Actually, I usually skip the forewords in fanzines due to their abundance, but with the author Dr. Seltsam, the headline immediately caught my attention: "Punk is dead – Or is it only as dead as you feel yourself?" Here, someone is venting their frustration in the foreword about the "Everything was better back then" whining and the lack of zest for life from the eternal doomsayers. I would like to quote a sentence from the writer: "You are the ones who are dead, not the fourteen-year-old who is currently experiencing their first punk concert and giving their life the decisive kick in the ass....!!!" That’s uplifting, and the fanzine has quite a few gems to offer. PHILIPPE WAGNER, the singer of the French Oi! band HARDTIMES, shares his not-so-clean life story, which recounts a lot of violence, early admiration, and then contempt for Nazis, along with the resulting difficulties. It’s as thrilling as a crime novel because the violent scenarios Phil describes are real. The report on former Essen football player WILLI KRAUS under the motto: "Failed Existence" is also interesting. Willi was active as a professional footballer in the 60s, fell into a criminal milieu, and spent many years in prison. Part 1 of a series on tattoos is also great. This time, tattooed circus people are introduced, who earned their bread by showcasing themselves to the sensationalist crowd at the end of the 19th century/beginning of the 20th century. I’m looking forward to Part 2 of the series! SEAN O'NEILL discusses in an interview the development of punk in Belfast and Northern Ireland at a time when there were no songs about street battles and riots, but rather hard reality. He talks about the evolution of the Northern Irish punk movement. He also introduces his label "Spit Records." In another report, the American writer and socialist UPTON SINCLAIR is featured, who in his book "The Jungle" writes about the inhumane exploitation of factory workers in the USA around 1890. Musically, Moloko Plus also offers a lot of detailed band and album introductions for every taste, such as new records from VOLXSTURM or VALKYRIANS, the "Punkrockpranger," as well as a report on the band "YOUTH BRIGADE," an interview with the band "STITCHES," and a report on the Italian label RAVE UP RECORDS. Honestly and above all very objectively, Moloko Plus also deals with the now "radio-friendly" BROILERS. No unnecessary sugarcoating just because they are the "Broilers," but honest criticism….
Conclusion: This issue of Moloko Plus stands out particularly for its informative and exciting reports and for a diverse range of topics. I’m already looking forward to the next issue, which is supposed to come out in November! I give it 8 out of 10 points, as I would wish for a bit more reports on punk bands, labels, actions, people, and festivals from the current scene/Diy area!
