Bushwick's Heaven Street Grand Opening; New Favorite Record Shop

fatigued and out of work with Marco and Laura

Thank HEAVEN STREET I decided to come out of my hermit coma for once or else I would not have stumbled upon my new favorite record store. Located just skips away from the Morgan Avenue stop on the L, Heaven Street record shop just had its grand opening tonight and everyone from musicians to writers and designers salivated over the free PBR and impressive inventory. "New York's only counter cultural record store!" proclaims the Facebook event page. The shop is curated by Cult of Youth's Sean Ragon and is often run under the friendly hands of my buddy and former Hospital Production shopman, Jim Siegel. Whatever you can trace in the two's musical paths is what you will find in the shelves of this store. It's no surprise that a store that's run by total angels (though I know OF Sean through mutual friends but I'm sure he's a sweetie too) makes DETAILED labels on almost every release in stock. Now that's service! Believe me, it was very hard to keep my wallet shut tonight, and when I found out they accepted Paypal payments upon purchasing Chronic Sick's "Cutest Band in Hardcore" e.p., I willingly kept my account open on the shop's laptop.

The store is open seven days a week (I believe) and is currently cash only - and Paypal, if you're nice and ask. It's located on 184 Noll Street, opens from 12-8 p.m., and all you have to do is walk left on Flushing and see a big ass window with a red wall and records behind it. They really like pizza. Jim loves waffles, pretzels, and cats. You will probably see me frequent the shop on the reg.

The Zine Pile_ round 1

[Garbage World Fanzine, vol 1]




Canadians know what's up in hardcore, and though not located in a more convenient tour location like Toronto and Montreal, Calgary is happening, and this zine is proof. Jason Scharf is the man behind this zine, assembling show photos and conjoining interviews as a way to "give back to hardcore." Noted in the intro, he'll travel far and wide to go hard in a great pit of a great band, he can get shit offensive about things, has no musical talent, and doesn't give a fuck - and I respect that atttitude. Some pretty entertaining interviews from bands like The Ropes (Chicago), Scab (UK), Vacant State (Vancouver, CAN), and White Wards (Olympia), and, especially, some really insightful facts about hardcore in Canada. Apparently Victoria is a "god forsaken piss soaked tourist corpse" (White Ward), much of the sounds of Vancouver doesn't get out of the city due to geographical restrictions, and outsiders of the country like Scab have much love and acknowledgment of the scene. I look forward to the next issue, and in all curiousness I hope it comes equipped with more insider info from those North of the border because that's what zines were all about before the internet happened, right? I'll admit I almost whipped out my red pen because there are a lot of typos and fragments and errors that make the skin of an anal, journalism graduate like me prickle. But the wall-worthy xeroxed photos, pleasantly succinct content, and leaving Scab's winking emoticons be left me feeling lenient, for now.

Send an email to Jason at droppinthekidsinthepool[at]gmail.com to see if any are available/pick up a copy for yourself. The first print runs in 80 copies. Oh, and photos I took from the Columbus Ropes show are in this zine as well.

[Fashionable Activisim, issues 1 and 2]



Kevin McCaughey, a.k.a. 1/2 of Fashionable Activism and known in the punk\internet/VLV\Tumblr world as negativekevin, stayed at my place for a hot week last month to experience New York City. While doing so he dropped off copies of his online-to-print zine, including the latest issue that came out last fall. In its hardcore punk fanzine form, Fashionable Activism transports the wittingly opinionated reviews and ramblings of its star creator onto a visually pleasing medium. The interviews thrown in, nonexistent in its online form, are proof that NegiKev ( o.k. with being "young, dumb, and full of cum") is not only doing his homework, but actively seeking to learn more. As a reader you get to participate in that through the conversations with today's noteworthy acts like Mauser and The Men. "The purpose of this zine is the proper documentation of hardcore 2010, and to express my current taste and feeling of this whole shit." Of course, it would be disappointing if it the zine didn't incorporate the snarky, love-me-or-hate-me, opinionated voice of yours truly.

Both issues are available (looks like they were reissued) at Kevin's Pass Judgement Records webstore.

[Our Show with Elliot Aronow Zine, winter/issue 1]


Commonly described by various outlets as "if GQ became a DIY punk zine," the first issue of Our Show successfully reeled in a new fan. I'm loving this whole punks go dapper overhaul among friends and strangers, and frankly there's nothing wrong with a man who takes good care of himself. Google Elliot Aronow and you'll find that not only is he the climbing tastemaker in culture and lifestyle - and being other cool things like co-founder of RCRD LBL and writer behind Kanye Wests' press bio, but this handsome fella never shies away from the opportunity to bust out a Cro-Mags shirt and oh my gods I can't even... Swoon with a capital S. Anyway, slightly digressing, taking on the fashion of your everyday punk zine, Our Show's entire 42-page, black and white spread is "a social alchemy at work," but his social circle is the cool kids kids club with more mainstream accolades, and a more refined taste for nice things than your average zinester. (Am I really using that word? Oh well.) Poetry-cum-screenshot of an iPhone conversation from Diplo, a photo spread by Yeah Yeah Yeah's Nick Zinner, AND a comprehensive crash course on tailoring and the perfect suit?! This NYC-centric zine harks back to the core practices of a DIY zine, extricating the information overload of the internet age (be this, do that, buy this, listen that) and cut it down to what Aronow finds to be truly insightful, truly necessary, one issue at a time.

Copies of this zine are scattered throughout record stores and boutiques in the NYC area. Non-residents can e-mail Elliot at elliot[a]itsourshow.com for a copy, if there are still any available. Hand-numbered, out of 300.

[Phil Knott's Tally Ho!]




The first time I ever had a magazine personally distributed to me by its bike-riding creator was with this issue. I found that moment very charming. Whether you've noticed or not, it's very likely that you've come across Phil Knott's works. His photography ranges from portraits of Broadcast to Jay-Z, his love of desaturated color and collage turned into a design for Hot Hot Heat's "Elevator" album, and his talent of tinkering with color and photography brings out a very vivid presentation of attitude and sound from his subjects. His works, in sum, are music you listen with your eyes. Knott's Tally Ho! pieces together not only his works, but works of artists like Mick Rock and Anthony Lister who are dedicated to reflecting and translating the cultures of modern life through striking works of art. It's a beautifully, understated cycle shown in print by Knott: the sociopolitical push on emotion which creates music which sticks to the minds of its listeners who use a medium like art to evoke commentary and feelings. The classics of rock and roll, David Bowie to Joy Division, are hand-in-hand with the artist in this particular tango.

75,000 copies in ciruculation. Available in newsstands, premiere book chains, and fine art galleries worldwide.

If I haven't made it more obvious, I love zines. If there's any out there that you think I may be into and really should check out, shoot me an e-mail with more information. Ciao x

11_5. The Rival Mob "Tough Love" @ Acheron, NYC

The Rival Mob performed at the Acheron in BK last night/tonight/right before the mindfuckery that is the end of daylight saving. This band is hard to catch live unless you happen to be at some major punk fest or live on the East Coast, but luckily I've arranged my residency to fix that problem.

I'm not going to talk too much about the band's set because every word I'd have for it is best exemplified in the moving visual above. I will say that the unusual blur adjustments throughout the video makes it look extra ominous as if this was my POV after getting punched in the eyes. Keeping it tough.

I want to be your shirt.

Some recent shirt surgeries. I've been rummaging through my parents' closets for tops I could alter and transform into my new favorite shirts. The best items in your closet are the ones that make you look good no matter the pairing, and that's certainly the first top pictured above.

I'm open to alter and transform your old clothes from bland to grand. If this pricks your interest, feel free to e-mail me with photos of some clothes you have in mind and I'll respond with rates and sketched ideas. You will be contributing to my ultimate summer's saving mission. Help me afford my move to NYC.

DE RIGUEUR MIX #1: INDONESIAN DIY PUNK

Occasionally I'll get a random Facebook friend request from some Southeast Asian punks, which I never mind because a) I'm always stoked to meet someone who is in the same ethnicity and music realm and b) I'm such a culture creeper, so this gives me the opportunity to vicariously see what the DIY scene is like in my birth country. Indonesia is the 4th most populated country and the 1st most populated Muslim country in the world. My recollections of what the country is like as I grew up in the United States is that everyone walked around in colorful traditional Indonesian garb, praising Allah in some sing-song over Gamelans and timpanis, and were a walking poster child of good morals. I got to blame my parents and the pirated karaoke videos they play at our Eid parties for these juvenile perceptions.

Realistically, the youth counter-culture is as intriguing as anything of the like is elsewhere. Particularly, the country is a BOOMING hotbed of the DIY punk scene. Iron Lung recently completed their Southeast Asian tour, and it was endearing to hear how ecstatic Indonesians were about their arrival. I was oblivious to all of this until my freshman year of college, when I stumbled upon PROLETAR through To Live A Lie. Although my extensive Myspace hunt introduced me to a slew of fast hardcore and grindcore bands, the obstacle I couldn't bypass was the lack of access to these bands' releases.

Until now. I received perhaps on of THE BEST packages to ever hit my mailbox from Moko, a recent Facebook friend who was quick to introduce me to a dizzying list of Indonesian bands. I've spent the early hours of Monday morning (it's almost 4 a.m., btw) going through his trade package and I'm nowhere near completion.



Because this shit is hard to find/gain access to, I've decided to compile a mix of the songs I'm digging so far and pass it on to you readers. Once again, infinite thanks to Moko for this Christmas (or Eid) in April, and I need to remind myself that I owe him a generous trade package of some U.S. bands. This is also a sly way for me to boost traffic on this blog. So download, enjoy, and tune in to Absolute Catastrophe, my radio show, this Thursday from 8-9 p.m. on ACRN.com to check out more from this collection.

DOWNLOAD THE MIX HERE

Track listing:

1. "Biadab" AGGRESSOR from State Is Dead: 3 Thrashcore Solutions
2. "Politisasi Kejar Tayang" AGRESI! from Mismash Of Coalition
3. "ballads of kenshin and his sakabato" AK47 from Barricades close the street but open the way
4. "Sound of Revolution" AK47 from Barricades close the street but open the way
5. "Conspiracy" DEAD VERTICAL from When Love Finds A Fool, Grind Still Rules
6. "Did I Have A Delightful Conversation With Timothy McVeigh Rights After His Death Penalty" DOMESTIK DOCKTRIN from Manufakturing Karma EP
7. "Betray" DOMESTIK DOCKTRIN from VA - A Tribute To Minor Threat (Indonesia) - Gone But Not Forgotten
8. "Peace... No Fucking War" FIRSTBLOOD from Split With A SISTEM RIJEK
9. "New Pleasure" MORTAL COMBAT from Hello?! Fukk You! Thank You!
10. "Stand Up and Be Countered" FALLEN WORLD from Blast from the Far East #3
11. "Smell of the Silence" PEACE OR ANNIHILATION from Horrific Disturbing Vision Of War
12. "Dear Fascist/Wish You're Dead!" A SISTEM RIJEK! from First Sight No Sight
13. "Janganlah Memandang Sebelah Mata" SATELLITE from A Moral EP
14. "Point Which Will Not Find There's Onky Led Us Each" TASTE OF FLESH from Split 7'' With SPACE TO BEING
15. "In Grind We Porn" ROTTEN VAGINA 69 from Compilation Contribution Part 4&5
16. "Perusak" TOTAL ANARCHY from Frustasi Global
17. "The Broken of Your State Like My Broken Song" PROLETAR from Blast from the Far East #3
18. "Loud and Fast" GXFXTX from Kazamate & A.D.T. & GxFxTx
19. "United Difference" NINJA HATORRY from Ninja Hatorry
20. "Fake Human Unity" OBSESIF KOMPULSIF from The Taste of Thrash


Photo of Iron Lung playing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Source: Mohd Rizman's Flickr.

Note: I'll add band links later. Time for bed.

I think it's time for me to make my travel debut in Texas. There are some bands I don't give beans for, but there are a lot that's blowing me out of this seat. For some reason, Chaos in Tejas is the show destination for sought-after Japanese bands doing "one-time" only reunions/hosting their last show. Last year, Bastard reunited for the States show and now we have Kriegshog doing its last show in the States. Guess if you got to play big, you need to be somewhere that could accommodate the "big."




Miseryyyyyyyy!

Glad to see Vile Gash and Nukkehammer representing Ohio on the bill. My stomach churns over the idea of not going to this, and the line-up hasn't even been finalized! We'll see what crushers March will bestow us with.

via Brooklynvegan.com