Slamskankslamskank #1

In the late ‘00s/early 10s I used to pick up various Australian fanzines, Harsh Truth from Brisbane, Nothing A Beatdown from Melbourne, a bunch of others which name I don’t recall but that are safely stored in the attic, and of course Chunks who in the course of 7 issues made their way to the zine Pantheon. But it’s been 10 years since Chunks’ demize, and picking up a new Aussie zine has been long overdue so I’m glad to carry the first issue of Slamskanksklamskank outta Geelong, Victoria.

This one covers a lot of ground, having tidbits and short interviews about old and recent bands, from Sydney’s Jokes On You (members of Vigilante inside!) to Boston’s ICU, all the way to NY’s Major Conflict and Urban Waste and many more (Rat Bait, Sick Fix etc.).

But the best thing in there is zooming in on the Geelong scene with its own venues, bands, myths and characters through the interviews with Zach Malakonas, Jesse Putland and Neil Cuthberson, having played in no less than 16 bands combined and painting a cool picture about the local scene.

Cut N Paste layout, plenty of sick live pictures, a good and enthusiastic attitude, if you’re curious to discover new and old bands without resorting to algorithms and dull technology but just by being open minded and picking up a zine, then you know what to do. Me I’m just enjoying this one while Grim Reality or Vigilante is playing in the background, and I’d invite you to do the same.

30 something A4 pages.