Slash (fanzine)

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Slash was a punk rock-related fanzine published by Steve Samiof and Melanie Nissen in the United States from 1977 to 1980.

The magazine was a large-format tabloid focused on the Los Angeles punk scene, though it did not restrict itself to local acts: its first cover featured Dave Vanian of The Damned. It regularly covered such L.A. bands as The Screamers, The Skulls, Nervous Gender and X. With relatively wide distribution for a punk zine, Slash helped bring the L.A. underground scene to the attention of the rest of the world.[citation needed] At the same time, in featuring articles and reviews on reggae, blues, and rockabilly, it introduced punk audiences to a wide range of then-unfamiliar musical genres. Writers Claude "Kickboy Face" Bessy, Craig Lee, Richard Meltzer, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Chris D. and Pleasant Gehman, and cartoonist Gary Panter were among the major contributors. Photo contributors included David Arnoff, Susan Carson, Kerry Colonna, Ed Colver, Diane Gamboa, Frank Gargani, Jenny Lens, Melanie Nissen, Donna Santisi, Ann Summa, Scott Lindgren, and coeditor Philomena Winstanley.

The fanzine also gave birth to Slash Records, an important punk record label. Slash magazine folded in 1980, as many of the main principals involved were increasingly concentrating on other activities. Bob Biggs was more involved in running the label; many of the writers were concentrating on their own musical activities. In addition, there was a widespread perception that punk rock was dying, as movements such as post-punk, hardcore, and deathrock were emerging while many of the original Los Angeles punk bands (such as The Germs and The Weirdos) were breaking up, and in such a changing environment Slash had essentially served its purpose.

Complete List of Issues

  • Vol. 1 #1 May 1977. Cover: Dave Vanian (The Damned) photo by Melanie Nissen
  • Vol. 1 #2 June 1977. Cover: John Denney (The Weirdos) photo by Melanie Nissen
  • Vol. 1 #3 Aug. 1977. Cover: Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols)
  • Vol. 1 #4 Sept. 1977. Cover: Kerry Colonna (live collage) photo by Philomena Winstanley
  • Vol. 1 #5 Oct. 1977. Cover: Debbie Harry (Blondie)
  • Vol. 1 #6 Dec. 1977. Cover: Exene Cervenka (X)
  • Vol. 1 #7 Jan 1978. Cover: Local Scene Makers
  • Vol. 1 #8 Feb. 1978. Cover: Poly Styrene (X-Ray Spex) photo by Virginia Turbett
  • Vol. 1 #9 April 1978. Cover: Bobby Pyn/Darby Crash
  • Vol. 1 #10 May 1978. Cover: Alice Bag (The Bags)
  • Unnumbered One Year Anniversary Issue. Free, No date or volume number. Cover: Collage of prior issue covers.
  • Vol. 1 #11 July 1978. Cover: Spazz Attack
  • Vol. 1 #12 Aug. 1978. Cover: The Screamers photo by Melanie Nissen
  • Vol. 2 #1 Sept. 1978. Cover: Pete Tosh
  • Vol. 2 #2 Nov. 1978. Cover: Siouxsie & the Banshees photo by Stevenson
  • Vol. 2 #3 Jan. 1979. Cover: Drawing by John Van Hamersveld
  • Vol. 2 #4 March 1979. Cover: The Cramps photo by Melanie Nissen
  • Vol. 2 #5 May 1979. Cover: Rasta illustration by Rick Monzon
  • Vol. 2 #6 June 1979. Cover: The Alleycats photo by Melanie Nissen
  • Vol. 2 #7 Aug. 1979. Cover: Drawing of "Jimbo" by Gary Panter
  • Vol. 2 #8 Sept. 1979. Cover: David Thomas (Pere Ubu) photo by Melanie Nissen
  • Vol. 2 #9 Oct. 1979. Cover: Su Tissue (Suburban Lawns) illustration by Mark Vallen
  • Vol. 2 #10 Nov. 1979. Cover: David Byrne (Talking Heads) photo by Kerry Colonna
  • Vol. 2 #11 Dec. 1979. Cover: James Chance illustration by Mike Fink
  • Vol. 3 #1 Jan/Feb. 1980. Cover: Lee Ving (Fear)
  • Vol. 3 #2 Mar. 1980. Cover: Winston Rodney (Burning Spear) photo by Scott Lindgren
  • Vol. 3 #2 April. 1980. Cover: Malcolm McLaren and Johnny Rotten illustration by Bob Biggs
  • Vol. 3 #3 May 1980. Cover: Johanna Went
  • Vol. 3 #5 (Final Issue) Summer 1980. Cover: Hardcore punk illustration by Mark Vallen
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