On the evening of December 27th I found myself at a house show at The Crystal Cavern. As I waited for the music to begin, I sat in the kitchen with Tanner Boerman and some other kids making small talk about nothing in particular. As the first band (Cavalcade from Lansing) began to load their equipment in I was approached by group of fellows who I vaguely recognized. I had made arrangements for them to release their first issue of the revolutionary themed zine, Catalyst, at the show.
As the band began to kick the off the night with an amazing set I spent a few minutes leafing through the zine in the small smoke filled kitchen. I skimmed the articles and was impressed with the execution of it all. It had been crudely photocopied, type written and pasted together. Nothing in the zine appeared to use anything computer related, I found this in itself very refreshing. I tucked catalyst away in my backpack for a time when I could really focus on reading.
Now mind you, I am still new to the idea of radical politics as well as zine culture. I just read my first issue of Maximum Rock and Roll a few months earlier, I absolutely loved it. West Michigan seems to have a significant lack of zines. I can really only think of one off the top of my head, 616 Zine, based out of Grand Rapids. The idea of a new venture such as this emerging in Kalamazoo definitely peaked my interest.
As I found myself with some time to sit down and read I pulled out Catalyst. I was very intrigued by the alternative schools of thought that seem to be prevalent themes throughout the zine. An essay on page 3 poses the question…..
“When given the choice of college or entering the workforce, which will you choose? What if there was a third option, the alternative of a life on the fringe of society?”
The masterminds writing these articles are definitely trying to spur action and create something larger than themselves. The facebook page describes the Catalyst as “A zine/autonomous movement that works to educate and organize the masses for the purpose of abolishing the state and all forms of illegitimate authority/hierarchy, while fostering community and upholding values such as absolute equality/freedom.”
I was definitely exposed to some view points I had never really considered before. This is definitely a must read for anyone interested in getting involved in local political action. The first issue is available now and in circulation around Kalamazoo. The 2nd issue will released shortly.
Viva La Revolution, my friends.
DITKalamazoo 