Razorcake
Issue #4 (October/November 2001)
Razorcake
“razor”
Is this the phoenix that rose from Flipside’s ashes? This very excellent and content-heavy ‘zine seems to be in the same style and direction, but more streamlined and minus the more annoying excesses (i.e. jailbird Shane and that fuckwad who did the porn column). Razorcake focuses on essay-style columns and well-researched long-form interviews, staying well clear of the bite-sized chunks of press releases with stock photos and the desperate gossipy name-dropping that are popping up more and more in the pop-culture press. Sean Carswell, one of the founders and head editor of the Razorcake foundation, presents some particularly artful and beautiful shit. As a Tallahassee resident myself (at least for the moment), I was really fucking impressed by his “Fifteen Bucks and a Cookie” short piece. Need more of this shit in magazines.
Elsewhere, Nardwuar the Human Serviette turns in a stunning interview with Ian McKaye of Fugazi, that is probably the most valid and exhaustive that I’ve ever read, with McKaye actually participating, rather than just wearily submitting to interrogation. Both men shed their personas and just riff like mad. The T.S.O.L. interview is fucking goddamn electric, with Tony Reflex capturing a beautiful snapshot of a band at the crossroads of a long and legendary career, where the choice is theirs whether or not to survive and redefine themselves, or let personal animosity and creative discontent tear them apart again. Honesty all around. Fuck yeah.
Um, what else? The constant use of the word “punk” wears a little thin after awhile (after all, I’m “metal,” ya see). But the stellar writing more than makes up for any supposed ideological uniformity, and besides, the folks at this ‘zine appear to be hardcore lifers and not just fashion refugees. So that’s admirable. I love the piece on Rizzo. Every one of the columns rocks my world, and any place that gives the Rhythm Chicken copious column inches is fine by me.
Essential reading. Everyone who contributes to or enjoys reading Ink 19 should have a Razorcake subscription, so that they can read and appreciate some likeminded souls. Hint, hint.
Razorcake: http://www.razorcake.com
