Zines
The NewPages
Zine Rack
Number 35 (Posted Aug. 10, 2006)
Zines Reviewed by Sean Stewart
Number Two
“SWRS: Short Wave Relay Service.” It’s good to see DJ
Frederick continuing with this project (see
Zine Rack #30 for review of SHORT/wave). In this issue,
after providing some recap of last issue, he gives readers a few
profiles of and interviews with shortwave pirate stations past
and present, including Undercover Radio, The Voice of
Laryngitis, and Radio for Peace International (RFPI). Also
included is an explanation of reception reports (which listeners
send in to pirate broadcasters) and QSL cards, which pirates
send back as confirmation that the listener heard the station.
Each copy of the zine comes with a related CD-R; mine included a
recording of Undercover Radio broadcasts. If you missed issue 1,
which is reportedly out of print, here’s your chance for another
intriguing look into the shortwave pirate radio world. An
interesting read. [5.5” x 8.5”, $4 ppd., Frederick Moe, 36 West
Main St., Warner, NH 03278, singinggrove@conknet.com,
www.seldomheardradio.blogspot.com]
There’s something about zines from North Carolina. Maybe it
all started with Al Burian. Who knows, but big hands is
following nicely in the tradition of NC perzines that stand out
from the pack. Aaron pens wistful poetic prose about traveling,
the punk “scene” (such as it is), and winter storms. It’s
personal without getting too personal. And it’s well worth your
dollar or trade. [4.25” x 5.5”, $1 or trade, Aaron, 1104
Imperial Rd., Cary, NC 27511]
“The memoir of a record store clerk: a perzine.” Jessica has
worked in a record store since 1999. Now, working in any place
of employment, particularly in the retail realm, for that long
is bound to provide some good fodder for storytelling. But
record stores do tend to attract an even more eclectic crowd
than the average retail establishment. So, Jessica begins with a
short tale of how she got the job, and then provides character
sketches of her fellow employees, before finally launching into
a series of amusing and bizarre true-life vignettes about what
she has experienced while working at Broken Records.
Interspersed with the stories are various Top 5 lists, kind of a
la High Fidelity. Comes with a good mix CD if you
ask for it when ordering. Definitely recommended, particularly
for music freaks and anyone who enjoys a good retail hell story
(which really means everyone, doesn’t it?) [5.5” x 8.5”, $3,
Jessica, xsonicdeathx@graffiti.net,
www.myspace.com/brokenrecords, also available through
various distros]
Issue 1
Summer 2006
“Notes on Jersey City.” Sometimes zines appear in my mailbox
with no explanation as to why. This is one of those zines. The
connection? I’m not sure. I’m from New Jersey and I review
zines? I guess. Anyway, this is a step above the average
literary zine; it’s as nicely put together as many so-called
literary “journals.” It’s perfectbound, with crystal clear b&w
photos and artwork. As the title page states, Conveyer
is dedicated to “articulating and documenting Jersey City’s
sense of place through imagemaking and storytelling.” That is a
highly respectable mission, in my opinion. Anyone who makes an
effort to understand and explain the place where they live gets
my attention, and usually keeps it for as long as they keep
talking (or writing). And this publication includes some very
unique reflections on Jersey City. There is fiction, nonfiction,
photoessays, and my favorite section: a series of photocopied
examples of “urban detritus” whose owners feel represent
meaningful facets of their Jersey City existence. It is simple
and common and so beautiful. I’d love to read a whole issue just
consisting of these. This is an excellent first issue, and I
look forward to seeing more. [6” x 9”, free in Jersey City,
contact editor for mail order, Conveyer, 72 Van Reipen Avenue,
PMB #327, Jersey City, NJ 07306, editor@conveyermag.com,
www.conveyermag.com]
Dinotaur is a whimsical and sometimes cryptic
collection of stories, letters, poems, art, and collages created
during Lindsey and Virgil’s three-month trip across Canada in
search of dinosaurs. Inspired by the Nova Scotia Anti-Tourism
project, the intrepid travelers crossed beyond and between the
usual lines reserved for the casual tourist in order to find the
information they sought. File it under “creative science” or
something like that. It’s a fun zine, and you’re likely to learn
something about dinosaurs that may or may not be true. [5.5” x
8.5”, $1 or postage, trades ok, free to prisoners & libraries,
Lindsey and Virgil, 3-3627 Notre Dame O., Montréal, Québec,
Canada, H4C 1P6, dothedinotaur@yahoo.ca]
Issue 4
I love autobiographical comics, and I’d read some of
Marinaomi’s before, so I was more than happy to find this in the
review pile. Part I is a collection of true stories of
Marinaomi’s romantic life, starting when she was in
kindergarten! Part II includes some fiction, a personal tale,
and a comic version of the San Francisco dog mauling case that
occurred in 2001. The comics have appeared previously in other
publications, including Pet Noir and Not My Small
Diary. It’s a diverse collection of stories, and I highly
recommend it. [6 5/8” x 10 ¼”, $5, marinaomi@pobox.com,
www.marinaomi.com]
Issue 1
Spring 2006
Editor Melody has produced an impressive new feminist zine
that originally appeared online, but has now made it to print
based on its success. Sections include a featured teen activist
(Shelby Knox); the Sexual Edna Q & A column; interviews
(Margaret Cho, Gloria Steinem, Alix Olson, and Pamela Means);
music and book reviews; and creative writing. Even more content,
including some from readers, is featured on the website. This is
an exciting and ambitious project that holds a lot of promise.
Definitely worth checking out. [6 5/8” x 10 ¼”, $3,
howlingharpies@gmail.com,
www.thef-wordzine.com]
#2
Ah, a zine after my own lonely heart. Basically, this is
Iza’s tribute to the loners among us who are content with the
way they are. And although loners don’t need validation for
their behavior, it’s still nice to read such a creative
celebration of lonerhood (not really a word, but hey, I like
it). Iza gives tips on how to remain a loner even while involved
in a relationship; answers mail from other loners in response to
the first issue; and tells tales of how some loners like to
spend their time. This is definitely one of my new favorites.
[5.5” x 8.5”, Canada: $3/CAN, US: $4/US, Intl.: $5/US, Iza
Bourret, PO Box #71, Succursale B, Québec QC, G1K 7A1, Canada,
girl_w_cat@yahoo.com,
www.geocities.com/girl_w_cat]
Compiled and edited by Kyle Bravo with major assistance from
Jenny LeBlanc
“A collection of DIY guides to doing just about everything.”
Quite some time ago, Kyle Bravo put together a couple of issues
of a zine called
How2Zine. These zines were so thick they couldn’t even be
stapled through; I think my copies are bound with rubber bands.
They overflowed with DIY tips on many, many different subjects.
Now these zines have been compiled into a book representing the
collective knowledge of a wide array of clever contributors.
Just a sampling of topics: self-education, self-publishing,
bookbinding and screenprinting, shoe repair, juggling,
stenciling, gardening, insulative cooking, solar box cooking,
wine and beer making, sex and health, pet care, creative
recycling, home repair, and transportation. Yes, that’s a lot,
and it’s only the beginning. This book belongs on the
bookshelves of those who don’t want to just drive to the nearest
box store for what they need. Highly recommended. [5.5” x 8.5”,
$10 + shipping, ISBN 0972696792, Microcosm Publishing, 5307 N.
Minnesota Ave., Portland, OR 97217, joe@microcosmpublishing.com,
www.microcosmpublishing.com]
No. 3
Mr. Dameron delivers a curious collection of aphoristic
satire and fairly mild personal vitriol. I enjoyed it. You
might, too, although I suspect it’s not for everyone. But it
only costs you a buck to find out, so what’s the harm? [5.5” x
8.5”, $1, Emerson Dameron, 2515 W. Augusta Apt. #1F, Chicago, IL
60622, edameron@gmail.com]
The
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