The Zines of Summer Part 1

It’s time for our periodic spotlight of music zines. You can find mainstream music magazines like Rolling Stone or Spin anywhere. You have to do some searching for these zines, but it’s definitely worth it. They can be found at independent record stores, bookstores such as Borders and Barnes and Noble, and through mail order. Check out their web sites, and if you like what you see, order a print copy. Zines are published by a small staff or even one person, and are on very small budgets. Your support helps keep these excellent publications going. Here are the latest batch of zines, in alphabetical order:

Alarm

This Boston based zine covers punk, hip-hop, rock and indie music. Alarm features music reviews, band interviews and the typical zine fare, but unlike most music zines they also publish fiction and social commentary. Issue 8 features an interview with Ron Sakolsky, the author who edited two of the authoritarian books on individuals using music and low power radio stations as tools for social change. Some artists recently featured include Bratmobile, At The Drive In, Mr. Lif, Drowning Man, Sunny Day Realestate, International Noise Conspiracy and Jimmy Eat World. Alarm has a nice mix of Boston and national artists, and very compelling and interesting columns and fiction. It’s published bi-monthly, and subscriptions are $18.

Web Link: http://www.alarmpress.com/

Chunklet

This is an ever-evolving zine, with different sizes, cover designs and inside layouts in each of the past three issues. The content remains entertaining while the design keeps getting cleaner and more professional looking. There are plenty of artist interviews, profiles and reviews, but what makes Chunklet stand out is their other music and pop culture articles. In the past few issues, there have been articles about the biggest jerks in rock, the indie cred test, roommate horror stories, the most used samples, and a whole plethora of jokes and amusing lists. It’s a funny, satirical, and well-written music zine. For purchasing info, visit this website:

Web Link: http://www.insound.com/zinestand/chunk/i...

Fresh Cow Pie

What in the world does a farmer from North Dakota know about music? Farmer P, the publisher of Fresh Cow Pie, and an actual working farmer, knows plenty. He spends a lot of time in his tractor listening to new CDs, and the zine is packed with over 140 reviews. There are also interviews, and a limited edition CD with each issue featuring some excellent unsigned and indie artists. Farmer P pulls no punches in his reviews, and tells it exactly how he hears it. It’s a refreshing view of music from the heartland of America. Fresh Cow Pie is published sporadically, and can be purchased here:

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