Fanzines have spread among underground music scenes across the United States in recent years. While Fanzines never fully died, there was a lull in popularity before the start of the 21st century. But they are making a resurgence across the nation once again, most notably, in Denver.
Fanzines, or fan-made mini-magazines, are DIY, non-professional publications produced by fans of various cultural movements. Fanzines are often about underground music, films and generally un-popular culture. But, this artform originally started among science-fiction fans in the early 1930s and persisted into the early 70s.
Fanzines adapted with cultural shifts; from 1970-1990, they evolved with the invention of the photocopier, allowing new collages of photos and text styles. This formatting not only enhanced style, but it made it easier to copy and distribute each individual issue. Fanzines continued to operate in this manner until the early 2000s when fanzines lost momentum because of mainstream media overtaking many key aspects of zine culture while also shifting into entirely electronic editions.
But Fanzines are making a return into underground cultures through social media platforms like Instagram and are popping up in local book stores (sometimes in electronic form at certain libraries) and venues across the United States.
Young people are becoming more interested in physical media and the perks of actually holding and owning a piece of art. This attraction to physical media makes fanzines all-the-more important for those who are interested in owning various pieces of media.
One of the most popular Fanzines among American youth today is Lumea Magazine. Lumea’s strong social media and online presence have bolstered their following significantly. This fanzine emphasizes the talent within underground music scenes.
Lumea Magazine releases “Inside the Scene” segments on Instagram that feature artists that are popular within various local scenes across the country. On July 5, Lumea Magazine featured pop-punk band Open Trench, hardcore band Monkeypaw and alternative band Shorts on their “Inside the Scene” piece on Denver’s underground music scene.
While Lumea has a popular online presence, they also have printed magazines available for purchase on their website. The beauty of fanzines is that they thrive on printed, physical copies being sold and shared between people.
Maximum Rock N’ Roll, founded by the former owner of popular Berkley punk venue, 924 Gilman St., Tim Yohannan, is one of the most notorious fanzines of all time. Maximum Rock N’ Roll uses their website to sell their monthly print issues. There are many other fanzines that follow a similar method of selling their zines.
Locally, the Denver Zine Library—which exists within the Denver Public Library—sells and loans various fanzines inside the Bob Ragland branch of the Denver Public Library at ArtPark.
The Denver Zine Library has a preserved collection of over 20,000 independent and alternative zines, making it one of the largest in North America.
In addition to that, zines are often distributed at local venues—such as Ante Up, 7th Circle and D3—by bands or fans on a smaller-scale. This practice has become commonplace thanks to punk and hardcore scenes nationwide. Denver-native punk band, Indecisive, passes out Fanzines made by them and their friends at their shows across Colorado.
Fanzines are an incredibly important staple of underground culture in the United States and Denver happens to be home to one of the largest zine cultures in the country. It’s easy to find a Fanzine at a local show in Denver that features local artists, bands and writers.
Despite losing traction with the introduction of the internet, Fanzines are making a comeback in print and online editions thanks to local music scenes, nationwide outreach and the return of physical media.
