Open Forum #13 Review

This originally appeared in Married Punks #13, published in 1998.


Open Forum is a 'zine about sex and politics and the combination of them. It features photos, drawings, fiction, reviews, and some hard hitting articles (stuff on child sex and Frank Moore's excellent piece on the mainstreaming of "avant garde" art) that makes one think, whatever your opinion may be.

Personally, I like this publication a lot. One of my favorite things is to read the impressions the editor has of America. Spiros, the editor, is right on with his observations. Patriotic slobs will differ on that, but he is right: our government (and, moreso, the corporations that control it) is lying, murderous, and hypocritical.

The only thing this 'zine could use is more diversity.

*Note: This 'zine is from Greece.

Olive Pit #1 Review

This originally appeared in 1998's Married Punks #13.


Oh good, a literary 'zine. I don't get enough of these, and perhaps, after seeing this, that's not such a bad thing.

This publication is fairly thin to begin with, and once the stuff I wasn't interested in is taken out, it stands at six pages. Even the one story I did like, "Touch It" by Jenn Solheim, just died at the end.

Don't get me wrong - the works presented here are quality pieces, but they didn't interest me that much.

The Lion's Paw 1998 Review

This originally appeared in issue 13 of Married Punks, published in 1998.


This is a split with King VelVeeda's catalog, which makes it even better. There's not much content other than self-promotional stuff, but there are some great fringe items to be ordered. These things include art, shirts, and photos. Excellent goodies to be had. I need some fuckin' money.

KiT 'Zine Vol. 3 #7 Review

This review originally appeared in Married Punks #13 published in 1998.


The majority of this 'zine is a story about the editor, James Harvey, and his spiritual awakening into the world of Christianity. It's disturbing because it seems to slowly go into the realm of mental illness with Christianity being the saving grace, though I have my own opinions on just how stable that religion is. The story must be read to understand what I mean. It's a sad, disturbing tale, that strengthens my feelings on organized religion, which are far from benign.

The comic strip at the end of the issue, drawn and written by Matthew S. Armstrong, is the other noteworthy thing here. IT is well-drawn and clever, but lacks a strong plot.

Abeunt Studia in Mores

Published 9/10/14 for Kindle. A short, experimental horror story that is only .99 cents. Available through the image below. If you don't want to go through Amazon, you can click here to get it from Smashwords. Plus, as an added bonus, use coupon code UR37G and get it free through 11/28/20! Either way you get it, I'd love a review if you enjoy it.

Hopeless Records Zine/Catalog #1 Review

This originally appeared in Married Punks #13 published in 1998.


These types of things are getting popular. New Red Archives and Fat Wreck Chords both do them too. Hopeless' is fairly thin, but it gets the job done.

It's filled with Hopeless merchandise and interviews with the Nobodys, Against All Authority and Falling Sickness, profiles of bands and Hopeless staff members, letters, and a piece on Hopeless' Australia location.

I do have a complaint concerning these catazines. Many of them are filled either with blather (this is not the case with Hopeless) or straight label propaganda ("All the kids love us," etc.). I would like to see more articles of substance that may or may not have anything to do with the labels, but would interest their fans. I'm offering my services, labels. Interested?

The Flashing Astonisher #10 & #11 Review

Originally published in issue 13 of Married Punks in 1998.


As with the earlier issues, number ten has a mix of great articles and others that are merely okay. The piece dealing with caverns on Mars was quite the read though, and The A-Team Drinking Game was funny, even though I don't drink.

Music and 'zine reviews round out this nice looking publication that has something to please just about everyone (except die-hard perverts who like to see men sticking their cock monkeys into the wounds on a dead donkey.

Two dollars might be a little much, but the editor is open to trades, which does make this worth writing for.

Issue eleven is the erotic issue. Oh boy! Erotic poetry, fiction, nonfiction and photos (some too dark to see) make up the guts of this issue. Seeing as the pieces are from different writers, the quality and style is bound to vary. Luckily, most of the pieces are in top form, even though some failed to move me (and I don't mean that in an erection way).

The underground is assimilating porn into its framework more and more, which is a good thing. Open minds sometimes need an extra push, if you know what I mean, and this is the way to do it. Let's hope that the next time The Flashing Astonisher does this, that it'll be even more erotic.

The Exchange #5 Review

Originally published in Married Punks #13 in 1998.


The Exchange #5

This is an odd, community-type publication that isn't all that appealing. There's some articles on drugs, recording, and love. Judging it on the basis of a community freebie, it's much better than Eureka's Rhythmic, which is as boring as all hell.

If you're in Wilmington, pick it up. Otherwise, do your own.

The E2 Zine Vol. 10 Review

Originally published in 1998 in Married Punks #13.


The E2 [squared] Zine Vol. 10

Elektra Entertainment's E2 Zine is phat! Full color pages done in a "cut 'n' paste way," featuring bios on some of Elektra's bands. Also, unlike most 'zines, the word "fuck" is censored. Thank God! Kids read 'zines, too.

Also, unlike most 'zines, E2 doesn't waste space on actual content. Nope, this is just pure dish on bands like Spoon, Tuscadero, and Rebekah. It's like one ultra-rad press release! Da bomb!

Honestly, I'd like to shoot Christopher Elles, the "creator," in the head for making this piece of festering shit. Why send this to me? At least it wasn't some crappy CD that I'd have to listen to. There's nothing original or entertaining about this, and it sure isn't a 'zine. It's just cheap, colorful toilet paper. Get a fucking clue.

And by the way, if you try to use part of my review to make it sound like I loved it (just like they do for movie ads), my wrath will descend upon you like cheap whores to your music.

Curio Spring 1998 Review

Originally published in Married Punks #13 in 1998.


Curio Spring 1998

I like this magazine, and I don't. Mickey Z., the editor-in-chief, calls this his "personal surgical strike into the mainstream," and he's "dragging" as many friends as he can with him. When one attempts to jump into the mainstream expect boredom to be the result, which is what Curio often is.

There are some gems to be found amongst the lackluster attempts at art, corporate ads, and yawn inducing "coolness." Some of the rare finds come from other 'zines, notable a piece from fishwrap where the female workers at Playboy are put on the spot. Other decent reading material includes the piece on New Orleans and Hogshire's piece on scents. (God bless his poppy growing soul.)

I appreciate this magazine's effort to introduce the mainstream to the underground (the underground, it needs to be said, is well of the mainstream -- it just holds it in utter contempt). Curio should really get radical and take its own ad pitch and subversively think for itself instead of spotlighting clothes in a can and shaving devices for Yuppies. (As an aside, I wrote the original review for this at work where a guy came in dressed head to toe in Nike gear, including a gold Nike swoosh earring. His girlfriend was dressed similarly. That's the mainstream, folks!)

Creepy Mike's Omnibus of Fun #6 Review

Originally published in issue 13 of Married Punks, published in 1998.


Creepy Mike's Omnibus of Fun #6

This is another outstanding issue featuring interviews with the editor (yes, he interviewed himself), Dan Clowes and Jennifer Daydreamer, to name a few.  You can tell he likes comics.

He also digs toys, music, writing about his cross-country trip and old British TV shows.  Hell, what's not to like?

Kudos also goes to the fact that he mentions things that I happen to enjoy: The Prisoner, Prisoner: Cell Block H, and the Splatcats.  Keen.

I was going to reprint the cover here, but I was eating pizza at Celestino's in Arcata and got grease on it.  Oh well.

The Blowfish Catalog #8 Review

Originally appeared in issue 13 of Married Punks, published in 1998.


The Blowfish Catalog #8

Why bother with Good Vibrations, which uses the women owned business aspect to justify higher prices, when Blowfish is around?  Yeah, the prices in this catalog are high (I know what these things go for wholesale), but it's a better business with a cooler catalog.  The cover is hot, as are the photos inside.

Get this if you're in the market for whips, lubes, dildos, videos or sexual objects of art.

Angry Thoreauan #20 Review

This was originally published in 1998 in issue 13 of Married Punks.


Angry Thoreauan #20

I read this at work in between visits from the usual mental midgets that frequent the joint.  As always, I enjoyed the hell out of this, the issue dedicated to Los Angeles, a pit of humanity.

Of the many features, the ones that shined were the letters, the piece on meter maids (I did something similar, but a bit more violent several issues ago), Rev Tin-ear's diary, Tin-ear's stint at Cedars-Sinai, Amok's change to Koma, and the reviews.  The opinions expressed were biting on right on the mark.

My only complaint, and it is a small one, is the odd spellings and the tangents that sometimes stray far from the story at hand.  These things can be distracting, but somehow it fits this magazine (with color inside and out, which must cost a fortune).

I recommend that ever person reading my 'zine order a copy of Angry Thoreauan today.

Amateur Pix & Videos Newsletter #9 Review

This review originally appeared in issue 13 of Married Punks, published 1998.


Amateur Pix & Videos Newsletter #9

If you're interesting making your own amateur videos, mostly of a sexual nature, then this might interest you.  It has tips on lighting, the types of tapes you should use, and the terms used by video hounds.  Also of interest is the list of websites that feature amateur pictures.

If you do make a video, please send it to me to review!

All the Answers #4 Review

This originally appeared in 1998 in issue 13 of Married Punks.


All the Answers #4

This punk 'zine has interviews with the always interesting Winston Smith, Tanner, Avail and more. There's also some opinion filled columns and a great piece on the human pus bag named Phyliss Schlafly.

The 'zine is well laid out, heartfelt and intriguing.  'Zines of this caliber have been following a trend of band/label worshiping lately, but All the Answers avoids that.  The editor, Irwin, admits that he doesn't know it all.  Refreshing.