Posted on: February 15, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0


Genetic Disorder #17 / $3 / Half-Sized / 80 Pages / PO Box 15237, San Diego, CA 92175 / http://www.geneticdisorder.net / 

Genetic Disorder is probably one of the best zines that I’ve ever read, even if I have only had the pleasure to read one issue. This time, the format is different, the newsprint less newsprint-y, and the issue only goes by faster than before. Starting off with both of the outside covers being a 3-d rendition of the Genetic Disorder logo and a rip-off of the Sex Pistols logo, one really knows that they will be in for something fabulous. To promote continuity between the two issues, the “Youth Sub Cultures” pamphlet that was reproduced in #14 is reproduced in full in this issue. Each of the pieces is its own separate section from all the others – everything is encapsulated, such as the reprint of a news blurb in “When Johnny Thunders Came to Town”, and the “Loser’s Guide to San Diego”. Everything that Larry writes is truly bursting with information, and is rendered in such a way that each article goes by quickly. Some of the music-specific pieces, such as the interview with the Coachwhips, are not as interesting as the rest of the magazine, but are still leagues above most interviews one will find in other major ‘zines. However, the crux of this issue would have to be the Zach-written piece “Take Back the Alley”, a pseudo-diary about trying to see the Spits, and going to Chicago on limited means. I always seem to lose track of Genetic Disorder for months/years at a time, and when I do get a chance to see a new issue of the zine, I am always surprised at how good it is.

Rating: 8.3/10

Leave a Comment