As a former zinester, I will have an eternal love for the underground publication. Prior to the arrival of the internet, zines were a priceless source of information and inspiration for those of us involved in punk/HC. I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had writing, trading, and reading zines in the ’90s.
One of my favorite mags from that time was called Rumpshaker. Eric Weiss, the man behind Rumpshaker, carried on after many of us quit doing our zines, and he continues to work under the RS moniker to this day. He is also doing a reading here in Vegas this weekend, May 23rd at The Writer’s Block at 2pm, which I urge you to check out.
Here’s a short interview I did with him as well as all of the info for the Las Vegas Rumpshaker event.
Rumpshaker was a fanzine that started in the ’90s. Give me a quick history on your introduction to punk/HC. Was Rumpshaker your first foray into the world of zines?
I was introduced to hardcore punk through metal. I’d save my allowance every week and head to Numbers Records in Queens to buy whatever album had the goriest, bloodiest artwork. That got me schooled in thrash like Slayer, Kreator, Exodus, and a ton of others. One week instead of buying a super gory looking record I went for the band with the coolest name: Agnostic Front. I was hooked on hardcore immediately and immersed myself in NYHC like Sick of it All, Killing Time, Breakdown, Outburst, Gorilla Biscuits, and all the others. That led me going to CBGB hardcore matinees, which for better or worse changed my life forever. Rumpshaker was indeed my first foray into the zine world – a world I really grew to love.
Why do a fanzine? Were you writing before Rumpshaker was born? Was the role of zine editor a natural fit for you or did you struggle with it?
As a kid I was always writing stories and asking everyone around me a ton of questions so doing a zine came naturally. Plus, I sucked at guitar, I mean really sucked – so I focused on something I was good at – writing. As I got more into hardcore I really fell in love with zines. This was pre-internet and I thought it was amazing that there were all these young, active, pissed off hardcore kids with so much to say. I wanted to be one of them. I wanted to contribute. As I did more issues I really came to see zines as an important part of HC/punk culture. The fact that we took and take this culture serious enough to document it so extensively is pretty special.
Issues #5 and #6 of Rumpshaker looked more like books than zines. How hard was it to assemble those issues? What are you most proud of regarding your zine?
Each issue of Rumpshaker has been a labor of love, but starting with issue 4 I really tried to take it to the next level. I wanted to do not just big hefty zines, but really quality ones that people would remember. Issue 5 was 188 pages, issue 6 is 144 pages – so it’s a ton of content. I’m most proud of the fact that I think I’ve done a good job of doing quality, in depth talks with people that are not typical “tell me about your new record” interviews. Rumpshaker is best known for a series called “Doing It For The Kids” which interviews with punk people and their mothers. I’ve talked to everyone from Ian MacKaye and his mom to Ray Cappo and his mom to Chuck D and his mother. I’ve always tried to come up with unique ways to learn more about people than we can get just from their music.
Do you think printed zines have a place in this new digital age? It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new Rumpshaker. Is a new issue in the works?
I absolutely think there is still a place for print zines. Maybe it’s because I’m a punk rock dinosaur but I really feel like there is nothing like holding a paper zine in your hands as you read it. It’s so tangible and so personal and to me that’s what zines do best – connect you to the author in a really intimate way. The last issue of RS came out a couple years ago and right now I’m focusing on two projects. I’m working on putting out a Rumpshaker anthology which will be a “best of” the first six issues plus a whole slew of new content. I’m also going to be re-launching rumpshakerzine.com with unseen interviews and new content. So, I’ll be doing a mix of online and print in the future.
What should we expect at this event? Is this your first attempt at something like this?
It’s being billed as Rumpshaker Fanzine: An Afternoon of Punk Rock Storytelling. I’ll be telling really fun stories from and about the zine. It’s a mix of seen and unseen photos, a zine reading, and storytelling. I’ll be telling stories about everything from getting my face busted up by a friendly skinhead at CBGB, to breaking Ian MacKaye’s house, to not so gracefully aging in the punk scene. I’ve done a bunch of these events everywhere from a vegan shoe store in NYC, to a church in Philly, to a festival at Gilman Street. Basically, if you’re into hardcore punk or even just into zines you should enjoy it.
I’m stoked for the event and happy to be in touch with you again. Any closing comments?
I really love Vegas and I’m beyond excited to do an event on Fremont Street. I feel like I’m Elvis and the Rat Pack but in zine nerd form. The event is at 2pm on Saturday, May 23rd and it’s free so head on over. Thanks very much to you Lance – as another zine guy it means a lot to me that you’ve offered your help. Thanks to PunksInVegas for the interview. Special thanks to The Writer’s Block book store for hosting. I’m really stoked to buy some books with all the money I win at the dice table.
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