Zine Review: Cuentos ZIne

Here's a collection of random thoughts, gathered together with witty and creative yet simple illustrations. Cute without being Cutesy.
-Rob

Last Resort #4

Straight out of Miami comes Last Resort, chock full of news and art by and about the Florida activist community. This issue features an update on the activities of Orlando Food Not Bombs and their struggles against the anti-homeless policies of the City of Orlando.

Maria talks about being a poor mixed race girl in white America. And Pablo delivers a scathing assessment of the policies of Hugo Chavez and those on the left who make excuses for him.

There's some awesome art, poetry, and even a pussy appreciation page. Not to mention everything you need to know to get involved in the Florida activist community.

Exxxtinction: The First Known Circle Jirk

Prehistoric Bukkake!!! Yay... ahem...
-Adi

This is the filthiest comic I've read in sometime. It has dinosaurs and other extinct creatures doing very naughty things to each other. It will make you laugh til you crap your self and then you'll feel a little sick to your stomach then you laugh again. The artist/author posits a new and challenging reason for dinosaur extinction.
-Mike

Clap Your Hands: City Space is the Place

  Mike Ball crams the chaotic minutiae of cities into the amorphous images that fill the  pages of Clap Your Hands: City Space is the Place.  They call our perceptions to play, to make an attempt at piecing ourselves together.   Words, fractured buildings, and eyes beg us to make sense of the patchwork madness, to see a forest of human-made trees.  Sometimes a grotesque bird or a nubian beauty peer out to us; a conversation overwhelms.  

  CYH:CSitP reminds me of cloud-gazing, creating worlds from water vapor and light.  Balls's art is like that: playful, terrifying, awesome.  

Website Updates

So if you've been paying attention lately, you'll notice that the website looks a little different. That's because our web developer finally got head extracated from ass and got some work done. There's feeds from the blog all over the place and the catalogue is actually driven by a database now. Seriously.

But that's not all. I got a ton of help from my buddy Chad. (If you make a comment about an Altell commercial he'll kick your ass. I'd say he was cuter than that guy but then his wife might kick my ass.) So what did Chad do exactly, well, Chad built the shiny new cart. So no more ugly paypal cart. Yaay. Thanks buddy.

I'd go into a little more detail but I've got to get some sleep or I'm gonna fall asleep in a meeting tomorrow.

--CJ

Call for submissions to MXD zine

Dear friends,

Just a reminder that the deadline for submissions for the next issue of mymixed race comp zine (currently looking for a new title to includebi-cultural experiences of non-mixed folks) is January 1st and I wouldLOVE for you and you friends to submit, so please SPREAD THE WORD.

I am interested in hearing from you if you are a person of color who:
-is mixed-race
-grew up in a interracial family
-is in an interracial relationship
-was transracially or transnationaly adopted
-grew up outside of your culture or in white environments
-has exerienced race/racism differently in different places/countries
-has self-identified differently in terms of race in different situations or at different times in your life
-are read/percieved as a race different that the one you identify as often
-grew up in more than one culture

I am looking for:
non-fiction personal stories and visual art about how your racial identityrelates to your experiences and/or other aspects of your identity. Nopoetry please! No more than 500 words.

Your subject is totally up to you as long as it has something to do withyour mixed race or bi-cultural identity or experiences. Some possiblesubjects are:
-growing up
-family-school
-relationships
-work-
communities you belong to (ethnic, cultural, activist, subculture,academic, etc.)
-how being mixed or multi-cultural relates to other aspects of your identity like gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, class, ability,immigration status, religion, etc.

check out the previous issue of this zine, MXD: true stories by mixed racewriters at QZAP.organd even if you have no intention of submitting a story or art, or don'tmeet the criteria, feel free to suggest a new title.

Thanks!!! -Nia Oxette King

NeuFutur Reviews Dorothea #1

Dorothea is a zine that contains a number of short stories. While there are some overall themes present in the different pieces of prose that are present, these stories seem to be more form-less than anything. There is a picture and some handwritten text at the beginning, as well as handwritten text demarcating the titles, but the text is laid out in the same general format. The stories all occupy about two or three pages of this same (1/4th size) zine. There is a decent amount of material present in this short and small zine, but there is one thing that holds me back from completely enjoying Dorothea. This is the fact that the stories all feel as if there is something, some fact or information, missing from each story. The stories themselves are all serviceably, but I’m wanting a little bit more in the way of fleshing out these little slices of life. Mike is the mastermind behind the zine Fake Life, and this marks a shift into a slightly different style and tone. I have no doubt that subsequent issues of Dorothea will be a little bit stronger, but this issue feels as if Mike takes a decent amount of time setting the framework up and maybe not expanding on that as much as ey should. Send Mike some cash, get the beginning issue of Dorothea, get Fake Life, and have a night of reading the prose that comes from Mike’s mind. The cost is low enough the individuals will receive much worth regardless of any perceivable weakness here.

Rating: 6.0/10

She Reviews Zines Reviews Dorothea #1

written after his mother died, mark (mike) dealt with at least some of his feelings through the stories in this zine. sad at times and full of people in transition, this zine can be tough at times to read. mark’s (mike's) phenomenal writing definitely keeps you reading, though.

Freeq #1

Freeq #1 is the zine to check out for anyone desiring to make music who can’t afford the platinum-plated bells and whistles and loads of DIY info. Doc Awk’s somewhat anti-major-label advice on home studio setup is great for anyone with a limited budget. He describes two setups that cost less than $1000. NKSiii retrofits old axes with hardware store hardware. With tongue in cheek, Geoffrey Smith offers nine light-hearted and thoughtful bits of advice for working with promoters. Nick Andren gets technical with his “shoddy” beginner’s tutorial on ModPlug Tracker. A bit dry, but nonetheless worth the read.

Definitely check Freeq #1 out. With simple, humorous, all-around good tech info these cats light the garage music door and place the welcome mat out. We don’t carry the zine, but you can check them out at groups.myspace.com/freeqzine. All their articles and discussions are there.


--adi

Zine Review: Hysteric Glamour

Hysteric Glamour is a silly zine written by some silly girls. I mean that in the best way imaginable. It isn't Keep Loving but it has a good heart and really wants to make you laugh. We sell it for a buck plus postage which I think is 48 cents.

Zine Review: Hobson's Choice #1 and #2

Hobson's Choice is a litzine and a good one at that. The prose is solid and while the writing is young, it's the kind that points to the future trying to find new ways to see and say the world. Daniel, the editor, is a good guy who has a sense for the right in writing. This zine is literary as a motherfuker. Plus it has poetry, sorry, no ones perfect. It's a buck from us plus postage.

Zine Review: The Gut #7

The Gut #7 has two amazing interviews: one with neo realist Italian movie actor (he isn't Italian) Allen Midgette and one with (Re)Search founder an d editor V. Vale. This makes the zine worth it all by itself. This is history motherfuckers.

It also has fiction and poetry. A good read for two bucks. We stock this one.

2007 NOLA Bookfair

Hey all,

So if you've been in the vicinity of Planet Earth for the past few months you know we went to the 2007 NOLA Book fair. First up thanks to everyone who sent us stuff. Everything we've got on hand should be on the website by Monday. Our webmaster has been off somewhere with thumb up butt. (In case you didn't know that's me.)

I think my favorite phrase the whole time I was there was "I love this city." Seriously, I do. I've loved it since I was a kid. Even the dirty grimy parts. Especially the dirty grimy parts. In fact, I have no idea why I'm not living there now. The city looks more like itself every day but if you ask me about the Lower Nine I'll tell you I don't know because unlike every other gawking tourist, I haven't been. I don't see the point. But we couldn't avoid New Orleans East since I-10 rides right through it. Third time I've ridden into the city through there since the storm. First time I haven't flat out cried.

We spent Friday wandering around in the Garden District. After we hit the camera store of course. There was this beautiful church we spent time taking pictures of. After that we piled back into the car and headed for the French Quarter. Mike bought a cigar and shared it with Rob and Clay. I had a cheap hurricane. We walked down to Jackson Square and watched people leaving a storybook wedding complete with horse and carriage while all around us were these little tables featuring various flavors of fortune tellers. And down the block was a Wiccan wedding rehearsal. If New Orleans is nothing else, it is the definition of diversity.


The next day we were out at the book fair. We got in early and helped set up tables. As usual Rob put us all to shame with his amazing super get things done skills. We were crammed in behind a table with three other groups of people at the front of Ray's Boom Boom Room. If you've ever wondered what a sea of humanity looked like you would have had a perfect example. There were all these different kinds of zines and books and people from all over. It was amazing. And then to top it all off there was a brass band. At the end of the day, Rob put us to shame again tearing down. After which we did the only thing there was left to do... Hit the Quarter again.


We had dinner at this restaurant called Coops, mine was shrimp etouffee with a mango mohito. This time instead of strip clubs, excuse me cabarets, we found tons of shops selling everything from pipes to old records. We eventually made our way back to the hotel to change before heading back out to the after party.Somewhere around 3 AM I think, we found ourselves in an IHOP. Needless to say, there was no chance we were making it out the door at sunrise with cameras. What were we thinking.We did manage a third trip into the French Quarter though. And after my encounter with the snake jerk pried us away from Jackson Square we finally started heading out. But before we even managed to hit the interstate we were all missing New Orleans. Man I love that city.

There's more pictures on my flickr account: http://flickr.com/photos/crownjewel82/collections/72157603176892416/

Enjoy!

Dorothea Review in Razorcake

Mike has written a nice, compact zine of nice, compact stories, none more than a few hundred words. Some might think that is too short of time to create something of interest or to get the reader involved. However, somehow he pulls it all together. These stories were all written after Mike’s mom died, but the vast majority have nothing to do with that topic. Mike also wishes to inform us (as he does both in the opening and closing notes) that he is a liar and you can’t trust anything he says. So who knows if some of these stories really happened; it’s obvious some didn’t, but it really doesn’t matter. While capable of pulling out some emotions from the reader here or there, it’s also a quick read and a fun zine. –Kurt Morris

Zine Review: Below Noon #2

Below Noon #2 is fine stuff. I'm biased for sure because people writing about sexuality is my favorite stuff. Not the "then I touched his turgid member" variety but the kind that shows us how the most personal tends to be the most universal. Humans are great secret keepers but Angie, the author, ain't buyin'.

The first part of the zine is her description of a) discovering masturbation and how it evolved in her life and b) discovering that she was a lesbian. The writing is clear and descriptive. There's no false modesty or purple prose just facts laid out and story told.

The second part is a smattering of journal entries, quotes and quoted letters. I was dreading it until I read it. She chose well. They give a feel for who she away from her crotch.

This zine is text heavy but worth the time.

Angie is reachable at PO Box 42123, Portland, Oregon 97242. I hit her up for a trade but if you sent her a couple of bucks for her effort, I'm pretty sure, that would be fine.

Yaaaa, Self Love!

Erratic Confusion #3

by Mike

half page, 12 pgs.

HC zine by my buddy Dan. He’s got interviews with Wolfbrigade, Merciless Game and We Need To Talk whose lead singer is hot. I’d beg for drippings off her talk. The zine is pretty fucking good too! Dan dedicates it fallen HC axe man Kawakami (peace be upon him). Issues cost a buck if you’re stateside and 2 bucks if you’re not. Dan also has issues 1 and 2 for the same price. One is a stream of consciousness thing. It’s cool. And Issue two has some great interviews with some great fucking HC bands. Also girls and boys, issue two is way thick.

Dan 6400 Landmark Drive, Alexandria, LA 71301. $1.00 ppd in the US. $2.00 ppd everywhere else.

Toil #1

by Mike

half page, 40 pgs.

I love this zine and Kim is pretty fucking funny. It’s about working and shitty jobs and how a good sense of the absurd will save your life.

Kimberlee PO Box 660664, Sacramento, CA 95866. $2.00 ppd.

Zine Review: I am the City #1

I wrote this a little while back as a review and to a certain extend I still believe the author gives up credability by being snarking for the sake of seeming clever. That said, I recommend this zine and its following up. Its well written, for the most part, and smart. And I apoligize to the author for being guilty of the same, perhaps less thoughtful snideness. -Mike

My previous review:
I think I paid a buck for this zine at the NOLA Book Fair and, ignoring the very cool gate fold cover the gives up the title a few words at a time as you open it, this zines i a half assed feminist critique of "pillowing" and a look at protest songs now and way the fuck back when. Both suffer from overblown partisanship but fuck that because they're still pretty entertaining. This is definitely a good read if you're a 20-ish girl who wants to move to NYC, she includes some anecdotal stories unrelated to the waxing, who wants to move to the city and learn to love it and then hate it and then love it again. Good art direction and design. Not sure where to buy it but if you see at your local distro table, buy it and read it. I'm mostly an asshole. I'll post the address if I can find it.

Zine Review: Memoirs of a Queer Hapa

Memoirs of a Queer Hapa succeeds and fails in the same sentences. Its a strong critique of how race impacts identity and how identity is transient but maybe oughtn't be. It considers who a binary culture becomes a psychological form of fascism. She does this in the frame work of her own live as a hapa (half breed) queer woman.

That said, Ms. Wong is brilliant but its a shame she knows it because slathers it into her word choices and her sentences labyrinthine convulsions. This can be a painful read.

You should still buy though Dingus. The education would do you good. We sell this one so just hits us up.

Zine Review: How I came to love myself and sometimes other men

How I came to love myself and sometimes other men, a zine authored by Dave of Black Carrot, argues for something like this: forget binary sex rules, change the terminology to degrees of openness and sex isn't about genitals alone. He describes his "coming out" process which for Dave was more aabout getting comfortabe with his own need rather than the typical "how will my friends take it" coming out. Its a sexy little zine available through Stranger Danger Distro. I think it cost a buck plus postage.

new zines and what that means

it's funny i was worried our catalogue would be too boy heavy but the three other zines we got coming in, not listed here yet are all girl things. girls make good stuff. i gotta find me some boys making zines.

we picked up alex wrekk.

holy shit that's cool. this girl is old school and kind of the Angelica Houston of zine writers. total fucking class and style in all the good ways. her new issues of brainscan are what the form is meant for.

#21 is an about the end of an abusive relationship, laying it out for the world and #22 is about IUDs which I'm still not convinced boys should know about. she says it makes me cooler. that so doesn't help but i guess she's right. girls definitely need to know.

we got guerilla craftfare which is a very fun craft zine for the uncrafty or as maximum rock and roll put it, the drunk. i love this zine. its fun. it isn't hoi polloi. it isn't craft snobby, knitting as a social trend. it's about fun. we love this zine, did i already say that?, and having it in our catalogue means a lot.

we got pulse which cj is reading right now. more on that later. its pretty cool. a feminist thing, a find yourself in a good way thing. it's pretty but it isn't just for girls.

by the way, maximum rock and roll reviewed fake life and said we were "sloppy and trashy but good." i've never been so proud.

-mike

the question of definition

okay so we are a distro. but what kind?

i want to sell stuff i like. that's obvious.

i want to sell stuff that people don't normally get to see.

there is a tendancy to sell certain kinds of zines. i can't define it but i know it when i see it.

i wanna sell punk zines that aren't political, slacker zines where the protags have no redeeming qualities, i want to find the villons and the lautremonts rather then the next che'.

that's not it.

i have a meeting to get to. i'll write more when i figure it out.

later, days later.

i know what it is i want. i think that writing is half skill/half art and i appreciate when its done well but i want the sloppy fucking 3am zine you wrote cus your girlfirend ditched or the one you made really and dizzy. i want messy and immediate. i want right now zines. i want one hour zines. i want crazy and for real. i don't give a shit about clever.

i want zines like we used to make them. fuck art. get real. let that fevered ego have its way with your glue stick and scissors as long as you come back down and face. i want honest. i wanted the hoarse screamed fuck you but i also want the whispered apology and the sloppy make up sex zine.

more on this when i give a shit again. -mike

Our First Meeting in a While

We met last night to move the copier and the big stapler over to Clay's apartment but first we stopped at a shitty unnameable fast fuck place and had dinner. There was some discussion of cheese eating and dicks. Usual fare. I think Rob's acting out the man in a toilet stall grunting for and then dropping his own cheese log. See red faced white knuckling effort, the commercial ending with the message. The Wonders of Cheese.

We headed over to Clay's and lo and behold I left the paper carry at my office. Another trip. Another delay. And finally, everything is set up and the toner cartridge is bad. Fuck me stupid. Wait, too late. Now I'm really proud of the stapler which last night seemed to be the only thing working. It is, in fact, the big stapler that separates a press from an infoshop, that and bathing. Just kidding.

We did manage to discuss the copy issue for Fake Life. We have fifty copies to hand out tonight and we need 68 more to get to distros, reviewers and for comps to people issues have been promised to. This does not include sales of any kind. We agreed to sell these issues. Good fucking luck.

We discussed issue five. Not saying too much about it but its pro-gun. And there will be Jesus jokes. I think between that and my "anti" GI rantings and this next issue we'll manage to alienate everyone but the illiterate. We went from friendly neighborhood fanzine to holy shit run for your lives. RJ from Call for Fire won't even talk to me anymore. Walked past me without talking and won't return my email. I understand. He believes what he believes. I just expected that unity was more than just arm and arm drunk party bullshit. Real unity is disagreeing and still staying tight. CJ and I have unity. She thinks I'm totally fucked about the war and I disagree with her pretty much about the GI Opt Out issue. We got heated today, shaky voice heated but we're still tight. That's unity.

CJ, by the way, has a one shot coming out, an extension of a column she wrote for issue number two about being car-less, "One Less Car". Its about jerk drivers. It'll have some comix from Rob and Clay plus CJ always grammatically correct writing. I also have a few new projects coming up in the coming months. More on that as it develops.

Also we're picking up four or five new zines from outside writers for distro. I won't name them because I don't have copies in hand yet. I will soon though.

Finally, tonight is first Friday, a local Tallahassee tradition. Railroad Square opens up all its art galleries and its like a big party with art. We usually hand out the new issues on FF. If you see us there buy one. Argue with me about the war. Be civil. Stay safe.

That's all for now.