblers records were to breed in frenzy, somehow completely controlled the lyric sheet, scanning it for secrets Christmas songs. This is usually some sleazy hotel, this Dutch (?) band and absolutely chaotic at the same time. and wonders. Then I would put the because they’re either too sentimental, is the spawn that I imagine would The metallic guitar weaves broad-knife record on and listen to it as I clutched feel forced, or are just plain terrible. arise from such a union. The vocals strokes into fine needle-like scratches. the lyric sheet, following along with This is probably because I don’t really are urgent and anthemic (there’s the It’s still melodic, but fierce. Layered on every word. This record doesn’t have like Christmas. Bah fucking humbug. Menzingers), and the melodies have top like toxic ooze are abrasive, harsh, a lyric sheet. It has trading cards. One But “Skinheads Home for Christmas” some sizzling, inventive guitar work throat-tearing vocals. It’s the hard trading card for every song, with an is—dare I say it—fun. It’s got a super (and now the Riverboat Gamblers metal edge of Iron Lung and melodic image on the front and lyrics on the catchy guitar hook and charming tumble out). There is a lot more to this undertones Una Bestia Incontrolable. back. Oh, and the images on the front? mix of grizzled Johnny Rotten style than its first impression as a document It’s pure rage. –Camylle Reynolds Monsters. Because every song is about vocals with a chorus of sweet, screamy of post-emo bellowing angst—I’m (Dead Tank) monsters. Michael Myers. Freddy Krueger. Zombies. How the hell can vibe is smart, murky, wild, pissed. and dance-able, but not quite as dark feel loose, goofy, slightly bummed. I’ve I possibly enjoy lyric sheets after this, Easily one of my favorite new bands. as on their debut. (Perhaps some of the never felt wistful listening to a song after holding the Leatherface card in They’ll probably take over the world songs even have a glimmer of hope?) about a murderous breakfast before. my hand while Horror Section blasts someday, if we’re lucky. –Matt Werts I love that album and still listen to it Nice work. –Matt Werts (Arkam, their way through “Survive?” I held (Drug Party, drugparty.storenvy.com) regularly. I’m not quite as enamored arkamrecords.net) that card in my sweaty hand, reading with this latest offering, but get back the lyrics and realizing that the song HYSTERESE: Self-titled: LP with me in eight years and I may KADDISH: Thick Letters to Friends: LP has a brilliant dual meaning. On the Potent, muscly punk from Germany, love Dust just as much. –Kurt Morris Haven’t come across anything quite surface, it can be read as a song about I believe. They keep tempos mostly (Secretly Canadian) like this before. I can best describe a girl struggling with a possessive around the mid-range, and the overall the Scottish band Kaddish as post- boyfriend. Except the image on the sound is such that it wouldn’t be out INTERCOURSE: Self-titled: Cassette pop hardcore punk (still with me?) trading card reveals that it’s not a of the ballpark of fans of Dirtnap My tolerance for musical experimentation with frenetic melodic guitar and the boyfriend she’s worried about, it’s Records’ lengthy output, but there’s is pretty low. I appreciate it when bands echoes of traditional Scottish music Leatherface, and, yes, he wants to “tear often a dark tinge to things and the do something different, but it needs to (with a possible tinge of Mission Of me and my friends apart,” except not in guitars have a nice grinding/churning be in context for me to really enjoy it. Burma influence throughout). Lax, the metaphorical sense, but in the with- quality in spots with adds some nice I’m never going to sit down and get into melodious guitar quickly finds itself a-chainsaw sense. The logical part of textures. Good stuff. –Jimmy Alvarado music that is spazzy just for the sake into hardcore throw downs, then back my brain wants to say that it takes more (Taken By Surprise) of being spazzy. I need something else again. The change-ups really had than trading cards and monster movie to sink my teeth into: comedy, anger, me guessing what’s next. At times, references to make a good record, but I LOVE YOU BUT I’VE CHOSEN something. In the case of Intercourse, I they had me wandering aimlessly. does it really? In this case, the question DARKNESS: Dust: LP love that they are willing to do different Emo-, torn vocals drenched doesn’t even matter, because both There’s that old adage that the more stuff musically. shit. Weird in desperation added uneasiness to Horror Section and Eaten Back To Life things change, the more they stay guitar stuff that I’m not music nerd their overall sound—as well as the bring a unique spin on pop punk and the same. A lot has changed since I enough to explain. Messed up time vocals never quite synching with the horror worship. There’s no way you’re Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness signatures. Shit like that. But it’s all melodies. It all seemed a bit off kilter, getting out of this listening experience released their first album, Fear Is on tied to an of belligerence. That’s but after a few listens it became more without having a lot of fun. –MP Our Side, in 2006, but in comparing something I can really get behind. Just cohesive (as I find this the case when Johnson (Eccentric Pop) that album with the ten songs on their frothing at the mouth, white-knuckled listening to more complex and unusual recently released second album, Dust, belligerence. Intercourse proves just music). –Camylle Reynolds (Make- HOT TIP: Demo: Cassette it sounds as though this latest offering how well spazziness and belligerence go That-A-Take, makethatatakerecords. I saw Hot Tip at a sports bar (or it seemed could’ve come out in 2007. With all together. –MP Johnson (Self-released) bandcamp / Black Lake/ The Ghost Is that way) in Buffalo and I thought I the changes that have occurred in the Clear / Boslevan) was seeing the newest incarnation of music world since 2006, the band still INVISIBLE TEARDROPS, THE: “Cereal Nation Of or at least a band punch out gloomy post-punk similar to Killer” b/w “Little Killer”: 7” KILL THE : that would willingly crush whatever Interpol or Joy Division, with guitar Oddly affecting garage trifles from this You Will Live with Us Forever: LP punk status quo still exists. I’m still not work occasionally reminiscent of Paul Alabama band. Could be the organ? Or Kill The Hippies have been in the game really over how good they were. Their Newman. (This kind of makes sense the singer? He doesn’t treat it like it’s since the early ‘90s. They’ve done the demo doesn’t disappoint—the guitar since one of the members of ILYBICD a joke but he doesn’t treat it like it’s time and spilled the slime. And now lines are the best of deconstructed ‘90s played in Paul Newman, but he played serious either. They’re also not total they just do whatever they want. You sub-underground hardcore; the general bass, not guitar.) The songs are catchy formalists about rock’n’roll; the songs Will Live with Us Forever could be Dead Kennedy’s B sides stolen from airport this exuberantly. The only downside’s Two tunes of infectious thud-punk, LEAGUES APART: Brief Interviews luggage claim or could be the collected a lack of lyric sheet. It’d be nice to beefy without being meatheaded, both with Hideous Men: LP nightmares of Devo robbed from the know specifically what these guys are of ‘em winners. Fuck yeah. –Jimmy In a community the size of punk, it’s very men as they slept. All we know is crowing about. Still, recommended. Alvarado (Bachelor) often easy to peg a band’s geographical Kill The Hippies have been crafting the –Keith Rosson (All In) homebase, even without paying weird shit out in for many : Hang: LP attention to potential accents. Leagues moons now, and good listeners make KLITZ, THE: Sounds of Memphis ‘78: 7” I admit I never really jumped on the Apart jumped out as British almost good . There’s something First archival release of The Klitz Lagwagon... but right off the bat I’m immediately, despite the fact that they for everyone here—the swagger of Sounds of ‘78, recorded in one three- enjoying this record, which opens with would sit easily on any label from “Mustache,” the wild bass lines of hour session during the summer of a short, sorrowful acoustic number by Tampa, San Diego, or Gainesville. The “Dance Control”—the rest burns along ‘78. The Klitz existed from ‘78 to the name of “Burden of Proof” that songs are almost instantly familiar in mighty fine. –Jim Joyce (Phoenician ‘80 but never released anything as a then busts loose into fast paced rocker an inviting way, warm like the climate Micro-Systems) band… until now. Considered as one “Reign.” The opening is so strong. of aforementioned locales. The Brit of Memphis’s first punk bands, this is Unfortunately, the rest of the songs are comes across in the short acoustic KIMBERLY STEAKS, THE: To Live and a lo-fi charmer with raw, bare bones kinda a wash. The vocals and guitar break of “I Consider John Candy to Die in West Central Scotland: LP guitar, bass, and drums. “Two Chords” tone are the sounds of contemporary be a Noir Actor” and the Iron Maiden Harkens back to the ‘90s when every is a perfect example with a two- . Not my jam. –Jackie Rusted tone at the beginning of “Rampant band and their grandparents were chord progression and lyrics such as (, fatwreck.com) Horse Is Rampant.” Leagues Apart wearing oversized cargo shorts and “two chords /going out of my mind!” will have you raising a proper pint writing forced-rhyme lamentations Because all you fucking need is two LAGWAGON: Hang: CD while reminiscing about your first Fest about ex-girlfriends to the same three chords, dammit. Gail Clifton’s vox Although I was a bit surprised by the experience. Into it. –Matt Seward (All chords. And yet—surprise, surprise— on “Hard Up” are some of the most album start (just acoustic), I should In Vinyl, allinvinyl.com) in spite of the potential pitfalls, To Live delicious vocals I’ve ever heard—fresh not have been worried. The unholy and Die… manages to come across and unapologetic. Everything from the riffage and speedy rhythms came in LEBAKKO: Elävien Kuolleiden Yö: LP as fresh and relevant. While the band , to the raw, amateurish right on time on the second song. Tough one to pin down. I mean, really, would’ve been right at home doing vocals, and simplistic guitar feels like Having only seen with I have no reference points that seem singles on Mutant Pop or Rhetoric it might just fall apart at any time. Me First And The Gimmie Gimmies, quite apt, which is frustrating as hell. (the Scared Of Chaka cover is pretty Always teetering back and forth—lags, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I Four Finnish dudes doing a jangly, indicative), there’s something about drags, picks up—this ultimately adds was pleasantly surprised. “The almost mathy, almost post-punk thing this LP that avoids sounding outdated to this hot, perfect mess. Five hundred Cog in the Machine” and “In Your with warbling vocal melodies and and just comes across as fun as shit. pressed. Get it. –Camylle Reynolds Wake” really bring some blistering confident, concise musicianship. Clean Pop punk often times gets a bad rap, (Spacecase, spacecaserecords.com) tuneage to the table. “One More guitars and odd structures. Hüsker Dü and has long been synonymous with Song” is dedicated to and meets… Minus The Bear? The last words like predictability, vapidity, KUKEN: Black Rose: 7” it is certainly heartfelt. So if this is song on the record’s a precise, sped- and saccharine cuteness—but the Given the odd white lettering on black first release by this band to make it up little instrumental number that’s Kimberly Steaks manage to avoid all background that comprises the cover, into your rack, then you should have layered with a spaced-out ; it that stuff. Sure, maybe it sounds like this could’ve gone any number of some earplugs handy. It is chock full works flawlessly, is over way too soon, some bands we’ve heard before, but ways. Turns out we’ve got ourselves of rainbow sprinkle awesomeness. and serves as a brilliant closer to the if that’s the case, it’s been a long time here a German band that sounds tailor- –Sean Koepenick (Fat Wreck, album. Definitely an interesting band. since I’ve heard a band do it this well, made for Dirtnap’s stable of bands. lagwagon.com) –Keith Rosson (PML) LILITH VELKOR: Lone: LP LOSS, THE: Last Rites: 7” LOW DERIVE: Keto: 7” skate). Thank fucking god there are Sweaty, gritty, and ominous, this is This five piece from Seattle has that I’d been playing this record no traces to be heard of that horrific almost-, an album sandwiched “it” factor that people talk about, intermittently over a lengthy period Infectious Grooves funk-metal somewhere between Sonic Youth yet can’t ever seem to wrangle it for before I realized how good it actually style, which, come to think of it, and the Meat Puppets. It’s sometimes themselves. It’s something that is so was. However, once that eureka moment might have something to do with the unnerving, a quality that on some songs easily recognizable when it’s right. hit, I quickly became enamored with omission of ’s presence leans into becoming just brazenly From the moment I first heard them, the three tracks—especially the opener, on this disc. If I were to catch these irritating. I’m strongly reminded of old I was submerged in feelings of bliss “Dylarama”— which builds gradually guys opening up for someone, I “alternative” bands like Overwhelming mixed with shades of sadness. But before bursting open into a hugely might be inclined to tap my toe and Colorfast and Gumball, but with every it’s that deep kind of sadness that melodic romp that falls just short of nod my head in approval but that’s ounce of gloss sanded off and plenty of you only notice in people who have five minutes. These Italians write some probably as far as my efforts would barbs and rivets showing. Like I said, also experienced severe loss. They great intros, bridges, and outros— allow to see them perform live. Fun much of it is pretty trying but they make me feel the true definition of which are almost worth listening to in fact: I used to work with the nephew do a solid job of channeling a certain melancholia blended with hope and isolation—however, they manage to of one of Luicidal’s members. I damaged kind of pop sensibility, elation. Extreme feelings and rad throw in some decent vocal passages to often caught him sleeping on top of running it through their own sonic rock tunes, to boot. As a genre, they’re help build up three very strong songs. three strategically placed chairs in tumbler, and, at their best, threading very melodic hardcore—rapid, high The guitar sound owes a debt to Dickie the break room and sometimes he’d their songs with a palpable sense of intensity drumming with despondent Hammond (Leatherface/H.D.Q.) and it regale me with stories about how unease. –Keith Rosson (Starcleaner) guitar harmonies, gruff vocals, and pop helps beef up the record nicely. A real he’d get blackout drunk at a bar punk “whoa-ohs.” My favorite song is shame I couldn’t catch the band on its and have no recollection of the fist LOPEZ, THE: Travel Fast: Cassette the first track on this EP, “Domestic recent U.K. tour. –Rich Cocksedge (No fights he involved himself in. –Juan I literally heard the first blown-out Relief,” with choruses of: “We are the Reason, noreasonrecords.blogspot.it) Espinosa (DC Jam, dcjamrecords. guitar note and said, “Okay, this.” I’ll children of broken homes / But we hide com, luicidal.com) admit that my fuzz-overload garage ourselves.” Gives me fucking chills LUICIDAL: Self-titled: CD rock prediction ended up being a little every fucking time. These guys are In case you couldn’t tell by the vato LYCKA TILL: Rakt over Munnen: LP off the mark (fuzz-overload was dead- serious, experienced, and finely tuned. with the flipped-up bill stale-fish Moments like these are among the best on, though). Noise pop is a better name They’re a tight, well oiled machine. grabbing his on the cover musical moments. Moments like these for this duo, who will probably be a hit And, sadly, they’re no longer with us, of this CD, this is in fact a band are, maybe, why music and language with those who like their rock weird, but at least they left this behind before associated with were invented in the first place. “You snotty, and buried under a haze of flanging they split up. Definitely a top ten band and named by and after founding are not crazy. You are not alone. There feedback and distortion. The programmed of all time for me. Pick this one up. member Louichi Mayorga. Luicidal is a lot of fucked up stuff in this world. drums are a cool twist that I don’t hear –Kayla Greet (La Escalera) also features the participation of You aren’t the only one who sees it. too often. Not really my scene, so tracks former ST alums , R.J. And, maybe, if the small voice that you like “Cubito Aequet” that let the pop LOST WARNING: Never Surrender: EP Herrera, Grant Estes, Amery Smith, are decides to raise a righteous fuss, hooks out for some air are the only ones Generic “street punk” that sounds and special guest H.R. of the Bad—I others will join in with you.” These that don’t sound like a speaking heavily influenced by all that garbage mean—Soul Brains. Musically, it’s are the comforting thoughts that I had internet rock to me. Like I said, though, from the 1990s. Somewhere between nothing earth shattering: straight while listening to Sweden’s folk-punk this sounds like a solid release for the Rancid and the Unseen. Not good forward punk and hardcore with act Lycka Till’s album, Rakt over right audience. –Indiana Laub (Machine company. –M.Avrg (Switchlight, glimpses of their ST roots and its Munnen. My great grandfather was Age,, inthemachineage.com) switchlight-records.com) various incarnations (thrash, metal, born in Sweden, but I didn’t know what the fuck these people were singing it is, but the real issue is some flat, self- the woods. If this sweet gesture and the MISCALCULATIONS: Self-titled: LP about until I found the photocopied referential songs that never rise above depth of emotion on The Cathedral are Working from a taught thud- inside the record with beautiful, the shtick. Within the micro-genre that any indication, Max’s—and his brother core that sometimes comes off like rebellious lyrics in English and a might be called “costume garage” this and collaborator Jacob’s—barebones a cleaner sounding Spits (the guitars group of punks carrying a banner that falls well short of The Mummies and live show will be a moving and personal sound like they’re coming out of translated, “Norrland Against Racism.” Servotron. For the B-movie trivia buffs affair that I cannot wait to witness. tiny, cheap practice amps), they make Here in the United States, people are and Hawaiian shirt people only. –Matt –Kelley O’Death (Youth Conspiracy, otherwise simple song structures a bit still in shock, still organizing, still Werts (Manglor, themants.com) [email protected], more nuanced by adding an almost facing the consequences of speaking youthconspiracy.bigcartel.com) new wavy sense of dislocation to the out against killer cops in Ferguson, MERIDIAN: The Cathedral: LP delivery. They keep the songs short Missouri and Staten Island, New York. Though I’m predisposed to like MIDNIGHT CRISIS: Self-titled: 7” EP ‘n’ to the point, punchy, and puissant. It was the perfect night to discover anything rootsy and jangly, Meridian’s Gallop-tempoed Finnish hardcore, very –Jimmy Alvarado (Dead Beat) this record and hear that, in anger and banjo- and -infused “existential reminiscent of the stuff that came out frustration at the senseless violence crisis you can sing along to” would of that area in the very early ‘80s, albeit MISS DESTINY: House of Wax: 7” laid upon the people by the powers that have been up my alley even if it wasn’t with considerably cleaner production. Hozac (or Horizontal Action) has easily be, we are not crazy. We are not alone. composed by Signals Midwest’s Max Not as intense in delivery as I’m partial been one of the most-purchased record –John Mule (Dragabang) Stern, who possesses the supernatural to, but on the whole they ain’t too labels throughout my collection in the ability to punch me right in the feels. shabby. –Jimmy Alvarado (Rinderherz, last five years. Now a complete staple MANDATES, THE: Suspicion: 7” This filled-out full-length is a follow-up rinderherzrecords.ch) of Chicago’s underground, Todd Novak Western Canada for the win. The newest to 2012’s stripped-down Aging Truths knows what he’s doing. In walks Miss offering from Calgary’s Mandates is LP. Its eight heartrending tracks feature MIDNIGHT PLUS ONE: “Like Camera” Destiny, a four piece from Australia, another blast of upbeat, faster New full band instrumentation that includes b/w “White Flowers”: 7” representing the love affair for bands York Dolls-style glam/punk. It would cello, trumpet, and . Though Midnight Plus One is alt-pysch-drenched, Down Under in the past decade. be difficult to track down another all of its selections skip along with the surfy, post-punk, which I personally Thankfully, this single landed in my lap band with comparable musicianship; same flavor of nostalgic whimsy as the love. What really makes it shine is the before year-end lists have even been a these guys are pros. “Suspicion” is first, the opening, titular track required simple, beautiful guitar shimmering twinkle in my eye, because this debut catchy and filled with slick guitar licks, nearly twenty repeats before I could atop—both fluid and simultaneously will likely be on it. The flipside, “The without overdoing it. “Wasting Time,” bear to part with it and listen to the bound tight. Frontwoman Casey Cooks One,” is out-of-control good. Just open the flipside, is reminiscent of The remainder of the record. The charming reminds me of Katie Alice Glass from your web browser, Google all the above Barreracudas recent work. Can’t say imperfections of Stern’s trademark the Priests, albeit softer and more info, and check out a stream for this enough great things about these guys. vocal melodies and lyrics communicate refined. Both songs “Like Camera” and track. Seriously, just do it. Now. Great –Steve Adamyk (Teenage Rampage, the earnestness of his passion and “White Flowers” start out with a subtle (mid range) female vox over upbeat teenagerampagerecords.com) force me to reflect on my own lost throb that builds, progresses, and then garage pop. The guitar tone is perfect— loves with a teenaged yearning. The spills over into a full out jam. This is my gritty and dissident. Looking forward to MANTS, THE: Destroyed by Fuzz: 7” EP Youth Conspiracy-distributed vinyl first introduction to Midnight Plus One, hearing more. –Steve Adamyk (Hozac) The world is on fire and crumbling LP is limited to five hundred. My CD so I’m not familiar their song layouts, yet here are three guys pretending to came with a handwritten note from but I find this incredibly satisfying. MÖBIUS STRIP: be half-man, half- creatures talking Stern, thanking me for my support and Solid. Part of a Singles Club release Palabras Podridas: 7” EP about unleashing a “fuzz ray” at your expressing a genuine enthusiasm about from label Negative Fun. From the chunky bass sound, to retro beach party. Take that for whatever eventually touring through my neck of –Camylle Reynolds (Negative Fun) their sharply political but tongue- in-cheek lyrics, everything I loved masters and are well versed in the MOTHER’S CHILDREN: Lemon: LP NAPALMPOM: The Unconditional Love about their previous 7” Step Down nuances of fuzz, their intention seems Although the first song sounds like of Napalmpom: LP is present on this follow-up. On this to be stomping, fuzzed-out destruction. some little glam fucks trying to work Teenage Rampage Records is really outing, the DC-based trio brings four They don’t want you to hear their fuzz out long-standing issues regarding blasting off with a bang, considering new tracks—great new additions to and say, “Oh, what nice fuzz!” They white guilt over “Talk Dirty to Me” the quality of its first few releases. the band’s catalog—but the opening want to infect you with their fuzz. Poison appreciation, everything else Canada’s west coast has always been track “Chemicals,” is my favorite. They want to shove their fuzz down sounds like a glorious, full-bodied better than the rest of the country at Its strong hooks capture the witty your throat until your head explodes upturning of the Guitar Romantic this game. Think Von Zippers, The lyricism of the band at their most and their fuzz is glazed with your brain applecart ((minus the tininess and the Black Halos, and pretty much every biting and feature some of my meat. And you will be thankful for it. glue-sniffing)), a soaring, flannel- group from Vancouver. I’m not sure if favorite riffs of any of their songs. –MP Johnson (Black Gladiator) shirted revisiting of the Yum-Yums it’s the crude oil from the tar sands in I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that canon ((minus all the girls)), a savvy the water or what, but it’s undeniable. the closing track, “IG-88,” is not only MOTHER OF SORROWS: II: CD older brother handing down banned Napalmpom play rock and roll, a rad instrumental track that allows When the weather in Boston is nice, medical tracts to Ramma Lamma the Calgarian way. Progressive, the band to flex their musical chops, sometimes there is an older, slightly ((minus the cartooniness)), power pop loud rock with hints of indulgence but the title is also a sweet Star Wars disheveled street musician in front of and glam and punk and rock and roll and maybe even indie rock, but I reference. Recorded at Inner Ear the public library playing a keyboard. and sometimes you just gotta tip your couldn’t mean that in a better way. Studios with Don Zientara—possibly It often sounds futuristic and also toque to the excellence of execution, It’s the many layers of parts musical in the same recording session as has a steady, kickin’ beat. Almost ya know? Earth might have been a slices that keep this record great. I’m their previous EP—these tracks have all of it is pre-programmed and he better planet if this was the second sold. Sign me up for the long haul. the pristine recording quality we’d just hits a few keys here and there. I Generation X album instead of Valley –Steve Adamyk (Teenage Rampage, expect from such a pedigree. It’s kind of dig it, and if I weren’t always of the Dolls, mightn’t it? I kind of teenagerampagerecords.com) December as I’m writing this, and in such a hurry I’d stop and listen. can’t think of anything I don’t like this 7” has definitely snuck into my There were times on this CD that I about this record, except that all NEIGHBORHOOD BRATS: Recovery: LP top ten releases of the year. –Paul felt like I was listening to that guy the lemons on the back cover are It’s a pretty amazing thing to see a J. Comeau (Crooked Beat, band@ play, except this is a two-person act making me hungry for fish. As far band that you really like continue to mobiusstripdc.com crookedbeat@ (featuring Kronos and Jupiter Skab) as I’m concerned, this band is so grow and continue to sound rad while crookedbeat.com) with vocals and their sound is more good that they should make Ottawa doing it. The day I received the first goth than that dude in front of the the new capital of Canada! BEST Neighborhood Brats EP in my review MONSIEURS, THE: Self-titled: CD library. I like hearing that guy jam, SONG: “Helen Mustn’t Know,” materials my life changed for the All the pictures show a three-piece while in contrast some of the songs maybe. BEST SONG TITLE: better. Angry, visceral, and barely in band: vocals, drums, and guitar. But on II were so excruciating that I was “Helen Mustn’t Know,” certainly. control, it dominated my stereo for a I can only hear one instrument when convinced this almost had to be a FANTASTIC AMAZING TRIVIA long time. Over the next few singles, I push play: fuzz. The Monsieurs are joke. It wasn’t helped by the fact that FACT: This album appears to have the changes weren’t all that noticeable masters of fuzz. They manipulate the lyrics have something to do with been pressed up in a number of but with Recovery the Brats are it the way a sculptor manipulates someone named Zorgon: “Zorgon different countries, and the front showing some change. Don’t get me clay. Perhaps that analogy isn’t quite calls your soul,” “The loneliness of cover art is grey and yellow for wrong, the seething temperament is accurate, because it makes it sound Zorgon,” and “Zorgon promised me some countries and aqua and yellow still there. The feeling that everything as if The Monsieurs are making fine the future.” This is a joke, right? for others. –Rev. Nørb (Taken By could explode at any minute? Check. art. While it’s true that they are fuzz- –Kurt Morris (56th Street) Surprise, takenbysurprise.net) It’s in the delivery. The vitriol is laser pointed now. Everything is tightened NICK OLIVERI’S UNCONTROLLABLE: The No Marks racing through fourteen ORCHID: Totality: LP up and focused. Is this the moment Leave Me Alone: CD songs, each one being led front and Always considered these guys part of where a great band becomes one of the Ugh. Starts with the sound of a revving center by a twin guitar attack that the Holy Trinity of Screamo, alongside greatest bands? I believe it is. Easily motorcycle and just gets shittier from doesn’t relent—all the time delivering Reversal Of Man and Combat Wounded a top record for 2014 for me. –Ty there. Ex- a beautifully toned sound that, despite Veteran, or at least the grandpappies of Stranglehold (Deranged) bassist creates one of the most painful, being loud, doesn’t get in the way said genre. Orchid, however, always indulgent butt rock/metal hybrid albums of the rest of the band. All of those seemed like the most serious of the NEW JUNK CITY: Self-titled: LP I’ve ever heard. With or without the qualities remind me of The Senseless three and, at times, the most self- Have you ever wanted a soundtrack requisite guest appearances, this is just Things, Mega City Four, and The conscious. Loved the music—the sheer to a cocksure, fuck-off day? The type cringeworthy. I have no qualms about Cateran, a few of many bands that ferocity and madness of it—but their of day where everything seems to fall leaving you alone, Nicholas. –Keith had the ability to knock me sideways lyrics, name-dropping Debord and into place. You wake up and glance Rosson (Schnitzel) with such an uplifting approach. At a Foucault and stuff, always seemed like at the mirror and think, “Damn, I minimum, this is the best debut album they were trying a bit too hard to either look halfway decent.” You receive NO LOVE: Tape # 2: Cassette I’ve heard in 2014 but it might also just impress or obfuscate. Regardless, too much change from the liquor Four tracks of Dangerhouse meets edge into my general top ten for the they lay waste to all in their path on store attendant while shoplifted trail U.K. anarcho punk and hardcore. year. –Rich Cocksedge (Brassneck, Totality, an LP’s worth of long out of mix is in your hoodie pocket. Your Hookier than the average band who brassneckrecords.bigcartel.com / print singles and comp tracks. Nice nagging coworker is out sick with just picked up a Bags record and as Waterslide, info@watersliderecords. posthumous release for a band that split mono so you have free rein over volatile as an ‘80s Conflict gig in East com, watersliderecords.com) well over a decade ago. –Keith Rosson their office supplies. If so, here are L.A. A second demo isn’t necessary (Clean Plate) seven confident punk songs from four when you’ve already got the chops. No NUMBER ONES, THE: Self-titled: LP Georgians who breathe life into tired Love, the odds are all in your favor, so Great to finally get to hear this record PANIC BEATS, THE: power chords. The singer has refined do us all a solid and drop some vinyl that I’ve been hearing so many A Date with Death: CD strained punk shouts into soulful, for the punx. –Juan Espinosa (Sorry gush on and on about. ’s the When I first heard the name of this gritty sincerity. When he pushes his State, sorrystaterecords.com) Number Ones have found the missing band my eyes lit up. “Panic Beats? Like voice to the limits, you’re compelled link between the proto-punk of the the Paul Naschy movie?” Yep. In case to do the same. All the while, the NO MARKS, THE: Light of One: LP/CD Nerves and the irresistible charm of you don’t know, Paul Naschy was a twangy, intricate guitars with I love it when I put on a new album the Exploding Hearts. Lending to Spanish horror movie icon. Then I saw hard-hitting percussive beats. New and from the first few seconds I know their already stellar songwriting is the cover art by the great Bill Hauser Junk City strikes a balance between it’s one I’m going to obsess over. the keen ability to keep shit nice and depicting a hooded man standing rawness (“I don’t love you like I Light of One is one of those records, as simple behind the control board in the on a woman’s doorstep handing her used to”) and resiliency (“Trying to opening track “16 Questions” wastes recording studio. Quick! Someone a bouquet of severed body parts. I make it out of this one-horse town”). no time in providing me with that get these lads on a plane to the states looked at the track list. The word “kill” It’s been a while since I’ve felt this instant reaction. There is no preamble so they can eat something other than appears five times in twelve songs. much heart in a record, let alone on as it hits full speed immediately with corned beef and so we can pour I’m a horror nerd. I eat this shit up. a debut LP. Let’s hope these dudes what sounds like a waterfall of guitars cheap, ironic American beer down Needless to say, my expectations were can keep it up, because I’m anxiously raining down around me and a melody their throats as they rock us back high before I even pushed play. And anticipating their next release. Highly that hooks me in with the promise of to the stone age. Great times await then… oh shit. This is a concept album recommended. –Sean Arenas (No much enjoyment to follow. Light of us all. –Juan Espinosa (Deranged, that tells the story of a psychotic, knife- Breaks, [email protected]) One has a joie de vivre about it with derangedrecords.com) wielding stalker through a dozen tracks of melodic punk. There are some cool droney rock beats that are a lot like The is notably less odd and a bit sweeter. sounds like someone is howling while guitar parts. At first, I was turned off Cramps but less nostalgic. I like what Keep it coming. –Camylle Reynolds banging on the inside of a very heavy, by the vocals. They are off key and, they’re going for, but I wish they’d put (Negative Fun) lead barrel. –Jimmy Alvarado (Patac) well, just off. But then on further more effort into the record. Like: where listenings, it actually added to the are you from? Who is in the band? Did PROTES BENGT: RATIONAL ANTHEM: creepiness of the experience. These you record in a sewer? Cool album art In Bengt We Trust: 7” EP Emotionally Unavailable: LP painfully fucked up vocals trying to and decent music. I’d be interested in Swedish hardcore re-release from ‘85. To me, it seems impossible to escape sing all heartfelt about slashing people what they put out from here. –Kayla Crams thirty-two punchy hardcore Rational Anthem’s name if you’re up. It’s just wrong but it’s just so right. Greet (Bonzer) jams on to a seven inch slab of vinyl. tapped into any kind of DIY punk –MP Johnson (Midnight Jamboree, If you’ve ever craved a ‘script to community, but I haven’t followed facebook.com/MJR916) PONG: Gone: CD Adderall, this gem is guaranteed them as closely as this record suggests Seven tracks of smarty-pants funky to give ADD in just under fourteen I should have been. Eight tracks of PANZERBASTARD: rock in the vein of say, Gang Of Four minutes. –Jackie Rusted (Insane irresistibly accessible pop punk that Gods, Thugs & Madmen: 10” meets . Nothing really Society, insanesociety.net) never stops bouncing off the walls from Very metal, with Venom being their sticks out from anything else other than start to finish. It’s something like Dear prime influence, PanzerBastard is the song “Fish Sauce,” which annoyed PULLING PUNCHES: Landlord or Lipstick Homicide, but popular in metal-friendly portions of me and captivated me simultaneously. Former Friends: CD scuffed up with some of that gangly, crust hardcore circles, due to their Any band that extols the virtues of fish These Philadelphia dudes have a sound rough-and-tumble Plan-It-X-style undeniable hardcore influences. The sauce is ultimately okay in my book. that is a very natural complement to the scrappiness. Listen, if you’re trying to lyrics are interesting, with a surprising Just don’t spill any on your pants, Harsh Realms record I also got for this forcefully help your little cousin bridge degree of wit. The metal riffs aren’t trust me. –Garrett Barnwell (Saustex, review cycle, but this one is a spawn of the gap from saccharine corporate pop as obnoxious as some, and the doomy saustex.com) Off With Their Heads and Street Dogs. punk to Real Music, this record is the vocals made me smile. Way above Pulling Punches are anthemic, angst- best possible next step for them to average for this musical style, it’s a POSITIVE NO: Automatic Cars: 7” ridden, and feisty, with lots of power take. As for me, this will probably be decent foray into the longhair trenches. Odd change-ups keep you on your toes and melody. It’s the kind of music that in regular rotation once I get over the –Art Ettinger (Patac) on this single. Positive No’s EP is a inspires one just to blast through all the staggeringly awful artwork, which is release off of Negative Fun’s Singles shit and all the burdens heaped upon us of a terrifying scribble guy apparently PARTY DRESS, THE: Self-titled: 7” Club, a label out of North Carolina, in a and get it done. –The Lord Kveldulfr getting shot down by a lady with This is some good, simple, lo-fi, series with Bad Daddies, Hot Dolphin, (Universal Warning) Spongebob eyes. Nightmares. –Indiana garagey rock and roll. It appears to be Midnight Plus One, and Positive No. Laub (Bloated Kat, bloatedkatrecords@ the first release for Bonzer Records, The vocals undoubtedly sound like RAJOITUS / RATSTAB: Split: 7” EP gmail.com, bloatedkat.storenvy.com) which has no web presence other Björk, and even the song title and Rajoitus: Five tracks of vicious than Bandcamp. No sign of a lyrics chorus (“Automatic Cars”) on Side A Finnish fjordcore coming at you RAVAGE FIX: Self-titled: 7” EP sheet or band lineup included and the sounds like an oddball topic that Björk like a hail of angry hornets armed Fuuuuck, these cats are pissed. insert from the label advertises records herself might sing about. With a bit of with jackhammers aiming for your Four tracks of raw, feral hardcore that are coming out in “Srig 2014.” controlled chaos and noise here, a bit forehead. Been a while since I’ve delivered at varying tempos ranging Seems like these guys were so eager to of a disco beat drumming there, and a heard anything from ‘em, but based from thrash to slow, caustic burn. release, they forgot to cross their t’s and whole lot of bass drumming all over, on this, it sounds like they’ve lost The song structures are simple, but dot their i’s. The Party Dress has some Positive No creates a unique sound all none of their charm. Ratstab: Blown- man, do they pack a punch. –Jimmy solid bass lines and rhythm guitar over their own. B-sides “Slumber Sequence” out, spastic hardcore that, at times, Alvarado (Rinderherz) REAGAN’S POLYP: Deadenator: CD are such a unique band that brings cheek band always just seems like a justice to the songs nor the band. “I felt embarrassed and defensive every together a lot of elements to conjure novelty to me—but hey, you don’t see –Camylle Reynolds (Self-released, time someone came in through the up something genuinely special. I am anyone asking me how to get invited reverbnation.com/ramune) living room and saw me watching it. hard pressed to think of another current to parties. –Indiana Laub (Certified Like I was guilty of something. And I band out there who sounds like them. PR, [email protected], ROSELIT BONE: Blacken & Curl: LP guess I was.” –Dave Roche on his first Last Run continues along the trajectory certifiedprrecords.com) Bring on the desert. Blacken & time watching Pink Flamingos on a set forth by previous albums. Huge Curl is a Spaghetti Western record friend’s couch. Which I remembered anthems that are, on one hand, very RICKY C QUARTET, THE: complete with stenciled artwork while trying to listen to Deadenator catchy and make you want to get up Recent Affairs: LP of a desert range. If you love old while my roommate was in the kitchen and move, and, on the other hand, This LP contains rock-inspired punk. At country and bands like Spindrift, The making dinner. Two of these tracks incredibly thoughtful and introspective. times, punk-inspired rock. The singer Starvations, Fresh & Onlys, and Old come close to sounding like songs. Politics are at the forefront and it’s nice sounds a bit like the singer from The Crow Medicine Show, you need to “Rock and Roll ‘Music’”—only a song to hear serious protest music that is also Saints. The guitars are low distortion hear these guys. One of the things I because it’s a parody with lyrics like, fun to listen to. Rebel Spell tour North and feature lots of Chuck Berry riffs in really like about this record is that the “Oh yeah / Let’s go / It was Saturday America a lot. If you get a chance, you the vein of ‘77 New York bands. “Rock band didn’t half-ass it instrumentally. night / And I went to a bar / And I put in should really get out and see them. the Boat” utilizes a saxophone nicely. There is a nice range of instruments a quarter / to hear some guitar!” and the They’re great live. –Ty Stranglehold The saxophone occasionally pushes the on this record: cello, violin, trumpet, track, “Overpowered by the Spacegirl,” (Not Yer Buddy, facebook.com/Not. sound to the Jersey shore. I think this and plenty of acoustic guitars. They which “songs” around for a minute or Yer.Buddy) album is more for the older crowd, but keep the themes consistent with the so before the drums sound like they’re that’s me and I like it. –Billups Allen art, music style, and song titles. –Ryan being thrown down the stairs and the RESENT: Self-titled: 7” (Wanda, wandarecords.de) Nichols (Self-released) yelping begins and doesn’t ever really Technical post-hardcore from Austin, go away. Generally, I support this kind Texas. Not normally my thing, but I can ROCKET 3: Burn: CD ROTTEN UK: Bat Shit Crazy: 7”EP of thing. Very entertaining. A post- appreciate the quality of the product Rocket 3 is dreamy sugar pop with This is the second 7” from the holidays gift for someone you used to and the tunes overall. Throwback ten a Portland sound. They remind hilarious, ripping Rotten UK. Part joke love? –Jim Joyce (Vetoxa, vetoxa.com) years or so and these guys could be on me of a montage of tidbit songs band a la Who Killed Spikey Jacket? Three One G. –Steve Adamyk (Vermin in : a mix of Breeders and part devout reenactment of the REAL NUMBERS: Resplendence, resentpunx.com) and the Shangri-Las, and sweet, best of UK82 hardcore, Rotten UK is What Was & What Is: CD subdued Stereolab-style vocals. from Rochester, U.K., a.k.a. Western Like its predecessor, the latest from REV. NORB & THE ONIONS: The drums roll along, punchy yet New York. Cerebral, intelligently these cats stakes out and stripmines the Self-titled: LP light. The guitar is charmingly inane, and an all-around hoot, the intersection between the Simpletones, Bouncy, intentionally stupid power simplistic, which adds to the band’s lyrics cover pressing punk issues like Vaselines, and T.V. Personalities—all chord punk, the kind with a ton of soft-flowing sound. There are three bestiality, Christian baiting, and chaos. clean-channel guitars and happy hooks rock’n’roll solos and goofy lyrics covers: “Submission” (), Even better than their debut record, explored at various tempos. Great stuff. delivered in boppin’ post-Ramones “All Tomorrows Parties” (the Velvet this is a 7” that won’t be forgotten. –Jimmy Alvarado (Almost Ready) style. The usual tropes are there, for Underground) and “Only Shallow” 82 copies come on colored vinyl, the those keeping track at home: teenager (My Bloody Valentine), which, I first 30 thirty come with a large bat REBEL SPELL, THE: Last Run: CD problems, needing to be medicated, think, are unnecessary. Rocket 3 put earring, and the next 77 come with I have been a fan of Vancouver’s Rebel sci-fi conspiracies, B-movie monsters, their own sound into each of these a smaller bat earring. Fun for both Spell since the very beginning. They etc. I can’t lie, this kind of tongue-in- songs, which I don’t think does any those living the life and those standing on the sidelines, this record is the gleefully burst forth, harmonizing with SICK THOUGHTS: “Six Degrees of Mike” game that is perfect balance of kitsch and reality. the synth in ways impossible to guitar- Terminal Teenage: LP sweeping the underground. This is the –Art Ettinger (Disillusioned, rottenuk. wielding punk bands. I’m reminded Two LPs, ten 7”s, and a 10” all released band’s sole long-form outing released bandcamp.com) of Kiwi’s uplifting inflections, but in the course of less than two years?! when they were still active, a perennial challenging anarchist politics: “I This is either the work of a madman inclusion on assorted want-lists and a SEB AND THE RHAA DICKS: was taught class by the smell of a hell-bent on prolificacy, or a teenager bit of a classic, I reckon, of its type. If Self-titled: CD laundromat.” Each song is food for with absolutely nothing better to do you’re looking for the artsy weirdness Seb And The Rhaa Dicks, according to thought, yet even without glancing at than crank out a jaw-dropping amount of Butthole Surfers, the taut funky- the liner notes, is a project led by Seb the lyrics, Run is still perfect boogie of blown-out, lo-fi, bedroom-style punk of the Minutemen, or even the Radix of Lyon, France. I saw Seb open music. Sharkpact makes me want to garage punk. While the madman title mind-bogglingly complex speed-trials for Mike Watt And The Secondmen at pedal my ass off on my bike until I’m has yet to be confirmed or denied, Sick of Die Kreuzen, you’re barking up the Permanent Records a few months back drenched in sweat and self-realization: Thoughts is in fact the work of local wrong tree here. Sonically, their palette and he, with a tape-recorded drum beat Sure, it’s great to be alive, but make Baltimore teenager Drew Owen. It’s was solidly of the sloppy, occasionally and acoustic guitar, put on one hell of your life count for something. –Sean abrasive, it’s harsh, it’s punk. Rootsy generic thrash variety, more in line a punk show. Even for that tiny space, Arenas (Ditches, ditchesrecords. and primal, if you want something raw with early Wasted Youth than any of divided by racks of CDs and vinyl, he com / Starcleaner, starcleaner.com / this will satisfy. Angry and alienated, those others, with less emphasis on ran up and down the aisles, singing, Rumbletowne, rumbletowne.com) desperate for reason, this is a journey how much Reagan sucked and on more dancing, and pretending to punch his into the mind of a frustrated, lonely personal issues, peppered throughout male listeners in the testicles. It was a SHITTY NIGHTS: teenager. All too relatable. –Daryl with enough humor to keep things great and memorable show, even before Rick Kid Jokes: Cassette (Dead Beat) interesting. I fully know it’s a bit of thee legendary Mike Watt plugged in to I’ve always thought the term “street an acquired taste for those looking play. The songs recorded here have a lot punk” was a euphemism for “shitty, SIN 34: Do You Feel Safe?: CD for more sophisticated fare, but I’ve of bop and pop to them, reminiscent of unrehearsed band.” This tape reminds Yup, you read that right, kids, the had a soft spot for ‘em since this was The Modern Lovers or The Buzzcocks. me this sort of thing can be done well. album it was once alleged would never originally released, so it’s nice to see I get the idea that Seb spends most of his I can’t tell if it’s intentional or not, but see a legitimate reissue has been re- this get another go-’round. While the time in Europe, but I will be certain to there’s a great whiff of ‘80s U.K. in released. For those not familiar with inclusion of the Die Laughing EP and look for his future releases and chances this tape. Sometimes a great recording the band, Sin 34 was a unit active on assorted comp tracks would’ve been to see him live. –John Mule (Pure Pain has a mojo to it where it seems like L.A.’s Westside in the early ‘80s (and aces, the three outtakes that are tacked Sugar, purepainsugar.blogspot.com / it could all fall apart at the seams. for a time in the ‘00s/’10s with the on here are definitely a welcome R’n’R Masturbation) That’s where the urgency in punk original lineup intact) that was notable surprise, as are the liner notes penned lies. It’s not just being loud and/or for a) being one of only a handful in by Markey, , and Tobi SHARKPACT: Run: LP obnoxious. This band either gets it, or the early American hardcore scene Vail, respectively, to give the listener Sharkpact is Camille and Jeff, a is so cool they don’t have to. The riffs to feature a woman on vocals; b) some context. –Jimmy Alvarado keyboard/drums duo from Olympia, are simple, mid tempo, and pissed as counting (half of the We (Sinister Torch) WA, who inhabits the same scene as hell. They bring to mind an angrier Got Power brain trust and a RVIVR, Dogjaw, and Prank War. It Vice Squad. “Fuck It I’m Trying” is noted filmmaker) among their ranks; SKINNY GENES: Meh: 7” would be grossly reductive to say that an anthem quality song. Get it and put c) being one of the legion of bands Skinny Genes skillfully repurposes Sharkpact is pop punk with a keyboard, it on in your car. Good tape. –Billups that Circle One guitarist Mike Vallejo a traditionally teenage genre for the as the keys could not be replaced with Allen (Let’s Go Do Some Crimes, was in (though not for this recording), quarter life crisis or dirty thirty dread, power chords. Instead, their vocals letgodosomecrimes.com) for those playing the wildly popular complete with Simpsons references, but leaving the pizza and disdain for one’s SNOOZER: Cottage Cheese: Cassette them. Solid, straightforward punk rock, time in presenting an early ‘80s U.K. hometown behind. Instead, late twenties I suspect it’s going to be hard to kind of reminiscent of the Randumbs, post-punk vibe on this LP. Vocally, anxiety around making it, fitting in, separate this band from Sunny Day played as fast and loose as punks at a I’m taken back in an Au Pairs meets a working shitty jobs, and juggling fair Real Estate— and, through transitive Blackjack table at 3:00 AM. So, yes, howling Jeffrey Lee Pierce kind of way weather friends takes over. Meh takes property, from emo—because of the there is something for all the Vegas while musically I’m hearing more of a the earnest hardcore of New York peers singer’s vocals, which share Jeremy punx the other 361 days a year. –Chad Wire/Gang Of Four influence, heavy on like Iron Chic, ups the pop quotient, and Enigk’s high pitch and inflection. It’s Williams (Squidhat, squidheadrecords. the low end with a plodding whirlwind suffuses it with the emotive disaffection a shame if listeners do fall into this com, [email protected]) of bass and guitars with an occasional of Weezer. Skinny Genes is Azeem trap, because Snoozer is a band worthy skronk from a saxophone. On first “Ace” Sajid, a key member of beloved of repeated listens. There are traces of SPACE RAFT: Self-titled: LP/CD listen I didn’t really “get it,” but with pop punk stalwarts House Boat and late ‘90s indie stuff like Built To Spill Revamped ‘70s pop rock. Has me repeated listens it keeps getting better The Steinways. On Meh, he steps out throughout. The last song is an epic thinking Elephant Six takes on Harry and better. –Mark Twistworthy (End and literally does it all himself. Ace sprawl, with finger-picked segments Nilsson. The record is accessible with Of Time, endoftimerecords.com) sings and plays all of the instruments on leading the way to bombast and release. pop rock sounds and middling amounts each track, showcasing his impressive I’m not crazy about the recording of of ‘90s alt power pop and, of course, STORMTROOPER: I’m a Mess: 7” + CD mastery of songwriting. This guy knew this one: it flattens the band’s attack touches of psychedelic pop. It stays Stormtrooper is one of the many proto- exactly what sound he wanted and how and renders some potentially ass- pretty clean, getting dusty here and there, punk bands, in this case one from the to create it, cranking out intelligent kicking passages fangless. Still, a band but still clean. Except for one ill-advised UK, that perpetually wrench punk- bubblegum with a wry sense of humor. with ideas and execution who probably dingy track on the back. Sounded like origin timelines and oddly entrenched “Comfortably Dumb” and “No Service” kill live. –Michael T. Fournier (Ranch, a bad take on a Sabbath song. Like an myths that it popped up out of nowhere. are standout songs, both featuring ranchrecords.bigcartel.com) Elephant Six band trying to interpret Originally recorded as part of a demo memorable and reassuring lines like, “I Nilsson covering Sabbath. Ambitious, in 1975, “I’m a Mess” and its flip, “It’s suck at being a grownup,” and, “Should SOUNDS OF THREAT: but it just doesn’t work. Like I was Not Me,” the single under scrutiny here have known I’d fuck it up somehow.” Creature of Habit: CD saying, nothing offensive outside of was issued in 1977, after the band had I hear influences from the Lookout! , : desert city that that faux pas. File under Barista Rock? ceased to be, no doubt in an attempt to Records portfolio here, particularly the obliterates energy resources, water –Vincent (Dusty Medical / Bachelor) earn a few quid off the by-then raging Queers. Meh moves at an obscenely fast resources, wallets, lungs, livers, and punk phenomenon. The title track is a clip, gripping the listener’s attention laws. Its only historical redeeming STELLA: nice bit of sloppy, sludgy stompin’, an with urgency. It’s as if this record was quality being the genesis of criminally Big Table No People: Cassette easy fit into punk’s confines, while the made by an otherwise milquetoast nerd overlooked punk band M.I.A. I hold a If you like a good deal of melody in latter has a bit more of a trad rock vibe to guy who is accustomed to bottling deep loathing for Las Vegas and its stale, your music, you might not like this it. Included with this reissue, along with up his emotions, but one day, he just dry, nosebleed-inducing forced air. Yet tape. That said, if you are getting ready a patch, is a CD with additional tracks couldn’t take the wage grind anymore I visit annually, fourteen years running, to rob a bank and need to get psyched from the 1975 demo, a few tracks from a and walked into the studio. This is a for P.R.B. Glutton for punishment? up, this could be just the thing. Skilled, 1978 recording (including a nice working perfect record for getting oneself out of Hardly. Just can’t resist competitive calculated, dissonant. –Bianca (New of “I’m on Fire,” released a year later by self-doubt fog on a shitty day, and I look bowling (2010 champ!) and the great Village Tapes, newvillagetapes.com) punk stalwarts Chelsea, which included forward to hearing whatever Ace churns bands that B.Y.O. continually gets former Stormtrooper bassist Geoff Myles out next. –Claire Palermo (Bloated to play the thing. Anyway, there are STICKERS: Swollen: LP in its ranks), a 2003 rerecording of “I’m Kat, [email protected], apparently native Las Vegas punk Swollen is the debut from the band a Mess,” and a number of tracks pulled bloatedkatrecords.bandcamp.com) bands, and Sounds Of Threat is one of Stickers, from Seattle, who waste no from a rehearsal tape tacked on the end for the punters that need everything a heard 1998’s VARIOUS ARTISTS: warblings. Finally, we finish with Baby band plops onto tape. It’s also limited to as a junior in high school. Swingin’ Careful What You Step in Vol. 2: 7” Jail, who do this early-’80s new wave- five hundred, so get to searchin’. –Jimmy Utters have always represented a raw, Nine songs by nine bands—ranging ish rock stuff in German that kind of Alvarado (Cleopatra) unapologetic mix of worlds: salty from just about a minute to not quite reminds me of Nina Hagen, but maybe drunks and dignified poets, a working two minutes in length—this thing is a that’s just because of the Deutsch. Then STRAIGHT ARROWS: Rising: LP class band with leather jacket-sporting total tease. Just as you are getting a feel it all repeats, presumably in what would ‘60s garage pop expertly executed teenage hearts and minds. It has been for a song or band, it’s over and on to be a vinyl B side. Overall, lots of fun. by these Australians. Bouncy, but not nearly twenty years since the release of the next band. That being said, this is a –The Lord Kveldulfr (Lux Noise) without its freakier moments. This is Swingin’ Utters’ fantastic debut, The very cohesive collection, and punk as the soundtrack for the reverb-drenched, Streets of San Francisco, and they are fuck. Well done. –Jackie Rusted (48th VARIOUS ARTISTS: Part Time Punks black turtleneck lifestyle. If you’re still among punk’s finest songwriting Avenue Studios, 48thavenuestudios. Session Sampler 5: 2 x CD a fan of the type of music Hozac has teams. Guitarist Darius Koski and weebly.com) Part Time Punks, not to be confused with become known to release, you will dig frontman Johnny “Peebucks” Bonnel the T.V. Personalities song that inspired this. –Daryl (Hozac, hozac.com) have, once again, teamed with One VARIOUS ARTISTS: its name, is both a long-running radio Many Army leader Jack Dalrymple, Lux Noise Compilation 2014: CD program on L.A. radio station KXLU SWEET EMPIRE: longtime drummer Greg McEntee, I’m a fan of label sampler records; and a long-running series of weekly live Old Ideas Keep Fighting Us: CD/LP and bassist Miles Peck to produce a they’re usually really cheap, if not free, gigs showcasing a variety of sounds The twenty-eight minutes of music on punk rock, , gem of and I’m introduced to a lot of bands that from the punk/post-punk underground. Old Ideas Keep Fighting Us is straight- an album. Long live the Utter Army! I would normally have no clue existed. I’ve long considered myself a bona up pop punk. I totally appreciate Sweet –John Mule (Fat Wreck Chords, Lux Noise has a pretty good stable of fide fan of both, so purchasing this Empire singing about issues such as fatwreck.com) bands represented herein… most fall at one of their recent gigs was a no- animal rights, environmentalism, and within the realm of punk’n’roll, or the brainer. Like ’s legendary the war on drugs. But I have to say SYNTHETIC ID: Escapement: 7” connections thereto can be relatively “sessions,” PTP records exclusive that it’s been a long time since I’ve This is a really interesting package. easily discerned. There are seven bands sessions of assorted bands—according heard such generic, dispassionate The sleeve is made of fancy archival with two songs each on this sampler. to the PTP website, there have been music where the band is singing paper and has been splattered with The record opens with the badass at least one hundred such recordings about issues that should require some paint. There was also a little strip of rock’n’roll stylings of the Bitch Queens made—that are then aired on the show urgency, anger, and fury. Who knows, paper (not unlike an obi strip) around and R-A-M-S, then turns left with and collected on “samplers,” which though—perhaps this message will get the record itself that was also paint Wolfwolf’s minimalistic ghoul rock are used as incentive to donate to the through to some kids who wouldn’t splattered. There is also some kind of in the vein of early Cramps. Then the radio station during fund drives, and otherwise listen to hardcore. However, foil wristwatch thing that I am pretty Vibes and Gloria Volt come on to rock apparently sold at shows. This is the I think I’ll stick with the thrash-punk sure is chocolate in the middle. What your liver with their borderline bar- fifth such sampler, hence the title, and ’s been doing on their last about the music, you say? Think along rock versions of rock with songs about it’s a doozy. The sonic sequence this few albums. It has a political message the lines of some of that angular, rock, a genre I go gooey over so long as time ‘round (and I haven’t heard any that speaks to me with an intensity to early-’90s stuff such bands haven’t lost their sense of preceding volumes, so I dunno if there match. –Kurt Morris (Shield/Gunner) and you would be on the right track. urgency and/or sold out, which neither are different themes unique to specific By the last song, “Tabula Rasa,” I of these bands seems to have done yet. volumes) start off in the SWINGIN’ UTTERS: Fistful of Hollow: LP was hooked. This is great stuff! –Ty Then the Jimmy Miller Incident takes end of the spectrum, then segues into I cannot say enough about how much Stranglehold (Crime On The Moon, the stage in what for me is a dud, with full-on shoegaze stuff, icy synth/synth this band has meant to me since I first crimeonthemoon.com) their innocuous brand of blues-infused punk, goth/, indie rock, and other loosely related subgenres before long and continuing to put out stellar shovels some dirt back into that hole. It’s a ton of fun. Don’t miss out. closing out with a post-punk couplet records for the masses. Show your The subtitle does not lie: the action –Steve Adamyk (Teenage Rampage, of Flaamingos covering Joy Division’s appreciation and pick this one up here is very much in the vein of early teenagerampagerecords.com) “Transmission” and Manatee covering today. –Sean Koepenick (Red Scare, rock’n’roll punk, before politics and ’s “A Forest.” In all you get [email protected]) blazing speed took over the menu at WAR/PLAGUE: thirty-eight seriously good tracks by the banquet. However, since this record Temperaments of War: 7” EP thirty-eight bands, including DIIV, VARIOUS ARTISTS: pops my proverbial Vibrators cherry, I War/Plague, a -based crust Mac Demarco, ADULT., Seapony, Two Way Tie for Last: Cassette am in no position to assess its quality band, have created a mini-masterpiece. Savages, Black Marble, Surf Club, This cassette compilation was released in relation to their previous efforts; This song cycle is based on Hippocrates’ Medicine, The Wedding Present, as part of Cassette Store Day, and in actuality this could be the worst “Four Humors” and incorporates this Grave Babies, Lebanon Hanover, and contains thirty-eight (!) different tracks Vibrators record in the history of the philosophy of the four temperaments many others. I know that “good” is of punk, garage rock, indie rock, metal, world, and I would have no clue. All of health with the songs: “Blood,” relative depending on one’s disposition hip-hop, and other genres. There is so I can say is that I’ve been enjoying my “Yellow Bile,” “Black Bile,” and to the ground covered, but I fail to find much varying stuff here that it’s almost ride on the Vibrators train. Whee! –The “Phlegm.” The Temperaments of War a clunker in the bunch here—the song exhausting to make sense of it all, in Lord Kveldulfr (Cleopatra) is an apocalyptic look at imperialism, selection, sequencing, production, and turn making the release have the feel consumption, and religion and how performance are all top-notch. Haven’t of a label sampler with a bunch of VICIOUS CYCLES MC, THE: these things are connected to war. come across any other volumes yet, random, unconnected bands grouped Bad News Travels Fast: LP War/Plague uses elements of thrash, but I’m definitely keeping an eye out together. The standout track for me is To west-coasters, Vancouver’s kings , and down-tuned guitars for ‘em, and I highly recommend ye do the catchy as fuck “woah-oh-ohs” of of party punk need little introduction. to create mini-epics of release and the same. –Jimmy Alvarado (Part Time Basketball Shorts, but there is likely These Albertan and British Columbians tension. One of my favorite moments Punks, facebook.com/part.punks) a little something here for everybody. have been crushing most of Canada in a is the beginning of “Blood,” which –Mark Twistworthy (Fleeting Youth, number of bands for years; to call them begins with the drummer pounding VARIOUS ARTISTS: Red Scare fleetingyouth.storenvy.com) veterans would be an understatement. out a tribal-like beat, using the floor Industries: 10 Years of Your Dumb That said, VCMC (not to be confused and rack toms that syncopate with the Bullshit!: CD VIBRATORS: with the equally Canadian, Vicious guitars. These moments make my heart Although compilations have become Punk Mania: Back to the Roots: CD Cycle) have made a serious impact in race faster and my palms sweaty, which so commonplace now that they seem I have a confession to make: I’ve their homeland, even for their standards. is exactly what I’m looking for in punk to have lost some of their luster, this never really listened to the Vibrators. Apparently, their live set is what they’re music. If you’re at all interested in epic new one is the exception. Toby Jeg For whatever reason, they were one of infamous for and shouldn’t be missed, crust punk, War/Plague certainly has commemorates the anniversary of those bands that underwrite so much of should you get the chance. The music you covered. –Steve Hart (Organize this kick-ass label by offering us punk rock and simply fell between the could be best described as biker punk And Arise, OrganizeandArise.org) this collection. Rare and unreleased cracks for me because I spent my time rock, with emphasis on the rock. Not in goodness from bands you know and listening to the bands they inspired. It’s the realm of flames and tattoos, though. WHEN THERE IS NONE: Warpaint: LP love. We all have our favorites, I give kinda like spending one’s whole life Think chant out loud, singalong, This one threw me for a loop. thanks for the songs here by Teenage listening to early Beatles and never barroom, major key rock. Somewhere Instrumentally, Warpaint is a dynamic, Bottlerocket, the Methadones, listening to Gene Vincent. Shame on along the lines of Dillinger Four emo-tinged indie rock record. Every and The Lillingtons. Your list will me, eh! Regardless, now that I am meets Stiff Little Fingers—and that’s performance is flawless, from the crisp probably be different. But hats off to aware of the gaping void that has been not simply because the opening track guitar leads to the driving drums. The Toby for keeping it all together this present in my life, at least this record begins similarly to “Suspect Device.” production is sparkling. The catch: the vocals are delivered in a slurred, off- record cannot possibly be turned down as the next, and they got an honest and remind them that, “You were a rebel, key rasp that would sound perfectly to a volume where it won’t disturb boyish sentiment. The other side is you killed all forever. But it’s all over, at home in a muddy anarcho outfit. others nearby, if you try it, the record nothing but delightful rhythm and blues now?” Ultimately, Your Pest Band still Weird, right? And the arrangement just turns itself back up again. I guess tracks, with nothin’ slacker soundin’ knows how to strike bone marrow. is a whole other story—every song there’s a first time for everything: Earth about ‘em. Some of ‘em sound like –Sean Arenas (Snuffy Smiles) culminates in an extended gang vocal surrenders to France! BEST SONG: they coulda been half a century old chorus that might have been lifted from “Fox Around.” BEST SONG TITLE: or more (besides the “What’d I Say” ZEX: Wanderlust: 7” single a pizza-and-beer pop punk basement. “C’est la Merde.” FANTASTIC cover, which is). They’ve even got Zex are, without a doubt, one of the This kind of genre mismatch has AMAZING TRIVIA FACT: This keys! And use them well, conjuring best current bands making the rounds. yielded some of my favorite oddball album cover uses the Cooper Black Vince Guaraldi to mind—maybe that’s Nailing down their sound in a one- bands (I’m thinking Comadre, and I’m font, which I’ve hated for about thirty- just me because this makes me wanna size-fits-all descriptive is impossible. not surprised to see that Jack Shirley five years. –Rev. Nørb (Frantic City, dance like somebody from the Peanuts Early punk with strains of ‘70s glam had a hand in the production here), franticcity.free.fr) syndicate. Regardless, they’re fantastic. and power pop, and I’m not entirely but for some reason I just feel like I’m The flipping of the record is all the sure that’s an apt description. Because not getting this yet. To the credit of WRIGGLE: Demo: Cassette transition you need between the two when I listen to “Escape This Life” When There Is None, the execution is Being yelled at by a drunk guy while sides, despite their different patterns, on the flip, I’m reminded of the mid so thoughtful and meticulous that they some people play music behind as they are cut from the same distinct to late 1980s when hardcore bands, make me feel like it’s my fault. Like, him, pretty much. GRADE: In the cloth (I guess they split live sets like particularly in the U.K. and some of this artwork is beautiful, the lyrics are context of being yelled at by a drunk this, too). For sure, one of the top new the L.A. area bands, started treading lean and powerful… but why does guy, A-. In the context of music, records I’ve heard this year. –Vincent poppier territory, or adding a little this guy’s voice keep reminding me B-. –Bryan Static (Sorry State, (Randy, randyrecords.bigcartel.com) post-punk to their sound. The guitar of fucking Tim Armstrong? What’s sorrystaterecords.com) dominates these songs, setting the wrong with me? I should be into this. YOUR PEST BAND: Time to Go: LP tone. The A side is a little more tightly I aspire to be into this. –Indiana Laub WYATT BLAIR: Your Pest Band used to stumble towards wound, with a chorus that instantly (Rockstar, [email protected], Banana Dream: Cassette the Hickey side of melodicism, but imprints itself on your brain, and will rockstarrecords.de) This tape is bright yellow and with Time to Go, Fumito Yamazaki’s have you singing along. Then there’s transparent, which is a good indicator howl has softened into a snarled pop the guitar line towards the end of the WHITE ASS: Self-titled: LP of what the music sounds like: catchy, propagator. YPB hasn’t lost their song that recalls Buzzcocks that sends Due to dopey band name and peculiar sunny melodies with guitars, solid touch, rather they have actualized this over the f’n edge! One of those Warehouse: Songs and Stories-esque drums, and vocals that always have a the Teengenerate/Testors vibe that songs that makes you glad to be alive. packaging, I wouldn’t’ve given part for you to ooh-ooh-ooooh along. was always present, but typically This is definitely a band I will follow this record a second glance had I –Bianca (Burger, burgerrecords.org / muddied under the mania. Highlights through their duration. As I understand encountered it in the wild, and this Lolipop, lolipoprecords.com) include “You Were the Rebel” and it, they already have an LP and another would have been to my life’s detriment. “Reverse,” because although Your single out, which I need to get. And so These Parisian cellar-dwellers crank YOLKS, THE: Kings of Awesome: LP Pest Band has slowed down a bit, they do you. –M.Avrg (Wired For Sound, out a reverb-demented garage squall Pretty lofty title, but the album is pretty are most memorable when they shout facebook.com/wfsrecords) of such tangible meatiness that you’ll awesome (and really catchy). One side aphorisms. The next time a close friend swear you’re bathing in guitars and as is packed full of loose bubblegum puts down a guitar for a mind-numbing a result your complexion has improved rockers that frolic along on an intimate nine to five so as to satisfy someone Read 21,952 more record reviews at noticeably. I’ve also found that this slacker tip. 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• 1-2-3-4 Go!, 420 40th St. • Dead Broke, 139 Huber • Machine Age, • Shield, Blazoenstraat #5, Oakland, CA 94609 Ave., Holbrook, NY 11741 3575 Bigelow Blvd., 32, 5021 DM Tilburg, The • 12XU, 3005 S Lamar • Dead Tank /Josh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Blvd., D109-403 2814 Green St., • Manglor, PO Box 1101, • Sinister Torch, PO Box Austin, TX 78704 Jacksonville, FL 32205 Dekalb, IL 60115 80421, Seattle, WA 98108 • 48th Avenue Studios, • Dead Wax, 230 • Mind Cure, • Slovenly, PO Box 204, 1902 Virginia Ave., Morganton Blvd. SW, 3138 Dobson St. Floor #2, Reno, NV 89504 Everett, WA 98201 Lenoir, NC 28645 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 • Sorry State, 317 W • 56th Street, PO Box • Deranged, 2700 Lower • Negative Fun, Morgan St., Suite 105, 25216, Phoenix, AZ 85002 Rd., Roberts Creek, BC PO Box 97212, Raleigh, NC 27601 • All In Vinyl, 25 Hartswell V0N 2W4, Canada Raleigh, NC 27624-7212 • Squidhat, Dr., Birmingham • Die Slaughterhaus, • New Village Tapes, 848 N. Rainbow Blvd. #889, B13 0PE, England PO Box 160168, 10803 Fallsington Court, Las Vegas, NV 89107 • Almost Ready, 313 , GA 30316 Blue Ash, OH 45242 • Starcleaner, 94 Jewel St., President St. #2, • Ditches, PO Box 913, • No Breaks, Brooklyn, NY 11222 Brooklyn, NY 11231 Olympia, WA 98507 184 Rogers St. NE, Suite • Subsets c/o Todd • Anchorless, • Don Giovanni, PO Box #301, Atlanta, GA 30317 Uttley, 4614 Winton Rd., 68 George St., Suite 3L, 628, Kingston, NJ 08528 • Patac, PO Box 2082, Cincinnati, OH 45232 Brooklyn, NY 11206 • Double Plus Good, Hyannis, MA 02601 • Swamp Cabbage, • Arkam, 1925 Hwy 69 S., 3817 Clinton Ave, • Phat ’n’ Phunky, 1320 W. Princeton, Savannah, TN 38372 MPLS, MN 55409 15855 Rose Ave., Orlando, FL 32804 • Bachelor, • Dusty Medical, PO Box Los Gatos, CA 95030 • Taken By Surprise, 5421 Adnet 186, 1981, Milwaukee, WI 53201 • Phoenician Micro- c/o Michl Krenner, • Better Off Damned, • Eccentric Pop, PO Box Systems, 1611 Parkwood Landsberger Straße 3, 80339 3629 Blow St., 5911, Columbia, SC 29250 Rd., Lakewood, OH 44107 München, Germany St. Louis, MO 63116 • Fat Wreck Chords, 2196 • PML c/o Ville Riikonen, • Tankcrimes, PO Box • Bigger Boat, Palou Ave., SF, CA 94124 Bengalinpolku 1 G 26, 3495, Oakland, CA 94609 305 Melody Circle, • Future Perfect, PO Box 00560, Helsinki, Finland • Teenage Rampage, Swannanoa, NC 28778 19029, Oakland, CA 94619 • Profane Existence, c/o Ryan, 19 E. Broadway, • Black Gladiator, 29 E. • Going Underground, PO Box 647, Huntington, Vancouver, BC, Main St., 2nd Fl., Rear, 1822 G St., WV 25711-0647 V5T 1V4, Canada Dallastown, PA 17313 Bakersfield, CA 93301 • Pulling Punches c/o • Throwing Things, • Blast Of Silence, • Goner, 2152 Young Ave., Michael Kennedy, 1226 6020 Carlsbad Ave., Murtomaantie 6 as 7, Memphis, TN 38104 E. Columbia Ave. Apt. B, St. Louis, MO 63116 20300 Turku, Finland • Gonzo Multimedia, 6th Philadelphia, PA 19125 • To Live A Lie, c/o Will • Bloated Kat, 702 Vine St., Floor New Baltic House, • Rebel House, PO Box Butler, 2825 Van Dyke Ave., Dallas Center, IA 50063 65 Fenchurch St., London, 170021, SF, CA 94117 Raleigh, NC 27607-7021 • Boss Tuneage, PO Box 74, EC3M 4BE, England • Red Scare, PO Box • Tor Johnson, Sandy, Bedfordshire, • Grave Mistake, PO Box 13285, Chicago, IL 60613 PO Box 1556 Providence, SG19 2WB, UK 12482, Richmond, VA 23241 • Rigid, 7215 N Highland RI 02901-1556 • Burger, 645 S. State • Gunner, PO Box 105824, Ave., Tampa, FL 33604 • Total Punk, 1231 Virginia College Blvd. #A, 28058 Bremen, Germany • Rinderherz, Postfach CH- Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 Fullerton, CA 92831 • In The Red, PO Box 2500, Biel, Switzerland • Undercurrent, • Certified PR, 6364 50777, LA, CA 90050 • Rockstar, Viktoriastraße 3017 Rosemary Ln., 3rd Ave. South, Saint • Insane Society, PO Box 51, 52066 Aachen, Germany Falls Church, VA 22042 Petersburg, FL 33707 18 504 01, Novy Bydzov, • Rumbletowne, PO Box • Veritas Vinyl, 20507 Road • Clean Plate, Czech Republic 663, Olympia, WA 98507 S, Cortez, CO 81321 PO Box 9461, North • Intercourse, 24 Rockland • Saustex, • Vetoxa distributed by City Amherst, MA 01059 Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708 PO Box 691356, San Hall, 101 Glacier Point, • Cleopatra, 11041 Santa • Kong Tiki, 1127 High Antonio, TX 78269-1356 Suite C, San Rafael, CA Monica Blvd. #703, Ridge Rd., Ste. 129, • Schizophrenic, 94901-5547 LA, CA 90025 Stamford, CT 06903 Klostervej 7, 1. Der 4 5000 • Vinyl Conflict, • Creep, 1050 North • La Escalera, PO Box Odense C, Denmark 324 S. Pine St., Hancock St., Suite 76, 3085, San Diego, CA 92163 • Schnitzel, 86 Woodfield Richmond, VA 23220 Philadelphia, PA 19123 • Latest Flame, 1017 E. Rd., Leigh-On-Sea, Essex • Windian, • Crooked Beat, Lyon, Milwaukee, WI 53202 SS9 1ET, England 1849 Calvert St. NW, 2116 18th St. NW, • Lolipop, 1176 Glendale • SDMPDX, 6529 NE Garfield Washington D.C. 20009 Washington, DC 20009 Blvd., LA, CA 90026 Ave., Portland, OR 97211 • Dead Beat, • Luxnoise, • Secretly Canadian, PO Box 361392, Steinengraben 30, CH-4051, 1499 W. Second St., Cleveland, OH 44136 Basel, Switzerland Bloomington, IN 47403 “Th e illustration of the sperm trying ZINE to fertilize the REVIEWS piece of pizza?!?! Send all zines for review to: Razorcake, Th at alone is PO Box 42129, LA, CA 90042 Please include a postal worth the price.” address (that’s how we trade), the number of pages, the price, –Daryl | NO HOPE and whether or not you accept trades.

1055 MINUTES, $7-10, 8” x 6”, 68 pgs. DREAMS OF DONUTS #20, $2, 5 ½” x 8 ½”, copied, 54 pgs. You take a playlist of every song you remember being impactful over the The layout of Dreams of Donuts is one of the best I’ve seen. The course of a year. You take that journal and you illustrate six songs every neat and even lettering and lovely panel borders that ranged from tiny page, representing a week of your life. Sounds great! Sounds like a more hearts to railroad tracks made reading an ease and a delight. Each of structured Snakepit, or a more experimental American Elf! But, wait, the three autobiographical short illustrated stories became whimsical there’s not an actual narrative to follow. It’s implied narrative, shown and fun through her detailed, black-line illustrations. I especially through emotions and content of the songs themselves. Snippets of lyrics liked her punk perspective on movie reviews. For example, she gave will become inspirations for doodles, six per page. It turns out to be a Predator 2 four out of five donuts because “Predators hate the cops as little too literal for its own good, but I can’t knock them any points for much as we do.” –Ashley Ravelo (Heather Wreckage, 5867 San Pablo trying. The drawings aren’t bad, but the content of the book gets a little Ave, Oakland, CA 94608, [email protected]) repetitive by the end. An interesting experiment, I look forward to seeing what Pijpers does next. Grade: B. –Bryan Static (ampijpers.tumblr.com) EFF’D UP #2, $?, 5 ½” x 8 ½”, copied, 48 pgs. This is the second installment of Robin’s serial resource both for her BEHIND THE WHEEL: A LYFT DRIVER’S LOG #2, own efforts at sobriety as well as anyone else who could use some help. $5, 5 ½” x 8 ½”, copied, 56 pgs. The format of zines as a resource and semi-public forum makes a lot of I don’t use ride shares. After growing up with a slightly paranoid sense, especially for this subject matter. Both (zines, substance use/abuse) Mexican grandmother who was fearful of me being murdered while run deep through punk and , and so having an easy and at sleepovers with my school friends, I am wary of getting into even accessible way to pick many brains and experiences from our own ranks the most regulated cars with strangers. Through the drunken rants of produces pretty helpful results. This issue packs a lot more muscle than my roommate’s boyfriend about the evils of Uber—“They steal your the last one, with interviews, stories, tips for socializing, essays, and art information! They can always see your location!”—unfortunately, after that present a fairly wide spectrum of experience and subject matter, rather checking out the suggested online supplementary reading, it seems that than one simple, linear, “This is how you quit drinking/using drugs.” For Lyft life is less than sweet. The unfair wages for drivers and company example, one interview concentrates on the interplay between the subject’s silencing of differing opinions about these policies has only strengthened mental health and community activism, both of which are in no way my initial distaste for ridesharing. Clocking in at fifty-six pages of pure tangential to substance use, either as concern or as constructive activity. text, Dessaint’s accounts offer a unique perspective to these rideshares Another interview goes from the (thankfully) established practice of needle that many people forget: the driver’s point of view. I found myself exchanges, towards brainstorming up a dog-walking service explicitly worried that overly drunk riders would vomit in his car; I cringed when for people to get clean through. And sitting over all this are the efforts of a couple used his backseat as their own personal makeout haven; and I the editor herself, whose writing for this issue demonstrates a more acrid, clenched my teeth while reading the conversations between tech bros and visceral clarity (first issue was at the beginning of her sobriety, this one conservative republicans. I commend Dessaint for his ability to navigate comes one hundred days in), as she, through compiling and writing this, the waters, as these situations all seemed like torture to me. Above all, once again works furiously at something new that is useful and fulfilling, Dessaint is inarguably enamored with the idea of San Francisco: the art, rather than surrendering to old, destructive patterns. A great resource and the culture, the history. Yet, his experiences tell tales more of frustration highly recommended. –Dave Brainwreck ([email protected]) with what the city has become in recent years, rather than the happiness of being in the city he’s always loved. He and his wife live in nearby FEEDBACK #13, $2, 5½” x 6”, copied, 36pgs. Oakland, as they cannot afford to live within San Francisco due to the Feedback is a simple comics zine chronicling part of the music scene influx of tech workers raising rent prices. The fact that his dream city is in Portland, OR through show posters and one-three page comic still a bridge away is a source of bitterness for Dessaint. I’ll drive myself reenactments. This issue is a special issue. “The Catch Up Issue,” around, thank you. –Ashley Ravelo (Kelly Dessaint, PO Box 22974, because our author prefaces the zine with an anecdote about the Oakland, CA 94609, [email protected]) changing lifestyle a first-time father experiences with so little time to go to shows and write zines,. I feel lucky that we are getting something CERTAIN PEOPLE I DON’T KNOW Volume #6, so dense and expressive. The comics are fun and Isaacson isn’t afraid $1 or trade, 4 ¼” x 5 ½”, copied, 9 pgs. to poke fun at himself and the music scene he’s apart of. It reminds me A short, short comic of weird characters the author saw driving the of the many nights that go by wishing I would go out to more shows bus. It’s humorous but way too short. It consists of nine one-panel but more and more I’ve chosen to stay in. If I read more zines like this, pictures then, done. Another annoying thing is every other page is I would more than likely get out of my goddamn apartment. –Simon blank for no reason. If someone wants to hand something like this Sotelo ([email protected]) out to their friends, cool, but to make someone review it or expect someone to go to any trouble to get it just doesn’t seem fair to me. LIKE FIGHTING THE OCEAN, $4, 5 ½” x 8 ½”, copied, 80 pgs. I would suggest waiting for enough material and putting out a solid In the words of Paul Renn: “This zine is about punk rock and effort next time because the comics weren’t bad. A good way to spend skateboarding, that’s it. They are inseparably linked in my mind...” a very literal couple of minutes. –Craven Rock (aimeepijpers.net) Renn’s compulsion to keep skating and being punk into his thirties is a testament to the power of DIY culture as an alternative to banal clip art, and what have you. It looks awesome! There’s an ecstatic mainstream society. Hey, as Renn states, “Age is no excuse to suck at tour diary with his friends in the band Dipshit and a couple of other life.” Although his sentiments are enough to win me over, the zine also inspiring tales of travel and fun and being young and punk. The features accounts of other thirtysomething skaters, interviews with Max author’s so down with the cause he lists his phone number! –Craven from Scholastic Deth, one of my favorite bands, and Brian from Night Rock ([email protected]) Birds, and Renn’s tour journal with Reservoir. Although Max is no longer an active musician, he’s a history professor who encourages subversive SPIDDER #17, 8 ½” x 5 ½”, copied, 20 pgs. ideas in the classroom. Although Brian is a father, he continues to tour Within a nice homey design of cut ‘n’ paste and comic illustration are and perform live with Night Birds. Ultimately, the skater anecdotes and some personal stories and writing from an old school (as in ‘80s old interviews echo a similar theme: If you love something, don’t give it up school) skater. He covers a vast range of topics, like friends who tried to because society says you should have grown out of it. Like Fighting the recruit him into a quixotic hunting down of William S. Burroughs and Ocean is an outstanding reminder to ignore the naysayers and keep at Hasil Adkins and coming back with more than enviable results. Most what makes you happy. –Sean Arenas (Paul Renn, 1919 San Pablo Ave. of the pieces end up coming back around to skating, not just because Apt. #108 Oakland, CA 94612, [email protected]) it’s his favorite thing but also because he uses it as an existential and philosophical theme. The author has a deep connection to the sport in NO HOPE, $5, 5 ½” x 8”, printed, 24 pgs. a zen sort of way, making for a deep and thoughtful read. A must read If you’re not familiar with the work of Marcos Siref, he has an illustration for skaters. Recommended for everyone else. –Craven Rock (Jamie, in pretty much ever issue of this zine. Even did the cover of #74. He’s 1925 Hwy. 69 S, Savannah, TN 38372) published comics in As You Were #2 and #3. And has done cover art for The Chill Dawgs, Spokenest, and the Lenguas Largas / Mind Spiders STAYING IN, 8 ½” x 5 ½”, copied, 12 pgs. Sister Series. With those projects he typically has some kind of prompt, A young New Jersey punk writes about his experiences going to shows but No Hope is his own beast, and it’s a wild one. There’s some crazy and getting out and living life. Not bad—lots of descriptions of bands shit in here. It’s fuckin’ awesome. I mean, the illustration of the sperm and good times at shows—certainly not groundbreaking or anything,

“She gave Predator 2 four out of fi ve donuts because ‘Predators hate the cops as much as we do.’”

–Ashley Ravelo | DREAMS OF DONUTS #20 trying to fertilize the piece of pizza?!?! That alone is worth the price. but the author has a fresh voice, a bright-eyed and bushytailed view Pick it up! –Daryl (Marcos Siref, http://upthameex.wordpress.com) of the (his) world, and a buttload of potential. Plan on Staying In. –Craven Rock (No address listed) PSYCHO.MOTO #21, $?, 5 ½” x 8 ½”, copied, 24 pgs. This is the “family” issue of a long-running zine springing from the TURNTABLE TOUR: OCTOBER 2014, Antagonist Art’s Movement (which highlights new, obscure artists 5 ½” x 8 ½”, copied, 12 pgs. and writers who challenge the mainstream). This is the only exposure This zine is to accompany this fall’s Turntable Tour, a four-city I’ve gotten to this particular “art movement,” and while their opening travelling visual art show featuring work by punk stalwarts Tim Kerr, creed is a position I unexceptionally respect, I was hoping for a little Chris Shary, Kepi Ghoulie, and more. Within these mere twelve pages more challenge in the subject matter. A lot of this issue consists of cute, you get illustrations of the artists, as well as some background on their endearing, sentimental stories about the authors’ families (accepting practices, and some quick interviews. Though I wasn’t able to attend Dad, then funny Dad, then an accepting and funny Dad). Plenty of one of the shows (they all took place in the South), I am familiar fucked-up families have ran soldering irons around in people’s lives, with these people’s art and found the content of the zine a nice but I don’t think it’s only legitimate to present that—it’s very real to accompaniment to my existing appreciation of their artistic output. recognize and appreciate the functional and positive aspects of your But what I especially like about the zine is that it not only featured own family. I was just left feeling like I’d eavesdropped on someone’s the people whose work was in the show, but also talked about some conversation with a good friend, and not with any of the mental or of the people who were helping set up the shows. A true testament emotional exhilaration that I try to get from art. There are also fanzine to how community-oriented this project was. If the Turntable Tour reviews and a pretty decent interview with two Iranian street artists ever finds its way to your neck of the woods, definitely check it out! who now reside in . –Dave Brainwreck (antagovision. –Daryl (RF Daniel, 712 O’Shaughnessy Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801, com/psycho-moto-zine-archive, [email protected]) [email protected])

PURE ENTERTAINMENT #1, $10, 7½” x 5”, 72 pgs. WELCOME TO THE CULTURAL ÆTHER #9, A wildly varying collection of comics. Quite a few of them remind me $1 ppd., 8½” x 5½”, 24 pgs. of older comic masters. There are two strips specifically that ape the Another visually stunning ish. Collages with text are very precisely done. styles of George Herriman (Krazy Kat) and Will Eisner. Some of the The texts are longer form this time and have to do with religion, mostly. It strips are way better than others, but they’re from many different eras kind of bothered me that there is no attribution given to the authors of the and artists, so it’s hard to compare most of them to each other. One texts. The zine’s editor says it is because ideas should be spread, not the complaint that I can’t get past is that the book is too small for some author’s fame. I have to say that I liked it better when shorter bits of text of the art included. There’s nothing wrong with digest size, but some were used in the collages. One of the text bits is in such a tiny font that of this art looks squashed! Grade: B-. –Bryan Static (75 Byram Lake it hurts my eyes. Still, many of the pages are very artfully done and this Rd., Mount Kisca, NY 10549, lookmomcomics.com) zine is definitely worth the price. –Lisa Weiss (The Cultural Æther, 2440 E. Tudor Rd. #364, Anchorage, AK 99507) RABBIT, RABBIT, RABBIT #3, 7” x 8 ½”, copied, 20 pgs. This is an awesome old school-style zine with crappy drawings, legibly 2,108 more zine reviews at handwritten sections, and typed-up and glued-around photocopier art, razorcake.org/punk-zine-reviews 105

class and in bed and between shifts at work. By holding Rick’s zine in my hands, it opened a gateway into his everyday life filtered through his nerdy predilections and goofy sense of humor. As Rick admits, the early strips are roughly drawn, yet they are chock-full of earnestness BOOK and insightful observations. But he develops as an artist throughout the REVIEWS collection. In fact, Rick acknowledges that years of practice have made his lines more confident, although he has not lost any of his simplistic charm. Even if you lack artistic expertise, personal expression is a muscle that anyone can flex. Rick has exercised his muscles by documenting his local punk scene and his trials and tribulations in maintaining DIY space 1919 Hemphill. Ultimately, photocopied zines are as pertinent now as ever. They counteract slowly dissociating human interactions, which are partially a result of digital communication. Look, I’m not a Luddite, but why simply see someone’s inner self expressed when you can feel it. Rick has put himself on the printed page for us to engage with him. I, for one, treasure the spot on my shelf he now occupies as it suggests that heartfelt, independent comics are something worth cherishing. There’s nothing fleeting about Big Oldie. –Sean Arenas (Secret Sailor, PO Box 2312, Bloomington, IN 47402)

Copycat and a Litter of Other Cats By David Yow, 160 pgs. When people think of Jesus Lizard frontman David Yow, they Beyond the Music: generally think of heaving, soul-retching vocals, spasmodic stage How Punks are Saving the World with DIY Ethics, Skills and Values moves, broken-bottle lyrics and, of course, groin origami. But Edited by Joe Biel 191 pgs. unabashed Feline Adoration? Up till now, I would’ve guessed that the I was beyond thrilled when I pulled this book out of the mailbox. only connection between Yow and cats is that he catches them down I believe that this is what punk rock is all about—using the tools we by the railroad tracks and grinds them up, fur and all, to make his learned in punk rock to make the world a better place. The essay, “The homemade bologna. And that he probably uses kitty litter as a sort Virus That Cures,” by Mark Anderson, which closes the book, is worth of “dry” shampoo. But as this book of his cat cartoons demonstrates, the cover price alone. This essay is not only inspiring, but it details the behind the lead singer’s twistedly sinister persona there lies, somewhat journey of a punk rocker from teenager to adult. Anderson writes, “The like William Burroughs, a cat lover. That’s a twist more surprising journey started with the music, but could never end there. It always Jesus Lizard frontman David Yow, a cat lover. Th at’s a twist more surprising than any of the balloon animals that he’s tied his genitals into over the years. –Aphid Peewit, Copycat and a Litter of Other Cats

pointed beyond, past teenage tribes… punk inspired me to [pursue] than any of the balloon animals that he’s tied his genitals into over knowledge and truth…” the years. Beyond the Music isn’t a book of nostalgia. Instead, this is a But if you’re imagining a collection of darkly sardonic and deeply collection of stories, essays, and interviews detailing the journey of haunting Hieronymus Bosch-like cat-populated illustrations, banish the people within punk rock and focusing on what they are involved with thought. The only word that applies here is: CUTE. These are simple, presently. one-panel color cartoon illustrations that work off of cat-themed puns Thankfully, this is not a collection of the usual punk rock celebrity, and they’re simply as cute as a bug’s ear. No getting around it. It is not go-to voices. Although there a few sprinkled throughout the book, the an exaggeration to say that each of these could seriously be used for a crux of the book revolves around real voices from real people doing real line of cute greeting cards for people of the cat fancier persuasion. things. This is incredibly inspiring and highly recommended. –Steve So now we know that the feral, naked, screaming punk rock man Hart (Cantankerous Titles, PO Box 14322, Portland, OR. 97293) with the dark motives has a soft fuzzy Hallmark card side to him to rival any of the packaged tenderness that a Taylor Swift can offer up. Big Oldie: A Collection of Comic Zines Life just got weirder by a notch or two. By Rick V., 89 pgs. My only complaint is—probably in keeping with my Luddite The digital age of autobiographical comics is here in a big, bad leanings—the obvious “digital art” feel that the illustrations have. I way. Many artists find their work trending on Tumblr and Instagram, would be much happier if Yow would get out of Photoshop, get some a vast desert of fleeting digital content. Yet, most artists would agree actual paints and canvases, and use real hairballs coughed up by his that printed zines and bound collections are a preferable interaction cats for his brushes. But I’m not going to be presumptuous enough to between creator and reader as it develops a tactile relationship, which tell an artist how to work his magic, particularly an artist who seems connects with our personal history and not simply our browser’s. capable, at any second, of suddenly lunging at me and ripping my As such, I read most of Rick V.’s collection, Big Oldie, before Adam’s apple out of my throat with his sharp yellow teeth. 107

We are lucky to find ourselves in a universe so prone to barfing transforming society. Spotting it as a recommended book by the staff up things of genuine oddness from time to time. And Copycat is one during my visit to Powell’s books, I was more than happy to support such thing. This book is, I’m sure, bound for a hallowed spot in the such a small scale publication willing to give a platform to those who Museum of the Odd, alongside GG Allin’s touching letters to his mom, couldn’t find one. Michael Jackson’s false nose, and Eleanor Roosevelt’s mummified There are many things that this second volume of Red Skies at penis collection. –Aphid Peewit (Akashic Books, akashicbooks.com) Night does right, but before we get to those, I would like to address some of the problems. First of all is the presentation. Although Red King Shit Skies at Night is well-printed, the layout and design are a bit crude and By Brian Alan, Illustrated By Waylon Th ornton, 44 pgs. amateurish, with an unusual choice of font, poorly formatted articles, King Shit reminds me of a few nights out at the bar that were more and low resolution images. Of course, it’s the content that’s most trouble than they were worth. That night you didn’t quite regret, important, but I’m confident that anarchists are able to put together a but if you could have stayed at home would you? Probably not. It’s publication as professional looking as the “big boys.” been a while since I was a person who’s long since wanted to get However, there are bright spots in Red Skies at Night in the final into a drunken heap of trouble every week. King Shit took me back. two essays (and thankfully also the longest ones)—“Whose Strike” and After each chapter, I was glad to momentarily step out of the bar “Fighting for the Future”—where the writers give itemized ideas on and away from the vomit- and piss-lined bathrooms that colored my how to go about being more involved in your community and liberating past. The book is short and it reads like a series of short stories at movements. These essays consider topics such as the fast food strikes, first—stories that just happen to be part of the same storyline—and generally how to organize locally, what cautions we should take when occur in chronological order. It doesn’t take long to get through a night we choose to participate in them and how to identify and approach its “You’re a puzzle piece that was thrown into the wrong box, but that didn’t stop anyone from forcing you to fi t in...

Long story short: kids are assholes.” –Simon Sotelo, Tomboy mis- with our main character Elvis (King Shit) Macalister. moving parts, how a militant faction must always be encouraged, how Most of the characters are enjoyable weirdos all functioning as part organizations (whether revolutionary or not) cannot remain stagnant of the same dysfunctional world and nothing seems too far fetched to and must expand regardless of possible internal conflicts, and, what have been real—at least not after the things I’ve seen. –Simon Sotelo might be the largest hurdle to overcome—finding the right people who (House Of Vlad Productions) are dedicated. It’s these actual concrete examples which make these articles a highlight and make them stand out. In addition, there is also Raising Hell a letters column where targets of the previous issue are given a chance By Norman Spinrad, 108 pgs. to address criticisms directed towards them. Spinrad is best-known for his science fiction. His novel The Void Red Skies at Night is not the perfect publication and has room Captain’s Tale is great, but any summary is going to make it sound for improvement. However, there are still informative and worthwhile horrible. Here, I’ll try: it’s about life on a spaceship that’s powered by essays in this second volume. –Ollie Mikse (Red Skies At Night, PO a woman’s orgasm. See? But the story works. And his novel The Iron Box 4024, Portland, OR 97208) Dream “purports” to be a sword-and-sorcery novel penned by Adolf Hitler—another doubtful premise, but that story works, too. Tomboy Raising Hell is part of PM Press’s Outspoken Authors series, By Liz Prince, 255 pgs. in which, according to the company, writers “present their most Have you ever felt alone? Not lonely, but during those tough times provocative work in a [format] designed to fit in your pocket and you had no one to relate to, as if you were the only one of your kind? stretch your mind.” You’re a puzzle piece that was thrown into the wrong box, but that Spinrad’s book comes reasonably close to the mind-stretching didn’t stop anyone from forcing you to fit in. Liz Prince does an part with its essay, “The Abnormal New Normal.” The essay, while amazing job chronicling the uncomfortable and alienating childhood ultimately a manifesto for political and economic action, is essentially she experienced being a girl and wearing boy’s clothes. Not to be American History Since the Civil War in Twenty Pages. For me, it confused with a boy trapped in a girl’s body, but rather not finding crystallized my understanding of how the Republican Party went from value, necessity, or truth in the constructs girls are forced into their being the party of Abraham Lincoln to being the fraternity house of whole lives. There are some girls who will prefer action movies and toy doorstops and arsonists. trucks instead of pink flowers and fairy wings, but what are the chances Whether you’re someone for whom the cost of higher education that these tomboys will be able feel normal? Long story short: kids are is mind-stretchingly prohibitive, or you’re tired of being the person assholes. Being a kid is hard even for those who feel like they fit into who’s always joking about your ignorance of history, “The Abnormal gender norms. Tomboy is a real page-turner, full of fun nostalgia and New Normal” would make a sturdy cornerstone for a DIY education. heartbreaking memories that remind me of my own boyish childhood. The book shares its title with its opening novella, in which Hell’s The only downside I found in this book was that it ended way too fast. damned souls organize a union and go on strike—it’s pretty good, in Liz Prince is a great storyteller—it’s not just because her childhood a ‘50s Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction kind of way. –Jim was similar to mine—she brings the right amount of wit, humor, and Woster (PM Press, PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623, pmpress.org) realism to every panel. –Simon Sotelo (ZestBooks.net)

Red Skies at Night: Journal of Revolutionary Strategy and Praxis Issue 2 By Various Authors, 104 pgs Red Skies at Night is a publication based in Portland, that collects writings focusing on anarchist/communist strategies for Read 495 independent book reviews at razorcake.org/punk-book-reviews 109

Hardcore Norfolk: A Story of Rock’n’Roll Survival: DVD Where’s Norfolk? About two hours from Richmond. You know, where bands like Avail and GWAR and are from, where all the best bands find a way to play while on tour. Not that many made the ninety- mile detour from the Richmond-to-Chapel-Hill route, but if they had they would have found some crazy kids making music despite the conservative, military nature of the town. I will admit that I am a little biased because I first got to know Hardcore Norfolk back in 1984, when I bought my first punk rock records at a Skinnies, VID a Norfolk record store that has refused to die. There were flyers for shows at a place called Connection Hall. Hardcore Norfolk was a loose-knit group of friends who put on shows, played shows, and went to shows at this place in the back of a beauty parlor. I was a few years from getting my driver’s license and I lived in Virginia Beach, the next town over. The venue was in a EO “bad” neighborhood so forget a ride from the parental unit or anyone else’s parental units. Bus service was a joke. I had no hope of going. The venue closed a few years later but the music didn’t stop. Hardcore or punk bands make up about two-third of the music featured here. The movie chronicles all kinds of self-promoted music in Norfolk, starting in the late ‘50s. Shiptown Records was Norfolk’s answer to Motown. There was a lively scene along Church Street, with clubs that embraced black performers during the era of de facto segregation. In the ‘60s, Norfolk had more sailors than hippies and several rockers refined their chops while in Vietnam. A -pop band called East End Babylon: Th e Story of the Cockney Rejects: DVD Waxing Poetics and indie-rockers Antic Hay from the late 1980s and early The Cockney Rejects held a strong fascination for me when I was a ‘90s also get a fair bit of coverage. young punker in the early 1980s. Part of the reason, I reckon, is because I In the 1980s, Virginia Beach aggressively banned backyard skateboard could find so little information about ‘em back then—they weren’t covered ramps so a committed group of skaters got the first public vert ramp built at in U.S. papers all that much, if at all, and my steady supply of was Mount Trashmore. At that time skateboarding was punk’s gateway drug, so initially limited to Flipside, and black-rhino rare issues of Generations (or a lively scene grew up around skateboarding, with bands like The Faction at least that’s the name I remember of a short-lived tabloid-sized rag put and JFA making that ninety-mile detour. out by the BYO folks), Zig Zag, No Mag, and MRR that happened to make Probably the most well-known band featured here is The Candy its way into Montebello’s Roadhouse Records—and part of it was because Snatchers, who toured extensively and got themselves on the cover of what they were singing about struck a deep chord. Maximum Rock’n’roll in the late 1990s. Of course, this film can’t be Sure, they hailed from London’s East End, but take away the football everything to everybody so some bands are left out and some maybe get too references and the Cockney accents and they could’ve been from the much time, but that’s the nature of music documentaries. This was a great trip down memory lane for me but what if you are one “Sure, they hailed from London’s East End, but take away the football references and the Cockney accents and they could’ve been from the same part of East L.A. I was from.” –Jimmy Alvarado, East End Babylon: Th e Story of the Cockney Rejects same part of East L.A. I was from, judging from all the straight talk about of those people who don’t know that it’s pronounced “Nawfuk”? The story asshole cops, fighting, and street-level snapshots of poverty condition of Hardcore Norfolk is your story if you grew up in a shitty town, lived for lives peppered across their first two albums. This film is essentially tailor- music, and hung out with the few people who understood you. –Lisa Weiss made for that kid I was, and the history-obsessed adult I’ve become. (hardcorenorfolk.com, [email protected]) The core story recounted here is that of the band—a cabal of street rats mostly too young to even vote in the U.S. who put out a remarkable slew Looking for Johnny: Th e Legend of Johnny Th unders: DVD of hard-edged and humorous tunes over a scant few years before joining Director Danny Garcia is a huge Johnny Thunders fan. Huge. I mean, the lamentable slog of punk bands their inner metal musings—but Garcia made this film about the guy, so it’s fairly obvious. With that said, director Richard England prudently weaves their tale into both nearly his fandom is Looking for Johnny’s biggest flaw. Throughout, Garcia simply a hundred years of the East End itself and the family history of main cannot get out of his own way, and the directorial choices he makes (and protagonists (and brothers) Jeff “Stinky” Turner and Mick Geggus. doesn’t make) hobble what might have otherwise been an interesting story. The film follows the full arc of both band and brothers—early success, For one, it never feels as if Garcia has a clear sense of what he’s trying their disillusion with punk, the metal years, the band’s dissolution, Stinky’s to do in the film. Sure, he’s trying to tell the story of this guy who was in the turn as a boxer, and the band’s rebirth and resurgent popularity—along with and the Heartbreakers, a guitarist who died under dubious bits about the football fanaticism to which the band was tied; the early oi circumstances, but after watching this multiple times I’m left confused. movement woefully disserviced by Britain’s creepy, caustic tabloids; and There are parts of the film—the expository parts—that feel unreasonably the greater world in which the band was distilled. rushed. Worse, I have no idea what the hurry is. The editing is tight, and the visuals are peppered with lots of historical Early on in the career of the Dolls, for example, drummer Billy Murcia footage and photos of both the band and the East End itself and limits the chokes on hot coffee in a British bathtub after well-meaning bumblers try to number of “talking heads” seen throughout; never a bad thing. This is a revive him from an overdose. The film talks about how sad the event was, veritable cornucopia of awesomeness for the fan, but, more importantly, it how vital Murcia was to the band, and prior to that moment the dude is barely is a film that has been executed in such a way that the most casual viewer even mentioned. It’s as if director Garcia is ticking off items from a checklist who’s never heard of the Rejects would likely find something of interest to throughout this film, like he’s trying to get plot points out of the way. glom onto if they happened on it while flipping through the channels some This happens a little later on in the film when Thunders’ band Gang late evening. –Jimmy Alvarado (Cadiz Music, cadizmusic.co.uk) War is briefly mentioned—I had no idea that Thunders played with Wayne 111 Kramer from the MC5! Unfortunately, I don’t know much more than this, on heroin, a bunch of people talking about how affecting his music was, because, again, the whole thing is dealt with in less than a minute, as if occasional discussions of the man’s musical habits (though there’s precious another box is being checked off. Despite this, we’re told about the band’s little in the way of performance throughout—there’s often grainy footage of potential and whatnot—told, rather than Garcia using exposition to develop a band while someone or other talks over music playing in the background, the point. but not the music the band in said footage is playing—this is especially And the same thing happens again later: Stiv Bators of the Dead Boys is the case for the first half of the film), and an overall sense of worship and briefly in cahoots with Thunders in a band setting, but Bators dies, Thunders reverence that I just do not get. is devastated, and any number of aging New York scenesters tell us how It’s great to hear from photographer Bob Gruen and Sylvain Sylvain, one ______the whole thing was. What Garcia misses, or ignores, is that a of the two original surviving Dolls, but the assembled cast often feels scraped bunch of talking heads telling us how important people are does not get the together, as if the director would take anyone available, and as if they’re “A bunch of talking heads telling us how important people are does not get the point across. Th is is a documentary: we want to be shown through footage and interviews. ” –Michael T. Fournier Looking for Johnny: Th e Legend of Johnny Th unders point across. This is a documentary: we want to be shown through footage grateful to be on camera to tell their story. It just doesn’t feel authoritative and interviews. narratively, especially since the important bits seem glossed over in favor I get that the footage Garcia uses throughout must have been a labor of of…..well, nothing. He left too soon, got too fucked up, repeat. love, one that induced much salivation when rare or never-before-seen stuff The reason I was psyched to watch this in the first place was to find out was unearthed, but the choices to use said clips are being made at the expense why there was so much mystique about Johnny Thunders—there’s surely of a cohesive narrative. Jeez, even Thunders’ death (or was it murder?) in a more to it than the whole “live fast, die young” thing, right? Unfortunately, New Orleans hotel room feels rushed, though I assumed (incorrectly) Garcia I have no idea at the end of the movie: the aforementioned scenesters who was sprinting through the rest of the film to dig deepREVIEW into the incident like a narrate the film seem to dictate the film’s flow, rather than the director punk rock Unsolved Mysteries. Nope. having a strong vision and asking questions to get the answers So what’s the rush, then? Why are so many seemingly salient points he was looking for. What we’re left with is a cipher—over which skimmed over? Beats me, because a majority of this film feels like sitting any number of people fawn and preen—and a missed opportunity. through a bunch of Johnny Thunders’ uninteresting associates blathering –Michael T. Fournier (No address listed) on. There’s a fair amount of canoodling about how Thunders got wasted Read 247 independent video reviews at razorcake.org/punk-video-reviews