Tucson Arizona. Late 1980s.
If you were into music, fiction and photography. If you lived in Tucson in the late 80s you probably read my fanzine Rhetoric Farm. Well, I dug these out of storage and have started posting the pdfs of the issues. We talked to Henry Rollins of Black Flag, Keith Haring, Exene and John Doe of X, published features on Pakistan, and ran lots of poetry, fiction and art photography.
We launched a fanzine to cover the punk crowd, stories from the 818 Club on Speedway, Nino's, Club Congress.
Fourth Avenue for ads and paletas. 5th Street to hit Wrex Records.
We actually did some cool stuff and had a lot of fun. We interviewed Keith Haring, who even illustrated a cover, and published some very bizarre fiction and comics.
We launched a fanzine to cover the punk crowd, stories from the 818 Club on Speedway, Nino's, Club Congress.
Fourth Avenue for ads and paletas. 5th Street to hit Wrex Records.
We actually did some cool stuff and had a lot of fun. We interviewed Keith Haring, who even illustrated a cover, and published some very bizarre fiction and comics.
Rhetoric Farm Vol 2 #1
This is it. The last issue.
We visit Pakistan and catch up with Phoneix artist Shane Paul. Infamous Rebarb tells another wild tale and Roy Tompkins comix fill the issue.
We visit Pakistan and catch up with Phoneix artist Shane Paul. Infamous Rebarb tells another wild tale and Roy Tompkins comix fill the issue.
| rf_v2_n2_complete_issue.pdf |
Rhetoric Farm Vol 2 #1
Back to taking ourselves seriously again, we moved on to the world of topless dancing and the mental health system.
But we kept our music scene cred by having Jeff Keenan of the Phantom Limbs interview Van Christian.
But we kept our music scene cred by having Jeff Keenan of the Phantom Limbs interview Van Christian.
| rf_v2_n1_pages_1_7.pdf |
| rf_v2_n1_pages_9_15.pdf |
Rhetoric Farm #10
Phoenix, Arizona's Meat Puppets are the highlight of this issue. Al's Kassette Korner was written by the one and only Al Perry; remember cassette tapes?
| rf_10_complete_issue.pdf |
Rhetoric Farm #9
Amazing cover art by Roy Tompkins. He also did a lot of comix for us in following issues. Here's our Joe Doe of X-fame interview.
Everyone knows RuPaul now, but back in the 80s he was just starting out. Check out his Mad Max meets Cover Girl look.
Everyone knows RuPaul now, but back in the 80s he was just starting out. Check out his Mad Max meets Cover Girl look.
| rf_9_complete_issue.pdf |
Rhetoric Farm #8
The Johnies were a Tucson underground music staple and featured musicians from many of the scene's top bands. Got an interview with Mike Watt of Firehose, too.
| rf_8_complete.pdf |
Rhetoric Farm #7
From what I remeber, Keith Haring was exhibiting work at the Phoenix Art Museum. We decided to drive up there, meet him, interview him and ask for the autograph. Somehow, it all worked out. We got the interview and he inked the front cover.
Don't forget to check out Part One of our Johnies epic interview.
Don't forget to check out Part One of our Johnies epic interview.
| rf_complete_issue_7.pdf |
Rhetoric Farm #6
The cover art for each is different. Our group of friends consisted of artists, musicians and writers, so we never had a shortage of folks willing to help out. That's the case with this cover and the Raunch Hands interview. We also talked to Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper.
The big hit of this issue and most others was Rebarb, a stream-of-consciousness rant that usually had roots in wild trips to Mexico. Rebarb dictated or recorded his columns, and we'd transcribe them.
The big hit of this issue and most others was Rebarb, a stream-of-consciousness rant that usually had roots in wild trips to Mexico. Rebarb dictated or recorded his columns, and we'd transcribe them.
| Rhetoric Farm #6 |
Rhetoric Farm #5
Camper Van Beethoven was one of the first bands to incorporate a violin. We also talk to the Del Fuegos.
| Rhetoric Farm #5 |
Rhetoric Farm #4
We tried selling these at local record, yes record, stores for a quarter. As you can see, that didn't work. So we opted for free.
By the time Rhetoric Farm ceased publication with its 12th issue in late 1988, we were charging for back issues and sending them around the world. At that time, circulation was 3,000!
The cover is by Caitlin Von Schmidt, a terrific artist and one-time bass player for the River Roses. Caitlin hand-colored every issue, from what I recall.
Interview with Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate and the Fuzztones.
By the time Rhetoric Farm ceased publication with its 12th issue in late 1988, we were charging for back issues and sending them around the world. At that time, circulation was 3,000!
The cover is by Caitlin Von Schmidt, a terrific artist and one-time bass player for the River Roses. Caitlin hand-colored every issue, from what I recall.
Interview with Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate and the Fuzztones.
| Rhetoric Farm #4 |
Rhetoric Farm #3
Our third issue had a strange interview with Mighty Sphincter out of Phoenix and a long Q&A with Tucson guitarist Gene Ruley of the River Roses, Phantom Limbs and a host of other bands. We also had reviews of the Church, stories and poetry.
| Rhetoric Farm #3 |
Rhetoric Farm #2
Remember Fishbone and DC3? We've got interviews with both bands in this issue.
Cover art by Bettina Singles.
Cover art by Bettina Singles.
| Rhetoric Farm #2 |
Rhetoric Farm #1
Took ourselves a little too seriously in this first issue!!
Printed on a photocopier, the most exciting part of this issue is the interview with Henry Rollins, then of Black Flag.
Printed on a photocopier, the most exciting part of this issue is the interview with Henry Rollins, then of Black Flag.
| rf_1_complete_issue.pdf |
