Fracture zine #8

In a way, I hate Fracture. But I mean that in a positive sense, not negative. See, it’s got it’s act together so well it’s scary. I mean, this is 104 A4 pages, and it’s free. Sure, there’s plenty of ads to allow that (there has to be, it surely couldn’t be done otherwise), but how they do it is beyond me. And it’s packed full of stuff, interviews, loads of reviews, and plenty of columns that make for interesting reading - personal fave this time was the Over-rated column. There’s plenty of politics as well, which I’m not so keen on, but I respect that many people see punk, at least from it’s "original" days as being inextricably linked with politics, making it more than a musical movement.

All that being said, I could go on for absolutely ages about elements within the zine with which I disagree, reviews opinions and all that. I constantly find myself going "grrr,fcccck zzzzzzz" sort of thing. But, that’s good, because it means that Fracture engages you, it gives opinions and something for you to think about, even if you find yourself disagreeing and quite often thinking that it’s all a bit narrow minded in its outlook. But maybe it’s not narrow minded, just well defined. But it makes it much more worthwhile than reading something that 20 minutes later you’ve forgotten.

Fracture is the best in it’s class, without a doubt, and for all the bits that I disagree, I personally find it so much more engaging and embracing than Maximum Rock’n’Roll. If you’re into punk and hardcore, though of the more modern brand, then this is the zine for you. One day I may even have the balls to send a copy of YAZ for them to review, but that day isn’t today. Got love the cover picture as well of the drummer from John Holmes wearing a Manowar t-shirt. Who’s taking the piss out of who you wonder.

Fracture, PO Box 623, Cardiff, CF3 4ZA. Basically free - £5 for a 10 issue subscription


P101zine

Last time I saw P101 it had loads of interviews, and no reviews. A reason was given, but it still felt wrong to run the zine with no reviews. It’s just one of a number of problems I’ve had with the zine in it’s time. Issue 6 is much better. The ads are still there - a full page full colour Blink-182, but they’re needed to fund this whole thing. And this time they’re less intrusive. As a whole it feels like an improvement in the layout, quality of the interviews and all that. The reviews tell me nothing, seemingly consisting of stuff like "I like this and no more needs to be said" or "sounds like blah and I’m enjoying this". Just need a bit more about the music you know. And it feels entirely narrow minded in its review policy. It’s all melodic punk and virtually nothing else gets a look in. No demos, no zines. It’s getting there, and I respect the progression, but it’s still not as good as it could be. Next issue it promises is soley to do with the Vans Warped Tour, on which the P101 main people were allowed to travel. You’ll get reviews, interviews etc with all the acts there. And that in itself tells you everything about the content in general of P101. If you like the Warped Tour bands, you’ll like P101. If you look for something vaguely different, it ain’t in here.

Of course, you get a CD each time, which is good, though again I think it would be nice to feature some new bands for people. But if you’re going to get a punk zine, then get Fracture. There’s no comparison in my opinion.


"Oh man I fucking swear" says the Ozman as his jaw hits the floor and with a twinkle in the eye, immediately proving his point to be correct by swearing before picking up his jaw to finish what he was saying "this lot are going to be the biggest fucking thing ever from Britain, they’re amazing." The words of the Ozman. No, not that one, t’other one, the one that does some of the guitar duties in Earthtone 9, and he’s raging about this lot called Floor. He gives me a copy of the demo stuff and then buggers off to Europe on tour. Me? I get to go to work and listen to this. Fair deal? Best find out really.

Well, I’ve got 3 tracks. 2 on CD, one on tape. No titles. Let’s start with the CD first as apparently these were the first 2 songs the band ever wrote.

What they like? Pretty fucking impressive actually. Melodic and twisting, it’s kind of like taking the bits of the Deftones that I like, marrying them to some vocals that sometimes remind me of Jonah from Far, sometimes Mr Vedder and on the second track there’s a distinct moment when the vocals and the drums are rolling with the guitar in such a way as to bring to mind Tool.

Even though production is a little muddy, it doesn’t matter, the guitars show enough edge but also melodic suss that for my money gives them the edge of many bands who just try to be abrasive seemingly for the sake of it. Another name went through my mind, Little 10. They’re another cracking UK band doing a similar thing, and they both do it very well. Classy bands with a future if given the chance. But then as I listened to this I’ve just been reading the Rock City Review in which their demo section has the following quote:

"So nothing is going to get me down, unless,... OH NO! I forgot about the fucking demo section (every silver lining has a cloud) ... I’ll try and remain optimistic but it is difficult with the likes of the following bunch of no-hopers plaguing my speakers."

Nothing to do with Floor or Little 10. It’s just the attitude that makes me think if you don’t like it, then fuck off and don’t write for something that pretends to be there for the music and to support upcoming bands. This is in the rag that claims to be read by 20,000 people. What kind of attitude is that to show them? What the fuck is wrong with demos? Maybe you get a bad batch. Maybe the guy who wrote it is just a tosser - simply my opinion. Maybe some people don’t want to read the witterings of a bunch of no-hopers like myself and my best pal there, but we still write the stuff. And it’s because you do get some fucking cracking demo material and it shouldn’t be looked on as a chore. Has it been a chore for me to listen to Floor? No way. Excellent stuff with the potential that given the right opportunity they may produce something special. There again, they may not. We’ll have to see. But shutting off the doors to demo bands with an attitude like that is not the way forward. I know, that bit shouldn’t have a place in this demo review, but there’s a point. It’s about attitude. It’s about giving a fuck. You can be like this guy and be a twonk, or you can give stuff a listen.

Moving on to the track on the tape now then, the opening vocal gambit is a bit more harsh than before, exploring a more hardcore style without ever really being hardcore. There’s plenty of changes going on, some big huge riffs and a breakdown into a more gentle piece featuring multi-vocal harmonies shifting through the speakers. For a young band they seem to have a grip on trying things. I want to hear more. Maybe you do to. Yes, it’s a demo, but it’s a demo from Floor that comes well recommended. And this time it ain’t just me saying it, remember the Ozman speaketh also.

Oh, stopping presses time. They’ve changed their name to Hundred Reasons. Got some tracks on a compilation soon. Still have no contact details. I’ll try and find them either for next time or later in this ish.