The Federation Flash: 'zine - From "Starbuilders" (jal_kac@gate.net ) comes this little 16 page (standard full-size) newsletter/catalog with all manner o' discussion & info on "parallel worlds", spiritual guidelines and other topics related to things we don't often think about a whole lot (most of us, anyway, in MY neck o' th' woods). The articles are well-written and thoughtful, not like some of the "religous" pubz we've had occasion to review. Th' Zzaj itinerary doesn't generally include forays into OBE or "spirit planes" - but this made for a quick & interesting read... can't HURT, right? Having actually "experienced" an OBE myself, many MANY yearz ago, I'd NOT put this kind of material down; it's just that I'm generally too busy enJOYing my RETURN that I've not much time for other volkz interpretations of the "other side". This little 'zine is not BAD; certainly worth an e-mail to the INTERNET address shown above. Rotcod Zzaj

More Dead Trees: 'zine - Looks like it's 'ZINE month, eh? I got a TUNNA' 'zines in for review this trip... this one's outta' Cleveland (from Dave Miyares), half-size, with a strong focus on NETTIN' it! Credit for that must go, at least in part, to Elliot Smith (he reviewed a BUNCH o' stuph in issue # 15 of "I.N.")... he makes SURE there are e-mail addresses for nearly EVERY group he reviews. Those not plugged in to the netz won't realize the weight o' that, but those who are ON will know just how neat it is! There's an "artist spotlight" (Matt Knoth), a nice piece on th' perilz o' "Evil Radio" (meaning the "commercialization" of th' medium) & a coupla' pages o' poetry tacked on at the end. This is FUN, & that's the most important element of any good 'zine, eh? RECOMMENDED... contact at POB 45065, Cleveland, OH 44145, OR at (cc531@cleveland.freenet.edu ) Rotcod Zzaj

Tommie Griggz: Self-titled - Here's a New Joisey band fer' yer'... 'nother kickin', rockin' (but NOT screamin') buncha' playerz that'll have you on the EDGE o' yer' seat! There's POWER here, but itz' not so RAW that it'll drive you away. This tape has already BEEN spinnin' betwixt here'n Seoul - DEFINITELY roadable. Gitarz are MORE than "acceptable", clean & cut right THROUGH all th' b.s. This ain't no three-chord wonder, either, volkz! "Gotta' Be True - If Ya' Really Love Me" is prob'ly my favorite on this trek, but I'm sure there'll be mo' in frum these boyz! They know PLB (Pandora's Lunchbox), & that raised 'em up a notch or two in der Zzajaugen! In fact, they JAMMED with 'em, so we're hopin' they made a tape o' THAT, too - so we get a chance to REVIEW it, right, Tim? Though this is NOT improv, itz' music that'll get yer' blood UP & movin'... comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from Zzaj! Contact at POB # 6, Collingswood, NJ 08108 Rotcod Zzaj

The Evolution Control Committee: COMPACT DISCTRUCTIONS - According to th' big package of descriptive stuph, this project was 4 years in the making... research grants & alla' that, yer' know! Rappers 'ave their claim to fame on th' scratching of records, twistin' & turnin' to get th' "mix" to mesh (& they can KEEP their claim to fame - there's no PLACE in the world - in MY jaded mind - for stuph that uses chaos as a crutch for puttin' down others as "hos" & glorifyin' cop killers... 'course that's somethin' fer' me to "rant" about sometime, not s'posed to be part of a review, I reckon). After th' first wierdnesses, Doctor Mike Gunderson comes on in (what sounds like) a presentation speech that outlines how ECC went about their experiments. Believe it or not, it's QUITE interesting. By strategic placement of magic marker patterns on the playing surface of a CD (as well as other methods), the sounds loop or stick... & actually form some VERY listenable pieces (& a few that aren't "listenable" at ALL). He also uses CD player "shaking" methods as a part of the show. DEFINITELY ahead of it's time, I rather suspect you'll see some volume of these kinds of experiments after folks have listened to this one! Sort of an "advanced techno-improv", if yer' kin' dig wot' I mean! For all you connoisseurs of "dangerous listening", this is THE ticket! This is MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, & getz th' Zzaj "pick" of this issue for "forward-looking" soundz! Contact, like, IMMEDIATELY at POB 10391, Columbus, OH 43201, or if yer' netted, contact at ecc@gnu.ai.mit.edu  They've also got a pretty nice WWW site at http://www.infinet.com/~markg/ecc.html  that's V-E-R-Y interesting! Rotcod Zzaj

& NOW, in what's becoming a TRADEMARK symbol fer' "I.N.", an interview with one o' th' STALWARTS in today's D.I.Y. scene. I first started corresponding with Dan WAY back, '90 or so, & have reviewed TUNZ o' tapes that he's been on, or produced in solo efforts. Not afraid to tackle much of ANYthing, Dan produces some real QUALITY music from his home-base in Chicago. His privacy there 'as been invaded more'n once when I hit th' cupz. We're in th' process of layin' down some trax together on an effort of our own (tentatively titled "Grolsch Violations", or somethin' like that), & I just couldn't get the thought outta' my mind that an INTERVIEW with Dan was in ORDNUNG... read, enJOY, but after reading do what ALL good lil' D.I.Y.'ers DO... get in TOUCH with him (at 7806 S. Kilpatrick, Chicago, IL 60652)... &, as always, TELL 'im Zzaj sentcha', ok? Here goes...

Zzaj: I've noticed a wide diversion in yer' playin' styles, all the way from 60's psychedelic to "headstone" musics; any particular reason for that, training (or else) wise?

Dan: My age, for one thing. Nearly three decades of influences. I started out with the Beatles. I was in my first little combo at age 10. The bass players' older brother had all these Moby Grape and Mothers Of Invention albums playing all the time; I was cutting my teeth on guitar learning songs like "Incense and Peppermints" and other '60's stuff. So, that's my roots. In the '70's, I was heavily in to Ian Anderson/Jethro Tull, which got me writing serious songs. In the '80's, The Psychedelic Furs, The Cure and The Smiths all, for me, evolved "isms" of psychedelic music, while at the same time being brooding and morose, I liked the contrast. So THAT, too, left it's mark; as well as all the female fronted bands going on NOW, like Lush, Sterolab, etc. They teach you about harmonies, things like that. Everything I hear that's somewhat "different" influences me.

Zzaj: Do you think "commercial" artists or D.I.Y. artists have influenced YOUR music more (or less)?

Dan: I've been on or around the indi scene since '88, so I guess I've heard a decent amount of both worlds. I hate "commercial" music. What I listen to is CALLED "alternative", but I don't consider it "commercial". The tape manipulation/industrial/experimental people on the indi scene have influenced me greatly (Rikk Rue, The Tape Beatles, Gadget, Negativeland, Evolution Control Committee.) Every indi songwriter, musician, etc., you hear about always leaves some kind of mark.

Zzaj: Is airplay important? 'zines? Which have more impact on the D.I.Y. of today?

Dan: I think 'zines get you more response in that people are more apt to look for something they read about; airplay is important, too, but with today's access to technology, the indi stations are flooded with tapes, and you're lucky if your tape gets played 3 or 4 times. But, really, we are in DIRE need of airplay AND 'zines that review indi people. It's getting scarcer and scarcer.

Zzaj: Who are some of your favorite D.I.Y.er's today?

Dan: Oh God, so many!! Scott Davey, Jeff Olson (Screamin' Popeyes), Dino Dimuro, they're all brilliant. John M. Bennett. Tom Wright is great. Ron Jagielnik and Tom Mikols get my vote as "Best Indi Tape of 1994", with their "Bright Black" tape. Too many to list, really!

Zzaj: will D.I.Y. ever "buy th' banannas fer' ye'?

Dan: Nope, and it never will; because the music would become a job, and thus become a chore and a bore. I'd like to just make more money so I could afford better equipment. Who wouldn't?

Zzaj: Do you have a "day gig"? If so, what?

Dan: Yeah, knock on wood. Factory warehouse work, foam products. Peanuts for paychecks. Took some computer classes; hope to get back to that soon, then look for something better. Yawn!

Zzaj: What kind of equipment do you use? Any future plans, equipmentwise?

Dan: 1985 Gibson SG, 1981 Ibanez acoustic, Kawai PH-50 keyboards, Casiotone keyboards, Dr. Rhythm durm machines, stomp box effects, tape lookps/dialogue manipulation. I don't even want to talk about the stupid 4-track! FUTURE PLANS? Yes! Buy a fucking 8-track! THIS SUMMER! Do, or die! Some ethnic percussion stuff & instruments.

Zzaj: Are the D.I.Y./indie efforts you hear nowadays gettin' better or worse?

Dan: Slicker sounding, with all the new technology. A lot more people are going in the studio these days, which is scary. I think a lot of indi music still sounds like the '80's, and needs to grow and change. Not ALL indi music, but a lot of it. I'd like to hear more real drummers, for instance (with my own music, as well). More originality, too. MORE REBELLION!

Zzaj: What's the Chicago scene like for D.I.Y.?

Dan: Outside of our tight circle of people, I don't know of anyone much else. Up north, however, we get people coming in from out of town, in dribbles. The only indi place to play is "The Luna Cabaret", which is run by Maestro Subgum, and "The Whole". We saw Little Fyodor there, hung out; had a blast. My friends and I play the occasional coffee house gig. Not that much cookin' right now; we're all busy on our own projects.

Zzaj: Any last words for D.I.Y.er's out there?

Dan: Network as much as you possibly can. Try and get access to a computer (to make covers, flyers, etc.), save for an 8-track, 'cause 4-tracks suck, but at the same time stay in a cassette medium rather than contribute to the CD disease. Above all, keep it COMING!

...many thanks to Dan for his time in preparing these responses! If YOU have a candidate for interview, let me KNOW about it, ok? R. Zzaj

Sublime Nation: Self-titled - This 'un is in from "Multimusica" USA & 'as sum "names" on it. Th' lead vox are the headliner, quite well-established work by Gary Tanin. Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads), T. Lavitz (Dixie Dregs) & Victor De Lorenzo (of Violent Femmes) round out the bill, with a supporting "cast" just TOO long to list here. Since our orientation here is more towards "heavy energy" and some amount o' th' wierd, my first spin on th' ol' CD player sed' "oh, no, yuppie pop". There is some taste of that, but on second, third (& now fourth) rounds, I'm sittin' 'ere slightly "amazed"... guess th' "hook" ain't all depleted yet. Shades o' '80's pop? Only enough to make me think, somehow, (momentarily) of late-night excursions with Steely Dan & th' boyz! Recording is SUPERB on all cutz, & so instrumentally sound that it'll make this quite "radioable", I'm sure. For some in our readership, that WILL be a turnoff... but, even as STRONGLY dedicated to improv/D.I.Y. as I am, I must say that there's no reason to "shut out" music that's got th' "energy" just because it's bein' aired a lot. &, MAN, does that energy shine through on "When You Need Somebody"! Kick & phunk yer' way out on to th' flo', yup, versure! There's a few more love-oriented ballads than I might normally opt for, but in the end-run, it's SUPPOSED to be "sublime", eh? Vaporous? Supreme? Alla' that & THEN some! If yer' only into th' jagged-edge, you won't dig on this - BUT, if you enJOY hotpopfun e'ery once in-a-while, this is RECOMMEDED quality listening! Contact at POB 10181, Milwaukee, WI, 53210-0181, or e-mail at multimusi@aol.com 

Lee Eisenstein: SONGS FOR A DREAMER - This CD is truly REFRESHING! All the way from classical, to jazz to light latino, Lee's guitar helps you transcend the horrors that abound around you. EXCELLENT arrangements, recording and synthwork run you through a swirling beauty that some of us tend to forget in the hectic pace that life often becomes these days. John Bolivar's soprano sax and flute work provides the sweet & gentle counterpoint that rounds out the concept. The bass work of Stan Sergeant reminds me of David Friesen in places. Of course, there are plenty of other volkz contributing to your pleasure, way too many to itemize here. Having been to Hawaii myself (that's Lee's current abode), I can almost feel the lush tropical atmosphere and visions of wave-tossed tranquility that shine THROUGH on this masterpiece. There's no question about dubbing this the "pick" of this issue for "sweet solo guitar". I truly enJOYed this, & there's no doubt in my mind that you will as well! Comes MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by Zzaj! Contact Lee at 361 Kalama St., Kailua, HI 96734 If you don't buy ANY other music this year, get THIS one! Rotcod Zzaj

David Childers/Irwin Bostian: LIVE at MOON ROOM/PEWTER ROSE - There are some (my wife surely not th' least among 'em) who ask on occasion... "why are you ALWAYS listenin' to alla' that music?" I'll tell you volkz, these gents (who USED to be, 'long wi' some others, th' "Mount Holly Hellcats" - see issue # 16) are pure & simple a LARGE part o' th' reason why. In my mind, there's nothin' more "american" or "purty" than bluegrass-tinged acoustics playin' late in to the night. Tellin' tales... about REAL people... th' FOLKS, doncha' know? There are prob'ly (literally) thousands of these acts scattered across the land, & just a FEW of 'em have "seen" the vision... even fewer are able to mesh the vision seen with talent enough (& musically, expression enough) to make it sound like more'n amateur night. David's vox, with just a taste o' Tom Waits in there, (even partner Irwin's, on occasion) join with the excellent acoustic playing to give the listener an absolutely haunting sense of what "it's all about". 90 minutes (wishin' I coulda' been there) that will carry you on into reflections both sweet/sad & loving/lonely, & let you walk on down the path of life knowin' that someone else has "walked in them shoes." The live recording is VERY clean, considering that many times th' guitars come out way too "boomy", a FINE tape all the way 'round. If this ain't "independent", then I don't know wot'n'l IS! GET it! Gets th' Zzaj "pick" of this issue for "folk/bluegrass", & comes MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! At Single Wing Records, POB 845, Mt. Holly, NC 28120 Rotcod Zzaj

Loblolly: YOU'VE TAKEN TOO MUCH ACID - They (Veronica Rusnak, or th' presswriter who wrote th' "Local Music" article on "new" music, in the press kit that accompanied this tape) called it "the dark side of psychedelic". Well, yeah... 'specially in Veronica's "Slick-like" vox; I can definitely relate this back to '67/'68 time-frames, "under the influence, & wishin' I could find a way out." Those who "dug" on acid & th' other mind-phrogs phloatin' in those times WILL be transported back to th' (sometimes) most UNpleasant paranoias that could abound. Oh, I'm not talkin' about th' MUSIC. Clean/smashing guitarz, a real sense of "floating" loose through the ether, very "hawkwindish" in spots! Music's FINE! It's just that the lyrical intent (seems to be to) get under your braincase & remind you that all is not "all as it seems". Though the technology is very '90's sounding, well-recorded I mean, this is definitely NOT '90's "plastique"; except mebbe' in th' sense o' mental C4 or TNT, "blow up th' yuppies" sorta' trip. Garagey, hard-edged & gutsy all at th' same time! RECOMMENDED! Contact, like right now, maaann, at POB 93765, Milwaukee, WI 53203, or e-mail Veronica at rusnakv@vms.csd.mu.edu  Rotcod Zzaj

Butte: THE NYMPH/VINCE & GATOR/SPEED MAN - This pack o' 7"ers sez they're "preserving the avant-garde aesthetic"... couldn't o' described 'er better meself! Bassist/keyboardist S.N. Wight & vox/lyricist Bob Schmitz join with Tim Perkis & Peter MacLeod to DISTURB yer' floe... I mean there'll BE no iceberg existence while yer' spinnin' this! "Nymph" sorta' plodz along, leanin' on th' bass to support th' clear storytellin' by Bob. Mighty cute madness. I really enJOYed it... real change o' pace! "Vince" is another "story" vein piece, slowed-down blooz lick thang! Side 2's "Gator" haz gitarz that terrorize a bit more, quite Zappaesque, & "Speed Man" extends th' story ethic. Won't hold yer' forever, but unique in it's own write. Contact at 1448 Fernside Blvd., Alameda, CA 94501-3122 or e-mail to info@luckygarage.com 

Lunk: CREDIT MAN & NURSE/TEN THOUSAND FLIES - In from Lucky Garage Record Company (the same group that put out the "BUTTE" 7" reviewed above, this is slightly more "edge" oriented; "Credit Man" is about th' "American Dream" that, in their version, has phallen to poop... MadAve carried to th' MAX! Slightly different player lineup, Tom George (vox), Sam Durant (guitar), S.N. Wight (bass) & J. Spinney (drums). If you've eaten acid & then gone to make a major purchase, you'll be able to relate to th' horror of "Credit Man". "Nurse", on side 2, is a screamer that'll GET yer' attention (or yer' alREADY brain-dead) & "10K Flies" is a modern-day "meditation" tape about lyin' naked in a room fulla' vermin. Not xactly "fun" music, but it'll KEEP yer' blood movin'! RECOMMENDED! See address(es) above! Rotcod Zzaj

All o' th' 7" selections below come from CANNED CORN records, POB 2946, ORLANDO, FL, 32802-2946, or e-mail to CCORN@DELPHI.COM 

Shyster: 7" EP - Side 1 has "If I Have To"; thrash with a tinge o' metal, very HIGH energy stuph... & "Ride" which carries on th' trad. HEAVY punch, rather raw. "Homecoming", on side 2, is GREAT road music with a lotta' "raw", as well as STRONG basslines to keep it KICKIN' & the last toon, "Gutwrench" is sped up to th' MAXimum. This stuff sounds like th' same riffs, good if yer' krankin' but not much else, tho' th' bass all through salvages it from anonymity. Didn't do much for me, partly because it sounded kinda' "muddy"! Wotta' shame! Rotcod Zzaj

Sorehead: 7" EP - Ploof! & Stuart on side 1 are H-O-T! Vox quite intelligible, but more importantly, the guitar leadz are clear & not just "thunka-thunka" mindlessness! Clear recording & guitar talent make this one a KEEPER fer' SURE! "Beats Like This" on side 2 adds an acoustic guitar intro/feel that's quite attractive & VERY well recorded; kinda' '70ish, if yer' know wot I mean; "Word Around" has th' DEFINITE feel of "danger" to it. All 'round SUPER little 7". I really enJOYed this one! If yer' thots are runnin' toward 7"ers, this one is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! In fact, it gets the "pick" of this issue for best 7"! Rotcod Zzaj

Two Scary People: LIGHTS OUT/SHIM More EXCELLENT indie rockin' stuph. Gitarz are CLEAR as a bell, & tho' th' rhythms are quite standard, there's REAL energy here, eSPECIALly on "Lights Out". "Shim" is a nice instrumental with some nice strat-sounding gitarz on it. All in all, a fun ride, nearly "blue ribbon" material. In fact, now on my third listen, this runz a close second to the "Sorehead" 7" for sound quality and excellence in playing. Not bad, & surely worth a try! Rotcod Zzaj

That's the end of th' Canned Corn stuph for this time 'round; hopin' to see MORE stuff in from 'em in the FUTCHUM, yoh?

Liverball: ICEBURGH/THIGHMASTER & BUSHQUAYLE/METALICKER - This 7" in from RIPE RECORDS, POB 10119, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 has Mike Grimes (drums), Buck Knauer (guitar/bass), Ray Kolcun (guitar/bass) & Joe Triglia (vox). VERY well recorded, the guitarz SHINE through. METAL city, yer' know, volkz? This stuff IS what "road music" wuz named for... make a tape of about 10 o' these 7"'ers, stick it inna' T-Bird & c-r-u-i-s-e on up th' ROAD. Long's yer' got THIS krankin', ain't NOBODY gonna' get in yer' way & th' cops can't CATCH yer', right? Just simple red-blooded rock & roll, won't getcha' in ter' heaven, but if yer' ridin' in that T-Bird under th' influences I THINK yer' are, yer' prob'ly wasn't goin' in THAT direction ennyway, right? Phrantic phun! Coulda' sworn I had an e-mail for 'em, too, but I can't seem to find it! RECOMMENDED! Rotcod Zzaj

Expose: 'Zine - & WHAT a 'zine it IS! From Peter Thelen's Exposure Radio Network comes the LATEST news, views & reviews of the happenings in the world of progressive rock! This is a full-size, 8 1/2 x 11" publication that COVERS it. Updates on Progfest '94, an excellent "News & Rumor" section, playlists from Exposure Radio, reviews of new releases, as well as reissues... it's ALL here! They have a pretty fair presence on INTERNET, & seem to network quite a bit. I've enjoyed SEVERAL issues of th' 'zine and find the REVIEWS section to be the most valuable and informative. This is the TICKET if yer' in to progressive, & comes MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from Zzaj! NOW, I just RECEIVED issue # 6 (January-March) in! Peter keeps RIGHT on schedule, the 'zine is CLEAN & precise! Tellin' yer' volkz, if yer' IN to progrock (even in the SLIGHTEST) - GET THIS! TODAY! Contact at 6167 Jarvis Ave., # 150, Newark, CA 94560, or via e-mail at ptlk@netcom.com  Rotcod Zzaj

Blue Beat Jacket: 'Zine - This 'zine outta' Japan has been 'round for at least a coupla' years, tho' I'm not sure if th' quake disrupted their ops or not... I hear so infrequently from the editor/publisher, Yusake Keida ('bout e'ery year or so, it seems) that it's hard to keep track. Three issues this time (#'s 3, 4 and 5), chock-FULL of interesting stuff. Much of it celebrates Unca' Jack (Kerouac) & that whole "scene"... as an ol' "beat" generational reject, I can most ASSUREDLY relate to the intent/focus here. One of the issues has a WHOPPING trib to poet Charles Bukowski. This time 'round, a LOT of the poems are in english, making it MUCH easier to read than some earlier issues! Xerox, three-quarter size, makes for quite an interesting read - particularly if you're in (like I am) to seeing how OTHER cultures view "our" freedoms! RECOMMENDED, without a doubt! Contact at 1-5-54 Sugue-cho, Sanjo-shi, Nigata Japan Don't see an e-mail anywhere, so I guess that's out! Rotcod Zzaj

Houston's Propaganda: 'Zine - This lil' poetry 'zine is not large, but it's fully qualified! Got SEVERAL good pieces in here, some from "I.N." friend Scott C. Holstad, others too many to list. One that struck me with the "tone" of the poetry in this effort is "Poem For The Fat Girl Dancing On MTV", by t. kilgore splake, a "new" poet for me... an extract only, this part of the piece sorta' summed "it" up fer' me...

but like dandelion floss buffeted by

strong winds, afraid life will always be

like the cruel endings of early Saturday

morning TV cartoons.

Quite enjoyable read, all the way through! RECOMMENDED! Contact at Severed Image, 8160 Bendell, Houston, TX 77017 Rotcod Zzaj

INDY: "Comic" - For some reason, we don't get a lot of comics in here... &, I guess this is no exception. This is basically a REVIEW 'zine for the comic arts. Rather longish (but VERY informative) interview with Jeff Smith ("Bone" comic series), a short on a comics convention, & a smattering of drawings from various&sundry throughout. This is VERY well laid-out, & seems like it's quite knowledgeable of th' "ins&outs" o' th' comic world. RECOMMENDED. Contact J. Mason, 611 N.W. 34th Dr., Gainesville, FL 32607-2429, or e-mail at indymag@aol.com  Rotcod Zzaj

Rug Burn Rage: personalZine - Shades o' th' sixties (at least shades o' "my" sixties) carry me back to ol' virginny - or sumthin' like it, ennyway! NEAT lil' half-size description of a trip across "12,000 miles of billboards, roadkill & yellow-dotted lines..."... if yer' never HAD fantasies about VW buses, headbandz & th' like, you prob'ly won't be able to "live" this dream, but I sorta' "grew up" with such, so this is almost a '90's version update of th' "Woodstock daze" fer' th' Zzaj! Layout is a bit "loose", but in addition to well-written descriptions of varied encounters on this rather long sojourn, there are a coupla' poems tossed in. MUCH fun & comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from Zzaj! Contact at POB 83962, Linclon, NE 68501, or e-mail to steffens@herbie.unl.edu  Rotcod Zzaj

This Is Not Here: 7" (45) Overman/Sleepwalking - These gentz outta' Boston have a 6 song demo tape - all they sent this trip wuz this 7"... & WOT a 7" it is! Think they've got magnetized metalplate inserted in their braincases that is somehow robotically hooked to servo-fingers KICKIN' out these metal POWERJAMS! If metal disturbz yer' mom (& ya' jus' WANNA' piss 'er off), PLAY THIS! Th' diff izzat there's no "standard" lickz here... in fact, on "Sleepwalking", seems to be a sort of "overtone" setup, makin' it seem as if itz' comin' straight outta' yer dreamz... er', NIGHTmares; ah, just looked back at th' label name - "Surreal Records"! So NEXT time, send the TAPE demo, ok? I want MORE songs to lissen' to! Strong empasis on INTERNET promotion, somethin' th' Zzajman LIKES, too! This is SUPER FINE jammin', cut WAY 'bove & all that! Comes MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by Zzaj! Contact at 42 Paul Gore St., Boston, MA 02130 or via e-mail at pmarr@aol.com  Rotcod Zzaj

Weasel-MX: CRACKER GASOLINE PARTY - Kevin Wheeler sent this 'un in from, of all places (somehow th' self-described "hip-hop/punk rock" just didn't FIT my image of th' town; course, I'll 'ave ter' admit, it IS 'dated' by about 20 years) LUBBOCK, Texas! WMX playz some POWER hip-hop. To say that this is "energetic" music IS to "lump" it; & this mix just AIN'T "lumpable"... on top o' th' heavy loopz/beattrax are some VERY wierd goings on, that assuredly salvages it from what "my" image o' hip-hop might be, or HAVE been, until scopin' this one out. Th' beauty of that on "Cracker Gasoline Party" is that this ain't just nonsense "rambling"... a lil' bit o' thot went IN to these toonz, as evidenced in th' chorus lyrics from "Dug That Hole", below:

I know better than this, I beat myself again

Deaf dumb and blind dug this hole I'm in

I know better than that, it's always there to blame

Someday I'm gonna start to feel my age

Jimmy Eager's gitarz kick OUT on a few of th' leadlines... like to hear a little MORE o' that. Neat "Zappaesque" influence on a couple of th' toonz at th' end of side 1 - really WIERDNESS - hey, I do LIKE that; meanz they ain't stuck in NO rut! Side 2 was just a bunch o' filler, loopz & such, not much there! Recording levels flux a bit too much for my taste, mebbe' fix that next time around. All in all, a MUCH fun listen, 'specially on the real "demo" side (one). Zzaj is UP fo' mo', volkz! This one is worth checkin' out! (Actually, it would have gotten a higher rating, 'cept for all the filler stuff) Contact at cDc Communications, POB 53011, Lubbock, TX 79453 or via e-mail to sratte@phantom.com  Rotcod Zzaj

Battalion: EXCESSIVE FORCE - Th' boyz in THIS "battalion" weren't KIDDIN' when they put this one together! SUPER POWER, rock yer' to th' ROOTZ! A lot of "metal" groupz sorta' "run together" & despite hyper-energy, come off soundin' all the same! Well, people, FERGET that! These guys (Lee Davis (vox), Chuck Marshall (lead guitarz), Tony Doan (Bass), Kevin Linn (rhythm/lead guitarz) & Bill Fitzpatrick (drums)) tear ALL of your "impressions" apart & sorta' "realign" 'em! Marshall's leads are like what "i" imagine th' "Silver Surfer" would be listenin' to as he skates throughout th' universe, KICKIN' it! Zzaj blood ain't been THIS high in YEARZ! It getz th' Zzaj PICK o' this issue for "best metal"! Comes MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Contact at 6700 Lingane, Chelsea, MI 48118-9435 or via e-mail at cmarshal@umich.edu  Rotcod Zzaj

The Gecko Club: BEEN NOWHERE - A bit hard for me to describe this tape in from the members of "The Gecko Club", Christopher Collins, Elliot Hilton, Andrew and Thomas Huber and Marshall Tokheim. Inclinations toward pop-rock, yer' know, real "radioable" type stuph. "Groundhog Day", by Christopher has very nice lyrics ("Now as I drive down this path, That leads to your door, It's at this time when I realize, I am welcome here no more") over a winding plethora of synth, guitar, drums that sticks with you. There are some "formula" influences that are a bit distracting (for me, anyway), but well-played and totally ALIVE guitars rescue the group from non-identity. VERY well-recorded, studio quality stuph, verzure! Rotcod Zzaj

Carpe Diem EN REGARDANT PASSER LE TEMPS (Musea FGBG 4122.AR) CD: 36:54 Here we have Carpe Diem's long awaited excellent debut album from 1975, studio enhanced and reissued on CD. Despite the Camel and Genesis influences, Carpe Diem created a complex, lyrical, and subtle music blending rock, classical, and jazz themes. The keyboards and saxophone are simply outstanding. Musea faithfully reproduced the original album artwork c orrectly achieving the 'mirror effect the artist intended, but didn't accomplish, on the original gatefold sleeve. This M. C. Escher styled black and white art also appears in all its glory on the CD. Despite this excellent packaging, there is one minor error. Musea got the timings right but the song sequence wrong in the booklet. The correct song sequence is Voyage du Non-retour, Reincarnation, Jeux du Siecle, and Publiphobie. En Regardant Passer le Temps is one of the foremost examples of sophisticated French rock and should not be missed by the serious collector. [Musea, 68 La Tinchotte 57117 Retonfey, FRANCE] - Henry Schneider - March 1995

...many, MANY thanks to Henry Schneider; he's been faithfully sending reviews for "I.N." (almost) since I started it! Methinks his style provides a genuinely necessary "counterpoint" to my own!