Synergy Magazine

Zines

V/Search

V.Vale

Distributed by Tower Books Australia

The term zine originated from the term fanzine which was used for fan publications, ultimately both derived from the word magazine. The term is now generally used for counter culture publications which stand as alternative to and/or in opposition to mainstream publications. They are usually produced on a shoe string budget, are non profit and reach a small and specialized audience. Most zines have a very specific market and are produced more out of the desire to communicate than any commercial interests, indeed the idea of a commercial zine would be considered anathema to most zine editors !

Zines

Volume 1

In this first volume we are introduced to the concept of the zine and ten prime examples of successful zines. Other chapters include a history of zines, a discussion of zine distribution (with the founders of AK Distribution) and a directory of zines (this is now sadly somewhat outdated – but even on the internet it is impossible to keep a list of zines up to date due to the very fluid nature of their means of publishing).

The ten zines discussed really offer an inside view of the interests of those who produce them from the simple (Thift Score, a zine about thift shopping) to the artistic (X-Ray, a zine in which every issue is different and handmade) to the radical.

Radical zines are the most prevalent and especially explore subjects ignored or downplayed in the mainstream media. For example, Beer Frame explores inconspicuous consumption and examines products we take for granted and examines them in exhausting details, from Kraut Juice to embalming products. This is a strange and fascinating zine which is both visually appealing and intellectually stimulating.

While certainly Lesbian and Gay magazines abound in the “mainstream media ” most are commercially oriented and are not really seen as truly representative. Accordingly such significant zines as Outpunk (a gay punk zine) and Fat Girl (a lesbian magazine for larger Lesbians) work to balance the scales.

This is a great volume packed with content, while first published in 1996 and the while directory is outdated, a good number of the zines, individuals and firms discussed are still going in some form or another and there is a lot to gain from this book. Indeed there may be enough to get you considering producing a zine of your own !

Zines

Volume 2

Volume two continues examining a range of zines through fascinating interviews with their editors.

It begins with a series of interviews from zines centred around the concept of work. Dishwasher, for example, is a popular zine examining the experience of literally being a “dishwasher” but more generally poverty, workers exploitation and related issues. Temp Slave continues this theme considering bad bosses and works exploitation, while McJob focuses more on women’s vs men’s wages and related women’s work issues.

Other fascinating zines including strange technology zines such as those focused on 8 track audio tape (8 Track Mind), obscure art and idealogy and so on.

The chapter on Tiki is especially interesting looking at the whole cult of exotica, Tiki music, collectables, nostalgia and Tiki bars.

Murder Can be Fun is one of the more controversial zines exploring death and disaster through the medium of black humour and at times outright exploitation and provocation. But that is the joy of the zine, you can say what cannot be said in a mainstream magazine and this is also why there are so many zines exploring such taboo subjects as sex and death in a real and authentic rather then sanitized manner.

Bibliozine is especially interesting as it really is a zine about zines, especially the art and esthetic of zines and what they mean as forms of expression.

Also included is an article on Proletarian novels (since they have had a strong influence on left oriented worker zines and a series of brief zine reviews and a zine directory).

Zines in 2007

We decided to research some of the zines mentioned in Zines Volume One and Two and below are some of the web links and sites for them in 2007.

So, buy the books, read about the Zines, then go to their websites and explore…

AK Distribution

Major Zine Distribution and Anarchist Publisher

Web: http://www.akuk.com/