Fast Forward
Melbourne, Australia: Fast Forward, 1980-1982.
Complete run of 13 issues in 12 (#008/009 is a double issue). Magazines, often folded and sometimes staple bound, with a variety of folded inserts, with cassettes, housed in silk-screened colored plastic wallets. Near Fine condition overall, appearing to contain all inserts, etc.; slightly rubbed and soiled, occasional slight creasing to inserts or oxidation to staples. Small tear to rear wallet of #005. Issue 008/009 wallet gilt lettering well-rubbed. Offsetting to wallet of #011. Rare as a set.
One of the very first cassette magazines, which was popular, financially successful, and proved to be influential in the burgeoning global "cassette culture" of '80s independent music, directly spawning such other projects as Sub Pop (editor/ label head Bruce Pavitt was a contributor to the double-issue) and the UK's Mix. The audio portion was structured somewhat like an old-timey news broadcast, featuring new music as well as interviews with musicians. In addition to featuring the sounds of Aussies The Birthday Party, Primitive Calculators, Dead Can Dance, Scientists, and the Go-Betweens et al, many prominent, cutting-edge British and American musicians such as Pere Ubu, The Clash, The Fall, The Residents, Adam and the Ants, and Gang of Four were interviewed and sometimes provided songs. Being Australian, the magazine was bound to have a sense of humor. Robert Smith of The Cure got in on the act and provided "A Few Stylish Tips" in #013 about how he obtained that perfect lift for his '80s hair: soap and water. Crossword puzzles became a feature early on. Also, Michael Trudgeon's design of the magazine was inspired, growing in sophistication throughout the run, adding inserts steadily, stylishly utilizing only one or two colors in the printing process. A real acme of early '80s independent music, print, and design cultures. Its run lends credence to the idea that post-punk truly went beyond punk in many ways.
Price: $1,500.00