For the benefit of those who have not previously read this blog, inspired by Paul Weller and The Jam, throughout 1983 and 1984 I wrote and edited a music and poetry fanzine in Hull called 'Kindred Spirit'. Four issues were produced. They featured a mix of local bands and well known names such as The Smiths, The Clash, Red Guitars, Killing Joke, Chris & Cosey, The Police, The Cult, The Exploited and Sex Gang Children. The music related content was interspersed with poetry, artwork and topical views. The key interviews and reviews featured have already been transferred to the blog, along with several posts dedicated to The Jam. I invite you to take some time exploring the contents when you have a moment or two to spare.
Fanzines were an important strand of a rich tapestry that was collectively referred to as "DIY culture". I was lucky enough to be in possession of a portable typewriter, but many fanzines were handwritten. There was none of the cryptic language used by the music press. No glossy pictures, only grainy black and white photos haphazardly shot with a Kodak Instamatic, or clippings pinched from magazines. Sometimes the quality of the photocopied pages was so poor the content was barely legible. But fanzine writers always said it like it was. Interviews recorded on cassette tape were transcribed word for word, warts and all. Reviews ranged from being blunt and brutal to singing the praises of the subject so loud the sound was deafening! The role of the fanzine was to disseminate information at a time when information was not easy to come by. I am proud to have played a small part.
What I couldn't have understood back then was that once a creative fire has been lit inside a person, it can never be extinguished. There might be periods of years when you are diverted away from keeping the flames burning, but it never leaves you, not matter how old you are. In my case there was a gap of over 20 years, before I slowly started rekindling the flames once more.
Looking back, I'm not altogether sure why I stopped at issue four. On the back page I placed an advert asking for people to send their poetry to me "on tape, paper, loo roll, matchbox lids or beer mats", with a view to putting together a poetry compilation tape. Some went ahead and did so, but not on loo roll, or matchbox lids if my memory serves me correctly!
I'd already put the wheels in motion by asking a friend with a portable recording studio to record some sound affects to match the poems. I remember going with him into a busy pub in Hull city centre, explaining to the landlord what we were doing then asking if we could set up the equipment in one corner. He agreed. I clearly recall the finished recording featured the buzz of conversation, glasses chinking and King's 'Love and Pride' playing on the jukebox in the background. Having to go to those lengths to record everyday sounds seems a world away now doesn't it? Sadly it was a project that remained unfinished. I'd also earmarked a few gigs to go to with a view to doing an interview or review. New Model Army, John Cooper Clarke and Sisters of Mercy were on the list. None of these materialised either.
In short, the intention was there to do another issue. My only excuse for not seeing it through is life got in the way.
The idea of finishing what I started began to germinate midway through 2024. What I decided to do was revisit the highlights of my fanzine writing days, dig deep in the memory bank and compile another fanzine to mark the 40th anniversary of finishing the last. What I did not want was for it to end up being my blog on paper. I wanted the information to be exclusive to the printed fanzine. It most certainly has turned out that way. As a nod to my home city of Hull, I have included historic information about some of the places linked to the featured artists. The New Adelphi, The Tower, The Welly and the fruit market in Humber Street all get a mention.
In the first instance I was aiming for around 30 pages of content. It ended up as 44. To wipe away my biggest regret of not being able to review or interview The Jam in real time I decided to add a couple of pages dedicated to Messrs Weller, Foxton and Buckler. That "couple of pages" turned into nine A4 sheets packed with memories, memorabilia and a round up of some of the polls about The Jam and Paul Weller I'd run on X throughout the year.
I asked a small group of talented friends and family members if they would contribute art, poetry and reviews. To stay true to my roots I even put together two "cut and paste" collages for the front and back covers old school style. Doing this really took me back into the zone.
Over the coming months I will be adding snippets of information to accompany the 40th anniversary fanzine, which I am incredibly proud of and have become equally as attached to as I was the publications I put together in 1983/4. I am not going to reproduce the entire fanzine online. It seems more fitting to keep almost all of the content reserved for the printed pages only, as would have been the case in 1984. If you would like to get your hands on a copy there are links included below to eBay listings.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to place their trust in me and purchase a copy already. I've received some truly heart warming comments. It means the world to know others are enjoying my meanders down memory lane.
Please do bookmark this page and revisit. Any shares on social media will be much appreciated.
WHERE TO BUY THE FANZINES
All five of the fanzines are for sale on eBay. Links to each are included below. I am signed up to the Global Shipping Programme, but I understand the shipping costs charged by eBay are pretty high for those living outside the UK. If that applies to you and you would like to purchase a copy, feel free to drop me an email and we'll see what we can work out.
Issue 1 (September 1983)
Issue 2 (November 1983)
Issue 3 (February 1984)
Issue 4 (May 1984)
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