ZINES
Grunted Warning #16, Oct. 2012: There’s a little less lightheartedness in this new issue, with Stratu’s newspaper clippings focusing on some of the darker issues facing us in 2012. Racism in the armed forces, anti-Muslim/pro-Muslim ideology, child abuse and the insanity that is Uganda. Of course, there’s still room for the absurd, like the cousin of the Loch Ness Monster taking residence in London. Jaw-dropping, thought-provoking material as usual – now with colour covers! Stratu, PO Box 35, Marrickville, NSW, 2204, AUSTRALIA, sstratu@gmail.com, blackguard23.livejournal.com [AUD$1/stamps/trade/cool letter or postcard, 12S, :15] – Dann Lennard
Amphetamine Wolverine Blues #1: At first, you think this cut’n’paste collection of found drawings and magazine articles are completely random. But then you start to see the connection – they all have something to do with radio and radio transmissions whether they be with the living or the dead. Suddenly, this issue’s subheading “The Ghost In The Machine” makes far more sense. This is about as close to free-form jazz as a zine gets. The issue also comes with a stunning CD soundscape by hausfrau titled #29 (Cowboy Dance). I play it often at work now. Kami, PO Box 278, Edwardstown, SA, 5039. AUSTRALIA, cammy@arcom.com.au [email for price or trade, 12S, :10] – Dann Lennard
Sprak! Vol. 2 #8 (Sept. 2012): Like a nose-searing fart that clears the room, Sprak! is back! Kami has lovingly compiled another batch of no-nonsense, in-your-face reviews of off-kilter, transgressive and downright weird flicks for ya, written in a style all his own. This issue, he covers South American horror legend Jose Mojica Marins’ 2008 comeback flick Embodiment Of Evil, Mario Bava’s A Bay Of Blood, and low-budget trash with intriguing titles like Zombie Christ, The Taint, Ultimate Death Match 1&2 and Brainjacked. Kami also reviews Kirk Demaris’ entertaining book Mail-Order Mysteries: Real Stuff From Old Comic Book Ads! There’s also a nifty two-page cartoon strip from Simon MacKie. Kami, PO Box 278, Edwardstown, SA, 5039. AUSTRALIA, cammy@arcom.com.au [email for price, 32S, :30] – Dann Lennard
The Kobb Log V1: A few good movie reviews – Macumba Love, Shalako, etc – some APA discussion…and then it’s over. The 14pt text didn’t help. Far too brief, but I guess you could say it left me wanting more. Kobb Labs, PO Box 30231, Pensacola, FL, 32503 (trade or write for prices, 12M, :10] – Dann Lennard
Xerography Debt #31: The ultimate in ziney cannibalism? A zine review zine reviewing another zine that reviews zines. This is a very stylish publication, kicking off with several columns before launching into a large reviews section (mainly positive, which is nice). The only real hate here is directed towards Maximumrocknroll. Frankly, I was surprised that mag was still around. Davida Gypsy Breier, PO Box 11064 Baltimore, MD, 21212, Davida@leekinginc.com, www.leekinginc.com [$4 48S :30] – Dann Lennard
One-Hundred Fingers Of Death: This one-shot began life as an article intended for Kung Fu Grip! #5, but Paco felt it was worthy of publication all by itself. The essay itself examines Paco’s love of martial arts films and wondering how many he’s watched during his life. After a bit of research, he works out it was about 100 (give or take a few) and he writes about them here. Oh…and not a Jean-Claude Van Damme film to be found. Paco’s only interested in what he considers authentic martial arts films. An interesting exercise. Paco D. Taylor, 7730 East Broadway #925, Tucson, AZ, 85710, paco@kungfugripzine.com [$1 or 2 stamps (trades & letters OK) 8S :10] – Dann Lennard
Very Briefly, Birds: A Tale Of Mystery: A short tale about a woman and a messenger bird and a possible life-changing encounter. The author said the tale is a true story told to her by a friend. Email Tamara if you have any interesting bird stories. Tamara Lazaroff, PO Box 6148, St Lucia, Qld, 6148, AUSTRALIA, taazan@hotmail.com [E-mail for price 20S :10] – Dann Lennard
Prison In Macedonia: While visiting Macedonia, Tamara gets talking to Alek who explains how he wound up in prison for being an illegal immigrant. Apparently, if you spend any time in a Macedonian jail, you should bring your own bowl, cup and spoon, as the authorities don’t supply them. A bittersweet tale told on a warm summer’s night while consuming homebrew. Evocative writing by a very underrated Australian author. Tamara Lazaroff, PO Box 6148, St Lucia, Qld, 6148, AUSTRALIA, taazan@hotmail.com [E-mail for price 28S :20] – Dann Lennard
I Am Natasha: Love can be found in the most unexpected places as our talented author reveals in this compelling short story about forbidden passions set in an apartment block in Skopje, Macedonia. Tamara Lazaroff, PO Box 6148, St Lucia, Qld, 6148, AUSTRALIA, taazan@hotmail.com [E-mail for price 24S :20] – Dann Lennard
Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dec. 10, 2012: CM Punk had knee surgery in early December. Who had the news first? Dave Meltzer, the editor of the world’s longest-running wrestling/MMA weekly news sheet (30 years and counting). There’s a reason why big Dave is so respected in the fight game community (some people hate him, too). He has all the inside contacts and all the gossip that no-one else can get. In this issue, apart from Punk’s injury update, you get an indepth report on New Japan’s recent tag team tournament iPPV and an extensive obituary on Buddy Roberts, one third of the legendary Fabulous Freebirds, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PO Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228,dave@wrestlingobserver.com, www.f4wonline.com [check online for prices, 16M, :90] – Dann Lennard
St. Büdchen Nachrichten #2: Graffiti Hamburg-style! Putting my philosophical negativity towards graffiti aside, Chill Phill is an amazing artist as this photo-heavy zine shows. Besides, I can’t stay cross with a guy who builds his own bar (or büdchen) out of cardboard, then opens for business in his living room. makethingshappen@web.de[€2, 36S :05] – Dann Lennard
Transvestic: Wayne Gibson (nee RastaWayneo) celebrates men who became famous through cross-dressing. Divine, RuPaul, Holly Woodlawn and others are honoured with portraits. RastaWayneo@gmail.com [email for price, 16XS :05] – Dann Lennard
Blackguard #4: Between slick colour covers lies page after page of disturbing comics dedicated to FEAR. HP Lovecraft is quoted in the contents as saying, “the oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear.” There’s plenty of strong work here by the likes of Pteri Dacht-Ullman, Noah Van Skiver, SCAR, Glenn Smith, Chris Mikul, Ryan Vella, Doug Iannucci, Ross Tesoriero and Mike Diana. Another high-quality anthology not for the weak of heart. Stratu, PO Box 35, Marrickville, NSW, 2204, AUSTRALIA, sstratu@gmail.com, blackguard23.livejournal.com [$5/AUD$5 44S, :30] – Dann Lennard
BOOKS
The Eccentropedia: Chris Mikul has been at the cutting edge of reporting on the weirder edges of society for more than 20 years. Whether it’s his endlessly fascinating look at our cultural underbelly in zines like Bizarrism and Biblio-Curiosa or his many books, the Sydney-based writer always finds the heart and soul in every subject or person he writes about. Sure, they may be freaks, but Chris respects them, even the bad ones. His latest book is filled with hundreds of eccentrics, lunatics and outsiders, some notorious and many others who should be. In alphabetical order, Chris tells their stories in a way that both satisfies the casual dipper-inner and whets the appetite of those who would want to explore their stories by seeking more info about them elsewhere. The artwork by Sydney genius Glenn Smith perfectly complements Chris’s always entertaining writing style. www.worldheadpress.com [US$25.95/AUD$27.99/UK£16.99, 514M, :240+] – Dann Lennard
Fatal Visions: The Wonder Years 1988-89: The hard-to-find first six issues ofMichael Helms’ fantastic trash culture zine of the late 80s has been collected by the editor into one stylish softcover book. Back when there was no internet, unearthing cinematic gems was an arduous task in Australia. Michael did better than most and his zine reflects his passions for everything from run-of-the-mill B-grade cinematic and late-night TV fare to the sickest filth that only underground tape traders could provide. Among the many VHS and movie reviews (some of which now seem quite quaint), there are reports on Melbourne porn cinemas and an extensive interview with splatter flick pioneer Herschell Gordon Lewis (back before that was the hip thing to do in trash movie zines). Fans of movie (and zine) nostalgia could do worse than getting their hands on Fatal Visions. Michael Helms, PO Box 1006, Thornbury, Vic, 3071, AUSTRALIA. fatalvisions1@gmail.com [email for prices, 248M, :120+] – Dann Lennard
Henry & Glenn Forever:This is a revised reissue of an older book of one-panel cartoons by Tom Neely, Scot Nobles and Igloo Tornado, exploring a world where uber-rockers Henry Rollins and Glenn Danzig are lovers, living next to Satanists Hall & Oates. It’s strangely endearing, although Glenn seems way too obsessed with werewolves and Henry should stop writing to himself in the third person. Homophobic heavy metal dudes are advised to steer clear of this book. Microcosm Publishing, 636 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR, 97214-2405, microcosmpublishing.com($6, 66S, :15] – Dann Lennard