Anthony explains right from the start that he will talk about his life in his zine. He attempts to justify this by quoting a friend who says ‘the personal is political’. By beginning your zine with a three page rant that would have been better as a letter or email to friends is little bit boring. Following that with a diary of a shopping trip to TO that lists what you purchased is on the far side of self-indulgent. Interspersed between these pieces and throughout the zine are poems. It becomes quite clear that Anthony despises London, ON, a sentiment I have heard from others before. The poems are for the most part whimsical commentary on social and political themes with some strong lines here and there. Also included is an incoherent meditation on the issue of marriage. Then there are interviews with some obscure bands that he likes. The interviews are interesting and made me want to check the bands out. He closes with a dream he had about some friends whom the reader does not know. This leads me back to my earlier complaint. But hey, I may be wrong, if you check out your local bookstore one can find the work of Sark, an artist who managed to get a publishing contract for her journals. Apparently every thought or idea that has occurred to her is important enough to be published as inspirational. (Jeffrey Mackie)
zine #5, Anthony Gerace, $1, 806 Barclay Rd., London, ON, N6K 3H6