Zine - Smash It Up #19

Smash It Up is one of Toronto's best and most dynamic punk fanzines, which came out in the hardcore and new wave eras. The zine was produced by Nick Smash. This issue is #19 and it came out at the end of September 1981 which can be placed by the Dead Kennedys interview which happened on the 25th of September. That must have been the last thing written before going to print. There is a show review and interview is mostly with Jello Biafra (singer) and a little bit with Deron Peligro (drummer). There is also comments about East Bay Ray. Jello displays an impressive knowledge of the Toronto punk scene. This might have been the show that New Music did a fluff piece on that I saw as a kid. 

There is a piece about DOA where they are touring England. I learned that the "Let them Eat Jellybeans" comp was put together to promote North American bands in the UK and Europe.

There is a piece about the L.A. scene and reviews of releases that had come out then like Black Flag's "Six Pack" and The Germs "Germicide" and the Adolescents LP. THis worth the read because it is written from someone who lived there so they have insight into the sound of the bands.

There is some coverage on the first Police Picnic which took place in Oakville in a farmer's field. There is nothing on the Specials or the Go-Go's or Iggy Pop, but there is a pretty amazing piece on Killing Joke. There is also a piece on John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett who were greeted with fresh fruit and rotting vegetables, which is better than what Nash the Slash got which was a pulling of the cord. 

Around that same time (August 30th) the Cure played the Concert Hall and there is an interview with them although my issue has part of it cut out. You will see the gap in the PDF. 

John Foxx from Ultravox had just released a solo record named "Metamatic" and the drummer from 999 was involved in the recording.

On the reggae side of things there is an interview with Horace Faith. There is a review of the Equators full length along with a solo piece by Michaele Jordana of the Poles.

This issue appears courtesy of Dhaibid James's archival collection. Dhaibid hosts a show on CIUT called Moondog's Ballroom.