Notes From Underground

Zines and the Politics of Alternative Culture

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by Stephen Duncombe

Verso

Due/Published September 1997, 288 pages, paper

ISBN 1859841589

This is the first comprehensive study of zine publishing culture--that rich and varied source of rants, obsessions, raves, comment, and creativity. Duncombe describes all this from its origins in early twentieth century science fiction cults through their more recent roots in 60s counterculture, and their proliferation in the wake of punk rock. While Notes From Underground pays full due to the political importance of zines as a vital web of popular cultue, it also notes the shorcomings of thier utipian and escapist outlook in achieving fundamental social change. A definitive portrait of the contemporary underground in all its splendor and misery. (That last from Verso.)

Review

The proliferation of new web sites has allowed many individuals and organizations the opportunity to articulate their own particular and even peculiar concerns. However, before the web there was and continues to be a vast world of “zines.” In this impressive and illuminating book, that is a both a superb cultural analysis and a labor of love, Stephen Duncombe provides a comprehensive look at zines and their creators. To a greater degree than web sites, zines are forums for individuals to write about what interests them the most, be it punk rock, politics, the terrors of temp work or even how they spend their days. Put together at very low costs and rarely if ever “successful” in terms of money (this is rarely, if ever a goal of the zine publisher), they represent, Duncombe argues, a serious and viable alternative to mainstream media and capitalist society. Duncombe extends his analysis by demonstrating that in today’s market-oriented world, where seemingly “alternative” cultures, music, fashion, etc has been co-opted—think MTV’s “Alternative Nation”—zines have to struggle with both participating in and challenging contemporary consumer culture.