Suspect Device review ‘Dear Smash Hits, We’re from Scotland’

DEAR SMASH HITS, WE'RE FROM SCOTLAND! An Alternative History Of Zines & DIY Music Culture (1975-2025) by Alastair MacDonald Jackson - Earth Island

This book seems to have gone under the radar a bit, I haven’t heard too many people talking about it, but I really enjoyed it. It’s not all about punk, but it is about DIY zines.

It was interesting to read about the author’s journey to DIY music and zines, growing up on the Isle of Skye, 126 miles and a ferry crossing from the nearest record shop. As well as records and zines, DIY tapes are also featured and it was interesting to see how bands who went on to far bigger things like Simple Minds and Wet Wet Wet along with bigger indie bands like Orange Juice and Shop Assistants, were part of this DIY zine scene.

This is about indie zines more than punk zines, but it’s the DIY aspect that’s important. I enjoyed reading about the feminist and art zines, the different ways people produced their zines and the tapes and flexis given away with issues. I was also reminded of zines I've bought throughout the years, like The Incredible Shrinking Fanzine, Ploppy Pants, Ivor The Anarchist, ENZK, Anarchoi and Runnin’ Feart. At the end there’s a list of Scottish zines with a short write up on each.

This was a good read about a subject that is, obviously, close to my heart.

The foreword is by Paloma (Palmolive) Romero too.

Earth Island (Tony)

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