12.13.09
Brain Lapse
#1- This is the same guys who did the one issue of ROCK MANIA (reviewed below) and I’m not exactly sure why the changed the name but the format appears to be closely the same and so is their love of completely obscure power pop. First off it’s color, glossy and looks great and with no ads so they must have poured a ton of money to get this printed. Inside is The Equals (cover stars) plus Titan Records, The Orbits, Marbles (not Robert Schneider’s band) and others. There’s also plenty of reviews, opinions, photos and the like. Whenever I get on my high horse and think I know all there is to know about obscure music I pick up this mag, page through it and add a whole bunch more records to my want list. This is awesome and a must have for collectors or even the casual music fan. www.brainlapsefanzine.com

 

12.13.09
Glosspot
#4-This is Jen Sbragia’s long running zine. Well, I say long running as issue #1 came out over a decade ago but she’s only managed 4 issues in that time. Still, it’s a terrific zine, one that I wish came out more often. Basically, it’s a personal zine with pieces on Lita Ford, Prom Night 1987, miscarriage, a few thrift store records and some whatever happened to? (folks Jen knew from high school). Jen has a flair for writing, one that makes you want to keep reading and when you’re done wish there was more. I ran the gamut of emotions while reading it from being extremely sad to laughing out loud. Needless to say this zine comes highly recommended. Plus, I love Jen’s artwork! (write to Jen at PO Box 42468 Portland, ORE 97242 or check www.jensbragia.com )

12.13.09
Wishful Thinking
#1- This is a half size zine and it’s subtitled “an indie pop publication” which is no surprise as it’s done by Drew Diver (he is half of the indie pop duo Horse Shoes, who have a record out on Shelflife). Inside is interviews with Ed from Shelflife Records, plus a few bands I’d never heard of but feel I need to check out (Bonfire Kids, The Argyle Wishlist, Air France and Pallers). It’s a bit thin but Drew said he plans on changing the format each issue to keep it interesting and maybe next ish he could add a few record reviews too. Plus it’s obvious he has a serious love for this kind of music with the enthusiasm he pours into the writing. (Write Drew at wishful.thinking.mag@gmail.com)

 

 

12.06.09
Sick: A Compilation Zine on Physical Illness
EDITED BY BEN HOLTZMAN
(MICROCOSM PUBLISHING)
Sick is a compilation of stories by writers sharing the gory details of their experience with physical illness. It is a fascinating read. From kidney disease to hypoglycemia, everyone has a story to tell, not just about having one’s body go to war with oneself, but how sickness can affect people’s connections to the folks they love. It’s about our really broken healthcare system. And it’s true, in most public circles, people don’t really wanna hear about this. Sickness is depressing. It’s ugly. It’s not very cool to go on and on about problems with your bowels, or
whatever. But being sick is not all there is to Sick. It’s about knowing oneself on a new level. It’s about living that old saying “Whatever doesn’t kill you, really does fucking make you stronger.” www.microcosmpublishing.com MARINA MENEGOL

12.06.09
Brainfag Forever
NATE BEATY
(MICROCOSM PUBLISHING)

A collection of Nate Beatty’s comics from 1999-2007. This autobiographic comic collection captures breakups, post-breakup weirdness, relationships, debating why comics are made in the first place, along with a slew of other life topics. Brainfag 6 contains some brilliant line drawings of Portland’s Bridges, trains and trainyards, and mermaids dancing with humans underwater. A nice concoction of easy to relate to well scripted, diverse subjects. www.microcosmpublishing.com MARINA MENEGOL

07.08.07
Rock Mania
#1- This came out late last year but I just heard about it recently thanks to Ric Menck’s column in the latest UGLY THINGS (see review below). Menck has hit the skins for The Tyde, Pernice Bros, Matthew Sweet and, of course, his main vehicle, Velvet Crush so you know the guy has great taste. Tho’ this is the first issue I see some big things in the future for this mag that is made by serious lovers of power pop (probably the least respected music genre ever). Inside are pieces on Nikki & the Corvettes, Justin Love, Milk N’ Cookies, and plenty more. There’s plenty of reviews (of old school power pop records), photos, collages and even a pinup and it’s all printed on nice, glossy paper with a bright color cover and color interspersed throughout. They even have a review of my beloved INTERNATIONAL DISCOGRAPHY OF THE NEW WAVE, a book I bought back in 1982 ( or maybe ’83 ?) and have cherished ever since. Not sure what the future holds for this mag but toss lots of money at them and make em’ continue! www.totalrockmania.com

07.08.07
Ugly Things
#25- Mike Stax, oh Mike Stax how do you do it? Issue #25 of UGLY THINGS clocks ion a 225 pages ! This is Stax’s biggest monster yet and he shows no signs of slowing down (and he and his wife just had a kid…congrats !). If you’re unaware of U.T. (“Wild sounds from past dimensions” as it says at the top of the mag) it’s all things garage rock/freakbeat and the like. This is a guy who had like a 4 part piece on obscure 60’s band The Misunderstood ! In this issue is interviews/pieces on The Music Machine (a U.T. favorite…the piece is 30 pages long! ) , The Light, Freedom’s Children, The Namelosers, The Attack, Rubber City Rebels plus more and all the usual columns, reviews, photos and the like. It comes out about once a year which is good cos’ it takes me a full year to get through one of these monsters. One of my favorite parts of the mag is the recent additions of columnist Ric Menck (Velvet Crush ) who write about old power pop records and the like in his CALL ME LIGHTNING! column . Also, if you’re a label and you’re thinking about sending Stax a record or cd to review don’t do it unless it’s a reissue cos’ he won’t review it. www.ugly-things.com