Punk Planet
Encyclopedia
Punk Planet was a 16,000 print run punk zine
, based in Chicago, Illinois, that focused most of its energy on looking at punk subculture
rather than punk as simply another genre of music
to which teenagers listen. In addition to covering music, Punk Planet also covered visual arts and a wide variety of progressive issues — including media criticism, feminism
, and labor issues. The most notable features in Punk Planet were the interviews and album reviews. The interviews generally ran two or three pages, and tended to focus on the motivations of the artist (or organizer, activist, or whoever) being interviewed. Punk Planet tried to review nearly all the records it received, so long as the record label wasn't owned or partially owned by a major label. This led to a review section typically longer than thirty pages, covering a variety of musical styles. Although much of the music thus reviewed was, expectedly, aggressive rock, the reviews also covered country, folk, hip-hop, indie rock, and other genres. The Punk Planet reviews section also encompassed independently released comics, zines, and DVDs.
A number of poor distribution deals and the collapse of the Independent Press Association resulted in mounting debts for the editors. As a result, issue 80 was shipped with a cover reading: "This is the final issue of Punk Planet, after this the fight is yours." Subsidiary business Punk Planet books remains in business.
was published in May 1994, in part as a response to the perception that Maximum Rock and Roll was becoming too elitist. In September 2006, Punk Planet had printed 75 issues of their bi-monthly publication, and in the fall of 2004 launched a book publishing arm, Punk Planet Books, in conjunction with the New York-based small press Akashic Books. Punk Planet Books has published four titles as of May 2006: "Hairstyles of the Damned
" by Joe Meno
(August 2004, ISBN 1-888451-70-X), “All the Power: Revolution Without Illusion” by Mark Andersen (September 2004, ISBN 1-888451-72-6), “Lessons in Taxidermy” by Bee Lavender (March 2005)(ISBN 1-888451-79-3), and "100 Posters, 134 Squirrels" by Jay Ryan (November 2005, ISBN 1-888451-93-9).
In September 2006, Punk Planet partnered with the website, ZineWiki
, to publish, online, exclusive articles from past print issues.
On June 18, 2007, a post at www.punkplanet.com informed the public that after 13 years and 80 issues, Punk Planet's final issue was being sent out. The reasoning pointed to "bad distribution deals, disappearing advertisers, and a decreasing audience of subscribers." http://www.punkplanet.com/
As a result, editor Daniel Sinker decided to place his focus on the online website, but it has since gone offline. In its place is a statement, "This is it, folks. The Punk Planet website is closed. Two years after the closure of the magazine, it just seemed time." http://www.punkplanet.com/
— Maximum Rock and Roll — Punk Planet was not without its detractors. Many complained about its high price, perfect binding, and a perceived over-attention to layout and style (such as the inclusion of page numbers and a table of contents), which had to a certain extent moved it away from the traditional punk aesthetic.
Punk zine
A punk zine is a zine devoted to punk culture, most often punk rock music, bands, or the DIY punk ethic. Punk zines are the most likely place to find punk literature....
, based in Chicago, Illinois, that focused most of its energy on looking at punk subculture
Punk subculture
The punk subculture includes a diverse array of ideologies, and forms of expression, including fashion, visual art, dance, literature, and film, which grew out of punk rock.-History:...
rather than punk as simply another genre of music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
to which teenagers listen. In addition to covering music, Punk Planet also covered visual arts and a wide variety of progressive issues — including media criticism, feminism
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
, and labor issues. The most notable features in Punk Planet were the interviews and album reviews. The interviews generally ran two or three pages, and tended to focus on the motivations of the artist (or organizer, activist, or whoever) being interviewed. Punk Planet tried to review nearly all the records it received, so long as the record label wasn't owned or partially owned by a major label. This led to a review section typically longer than thirty pages, covering a variety of musical styles. Although much of the music thus reviewed was, expectedly, aggressive rock, the reviews also covered country, folk, hip-hop, indie rock, and other genres. The Punk Planet reviews section also encompassed independently released comics, zines, and DVDs.
A number of poor distribution deals and the collapse of the Independent Press Association resulted in mounting debts for the editors. As a result, issue 80 was shipped with a cover reading: "This is the final issue of Punk Planet, after this the fight is yours." Subsidiary business Punk Planet books remains in business.
Notable issue topics/subjects
- Issue 22 — first issue with full color, cardstock cover
- Issues 24, 46, and 67: Art & Design 1, 2, and 3 — theme issue
- Issue 34 — first issue with perfect binding
- Issue 50: The Chicago Issue — theme issue
- Issue 55 and 75: The Revenge of Print 1 and 2 — theme issue
- Issue 80: final issue
History and other projects
The first issue of the zineZine
A zine is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier....
was published in May 1994, in part as a response to the perception that Maximum Rock and Roll was becoming too elitist. In September 2006, Punk Planet had printed 75 issues of their bi-monthly publication, and in the fall of 2004 launched a book publishing arm, Punk Planet Books, in conjunction with the New York-based small press Akashic Books. Punk Planet Books has published four titles as of May 2006: "Hairstyles of the Damned
Hairstyles of the Damned
Hairstyles of the Damned is the third novel by Chicago author Joe Meno. Released by Punk Planet Books in 2004, it has sold over 80,000 copies in ten printings. It has been optioned for film by Focus Features.-Plot summary:...
" by Joe Meno
Joe Meno
Joe Meno is a novelist, writer of short fiction, playwright, and music journalist based in Chicago.-Biography:After attending Columbia College Chicago, Meno spent time working as a flower delivery truck driver and art therapy teacher at a juvenile detention center...
(August 2004, ISBN 1-888451-70-X), “All the Power: Revolution Without Illusion” by Mark Andersen (September 2004, ISBN 1-888451-72-6), “Lessons in Taxidermy” by Bee Lavender (March 2005)(ISBN 1-888451-79-3), and "100 Posters, 134 Squirrels" by Jay Ryan (November 2005, ISBN 1-888451-93-9).
In September 2006, Punk Planet partnered with the website, ZineWiki
ZineWiki
ZineWiki is an open-source online wiki devoted to zines, fanzines, small press publications, chapbooks, and independent media. It covers the history, production, distribution and culture of the small press.-History:...
, to publish, online, exclusive articles from past print issues.
On June 18, 2007, a post at www.punkplanet.com informed the public that after 13 years and 80 issues, Punk Planet's final issue was being sent out. The reasoning pointed to "bad distribution deals, disappearing advertisers, and a decreasing audience of subscribers." http://www.punkplanet.com/
As a result, editor Daniel Sinker decided to place his focus on the online website, but it has since gone offline. In its place is a statement, "This is it, folks. The Punk Planet website is closed. Two years after the closure of the magazine, it just seemed time." http://www.punkplanet.com/
Criticism
Like the other big national US fanzineFanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
— Maximum Rock and Roll — Punk Planet was not without its detractors. Many complained about its high price, perfect binding, and a perceived over-attention to layout and style (such as the inclusion of page numbers and a table of contents), which had to a certain extent moved it away from the traditional punk aesthetic.
External links
- Punk Planet — official website (now Dormant)
- Punk Planet Books — official website for their book imprint
- ZineWiki — publishing exclusive Punk Planet articles online.