Insociable Reflections - Marginalization and Mexican Partying

Yo, been a sweet minute since the last update. It's funny how we try to run away from things but they always end up catching up with us right? I guess some of us are just better at pretending everything is okay and we just go through the motions...whatever...Gangstarr said we all must meet our moment of truth...In the mean time here is a little reflection we came up with. Nothing new...I was just tying to fool around with iMovie, haha!

The video is a simplistic and possibly over simplified analysis of the Botas Picudas phenomenon (Mexican pointy boots and Mexican electro music) juxtaposed with the racism and marginalization suffered by indigenous communities in Chihuahua, Mexico. Kinda was just thinking about how cultural imperialism is manifesting itself in Mexico, via the transposable hedonistic American party/club culture (getting fucked up, one night stands, live to party, bullshit we do to numb ourselves and not face certain uncomfortable realities, right?).

To put it in colloquial Chicano English..."Anywayyyyzzzz..." Since the last blog update I started work/teaching and that has always kicked my ass, in addition to taking up a significant portion of my time. That said, I was unable to work on issue number 2 until Winter Break (which just flew by) and so far it looks pretty cool. This issue is gonna deal with "Facing the Pain"...sometimes we just gotta pull up our pants, roll up our sleeves, and say "fuck it" right?

Staycool Fanzine #1 in Top 10 Fanzines of September for MRR!!!

Yo folks!!! Hope all is well. Finally decided to update the blog after a couple of months of inactivity! Gotta let you all know that Staycool Fanzine #1 was selected as one of the Top 10 Fanzines for the September issue of Maximum Rocknroll! Gotta start hustling on Staycool #2 I suppose!

Here's the proof!!! HAHA!

We got a good review in MRR #340. Hopefully we'll be able to do the print version ASAP and be more consistent with updating the blog.

Staycool Fanzine #1 Available Now

Interviews with long defunct Los Angeles hardcore giants Life's Halt (which started out as an all Latino/Chicano ensemble), Nevada's Dag Nastesque hardcore stalwarts Faded Grey (I believe a Latino bassist), and Oxnard's Slap-A-Ham revivalists El Mariachi (Multiracial powerviolence kids). Plus articles on race and identity, recipes, and band pics!!! Issue #2 in the works and should be out in a month or so! Let's keep the DIY aesthetic alive!!! If you want a copy just send me an email.

Email: staycoolfanzine@gmail.com

Here's one of the bands we interviewed:

Life's Halt - Vidas (Youngblood Records, 2000)

Connecting the digital to the print aesthetic...sheesh

Alright, I finally decided to shed my supposed 'disdain' for the digital aspect of 'subculture'. About damn time...Peep the blog for interviews, 'merchandise', and other stuff that can be done faster than cut and paste!