10 replies to this topic

[tiredoflies]

So I'm starting a zine called "Hot Glue Gun"

I designed the logo and wrote an article on the issue of reclaiming public space.

ARTICLE
“Revolution” is a word thrown around too often in today’s culture. It’s not riots or charities. A revolution changes the way a society thinks and lives. Our public spaces used to be ungoverned places for interaction, now they’re becoming more formal, less communicative and designed places for consuming. Interaction (not consumption) is what makes a society thrive.  “NO LOITERING” signs litter our streets, especially outside of stores. The sight of a few street musicians or a group of kids sitting on a curb is “bad for business”, so such behavior is disallowed. The desires of corporations are being put above those of the people! With less people gathering there is less interaction, communication and transfer of ideas. Instead of places to socialize (that is, without being forced into buying something), there are more parking lots. Pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, etc are expelled from public space and restricted to “designated” areas. Hell, even residential areas are “designated” and virtually nothing goes on in terms of exchange of ideas or social interaction. Trying to function under such restrictions makes it harder for people to be active members in our community. Public space is very restricted and pre-defined. The law focuses too much on facilitating businesses and not enough on the people’s rights.  Let’s stop our streets from being dominated by consumption, let’s take back our streets!

I was also thinking about putting something in about the whole "no solicitation" thing. And on the side naming some ways to be a part of the RTS movement, saying something about Critical Mass,etc.

It's very a brief article on a broad topic but I need some critique. What did I miss? What isn't important? What would make you read it? What would make you send in something to an editorial? Anything. I doubt I'm going to have a large amount or very critical readers, but I want to improve.


About the zine

I'm distributing it around Columbus, Ohio so I’m going to include a lot of local things as well as national and global issues
I’m focusing on the punk and metal scene. I’ll put in Album reviews, manga/anime/comic review, book review maybe? I’ll get some art with a short artist bio in there. Something how-to for the DIY kids, maybe a cool place in Ohio with description… And I’ll try to include an interview from a local band.
Does that sound like something you’d read?


I messed around with text options so you can choose which parts you care enough to read, sorry its so long.

[JohnWayneWasANazi]

Sounds awesome. The most important thing is to make it different from the 100,000 other zines out there. Maybe give out a local band's demo CD with each copy.

[Identity]

GIG REVIEWS

Oh and talk to local gig promoters... I always like to read what they have to say about the scene, their experiences, trials and tribulations etc etc.

[klenole]

Sounds cool, I would definatly read it. Good luck with it.

[tiredoflies]

@JohnWayneWasANazi: thanks! I'll probably do something similar to that and give out something with each issue, demo cds every other issue. probably stickers or something other times, because I'd like the zine to be relatively cheap. Also, there's only one other zine around this area called "Punk Zine".

@Identity, Didn't think of that, this will be fun for me, too!

Anyone have any suggestions on the RTS article?

[JohnWayneWasANazi]

tiredoflies, on 03 January 2010 - 04:58 PM, said:

@JohnWayneWasANazi: thanks! I'll probably do something similar to that and give out something with each issue, demo cds every other issue. probably stickers or something other times, because I'd like the zine to be relatively cheap. Also, there's only one other zine around this area called "Punk Zine".

I'm sure, but on the internet there's plenty. You'd be surprised how many local bands would give you 100 demo CDs for free to be distributed with your zines.

[tiredoflies]

JohnWayneWasANazi, on 03 January 2010 - 05:01 PM, said:

I'm sure, but on the internet there's plenty. You'd be surprised how many local bands would give you 100 demo CDs for free to be distributed with your zines.

For real? I'm definitely asking then

I made a myspace profile for it and friended a bunch of local bands, is it unprofessional to contact the bands through myspace? Is it better if I call them?

[Psychobilly]

This sounds like a really cool idea if i lived in Ohio id give you my bands demo.

[Sammysaint]

tiredoflies, on 03 January 2010 - 05:05 PM, said:

For real? I'm definitely asking then

I made a myspace profile for it and friended a bunch of local bands, is it unprofessional to contact the bands through myspace? Is it better if I call them?

if they're local bands i dont see a problem with that,. they're probably updating and checking their myspaces quite often

[JohnWayneWasANazi]

tiredoflies, on 03 January 2010 - 05:05 PM, said:

I made a myspace profile for it and friended a bunch of local bands, is it unprofessional to contact the bands through myspace? Is it better if I call them?

Nah, I've gotten plenty of interviews set up through myspace.

[pax]

sounds great, i'd totally buy it!
i don't think that we have anything like that around here, though. hmmm...

tiredoflies, on 03 January 2010 - 05:05 PM, said:

For real? I'm definitely asking then

I made a myspace profile for it and friended a bunch of local bands, is it unprofessional to contact the bands through myspace? Is it better if I call them?

i don't think that that's a problem. i guess they're happy to be able to get their music into public.