Zine thing.

Here Civilization Ceased

From the creator of Drugs and Daydreams comes Here Civilization Ceased. Amazingly excellent writing, this is a stream-of-consciousness work of prose that is divided into three sections, about hopping trains, a bike ride down the coast from San Francisco to Orange County and a section on Orange County. Shawn writes in a style that draws attention to the familiar but explores and describes it well, bringing the mundane to life. Stuff like this is the literature that people will be scrambling to find 100 years from now, if it survives. Folks like Shawn will keep plugging away, writing and self-publishing, but if all was right in the world these are the people who should be making a living from their words. This is a great read, and it's yours for one measly dollar to: PO Box 1282, Fullerton, CA 92836.

Modern Drunkard 

Hailing from Denver, CO, Modem Drunkard revels in the imbibing of sweet liquor. The issue I got a hold of featured articles such as "In Defense of the Dive," "The Mysteries of Booze," "Boozing for Love," "How to Open Your Own Speakeasy" "Better Living Through Alcohol," and regular features such as "Drunkard of the Month" and "Wino Wisdom." You get the idea. The writing is good and the stories are funny, and you may learn a thing or two. It's got stuff about what to do in Denver, but the appeal is wider than the Mile High City. Send $3.50 to: 1522 Lafayette St #1, Denver, CO 80218 or go to www.moderndrunkardmagazine.com

Swellbow, #7

Awright, another Swellbow! Based outta Colorado, these guys do some traveling for their skate spots (and they are currently staying on my friend's couch). This issue's got a bunch of great stuff, random skate photos, B-movie reviews, the Louisville park, Champaign Illinois, Australia, and an interview with Los Luchadores. Perhaps succumbing to the low oxygen content of the air up there in CO, or the pervasive presence of snowbruces, Swellbow has once again mislabeled a trick, this time on the cover. I gave Jake shit for it, so now you don't have to. Send #2 to: PO Box 461903, Aurora, CO 80046-4903.

Deep End, #1

OK, this one costs 25 cents, which is about right. As a first effort it's pretty good, but pretty rough. It's got cut out pictures from porn mags, which may thrill some, as well as a candid shot of someone's girlfriend, a road trip from Chicago to Oakland, a couple of funny tidbits...All in all, it's worth a read on the shitter. Send a quarter to: Deep End, 3266 Louise St, Oakland, CA 94608.

Demolish, #1

'Zines have always been a form of underground communication, like the banned tracts called samizdats in Eastern Europe. Demolish is a punk 'zine leaning toward what looks to be the poppier side of punk out of Australia. It's also got some skating, including a rant called "A Definition of a Skater" that starts out with "Skateboarding is not a hobby, it's a lifestyle," and follows through with a straight-outta-the-early-'80s punks versus posers diatribe. It's got a comic or two, and interviews with some am skaters. Send $2 to: 12 Connemara Crse Kelso, Townsville, QLD 4815, or check out: www.demolish.cjb.net.

Coffin to Fakie, #2

A good, quick read, this one's got stuff on a road trip with a band, an interview with Lance Mountain, a domestic beer battle, Marseille, some snowbrucing, and other good tidbits. Some good sarcasm and insight into trips that don't always go as planned. Send a couple bucks to: 2901 Aspen DR. Durango, CO 81301.