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Great Non-Mainstream Music Magazines (Part 2)

© Chad Bowar

There are many music magazines out there far superior to the mainstream ones you see in stores. They are published by small companies, and sometimes just one person. They're called "zines", and this is part 2 in a series of articles about non-mainstream music magazines. I encourage you to visit the websites of these zines, and if you like what you see, subscribe to the print version. If you publish a music magazine and would like it considered for inclusion, mail me a copy. Email me for the snail mail address.

Lollipop
Lollipop is the best music magazine I've read in a long time. It's quarterly, and about 130 pages per issue. The thing that makes Lollipop stand out above the rest is its consistent quality. The reviews are numerous, sometimes witty, and always let the reader know how the CD actually sounds. There are also interviews with bands such as Crash Test Dummies, and features on up and coming bands. You'll also find some humor, including a very funny photo caption section.

Lollipop has an attitude, but it isn't the superior, hipper-than-thou, mad at the world attitude of so many other music magazines I've read. One of my favorite sections of Lollipop is Scott Hefflon's editorials. Make sure to read them, because they perfectly capture what Lollipop is all about. Subscriptions are just 15 bucks, plus you get 2 free CDs. It's worth your while to check it out.

Lexicon
Lexicon focuses on New Wave artists of the 80's, and current artists that carry on that musical spirit. It's a quarterly magazine of about 50 pages. Lexicon has lots of news about what 80's new wave artists are up to today. There are also longer profiles. The issue I read had articles about XTC, Marc Almond, The Waitresses, and Richard Darbyshire of Living in A Box. Lexicon also includes an extensive discography of the profiled artist, which is an excellent idea. There are also many reviews. Lexicon is an excellent source of information about New Wave Music, and I recommend you read it.

Eternal Jam
Lori Powers is the editor of this 20 page monthly newsletter focusing mainly on "hair metal." I really enjoyed this magazine that focuses on an often-overlooked genre of music. There is a big section of band updates, which are short little news items about bands such as AC/DC, Ratt, Alice Cooper, Quiet Riot, Scorpions, Gun 'N Roses, Cinderella, and many more. You'll also find concert reviews and schedules, a section about unsigned bands, and "Where Did They Go?," which tells what happened to some of the well known metal bands of the 80's and early 90's. It's only $13 per year, and well worth it if you're a fan of this type of music.