ANARCHOI #7 X-mas 2003 *** Trev Hagl put me onto this one from Scotland, and it does show promise but is way off the quality control of some of it's larger sized rivals like 4.M.W. or Artcore. First thing you notice is the top notch print job on glossy paper that gives Anarchoi a first class impression. It reminds me of the short lived Destroy zine outta Bristol. However first impressions can be misleading coz when you get inside you realise by page 1 that there's something drastically wrong. Either the editors typewriters missing a few vital keys or he's been on the crack while typing it up...Well you tell me? Seems a waste he's gone to so much trouble on visuals and presentation for it to be sabotaged by basic and numerous typing errors. The big A4 layout really does leave some massive gaping holes that are screaming to be filled. Even the BOLD large print can't hide that fact. The cut 'n' paste looks good n sloppy but you'll zip through this zine in one sitting on the throne. You get the feeling Jamesy ain't really got enough ammo in his sporran to justify this outsized zine sufficiently. Maybe A5 would've been a wiser move. Talking of which I dunno if he's paying for the expensive print job bill by advertising or not? Coz Anarchoi is fucking chocka full of ads, but closer inspection suggests they're more like handy space fillers? Well enough critique onto the main course. We get some fast but good spot checks on the Lurkers, the Disruptors, Drongos For Europe, Abusive Youth and fellow Celts Intimidation Records. The reviews seem on the ball and come strangely without any spelling mistakes, thus confirming our editor must be on something! Ha! It'll be interesting to see how this develops once Trev Hagl has jumped on board coz we know he's got plenty to say so next issue should see a dramatic improvement in reading matter and scandal. One to look out for I reckon.  £1.00 from 3 Hazel Grove, Kilwinning, Ayshire, KA13 7JH, Scotland.  Post-PUNK THROWBACK #9 Winter 2003 **** Now here's a jolly decent read (am I showing my age? fuck it..I don't care!) This is crammed to the gils with punk rock done in microscopic detail. Just a pity most of it occurred 25 years ago! But if your gonna appreciate something, be it pioneering punk rock, good sex or the complexities of mud hut building, you might as well revel in some of historical finer points of your subject. Which is exactly what Punk Throwback is all about. For any kid doing a music paper on punk and looking for a quick fix to win an A+ here's the goods. There's a massive aural  Slits piece, which covers nearly every slab of plastic the band recorded, from their '77 inception to their iffy UK reformation gigs of last year. The only thing missing was more info on that hideous retrospective bootleg? Some of us older masochists like to know exactly why we went through all that pain! But have no fear dear Slitoid coz everything else they dished out is dissected in true Punk Throwback tradition. Darting right back up to date, we get an interview on the highly energetic New York punk outfit X-Possibles, who sound like they're worth a second glance. If you don't believe me go and check it out here for yourself. The New York hoolies are followed by a rather good insight into The Wasps. You remember those energetic Cockney urchins who along with Art Attacks stole the show on the legendary 'Live At The Vortex' album dont'cha? Well chief Wasp Jessie Lynn Dean (who now resides in sunny Spain) takes us into the heart of their nest and stings us with the full band history. We escape the swarm and move north of the Border to be confronted by a gang of slashing guitars and heritage belonging to the underrated Scars. This look back comes complete with those 'Horrowshow' lyrics sung in Clockwork Orange slang... "tnucs!!!" We end our Throwback guide with a massive overview of 'post punk' outfits that'll either get you searching out those dusty old albums or CD compilations for an eternity, or send you punk purists scrambling for the eject button. Good to see Ged giving the newer bands some airplay in the review section, coz as we all know diversity in whatever you aim at shows an open mind. And if you thought my reviews were detailed, check these fuckers out. There's a rumour this zine could be making a web presence in the near future? And next issue could be the last, which is a pity. But I'd be more than happy with an online version coz there's some great info within these pages from past and present issues that will no doubt gain a new worldwide audience. That's if you can get past the authors somewhat evangelical grasp on punk, you'll fuckin love this! £? from 12 York Drive, Bitterne, Southampton, Hants, SO18 5SA, UK. gedbabey@hotmail.com Central, PR2 9WY, UK.

WATERINTOBEER #6 August 2003 ** More bawdy stoodent yuma from this Leeds/Manchester based zine. I like it's honesty and it ain't scared to offend by just basically telling it like it is, within their Uni. confines of course. A sensa yuma is it's saving grace, unlike some of the more hardcore Punk zines out there who toe the fucking party line so glibly. WIB don't seem to fear charges by the local punk police which is admirable in one context, but what it belches out with a triumphant burp it falls flat on it's spotty face by the iffy taste in punk. Your really struggling to find a decent punk outfit in here, unless your into that whole indie wing of punk. In this day and age the NEW punk is really stretching the boundaries beyond belief. But for those of you who are interested in this kinda crud, here's a rundown on the culprits and individuals featured at the scene of the crime...Be Jyzzuzz this must be about 50th time I've seen the Household Records label get covered by a zine!!! What the fucks going on kids am I missing something? Can't you cunts realise these jerks are boring just like their safe bands! If your gonna do a label how about Dr Strange at least he's got some worthwhile to say. We Start Fires are 3 birds and a bloke who describe themselves as "Alt-Indie Pop", say no more. Drawn By Lines (gawd what a disgustingly bland name) come across as a bit cocky, which I quite like to see in an interview, but that cockiness was soon deflated when they admitted playing discordant rock...sigh! The Sex Maniacs from Leeds sound more like it, with a mix of Black Flag and Turbo Negro in their sound, so maybe these nonces are worth checking out? I always shy clear of punk collective articles. I mean c'mon they're full of the dullest dick heads in the scene. People who pay their annual visit to Glastonbury, adorned with spectacles and braids, smoking roll-ups and brandishing bundles of 'Socialist Worker' in their rucksack do not make good copy! So you can imagine my dismay when we have to endure Helsinki's version aaarrgh! I woke up just in time to catch the obituary on Sunderland ska band 46 itchy (yeah me neither?) before searching for a loaded 45 it was hat desperate. Any band with horns is always suspect unless your talking early MU330 or X-Ray Spex. Keeping within the brass section we get another blast from those all American boys...the Mad Caddies gawwddddddd. Were finally put out our misery by Fallout 40 from Derby who are really a rock band, but don't tell anyone. So not a lot to keep me out the bars. Of the rest, some pieces of interest appeared in 'There's no place like Holmfirth', 'The (scary) effects of liver damage' and '5 reasons to hate Leeds' which should've read...1.- Leeds Utd, 2. - PC Police, 2. - The Hypocritical zine hierarchy, 4. - The Peacock pub and of course 5. - Queens Hall (I'm still shuddering from that Christmas on Earth debacle). To be fair there's a deluge of gig and music/zine reviews but it's another case of spot the punk the band.  www.waterintobeer.tk WATERINTOBEER #5 April 2003 *** A bit late I know but I like the snotty attitude of this stoodent rag and the amusing title sums up the way this zine is. It's got a boozy, teenage rebelliousness, with a cut 'n' paste boorish delivery. But you get a sneaky feeling this is a short-lived punk phase the authors are currently goin through? Only time will tell? Waterintobeer seems throwaway and purely something to knock out for their mates and a few drunks in the student bar. On that score it's succeeds totally, and why not coz some zines are way too precious for their own good. But what it lacks in finesse, it more than makes up for in quantity. You get  64 pages for 50p (or trade), which can't be bad. However the musical taste of the 3 stooges who threw this fucker together leaves a lot to be desired. Run DMC!, Pet Shop Boys!! and Marilyn Manson!!!... fer fucks sake!!!! We can just about live with this trilogy of bad taste coz their tongue in cheek attitude supply's a yobbish safety net. Highlight of this issue had to be the Paul Dianno (Ex-Iron Maiden front man) interview. Now I'm no Maiden fan, they sure don't get me running to the hills, but this geezer is a good craic! His book called 'The Beast' sounds like it could be a suprising insight, especially if your up for some over the top tales of sex,drugs,prison,guns and rock'n'roll. Elsewhere in the zine there was an ill fated piece on giving up alcohol for a month, that showed a sensa yuma. Alongside '10 things To Do Before Reaching 21' which pretty much nails it. The band interviews vary in quality from the mundane to the just plain bland. Mind you with bands in question like...Mr Dodd, One Man Stand and Webster (student outfits to a man) what'dya expect? Bet they all sound the same too! We mustn't forget a brief encounter with the (now) god awful Dead Kennedy's, who without Biafra's sharp wit leading the way, simply sound fake! There's a scene report from Sunderland which sounds as dead as Wolverhampton. And lastly a fucking hysterical diary extract from one of the brave editors who went for a 3 month stay in Finland! He arrives all alone and homesick with no-one to meet him off the plane and to top it all has to stash all his gear into a tiny luggage box for safety. The cruncher being he breaks a cup his bird sent him as a leaving present altogether now ahhhhh! (stop sniggering at the back). You gotta read this as he cries himself to sleep on his first night in the cold Finnish wasteland to get the full tear-jerking experience. Now where did I put that cold can of Carling? www.waterintobeer.tk

SAVAGE AMUSEMENT #20  Sept-Dec 2003 **** Ain't read a copy of this FREE North East Punk and Oi! newsletter for a few years now. SA is still the best and most refreshingly savage newsletter out on Britain's Streets today. With that honest and no compromising attitude it just can't fail! No time for nepotism here, although Barse comes very close! This jam packed seasonal street manifesto puts most of the other UK zinesters to shame. In comparison they're either dead PC, too scared to speak their own minds or just plain creeps. However being honest can sometimes burn some record companies/bands ego's! Seems constructive criticism closes some doors, which is a cryin shame! This A4 12 page issue includes an hilarious HITS review, plus a boatload of records, zine and even more gig reviews. Savage Amusement is one of those publications you just can't put down till you read it all. And this is just a taster really. For the full impact of Sir Trev's Geordie abuse and brutal skew on today's punk scene, check out his recently resurrected HAGL fanzine, which still has the bite and cutting edge it had back in the 80's. Trev's also got an array of worldwide punk rock merchandise from all the main suppliers for sale, but dirt cheap in comparison, so check his list and this out with a S.A.E. from Rosehill, 20 Front St, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, Co. Durham, DH9 9LY, UK. trevhagl@hotmail.com BLACKPOOL ROX II *** Commiseration's go out to this freebie. The editor Andy (who also runs Blackpool's only independent label JSNTGM and does a spot of solo work himself) has just been made redundant from his job. Bet his boss's ink cartridge bill has plummeted considerably. Can't be much fun being out of work and with no FREE photocopier to plunder. The knock on effect seals the fate for this newsletter and also 4 Minute Warnings latest seductive presentation. Oh well, Andy sounds a resourceful chap so I'm sure he's got some ideas up his Lancastrian sleeve for alternatives. Blackpool Rox II ain't strictly a full blown punk newsletter but it does take the lions share in this well sussed read. With it's clean cut but bland presentation the quality of the print and info was essential and it don't disappoint. There's some very good points made and a couple of porkers too. At least Andy's doin it for his own town which is more than can be said for mine!!! This is totally Blackpool in sight 'n' sound and it's good for the town no doubt. It's only the record reviews that covers all walks of punk life. It was here I read about another Fear album hitting the streets. Blackpool Rox II is Interesting in a local kinda way and good for outsiders if you wanna read whats goin on in other towns. It's also dead easy to pick up from Mitch 4 Minute Warning while you buy a copy of her latest epic. I'm sure it'll be well missed amongst the towers of rock and definitely by the small but vibrant punk rock community and other gig goers. Before I forget Andy's also a travelling Blackpool fan so full marks for supporting your own team from your own town, coz believe me I know it ain't easy. In fact why don't you check out his web site coz you can read it this issue and all the back issues for yourself and more information on his label, his gigs and much more.  www.jsntgm.com TOXIC STRESS #18 Summer 2003 *** Now this is a blast from the past!!!! Last time I seen a copy of this must've been about Issue #9? And last time I spotted Ade (the editor) was a few years ago in Birmingham's Market Tavern as he sat in the vice grip of big Gaynor! Didn't think I'd ever see or hear from him ever again! Well looks like he's fully recovered and now back in the safe confines of Derby quietly putting these out and pretty regular it seems. Toxic Stress ain't changed much at all in layout and style. I quite like the no messing cut 'n' paste type. However this issue (or was it just mine?) suffers from a bad day at the photocopiers. The print job fades to grey as Visage once pouted. My eyes ain't what they were, so it's a struggle to read everything. But apart from that minor hiccup Toxic Stress is a good, fast punk read to add to your collection. Loads of reviews litter the unstapled pages, and they tell you straight what's goin on, be it on records or zines. The interviews this issue include everyone's fave Deadline, who despite having a great sound and stage presence come over as very boring indeed!!! London Anarcho's Public Execution get some much needed out of town exposure, plus Brummy outfit H8 Target bring up the rear. Highlights of this zine are always the live gig reviews! Ade excels in giving you a taste of toxicity from each show. And shock horror, he's even ventured outside his beloved Derby and hit the smoke, covering the 2003 Hackney punks picnic! I'm a sucker for reading about the other scenes around this sceptred isle of ours, coz they're few and far between. Home grown zines like these 24 pages of stress may lack the panache and composure of their artier contemporaries, but bullshit has no welcome mat in here! What you read is what you get! Before I forget Ade is after Punk & Oi! bands to interview, so if you want some UK exposure and have something to say, drop him a line. You can get this for 50p & SAE from 17 Reeves Road, Derby, DE23 8JF UK MORE ZINE REVIEWS COMING SOON! ZINE INDEX