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The exploding of the punk scene in the late '70s gave rise to the first fanzines, which were devoted to the bands and their followers. Fanzines soon branched out, engaging in more general critiques of contemporary mores and aesthetics but always reflecting the personal tastes of their publishers: thus they evolved into so-called perzines. Nancy's, edited by Ohio librarian Nancy Bonnell-Kangas, broke the "band barrier" in the mid-'80s to become one of the earliest perzines to address nonmusic issues. Now in its 10th year, its current offering is called "The Ground Issue" and includes articles on the richness of humus, the sweetness of yams and the delights of beet salad.
Whether discussing food or crepe-sole shoes, the point is always to take the personal public, while preserving an intimate audience. That's why the thing most feared by a zine publisher is fame, even the notorious kind. Greta, for instance, is the publisher of Mudslap, but Greta is an alias, and she puts out her zine as she hitches rides in the boxcars of America's railway system. "I don't want anyone to know too much about it -- 'cause if they do, then people will think they're Jack London or Steinbeck. They'll go freight hopping and get their legs cut off. Please don't do it." Greta is not just worried about inspiring imitators. Her underground status also allows her to justify her unconventional publishing practices. "If you're mainstream, you can't steal postage. You can't plagiarize. You can't ditch bills. You can't be incendiary. You can't be yourself," she says.
Bobby S. Fred also uses an alias to run an independent record label -- which he refuses to name -- and to edit a post-punk zine called Bobby Is Fred. He makes his living stuffing burritos at a Del Taco in Los Angeles. Unlike wannabes who prowl Sunset Plaza looking to get noticed, Bobby craves obscurity. He enjoys saying his favorite activity is eating at such trendy restaurants as Spago -- by serving himself from the Dumpster out back. "Look, this is a nation of disenfranchised kids," says Bobby. "The reason we don't talk to the mainstream media is because we want to guard the few places that we have left, like our zines." But the secret is getting harder to keep. A budding zinemeister can now consult a glossary called The World of Zines, put out by Penguin, which offers helpful hints on how to start your own.