Post by marveloushagler on Dec 20, 2004 7:56:52 GMT -5
The Best U.S. Anti-Fascist Skinhead Zines
By Dan Sabater
RASH-NYC
Unlike Europe, there has never been a huge culture of anti-fascist skinhead zines in the United States. Maybe it's that the anti-fascist skinhead scene here has never been that big, or maybe it's that skinheads hate to read. In any event, over the years there have been a few such zines that really had the "sus". Whether it was music, fashion, outlook, politics or style, these zines had it all. They truly captured what being a skinhead is all about, and together they form a far better "Skinhead Bible" than George Marshall's midget-ass could ever hope to write.
BOOTS AND BOOZE (San Jose, California; 1986-1993; 10 issues)
This is hands-down my personal favorite anti-fascist skinzine. You only need to read the byline "Back Street Style For Dead End Yobs" to know it's gonna be good. This zine featured lots of reprints on 60's skinhead culture, with articles on reggae, fashion, beer and aggro. It also had great artwork, and the same sense of humor you'll find on a Judge Dread LP (and that means fucking funny!). The perfect zine to read when you're having a pint. Pure style. If there's a skinhead heaven, editor Joel L. has definitely earned himself a spot.
NEVER SURRENDER (New York City; 1997; 1 issue)
This was perhaps the first proper Left-wing skinhead zine in the United States. Little wonder that it grew from the second RASH-NYC crew. Again, the byline says it all: "A zine dedicated to anti-fascist skinheads everywhere". An article featuring the personal experiences of a punk during the original Oi! years, a REDSKINS interview, stuff on Northern Soul, an editorial against the bullshit dead-end of "no politics" in the skinhead scene, record reviews, anti-fascism and much more. This was a really monumental zine, and I'm not just saying that because I use to date the editor.
DOUBLE BARREL (New York City; 1989; 1 issue)
Many people have said that this first-ever SHARP zine was responsible for bringing traditional skinhead culture to the United States, and they wouldn't be far off the mark. At a time when New York hardcore was all the rage, DOUBLE BARREL was focusing on skinhead reggae, 60's fashion and Oi! that doesn't suck. It didn't hurt that editor Marcus P. was an artist, insuring both a nice layout and great artwork. With its original United States SHARP networking info, this zine is a real piece of history. Joe Hawkins would be proud.
COLORBLIND (Chicago; 1989; 1 issue)
This zine was published by a Black skinhead involved with the Chicago chapter of Anti-Racist Action, and with the Syndicate, a now long-forgotten network of Midwest anti-fascist skinheads. Back then Anti-Racist Action was an organization that grew out of the Baldies, a sizable-crew of Minneapolis-based skinheads. At the time ARA was far more of a street-fighting organization, and less the network of political activists it would later become. This zine featured a lot of frontline news and culture from a city that has always had a proud heritage of anti-fascist skinheads. From the days when U.S. skinheads were more likely to wear a t-shirt than a Ben Sherman, and crombies were never seen.
BATTLE SCARRED (Chicago; 1997-1998; 2 issues)
Chicago did it again. Following in the tradition of Colorblind came Battle Scarred. This zine was uncompromisingly anti-fascist while the rest of the scene was crying "no politics". With a strong focus on both history and the present, Battle Scarred covered all bases. Also featured editor Marty's great sense of humor. Definitely not a zine for skinheads more worried about getting their clothes dirty than putting the boot in against boneheads.
Photocopies of any of the above-listed zines are available to anyone donating material to the RASH-NYC anti-fascist skinhead archive. We're always on the lookout for zines, videos, news clippings and other items of interest that we don't have in our collection. All those interested in trading should drop a line to the RASH-NYC post office box or send us an email.
RASH-NYC
P.O. Box 364
Canal St. Station
New York, NY 10013-0364
By Dan Sabater
RASH-NYC
Unlike Europe, there has never been a huge culture of anti-fascist skinhead zines in the United States. Maybe it's that the anti-fascist skinhead scene here has never been that big, or maybe it's that skinheads hate to read. In any event, over the years there have been a few such zines that really had the "sus". Whether it was music, fashion, outlook, politics or style, these zines had it all. They truly captured what being a skinhead is all about, and together they form a far better "Skinhead Bible" than George Marshall's midget-ass could ever hope to write.
BOOTS AND BOOZE (San Jose, California; 1986-1993; 10 issues)
This is hands-down my personal favorite anti-fascist skinzine. You only need to read the byline "Back Street Style For Dead End Yobs" to know it's gonna be good. This zine featured lots of reprints on 60's skinhead culture, with articles on reggae, fashion, beer and aggro. It also had great artwork, and the same sense of humor you'll find on a Judge Dread LP (and that means fucking funny!). The perfect zine to read when you're having a pint. Pure style. If there's a skinhead heaven, editor Joel L. has definitely earned himself a spot.
NEVER SURRENDER (New York City; 1997; 1 issue)
This was perhaps the first proper Left-wing skinhead zine in the United States. Little wonder that it grew from the second RASH-NYC crew. Again, the byline says it all: "A zine dedicated to anti-fascist skinheads everywhere". An article featuring the personal experiences of a punk during the original Oi! years, a REDSKINS interview, stuff on Northern Soul, an editorial against the bullshit dead-end of "no politics" in the skinhead scene, record reviews, anti-fascism and much more. This was a really monumental zine, and I'm not just saying that because I use to date the editor.
DOUBLE BARREL (New York City; 1989; 1 issue)
Many people have said that this first-ever SHARP zine was responsible for bringing traditional skinhead culture to the United States, and they wouldn't be far off the mark. At a time when New York hardcore was all the rage, DOUBLE BARREL was focusing on skinhead reggae, 60's fashion and Oi! that doesn't suck. It didn't hurt that editor Marcus P. was an artist, insuring both a nice layout and great artwork. With its original United States SHARP networking info, this zine is a real piece of history. Joe Hawkins would be proud.
COLORBLIND (Chicago; 1989; 1 issue)
This zine was published by a Black skinhead involved with the Chicago chapter of Anti-Racist Action, and with the Syndicate, a now long-forgotten network of Midwest anti-fascist skinheads. Back then Anti-Racist Action was an organization that grew out of the Baldies, a sizable-crew of Minneapolis-based skinheads. At the time ARA was far more of a street-fighting organization, and less the network of political activists it would later become. This zine featured a lot of frontline news and culture from a city that has always had a proud heritage of anti-fascist skinheads. From the days when U.S. skinheads were more likely to wear a t-shirt than a Ben Sherman, and crombies were never seen.
BATTLE SCARRED (Chicago; 1997-1998; 2 issues)
Chicago did it again. Following in the tradition of Colorblind came Battle Scarred. This zine was uncompromisingly anti-fascist while the rest of the scene was crying "no politics". With a strong focus on both history and the present, Battle Scarred covered all bases. Also featured editor Marty's great sense of humor. Definitely not a zine for skinheads more worried about getting their clothes dirty than putting the boot in against boneheads.
Photocopies of any of the above-listed zines are available to anyone donating material to the RASH-NYC anti-fascist skinhead archive. We're always on the lookout for zines, videos, news clippings and other items of interest that we don't have in our collection. All those interested in trading should drop a line to the RASH-NYC post office box or send us an email.
RASH-NYC
P.O. Box 364
Canal St. Station
New York, NY 10013-0364