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398 #10 11 fairy tale type stories: some reprinted from previous issues and some new
*full description coming soon* weight = 3 stars £1.00
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Adventures in Menstruating #4 *description coming soon* weight = 4 stars £2.75
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Adventures in Menstruating #5 *description coming soon* weight = 4 stars £2.75
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Against The Flood #2 This zine is “bigger, broader and more in-depth” than the last issue but despite featuring contributions for other writers I still think it has a very honest heart-felt extended letter to the reader feel. Danger Mouse’s interest and belief in alternative ways of addressing mental health problems (specifically depression) is apparent. There’s advice on non-medical approaches to managing mental health; a piece about the poet/novelist Stevie Smith and the inspiration and support she provided Katie (La La Theory); letter writing and art (of all kinds) as therapeutic (including “how to sharpie watercolours” and more. Parts of this zine deal explicitly with self harm and suicide. These sections are clearly marked but bear that in mind if you find such things triggering. The zine ends with a couple of mental health zine reviews and a resources list.
If you liked On Edge, you’ll like this! weight = 4 stars £1.50
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Against The Flood #3 Thanks to Bettie (who writes the wonderful Anatomical Heart) for the description!
Based on the first two issues of Against the Flood, I already loved this zine and the third issue did not disappoint. I consider this perzine/compzine an essential and comprehensive mental health resource and I'll definitely be re-reading them. This issue contains a mental health reading list, comfort food recipes, articles on anxiety and preventing depression and an interview with zinester Maranda Elizabeth, as well as personal writings from Hannah and a zine soundtrack. This awesome content against the well chosen cut n paste layout makes for a wonderful zine. weight = 4 stars £1.50
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Against The Flood #4 *description coming soon* weight = 4 stars £1.50
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Anatomical Heart #1 This zine is quite a quick read, but I chose to stock it as I feel that what Bettie has to say is important. She opens by saying “I planned this zine to be personal but with a broad spectrum of content. As it turns out, it’s mostly about mental illness. I’m okay with that if you are.” This zines spans Bettie’s calm thoughts on happiness as a spectrum and how perhaps her expectations are too high, to her (understandable) frustration with being told she’s not entitled to incapacity benefit based on a 20 minute interview with someone who doesn’t know her case history. The sparse layout with the occasional appropriate quote or simple picture is very effective. I look forward to seeing where Bettie takes this if she makes a 2nd issue. weight = 2 stars £1.00
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Anatomical Heart #2 *description coming soon* weight = 2 stars £1.00
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Anatomical Heart #3 *description coming soon* weight = 2 stars £1.00
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Anatomical Heart #5 Description by Fliss - thank you!
Bettie writes candidly of her mental health - touching upon her own experiences. She writes about being on meds, and their side affects, and her experience of being a mental patient and being admitted to A & E. She also ponders the factors involved in a person's suicide, and whether being depressed or psychotic gives vital energy to writing. There's a write-up on a mental health art exhibition in London, and some snippets that are diary like, plus lots of zine recommendations. I love Bettie's writing style, which, like her LJivejournal, often evokes the contemplative voice of Sylvia Plath. weight = 2 stars £1.00
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Anatomical Heart #6 *description coming soon* weight = 1 star £1.00
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At Sea With Sexists Description thanks to Amber (who writes Culture Slut and Fight Boredom)!
This zine addresses common sexist comments that we hear throughout our daily lives (girls shouldn't stay out late, she was asking for it, et cetera) and attempts to dispel them with simple arguments. Also included is a short peice on environmentally sound menstrual products (like cloth pads and menstrual cups) and a few fun facts about feminist history. I'd recommend this one for "beginner" feminists who are just starting to learn about the movement. weight = 4 stars £2.00
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The Art of Smelling and Feeling Paper *description coming soon* weight = 4 stars £2.50
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Black Carrot #13 *description coming soon* weight = 4 stars £1.25
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Black Carrot #14 Description by Sam - thanks!
In Black Carrot #14, Dave has written “50 Short Stories”, which are mostly short anecdotes about things that have happened to him, things people have done, conversations overheard and situations observed, as well as opinions on such topics as capitalism, work and breakfast cereals. These are all in no particular order and range from funny stories from childhood to recent birthday celebrations, from teenage angst over having a crush on a girl who already has a boyfriend, to his wedding. Dave also discusses being 29 and still being a punk, riding his bike, getting the bus to work and discovering heavy metal. It’s random and weird and funny and sad and entertaining. weight = 5 stars £1.25
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Culture Slut/Telegram Ma’am #12 Split Split zine between Amber (Culture Slut) and Maranda (Telegram Ma’am) all about being twins! Amber writes about how she believed they were destined to be famous, what it might be like to lose her twin (something she admits she has seriously had to consider at times), what not to do or say to twins and a review of the book “Twins” by Marcy Dermansky. Maranda writes about always comparing herself to Amber and feeling sometimes as though she is “the broken one”, moving (physically) apart, her relationship with Amber as well as answering a couple of common twin related questions. I loved this zine despite finding it more serious than I would have expected. I felt as though I saw a very different side to both of them in this zine. Also definitely worth a read if you have any twins in your life! weight = 2 stars £1.50
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Culture Slut #16 Amber writes about feeling 17 (but turning 23), a greyhound journey featuring chatty 6 1/2 and 5 3/4 year old girls, fighting shyness, hairy girls, meeting her doppelganger at a zine fair, bike rides in her old neighborhood and all the nostalgia and memories, as well as lots of zine recommendations/reviews. Cut/paste typewriter text with cute vintage pictures layout. Your really missing out if you love perzines and have yet to fall in love with Culture Slut… weight = 2 stars £1.50
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Culture Slut/Telegram Ma’am #17 Split Thanks to Eunice for the description!
Amber and Maranda have teamed up to produce another split edition of their zines. They tackle the same subject: the sudden knowledge that they have an older half-sister. But Amber seems to be less concerned and writes about it as an aside in her stream-of-consciousness style, while Maranda begins her zine about having always wanted an older brother. Amber writes about other people's ideas about twinship and it is interesting to see how different she and Maranda are. They both write from the heart and their zines are absorbing reads. weight = 3 stars £1.50
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Culture Slut #18 A little different from the usual Culture slut but still just as great! This issue consists of 44 polaroids (in full colour, hence it's a little pricier than usual) interspersed with cute little comments and stories about people and places. Amber describes this zine as "a celebration of springtime and adventures". weight = 4 stars £2.50
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Culture Slut #19 *Description coming soon* weight = 2 stars £1.50
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Culture Slut #20 Thanks to Bettie (who writes the wonderful Anatomical Heart) for the description!
This issue of Culture Slut from the lovely Amber is about "getting settled in the city, queerness, cats and periods". Amber moved to Montreal eight months ago and here she tells of her adventures in a new city. She explains about the language barrier, and how she's learning French. She talks about what happened when she started school, intimidating post office encounters, bad sexual examinations and biking in the city. She shares her thoughts and feelings on being queer, queer culture and attending Pride. There's a list of things she would like to do before she dies, and a monologue on the word 'cunt'. Plus some zine reviews and more. This zine has long been a favourite of mine and #20 doesn't disappoint. weight = 3 stars £1.50
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Dirty Laundry #1 Description by Emmy - thanks!
Dirty Laundry is a zine about crushes from an unnamed person in Australia which tells the story of five crushes this girl has had. Features include “the workmate crush”, “the internet stalker crush”, “the aquaintance/frienemy crush” and the infamous “university tutor crush”. I really enjoyed this, it’s intimate and like getting a chance to peek into a part of someone’s mind + history that you don’t often get to see. She writes really amusingly about the ridiculousness of crushing and what it makes you do, with the benefit of hindsight. The last story also talks about her coming out and becoming prouder/more confident/ comfortable of/in her sexuality. weight = 1 star £0.50
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DIY or Don't We? #1 Description by Fliss - thank you!
This community-focusses zine has a delightful cover, and the content is just as heartwarmingly inspiring. I particularly enjoyed hearing about the community of volunteers who run a cinema in Olympia, which puts on films and live events, something on community garden projects, and a lovely piece on memories of the importance of food and growing in communities. There's also stories on Bellingham Ladyfest, a Cambodian society, a guide to local media and outreach, and articles that question the world we live in, plus emphasis on the importance of community. This is a great, packed zine with an important theme. weight = 6 stars £1.75
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Doris #23 Description by Fliss - thank you!
Doris gives me one of the best feelings that a zine can give and that's a sense of awe for the writer's way of words. The sense of tranquil thought conveyed really draws you in and connects with you. These are all ponderings in a novel-esque form. Topics touch on tricky ground at times - such as childhood sexual abuse, rape, and the permanent damage and fears they can cause - but the zine also conveys a feeling of hope, as well as fun and adventure, with tales of canoeing, getting stranded by the beach and cuddling a loved one to keep warm, lunching with elderly ladies and the joy and enlightenment that brings. There is also a feminist angle, too, with pieces on womens health groups, and an explanation of ME (menstrual extraction). It's really the kind of zine you genuinely treasure, take quality time getting lost in and are made to feel sad when you reach the end. weight = 6 stars £1.50
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Doris #26 Description by Sam - thanks!
The doodle like butterfly surrounded by yellow on the cover give little away of the surprising depth and intelligence of this zine. Cindy Crabb discusses the need for revolutionary social change, an anarchic attitude to cynicism, whether people can change the world, shyness in the punk scene, the theory and her hopes for social ecology and the need for truth, using both writing and drawings. weight = 4 stars £1.50
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The Dream Dream Dream Zine Thanks to Jon (You Can't Say No To Hope) for the description!
Have you ever wished to be more aware of your dreams or actually wanted to control what happens in them? This 'zine shows you how in an awesome mostly handwritten way with decent hand drawn illustrations, lovely stuff. weight = 2 stars £1.00
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Edith Description thanks to Amber (who writes Culture Slut and Fight Boredom)!
Full disclosure: My twin sister wrote this zine. But even if we weren't related, her zines would still be among my favourites. You may know Maranda from her perzine Telegram Ma'am or her 24-hour zine Little Acorns. Edith is something a little different. Subtitled Tales Of Survival, this zine is made up entirely of short fiction. Maranda asked a few friends to each give her a list of ten random words, and she would write a short story containing said words. There are five stories, and while they may seem to revolve around girls who are very sad, they are also inspiring and triumphant. The layout is very simple, including typewritten and computer-made text, rubber stamp lettering and a little bit of photocopied lace. Maranda is an excellent fiction writer and I know that there will be a day when she's giving me her books rather than zines. weight = 2 stars £1.50
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Enthusiasm #1 Thanks to Jon (You Can't Say No To Hope) for the description!
It says it all in the title. Cool little 'zine with contributions from various folk writing about some of their favourite things. Cool layouts and some real nice illustrations as well. weight = 4 stars £1.00
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Enthusiasm #2 Description by Eric - thank you!
This zine is an interesting mishmash of essays and short pieces on a variety of topics, from traveling and seeing new places to the problem of authenticitiy and identity in hip hop. This second issue also includes book reviews, poetry and brief contributor bios. weight = 4 stars £1.00
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Enthusiasm #3 Thanks to Jon (You Can't Say No To Hope) for the description!
Fun UK 'zine from a bunch of folks, each one contributing a well written article. There's stuff on graphic novels, sharing music, loving coffee, crazy people in history, cycling, and Obama. The whole thing's an engaging read with awesome layouts and illustrations. weight = 3 stars £1.00
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Eve Kendal #1 Description by Sam - thanks!
This zine is beyond rational description – but if you want something surreal, that you may or may not understand, with a totally pointless free gift thrown in – then this is for you! weight = 3 stars £1.00
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Fallopian Falafel #1 *Description by Fliss - thank you!
I was really interested to read a feminist fanzine from Israel, and the perspectives portrayed. This new zine collects informative articles written by Israel-based women on topics such as: Can Riot Grrrl exist in Israel?, the apparent drawbacks of being a strong, outspoken and clever woman in the face of most men (especially in relationships), reclaiming the word 'slut' with feminist power, and more. It's packed togehter neatly, so for a short A5 zine you get a lot of food for thought. It's also peppered with some really impressive personal sketches from editor Hadass, who writes so articulately and makes this a topical magazine from the heart at the same time to be taken seriously, as well as feel provoked and inspired by. weight =3 stars £1.00
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Fallopian Falafel #2 Jerusalem-based feminist zine. Theme of issue: Queer
Description by Sam - thank you!
A queer/feminist zine from Israel, this is a special issue about homosexuality. This well-written and well-presented zine provides some really interesting insights into gay life/rights and feminism in Jerusalem and a discussion about intolerance towards gays and lesbians; as well as a lovely article about a gay couple having their marriage recognised by Israel's authorities. The zine also includes a look at the riot-grrrl scene in Dublin, a very personal discussion of bisexuality and an interview with Brooklyn-based riot-grrrl band Marla Hooch. weight = 4 stars £1.00
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Fallopian Falafel #3 Jerusalem-based feminist zine. Theme of issue: Religion
*full description coming soon* weight = 4 stars £1.00
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Fallopian Falafel #5 Thanks to Bettie (who writes the wonderful Anatomical Heart) for the description!
In this issue of the Israeli riot grrrl and feminist zine the theme is true beauty. There are articles on weight issues, body image, anaesthetic awareness during surgery, and an awesome discussion between a metal girl and a riot grrrl. There is also a little relevent poetry, and an eye-opening article on a beauty summer camp for young girls. weight = 4 stars £1.00
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Fallopian Falafel #6 Description by Kate - thanks!
Subtitled “EMPOWERpuff grrrls” issue six of this jam-packed feminist zine includes an interview with Alissa White-Glutz, singer of Canadian death metal band The Agonist on sexism & female representations within the music industry, a review of Inga Muscio’s book/wo-manifesto ‘Cunt: A Declaration of Independence’, a look at the legacy of Mexican painter & feminist icon Frida Kahlo, critical articles on the effects of pop culture, Barbie and Bratz dolls on young girls and their self-esteem PLUS poetry, cunt art and much more! Decorated with clip art of Tank Girl, Powerpuff Girls, Pippi Longstocking and other female heroines, this smart, interesting and funny zine packs a mighty feminist punch. weight = 4 stars £1.00
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Fallopian Falafel #7 Thanks to Bettie (who writes the wonderful Anatomical Heart) for the description!
An awesome issue on the vagina and the female body from this group of feminists from Israel. As usual, great writing from various contributors about the Vagina Monologues in Jerusalem, menstrual cups, celibacy, vulva tips, and more vagina writings. Do you have a vagina? Do you like vaginas? Then get this zine! weight = 4 stars £1.00
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Fete #2 Description by Emmy - thanks!
This issue is bound with yellow wool and tied in a bow which just reinforces the concept and hands-on-ness (!) of it. It features contributions from a wide variety UK artists and craftladies who work in different mediums – lots of projects to try including origami, bunting and making chai as well as poems, drawings for sculptures and artist statements. It has details on village summer fetes in England and a feature about a Craft Mafia Meeting in Nottingham as well as telling you about the movement. It also has an illustrated story about rabbits and their carrot factory! weight = 4 stars £1.50
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Fete #3 *description coming soon* weight = 5 stars £1.50
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Fete #4 *description coming soon* weight = 4 stars £0.75
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Fight Boredom #2.5 A super cute mini zine with one suggestion for fighting boredom for each day of the week! weight = 2 star £0.50
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Fight Boredom #3 Description by Fliss - thank you!
There’s added feminism this issue, and an all round more in depth, analytical approach. We get essays on Hello Kitty (why does she have no mouth? Is it so she can keep quiet like a good little girl?) and more seriously, an educational piece on the shocking practice of genital mutilation that women in some religions are still expected to go through (else be outcasts), and the horrors it can cause, physically and psychologically. There’s also some personal exploration from one contributor who works in a bar and in a way manipulates men for money, and we get a feminist/self critique on that, and then there’s a great piece called ‘Riots Not Diets’. I really enjoyed the variety of content coming from a wide range of different contributors this issue. weight = 3 stars £1.50
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From Here To There And Back Again #1 In the intro Shannon says “This zine started out about my four months in Amsterdam and became about my body… These pieces are connected through experiences of my body.” Honest, detailed and intelligent writing links together just some of her thoughts on a significant relationship, the nature of “coming out”, her need for multi-issue communities (particularly addressing her Latina heritage), being fat, her definition and experiences of violence and more. weight = 3 stars £1.00
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Get Bent Description by Sam - thanks!
Get Bent is a queer zine – a zine about being gay/lesbian, but not being a stereotype. Jonny Cunt discusses his own sexual identity in terms of stereotypes and labelling, the links between sexism and homophobia and focus on physical attractiveness and youth in “gay culture”, using a mixture of writing, photos and drawings. It’s a nicely laid out zine, in a classic cut-and-paste style, but easy to read. An honest and engaging approach to sexual identity. weight = 5 stars £1.00
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Giantess #7 + #7.5 This is Candace’s coming out story. She ends “I’m telling you this because I’d have liked to read it in a zine. Closeted me would have appreciated it, and I guess this is for her.” The first time I read this zine was on a train trip to London. The train arrived before I finished reading and I actually just stepped off the train onto the bustling platform and stood there, with everyone whizzing around me, reading the last few pages. I could relate to so much in this zine and Candace’s writing style just sucked me in and left me wondering why there aren’t more zines with people sharing similar stories. weight = 2 stars £1.00
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Giantess #10 Description by Kate - thanks!
Candace reveals in the intro that this will be the last issue of Giantess, but fear not, she still plans to be active within the zine world. In the list of reasons for retiring Giantess amongst them is the conundrum “is this a ‘personal zine’ or a ‘literary zine’? Does it matter? It does to me.” She then includes an obituary detailing past issues and their contents, a short piece of fiction about two best friends who share a kiss and the awkwardness that ensues & more lists such as “things that will make me faint” & “things I like writing about”. Alternately handwritten and typed with a simple layout & a few drawings, this is a sweet way to say a final good bye. RIP Giantess! weight = 2 stars £1.00
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Hairy Issues *description coming soon* weight = 1 star £0.25
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Helicopters In My Head Mini zine in which Bettie tries to explain what her mental illness feels like to her. weight = 1 star free
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Here. In My Head #1 "on love, music, feminism and creativity" weight = 2 stars £1.00
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Here. In My Head #2 Hadn't even managed to get the last issue up on the site and Cath had already produced a 2nd issue! Certainly building on the strong foundations of the first issue, Cath writes "A brief history of my musical & creative development, or how I learned to feel", "a drunken ramble" about being asked why she doesn't like sexist songs/jokes (?!), the most amazing angry (feminist) rant I've read in ages, perhaps ever, and her scary spiralling thoughts after reading a ridiculous "What Men Think" article, resulting in a teary phonecall to her reassuring boyfriend. More little goodies tucked in between the main pieces. To me, it's the perfect perzine. Can't recommend enough! weight = 2 stars £1.00
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Here. In My Head #3 Description by Cath
Here. In My Head #3 is a special half-sized issue dedicated to the release of my debut demo, the Not Sorry EP (which is available to buy at marching stars distro!). Included are my thoughts on the music scene, the zine scene, my personal insecurity and jealousy issues, feelings of loneliness and guilt, and some lyrics from the EP. Cover also comes in a variety of colours. Enjoy! weight = 2 stars £1.50
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Hop A Plane (somewhere else) Description by Fliss - thank you!
Put together by our very own distro owner, Hop a Plane is Lizzy's travel zine from her gap year venturing across Canada and America. her travels took in a lot of Tegan and Sara, as well as zine zine related events and meetings. There are lots of observations and recollections, including the joy of meeting twins Amber and Miranda (of Telegram Ma'am and Culture Slut zines) in Lindsay, and all the surprising, exciting aspects of the Portland zine symposium. It's put together with lots of photos taken on the trip, which make a great accompaniment to the travelogue. This is Lizzy's first zine, and the tone is easy and friendly, so it makes for a really nice read. weight = 3 stars £0.75
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Hop A Plane (to yet another Tegan and Sara show) I love Tegan and Sara. I took a year off between school and university. Between August ‘07 - September ‘08 I saw Tegan and Sara play 27.5 times in 8/11 countries (depending on how you count). I kept a diary for 22 of those shows. This is the padded out version of that diary, complete with lovely pictures and other random things I picked up along the way. You should get this zine if: you love Tegan and Sara, you love another band and want to follow them on tour, you love another band and have followed them on tour or you want to see what happens when someone loves a band and has a spare year with more time and money than sense.
Description thanks to Amber (who writes Culture Slut and Fight Boredom)!
This is the latest offering from Marching Stars distro owner, Lizzy. Sort of a companion piece to the first issue, she continues on the theme of travel by writing about following Canadian folk / pop duo Tegan & Sara on tour. She saw them 30 times in something like 10 different countries - now that is dedication! Inside are the tales of endless queues, long-distance friendship and meeting her favourite musicians. She reviews various shows, and makes mention of opening acts Northern State and Uh Huh Her. Cut and paste style, featuring many live photos (I admire Lizzy's ability to get good photos from the crowd, as I know how tricky that can be), ticket stubs, newspaper clippings and fliers. weight = 7 stars £1.00
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How I Learned To Love Myself And Occasionally Other Men #1 Description by Amber (who writes Culture Slut and Fight Boredom) - thank you!
In simple terms, this is a punk rock coming out zine. Dave writes about coming to terms with his own homophobia, getting up the guts to get with a dude instead of just fantasizing about it, and the positive influence "queerpunk" has had on his own understanding of himself and his sexuality. He says, "I can't just be interested in something, I have to get involved. I can't just like a band, I have to be in one. I can't just like zines, I have to write one. I can't just like gay porn, I have to make it." It's a quick read, and I gotta admit the typos got to me a little, but overall it's pretty excellent. And really important. weight = 1 star £1.00
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