There are moments in Hardcore that capture everything that is wonderful about the scene, the bands and the people involved, that encapsulate what Hardcore means to everyone who has ever been involved with, and in, the scene. And xXx, the legendary and near mythic mid-eighties Boston zine, was one of those moments.
Which is almost certainly why Bridge Nine decided to publish a compilation of its finest moments, xXx Fanzine (1983-1988) Hardcore & Punk in the Eighties, edited and updated by Mike Gitter, the founder, editor and creative whirlwind responsible for xXx. With the publication date looming, I caught up with Mike to talk about the book, xXx, the scene and the bands that inspired it and him and about all things Hardcore and music, and after speaking to him for nearly an hour, I had an immoveable grin plastered all over my face that just wouldn’t shift itself for a day or so.
Mike’s enthusiasm, energy and passion for Hardcore is overwhelming. He gets it at fundamental, heartfelt level and it’s an integral part of who he was and is and it was a privilege to hear him talk about it. He made me want to dive into xXx Fanzine (1983-1988) Hardcore & Punk in the Eighties, to digest each and every page and listen to all of the bands who I grew up with, and their albums, over and over again. I honestly don’t think prose can effectively contain his devotion toward, and intensity about, this book, Hardcore and music, which is why I’m, for the first time, publishing the interview as audio. So that you can hear him talk and feel the same excitement about, and need to read, his book as I did and do.
This is xXx. This is Mike Gitter. And this is Hardcore 101…
Interview by Tim Cundle
Pre-orders for a 24-page mini-zine, which gives a taste of the madness of the xXx Fanzine (1983-1988) Hardcore & Punk in the Eighties .have been posted here. More of companion piece than a preview, this zine features additional photographs and interviews that didn\’t make the book as well as some crucial pieces lifted from the book itself. Also included is a flexi 7inch of Nomads “How When Where” (Crucifix) / “The Eliminator” (Agnostic Front). This is strictly limited to 1000 copies total. Once these are gone, they are gone forever.
And pre-order details for xXx Fanzine (1983-1988) Hardcore & Punk in the Eighties can be found here
Be the first to comment on "Mike Gitter (xXx Fanzine)"