View CartHere's some testmonials from friends and customers:
I am sorry to hear about the cash flow issue. I feel strongly that you will persevere. It was interesting that I got your message today because just this morning I was watching a really cool documentary about the Beat poets and "happening" performance artists of the same time. I have always been interested in the people throughout history that challenged the norm of their times, often at great personal risk, to pursue their beliefs and ultimately affect cultural changes.
When I was just out of high school a group of my friends and I rented a U-haul "to move down the street", disconnected the odometer and drove it to Washington to demonstrate against Nixon's 2nd inauguration. Thousands of people were there and there were many influential speakers including Dick Gregory who used a lot of humor to make some very serious points. In the sixties there were a lot of very out spoken activists like Abbey Hoffman, Jerry Ruben (who later sold out), Ken Kesey and so on that young people followed and were inspired by. Everyone was challenging the notions that there was one right path for everyone to follow.
Today I feel politicians and the media have convinced many people that they are powerless against big business and the political machine, that their voices cannot be heard and nothing they can do will matter. Young people do not have as many high profile dissenters to relate to. That is what makes what you are doing so important. You not only have put the time, money, and effort out to try to get your message out to people but have reached out to others and created a forum where people can share ideas, have access to work of others, and have a place where their voice does count. Every generation is improved and strengthened not by the status quo but by those that challenged it. I have not had a punch the time clock job or filed a tax return since 1981. I have survived doing my art and picking up odd jobs that I was in control of.
While I understand your reluctance to distribute through Tower, it is very useful to create change from within. There was a time when a corporate entity like that would not have wanted to be associated with an outsider venture. Just the fact that they are willing to cooperate shows that you have had enough of an impact that they feel in order to accommodate the opinions of their clientele they need to include you. Abandon your guilt and give yourself kudos for infiltrating the mainstream because that means you are creating change.
In 1972 National Lampoon released a comedy album that included a skit about Bob Dylan doing a commercial. It was hysterical because the idea that any rock band or anti-political poet would ever in their wildest dreams do a commercial was really funny. Now songs that were banned from radio for being too controversial are being used to sell everything from sport shoes to Cadillacs. The system had to concede defeat and incorporate the fringe into the mainstream in order to stay viable. Of course I'm sure when John Lennon heard Nike using Revolution to sell sneakers he rolled over in his grave so many times he popped out in China and is now orbiting the Earth. The point is that as successful and powerful as Nike might have been, they had to embrace what was previously the fringe to stay viable. I remember whenever reporters used to interview the Beatles or the Rolling Stones one of their favorite questions was "If you drop out of school now to play music, what will you do for money when this rock and roll fad is over?" I think they managed.
You should be proud of supporting yourself doing what you believe in and encourage others to find their niche and follow suit. William Burroughs was born in 1917 and became an anti establishment icon, was openly gay when people didn't talk about any sex much less "deviant" sex, and still had one of his books turned into a movie starring Peter Weller. In fact if you've never seen the film Naked Lunch by all means check it out. He traveled the world checking out cultures everywhere, became a junkie, recovered and still managed to wind up with a bank account I'd trade for mine. Was he a sell out because he did well? No, more like a miracle. Artists and activists do not need to be poor to prove their point. Every time an outsider succeeds in having enough resources to be comfortable by doing what they believe in it is a victory. It is evidence that the status quo does not call all the shots or control all the money. Having resources gives more access and opportunity to express your views to more people. I'm not a U2 fan but because of his success musically, Bono has been able to get more people to hear his views and to go places and help people in ways that otherwise would not have been possible. Admittedly I don't agree with all his views but I sometimes wish I had enough clout to travel the world and get as many people to listen to me. I have a few thoughts on things I'll share another time since I've already taken up a good deal of yours now.
As a 48 year old grandmother of a 12 year old boy, I'm most likely not who you would think of as your target audience but I strongly support what you are doing and always enjoy checking out your web site and reading your e-mails. You might be surprised who is on your side. Not every 'baby boomer' became an ambulance chasing, law suit crazy attorney or a born again Christian. Keep going for it because you are paving the way for the kind of changes that willl create a better world for my grandson to live in. -Lake
Got this book The Flow Chronicles by The Urban Hermitt today from a friend and that's where I got your website address. And there I found your article on Taking punk values to create post-punk projects.
You have help me (in a way) to find the words of what I have been doing for the last couple of years in this HC/Punk scene in my place. I live in Jakarta, Indonesia. To me I'm pretty new in doing things like making zines, open a zine distro and library or making lots of free activities in my place for children, friends and neighbours.
I used to just be a person who comes to gig and having friends with bands before I learn more about punk and start to do so many things that I never imagined I could do before. To me, this scene is such an inspirational scene that has motivated and taught me a lots of things about life, myself and of course society. Despite all thoses gossips, back stabbers and other unimportant things about the punk scene here, I certainly not willing to leave and give up all these wonderful things that I have learned and achieved here until today. I will stay. I know I will.
Therefore when I first make my own newsletter and zine about a couple of years ago then opened an online zine distro about a year ago, I have been really having a good time by meeting zine editors, opening a zine stall on gigs, zine tradings, and of course publish more and more zines for my friends and distribute them also. My zine distro named Peniti Pink (Pink Pin).
Today, I rent this two level house where I opened a distro, zine and childrean library plus other free workshops for people in the neighborhood. I am working at an advertising agency from Monday to Friday, so usually i have a friend stay at my place to help me with the library and distro. Since I only have time on weekends. God, I wish I could just get out of the office and just taking care of my house:(
But your article also remind me of some good friends of mine that being considered here as Those-old-skool-punks and when one day they came to me and said they're quit from the scene with many reasons. I definitely could understand them with their decisions, although of course there are a bit of regret about they're not staying any longer. Yes, some of them are still hang out and doing stuff with us which are great while some others just being at the other side now. You know what I mean, right?
Anyway, I just want to tell you that it's been really, really great to find someone that could understand how I feel. And my name is V, I'm 29 years old girl with a soul made of writing and reading:)
Glad to meet you! I'll definitely hope to do those stuff that you have been doing with your publishing. wish me luck ya!
Write more soon!
Hugs,
V.
From www.wheretheressmoke.com:
"During my stay in the hospital, I found myself inexplicably reading a stack of zines I had acquired over the last few months and most of then were just plain awful, dry, pedantic blather from people who had no idea how uninteresting they were."
"A wonderful exception, however, brightened my mood, a how-to-make-a-zine guide from Microcosm Publishing, a Portland-based distribution house. Microcosm has been around since 1997 and is an absolute blessing to vaguely obsessive zine fan, a well-organized online catalog, distribution policies that respect both zinesters and fans and a manifesto that is neither pretensious nor self-rightous, just honest."
"I was fortunate enough to grab Stolen Sharpie Revolution, which has some excellent DIY tips but I'd recommend just about anything they do."
Hi there:
I realize that it has been almost a month since I got my order in but I wanted to thank you and Alex for the speedy delivery and the excellent choice of patches that you sent in place of the two zines you were out of.
I have been referring your distro all over at work and on my weblog and on the msg board I frequent. Hopefully I can direct some more business your way.
I can also distribute flyers if that is something that you need done here in Mpls. I know that you have some contacts here (Matte Resist) but I am more than happy to give you a hand also.
One other question, would you be able or willing to silkscreen toddler sized tee's in the near future? I realize that there may be a cost issue in that but I thought I would ask and see if that would ever be an option. I am getting ready to try my hand at it so I may be able to do-it-myself...we'll see how it turns out.
Thanx again,
Shawn Belcher
"I want to share a funny story about what happened today on my way to work. A lady pulled up behind me at a stoplight, and I watched her for a minute. All of a sudden she got this look of horror on her face, (jaw dropped and all) then a look of disgust. I can only assume she was reacting to my Bombing for peace is like fucking for virginitybumper sticker, because she then put her hand in front of her face so she didnt have to look at it. It bothered her so much she couldnt look at it! (laughing hysterically) I was hoping she would follow me and say something, because I wanted to ask her if the fword was what offended her, or was it the idea of peace. But she pulled away. Still, her reaction made my day and I just wanted to share it." -Kara Ward
Hey- I just wanted to comment on one of your sticker explanations, the one that says "Jesus didn't teach me to hate gay people". First off, let me just say that I agree. Jesus didn't teach hate towards anyone, and those people who call themselves christians but preach hate towards those who don't hold the same beliefs piss me off too. However, I am a christian and i just wanted to point out that although I believe homosexuality is wrong, that doesn't mean that I think homosexuals are less than human or don't deserve the respect that all people do. There are things I tend towards naturally that i think are wrong, but that doesn't make them any less wrong, and that also doesn't mean that I'm evil. The same goes for homosexuals. Jesus taught love towards everyone, even if they are wrong about something. I don't know if i'm just restating something you've already thought through or not, but i just wanted to keept an open dialogue and let you know not all christians are narrow-minded or intolerant. It's just that alot of the most vocal and visible ones have misunderstood Jesus' true message.
Thanks, -Phil Branch, st. louis
My Response:
Phil,
Thanks for writing. The fact that Jesus preached love and that so many people who consider themselves his followers are so filled with hate is the message of the sticker. Do you know of a way that it could be explained more clearly? I used to have a very strong spiritual base. I do not label myself a Christian; mostly due to the association of people like you spoke of. I'm glad that you accept that fact that your perceptions don't necessarily determine "right" and "wrong". You seem intelligent and level headed. The people that we seem to upset the most aren't Christians - they are ignorant people who simply think that their cookie cutter value systems are what's being targetted here. That is simply not the case. Other people have said it more bluntly. I would rather rationalize with people. I don't hate anyone. Alot of times people though only want to tell me their side of the story and not listen to mine.
Thanks for the e-mail you seem really motivated and well educated by what you wrote. I think it's really good that you took the time to research all of this info on the gap and other such things that you talked about. I have no idea how you got ahold of my address, I think it's maybe because I used to do a zine. Anyway, thanks for the insight. God bless, Josh p.s. Thanks for your open-minded view.
You liberals always a good for a quick laugh. Anyway, my arguement does not sway you? Then ask anyone coming out of an abortion clinic about how they feel. The emotional pain is too much. Liberals have made it a good issue about abortion. THey think is gets rid of a problem. It kills a life. A precious life. As worse as the atrocities in Germany in the slave camps. Clinton and Gore have had this government thing going on about how late term abortion. And the real truth they do not want you to know is that the government is harvesting the bodies for research. So, if killing kids and either grinding their bodies to be put in a jar, tossed in the sink, or using them for government research does not sway you, then have a happy time in hell. With flames licking your murdering ass. You might say you have never aborted a baby, but you have promoted it. What kind of man is for abortion? What kind of man promotes death? The kind of man that likes an easy way out. A total bastard. The one with a conscience -- -- S R Johnson
dear mr. reckless.
hmm...our anti-abortion stickers? hmmm... i never considered that. probably because that's not much in line with how i think. your reality is probably much different than mine. i don't have stickers about grinding up babies either but if you have any good ideas for them, i'd be inclined to listen.
i've heard your rhetoric before and frankly, you don't make an argument or an impression.
love.
joe
>> A vote for GW Bush is a vote wasted in my book. 
mr. johnson.
sorry it took me awhile to respond. don't think i was neglecting you. i had a temp assignment for 2 weeks doing presidential polls and then spent the last 2 weeks on vacation in salt lake city.
who the heck are you calling a liberal? liberals are whiny baffoons who think inflated gov't spending solves their problems. they think they have a practical agenda (kinda like republicans).
i guess there are a few missing facts about abortions. do you think that gov't endorsement of abortion (legality) is what makes it happen? do you think people didn't have abortion before it was legal? do you think irresponsible mothers would stop having abortions when it ceased to be legal? of course not, it would just cease to be SAFE abortion. abortion would still exist.
i'm not doubting that people coming out of clinics after abortions are emotionally damaged. i've had friends and co- workers who've had abortions. some of them feel nothing over it and some of them feel guilty and damaged.
well, i'm sure the only thing we agree on is that the Clinton/Gore years were painful at best(for different reasons of course).
your incinuations about me going to hell are humorous. i'm not sure about your spirituality; but few religions condone condemning other people. i'm perfecting comfortable in my beliefs and i belive my deeds stand above my words in the eyes of any greater being.
take care.
joe
