Saturday, March 16, 2013

Zine Review:Ugly Things #34



















              For the uninitiated, Ugly Things is a thick, semi-annual indispensable rock n' roll resource.  Its 184 pages are crammed with rare photos, interviews, adverts, columns and an amazingly huge review section. The tag-line Wild Sounds From Another Dimension rings true because this zine champions the largely forgotten as well as the underexposed. Editor Mike Stax started this as a 60's garage zine many years ago, but it has since broadened its scope to include psychedelic, glam, original punk, acid-folk, beat groups, rockabilly, R&B, blues and soul.

 This issue is one of the best so far with an excellent column by Cyril Jordan (Flamin' Groovies) detailing his personal experience during the earliest days of Beatlemania. A highly entertaining read.

 Author/record collector Mike Markesich is interviewed about his mind-blowing work Teenbeat Mayhem! This book is likely to be the bible for referencing American Sixties garage and beat groups for many generations.

 There is also a surprising amount of Canadian content as well which is always dear to my heart. First is an amazing article on Montreal garage punk kings The Haunted. Alex Taylor does a great job tracking down members and getting the facts and demystifying their crazy history. Nine pages and counting as this is but the first of two parts. Can't wait for the next issue. Secondly, there is a great interview with Freddie Pompeii of the Viletones about his pre-punk musical history and his take on being a member of the most volatile of Toronto's earliest punk bands.

There is also lots more to read so pick up a copy today. 
http://ugly-things.com/       

No comments: