In his so called “Stupid Greyhound Journal Bullshit,” Nathan writes about his journey home and back riding aboard a series of Greyhound buses. Nothing too spectacular really happens…we get detailed descriptions of fellow passengers, mostly weird and lonely pot smokers and a few annoying jock-types. When Nathan gets home, he spends his time sitting in coffee shops, getting drunk with his dad, and hanging out with the new generation of local punk kids. Again, nothing really happens, but it doesn’t seem to matter with this zine. It’s a comforting little read…no turbulence, just a few mundane weeks in the life of Nathan. If I was to describe it in relation to other zines, I would say that Shoes is a cross between Lumiere and I’m Johnny and I Don’t Give a Fuck. In addition to the usual journal-style prose, Nathan inserts a few reviews of books he read throughout his time on the bus, and we get a really passionate description of a de-schooling collective he is part of called the Purple Thistle. Overall: a good effort from a smart punk riding on the Greyhound. After writing this review I came across issue #3 of Shoes [see excerpts section this issue of BP], and I must say that Oh My God! It’s great. Nathan takes us on an unbelievable hitchhiking adventure from Mexico all the way to Toronto. Reading it you’ll wonder how this kid is still alive. Even better, Nathan meets up with Fly in NYC and conducts a great interview with her about the art of squatting. He even includes some of her sketches. I absolutely loved this zine! (Audrey Gagnon)
perzine, #5, $2, Nathan, PO Box 1986, Coronna, ON, N0N 1G0, [email protected]