Hello, with the last delivery of CDs, two issues of Moloko Plus also landed in my mailbox. Once the 12.07 (No. 33) and then the 03.08 (No. 34). As one of my favorite fanzines, diving into it and heading to the bathroom was a given. Once again, these two issues have everything that good reading material needs. The writers all know their craft, and the selection of topics is convincing as well. The name of the magazine already suggests that the themes appeal more to the short-haired crowd; however, anyone with a reasonably decent taste in music should also find something here. But even outside of their own scene, there are interesting articles, such as about the black box legend Jack Johnson (a very cool article), which also graces the cover of the 12.07 issue, or the story of a football championship without a champion from the year 1922. The columns at the beginning are all consistently interesting to funny. In issue 03.08, Vortex is pulled in front of the microphone, providing interesting insights that helped me adjust my perspective on the band a bit. If you want to know what it feels like to be in the skin of a punk-rocking nurse, Moloko also offers competent answers. Otherwise, both issues feature reviews, interviews (with mostly well-researched questions ranging from serious to funny), and enlightening reports that keep you reading, cool stories, and a long-lasting reading pleasure, along with a critical look at the scene. The only downside is the missing table of contents, but that's just a minor issue. So, for a better impression, here’s a small excerpt from the contents of both magazines:
Issue 12.07 (No. 33):
Interviews with Stomper 98, The Not Amused, Springtoifel, Stage Bottles, Hände weg Johnny, tour report of the Bovver Boys, Jack Johnson story, reports about a visit to New York, Punk in Perth, the "Immerhin" in Würzburg, festival retrospective, etc. etc.
Issue 03.08 (No. 34)
Interviews with the Eastside Boys, The Ruckers, Dominator (in the series Young Talents of Oi!), Lion Shield, Johnny Rook, TVSm!th, Vortex, Guitar Gangsters, the story of a football match, report on the Cock Sparrer gig in London, the first part of the Psychobilly story, a short story, and much more.
The magazines are still available in the store of the Moloko Plus online presence. The next issue will be released on July 1, 2008.
