Welcome to Stratford, Ontario — where the cops suck, the chain stores are taking over, and young punk rockers start zines ’cause there’s nothing else to do in their oppressive small town. Hooray! “What’s Up Chuck?” doesn’t exactly break any new ground in the history of self-publication, but it does do what zines are supposed to do, and does it very well in fact – giving alienated youth a forum in which to speak out, presenting a series of articles on liberal political issues the editors feel important, and providing space for an endless list of 12″ singles reviews. My favorite article in this issue has to be the centerfold, “Animosity and Acid at the Arden Park,” regarding a couple of punkers who drop a whole lot of acid and go wandering through the hallways of a local posh hotel…including photos of the shirtless authors passed out in the hallways. Ah, youth! (JP)
Zine, #2.3, no price listed, 12 pages, Stratford, ON, [email protected], www.whatsupchuck.on.ca