Razorcake
Encyclopedia
Razorcake is a 501(3) non-profit organization that publishes the Razorcake fanzine
, a DIY punk rock
fanzine published bi-monthly out of Los Angeles
, California
. It was co-founded by Todd Taylor (former Flipside
managing editor) and Sean Carswell
(author and Gorsky Press co-founder) in 2001.
, about his plan for a webzine. Carswell suggested that a print edition be produced. Taylor concurred, stipulating that Carswell needed move to Los Angeles in order to assist with the production of the fanzine.
The name for both editions was chosen while searching for a domain name. Many of the 300 possibilities, such as “Born to Rock” and “Barbed Wire Asshole,” were either taken, too expensive, or thought to be a name that “would trap [them].” “Razorcake” was suggested by Katy (a.k.a. KT), a friend of Taylor and Carswell. The name was chosen since it meant nothing and was economical, and Skinny Dan (a.k.a. Danny) set up the website at www.razorcake.com.
March 2001 saw the first issue of the print edition of Razorcake. The inaugural issue was the only one to bear a newsprint cover. Every issue since the first has had a glossy cover. As opposed to the cover, the focus of the content within Razorcake has never changed. Also, the fanzine’s circulation has more than doubled (to 6,000) since the first issue.
. Razorcake is the first magazine in America dedicated to independent music to obtain 501(c)(3) status. The new organization combined the Gorsky Press and the zine, and is now officially called Razorcake/Gorsky Press, Inc. This meant that not one person could individually benefit from Razorcake. All money earned goes back into day-to-day operations and keeping Razorcake afloat. Razorcake wanted to show that its business model was out in the open in order to demonstrate that a sustainable business could be ethical, fair, and true to its ideals long after its first issue.
, Fucked Up
, Shang-A-Lang, The Ergs!) and with punk pioneers (such as The Adolescents
, Dead Moon
, TSOL
), with an ongoing attention to its own roots of East Los Angeles (publication of the East L.A. Family Tree, and including interviews with The Brat, Alice Bag
, Los Illegals
, and Circle One).
Razorcake not only interviews bands from all over the globe (Gorilla Angreb, Career Suicide
, The Regulations), but punk-affiliated artists—photographers (Edward Colver, Bev Davies), graphic designers (Diane Gamboa
, John E. Miner), writers (Brad Warner
, Chris Walter)—and political thinkers such as Howard Zinn
, Christian Parenti
, Noam Chomsky
, and Candace Falk and Gary Pateman (curators of the Emma Goldman
Paper Project).
, and Rich Mackin all wrote for the premier issue. Many of them remain with the publication, but Razorcake also has a raft of columnists who are well known in the DIY punk rock community as zinesters, musicians, and artists including Ben Snakepit, Amy Adoyzie, Rev. Nørb
, Maddy Tight Pants, Dan Monick, Jim Ruland, Liz O., Kiyoshi Nakazawa, and Mitch Clem
. In addition to these columnists, Razorcake has one staff member, Daryl, several dedicated reviewers, and guest contributors.
, Bucky Sinister, James Jay, and Jennifer Whiteford.
By 2007, the razorcake.org website had been updated over 10,000 times, primarily by the posting of individual record reviews. The website is updated with a new home page story every two to three days. Also, Razorcake made early issues available on the site in .pdf format for free. March 2008 saw the launching of Razorcake’s first set of podcasts. For the first time since its inception, people could hear directly from Razorcake the music on which Razorcake focuses.
Razorcake also distributes various DIY items from their website, such as records, zines, and books in their online distro.
Fanzine
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...
, a DIY punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
fanzine published bi-monthly out of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It was co-founded by Todd Taylor (former Flipside
Flipside (fanzine)
Flipside was a punk rock fanzine published in Los Angeles, California from 1977 to 2000.As one of the first and longest running US punk rock fanzines, this publication extensively chronicled the world of independent and underground music during this era. Known for its highly opinionated cast of...
managing editor) and Sean Carswell
Sean Carswell
Sean Michael Carswell is an American writer and publisher. He is the author of the novels 'Trainwreck Girl', 'Drinks for the Little Guy and the collections Glue and Ink Rebellion and Barney's Crew. He is co-editor, along with his wife Felizon Vidad and Todd Taylor, of Gorsky Press, an independent...
(author and Gorsky Press co-founder) in 2001.
History
As Flipside was going under, Taylor decided that he did not want to cease to write about music. His initial idea was to create a webzine instead of a print zine because of financial restraints. Taylor told Carswell, during a trip to FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, about his plan for a webzine. Carswell suggested that a print edition be produced. Taylor concurred, stipulating that Carswell needed move to Los Angeles in order to assist with the production of the fanzine.
The name for both editions was chosen while searching for a domain name. Many of the 300 possibilities, such as “Born to Rock” and “Barbed Wire Asshole,” were either taken, too expensive, or thought to be a name that “would trap [them].” “Razorcake” was suggested by Katy (a.k.a. KT), a friend of Taylor and Carswell. The name was chosen since it meant nothing and was economical, and Skinny Dan (a.k.a. Danny) set up the website at www.razorcake.com.
March 2001 saw the first issue of the print edition of Razorcake. The inaugural issue was the only one to bear a newsprint cover. Every issue since the first has had a glossy cover. As opposed to the cover, the focus of the content within Razorcake has never changed. Also, the fanzine’s circulation has more than doubled (to 6,000) since the first issue.
Non-Profit Status
In late 2005, Razorcake was approved by the IRS as an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organizationNon-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
. Razorcake is the first magazine in America dedicated to independent music to obtain 501(c)(3) status. The new organization combined the Gorsky Press and the zine, and is now officially called Razorcake/Gorsky Press, Inc. This meant that not one person could individually benefit from Razorcake. All money earned goes back into day-to-day operations and keeping Razorcake afloat. Razorcake wanted to show that its business model was out in the open in order to demonstrate that a sustainable business could be ethical, fair, and true to its ideals long after its first issue.
Ethics
From the interviews it runs (contributors interview bands based solely on their appreciation), to the advertising allowed (no major labels and “below-market price” advertising to those in the DIY community), to the method of the zine’s distribution (not via chain stores, but directly to individual stores and people), Razorcake operates outside of the corporate structures that a traditional music magazine would embrace. With only two people on staff, all of the material offered in both editions of Razorcake is donated.Content
Razorcake sees itself as a constant celebration and criticism of contemporary DIY punk rock. Every piece that Razorcake runs is exclusive. Razorcake provides long-format, detailed interviews with contemporary punk bands (including Dan Padilla, Toys That KillToys That Kill
Toys That Kill is a punk rock band, formed from a previous incarnation known as F.Y.P . Just after the release of their last album self-titled album, Todd C., SEAN C. and new members started the new band...
, Fucked Up
Fucked Up
Fucked Up is a hardcore punk band from Toronto, Canada. The band won the 2009 Polaris Music Prize for the album The Chemistry of Common Life.-History:The band formed and played their first shows in early 2001...
, Shang-A-Lang, The Ergs!) and with punk pioneers (such as The Adolescents
The Adolescents
The Adolescents are an American punk band formed in 1980 in Fullerton, California. It is a punk supergroup, made up of early members of Agent Orange and Social Distortion. They are often credited as one of the leading bands of the 1980s hardcore punk scene....
, Dead Moon
Dead Moon
Dead Moon was a United States punk rock band from 1987 to 2006, formed in Portland, Oregon. Fronted by singer/guitarist Fred Cole, the band also included bassist Toody Cole, Fred's wife, and drummer Andrew Loomis. Veterans of Portland's independent rock scene, Dead Moon combined dark and lovelorn...
, TSOL
TSOL
TSOL is an American punk rock band which formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California. TSOL is short for True Sounds of Liberty although they are rarely referred to by their full name....
), with an ongoing attention to its own roots of East Los Angeles (publication of the East L.A. Family Tree, and including interviews with The Brat, Alice Bag
The Bags
The Bags were an American rock band formed in 1977. They were one of the first generation of punk rock bands to emerge out of Los Angeles, California.-Career:...
, Los Illegals
Los Illegals
Los Illegals is an American Chicano punk band from Los Angeles, California.- History :The band struck a deal with the local order of radical Catholic nuns to open & run the legendary Club Vex at the Catholic Youth building where they booked & introduced Eastside to Westside groups Los Illegals is...
, and Circle One).
Razorcake not only interviews bands from all over the globe (Gorilla Angreb, Career Suicide
Career Suicide
Career Suicide is a hardcore punk band from Toronto, Canada. Effectively formed in 2001, the band's first live performance took place in January 2002, with first recorded output soon to follow. The band has gone on to record several full-length albums and singles on various international labels...
, The Regulations), but punk-affiliated artists—photographers (Edward Colver, Bev Davies), graphic designers (Diane Gamboa
Diane Gamboa
Diane Gamboa has been producing, exhibiting and curating visual art in Southern California since the 1980s. She has also been involved art education, ranging from after-school programs to college and university teaching.-Biography:...
, John E. Miner), writers (Brad Warner
Brad Warner
Brad Warner is a Sōtō Zen priest, author, blogger, documentarian and punk rock bass guitarist.-Biography:Brad Warner was born in Hamilton, Ohio in 1964. His family traveled a lot for his father's job and he lived in different countries around the world but grew up mainly near Akron, Ohio and...
, Chris Walter)—and political thinkers such as Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn was an American historian, academic, author, playwright, and social activist. Before and during his tenure as a political science professor at Boston University from 1964-88 he wrote more than 20 books, which included his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United...
, Christian Parenti
Christian Parenti
Christian Parenti is an American investigative journalist and author. His books include: Lockdown America: Police and Prisons in the Age of Crisis , a survey of the rise of the prison industrial complex from the Nixon through Reagan Eras and into the present; The Soft Cage: Surveillance in America...
, Noam Chomsky
Noam Chomsky
Avram Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, and activist. He is an Institute Professor and Professor in the Department of Linguistics & Philosophy at MIT, where he has worked for over 50 years. Chomsky has been described as the "father of modern linguistics" and...
, and Candace Falk and Gary Pateman (curators of the Emma Goldman
Emma Goldman
Emma Goldman was an anarchist known for her political activism, writing and speeches. She played a pivotal role in the development of anarchist political philosophy in North America and Europe in the first half of the twentieth century....
Paper Project).
Contributors
Besides Todd Taylor and Sean Carswell, former Flipside writers Donofthedead, Jimmy Alvarado, Designated Dale, Kat Jetson, The Rhythm Chicken, Jessica T., Nardwuar the Human ServietteNardwuar the Human Serviette
Nardwuar the Human Serviette is a Canadian celebrity interviewer and musician from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is the lead singer and keyboardist for The Evaporators and plays in Thee Goblins....
, and Rich Mackin all wrote for the premier issue. Many of them remain with the publication, but Razorcake also has a raft of columnists who are well known in the DIY punk rock community as zinesters, musicians, and artists including Ben Snakepit, Amy Adoyzie, Rev. Nørb
Boris the Sprinkler
Boris the Sprinkler was a pop-punk band that formed in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1992, known for their zaniness and abnormality. Their aesthetic seemed to borrow from Devo and The Dickies. They display a sci-fi bizarro style reminiscent of Buckaroo Banzai....
, Maddy Tight Pants, Dan Monick, Jim Ruland, Liz O., Kiyoshi Nakazawa, and Mitch Clem
Mitch Clem
Mitch Andrew Clem is an American cartoonist best known for his web comics Nothing Nice To Say, San Antonio Rock City, and My Stupid Life.- Early life:...
. In addition to these columnists, Razorcake has one staff member, Daryl, several dedicated reviewers, and guest contributors.
Gorsky Press
Gorsky Press, the book publishing arm of Razorcake, founded by Sean Carswell and Felizon Vidad, predated both the Razorcake website and zine. Its mission is similar to Razorcake in that it focuses on high quality material from marginalized and disenfranchised writers. Gorsky Press has released books by underground writers such as Patricia GearyPatricia Geary
Patricia Geary is an American author. After writing two borderline fantasy novels, Living in Ether and Strange Toys , the latter of which won the Philip K. Dick Award, she found it difficult to sell her third novel as she had a reputation primarily as a fantasy author , and returned to teaching...
, Bucky Sinister, James Jay, and Jennifer Whiteford.
Website
In 2006, razorcake.com was revamped. To reflect its non-profit status, the website’s official url became www.razorcake.org. The website provides an almost wholly different set of content than the zine, while retaining the same focus on DIY punk rock by publishing live reviews, photos, columns, and interviews different from those appearing in the print edition.By 2007, the razorcake.org website had been updated over 10,000 times, primarily by the posting of individual record reviews. The website is updated with a new home page story every two to three days. Also, Razorcake made early issues available on the site in .pdf format for free. March 2008 saw the launching of Razorcake’s first set of podcasts. For the first time since its inception, people could hear directly from Razorcake the music on which Razorcake focuses.
Razorcake also distributes various DIY items from their website, such as records, zines, and books in their online distro.
Razorcake Records
In 2007, the Razorcake Records label was launched. Razorcake Records is also a non-profit venture. It conscientiously selects bands from the DIY punk rock community that share the same values as Razorcake. The first two releases were part of what Razorcake calls “The Sister Series.”Sister Series
The Sister Series is a cultural exchange that aims to connect bands from different areas. This is done by simultaneously releasing two separate 7” records by two similar independent bands, with each band providing some originals and cover of a song by the other band. Bands that have been featured in the Sister Series include Tiltwheel (San Diego) and Toys That Kill (San Pedro, CA), as well as The Arrivals (Chicago) and Grabass Charlestons (Gainesville, FL).Discography
- Tiltwheel – The Heavens Declare the Glory 7” reissue (co-release with Accident Prone)
- Toys That Kill – Sister Series 7” (paired with Tiltwheel)
- Tiltwheel – Sister Series 7” (paired with Toys That Kill)
- God Equals Genocide – The World Is Wearin’ Me Down 7”
- Tiltwheel – Battle Hymns for the Recluse Youth LP + CD reissue (co-release with Accident Prone)
- Killer Dreamer - 1,000 Years of Servitude LP + CD (co-release with 45 RPM Records)
- God Equals Genocide – Life of Doubt 7" (co-release with Dirt Cult)
- Grabass Charlestons – Sister Series 7" (paired with The Arrivals)
- The Arrivals – Sister Series 7" (paired with Grabass Charlestons)
- Shang-A-Lang/God Equals Genocide – Split 7"
- God Equals Genocide - It Wasn't Made for Us 7" (co-release with Recess RecordsRecess RecordsRecess Records is an independent record label founded in 1989 with the release of F.Y.P's Extra Credit, an 11 song 7-inch record. Label founder Todd Congelliere originally created the label as a vehicle to release F.Y.P's material...
) - The Pine Hill HaintsThe Pine Hill HaintsThe Pine Hill Haints are a traditional bluegrass/folk/honky tonk/country band from Alabama, though the band members themselves describe their unique southern roots music as “Alabama Ghost Music.”...
- Black Casket 7" (co-release with 45 RPM Records) - Dan Padilla - As the Ox Plows LP (co-release with Dirt Cult Records and It's Alive Records)
- The Hex Dispensers – Sister Series 7” (paired with Young Offenders)
- Young Offenders – Sister Series 7” (paired with Hex Dispensers)
- Crusades – The Sun Is Down and the Night Is Riding In LP (co-release with It's Alive Records)
External links
- Razorcake
- Razorcake Discography
- Gorsky Press
- Gorsky Bibliography
- Todd Taylor Interview with Welcome to Flavor Country 2011
- June 2009 Interview with L.A. RecordL.A. RecordL.A. Record is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In March 2008, it began publishing as a monthly magazine with a...
- Todd Taylor Interview with L.A. RecordL.A. RecordL.A. Record is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In March 2008, it began publishing as a monthly magazine with a...
2007