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325.
SLASH #1-4 (Los Angeles, CA: May-September 1977).
Pub./ed. Steven Samiof and Melanie Nissen. Tabloid newspaper format. 24pp.-31pp.
The first four issues of LA’s answer to Punk and New York Rocker, “born out of curiosity and out of hope” (editorial).
The run features interviews with the Damned, the Weirdos, the Dils, the Zeros, the Germs, the Mumps, the Sex Pistols, and Joey and Dee Dee Ramone, with centrefolds devoted to the Screamers (incl. the Slash party in May 1977, their first gig), Devo and the Pistols. Considerable space is devoted to new record releases, and concerts are reported on from LA, San Francisco and London.
The magazine’s star writer was Claude Bessy, and its visual identity provided by designer Steven Samiof and photographer Melanie Nissen. Gary Panter was also afforded regular exposure in these early issues. Its title originated from co-editor Philomena Winstanley, who observed that in England to take a piss is to take a slash, an appellation neatly combining the desired irreverent tone with an aspect of punk sartorial style.
Slight age-toning to newsprint; small Compendium Books price sticker to front cover of second issue; o/w all issues Very Good plus or better (unfolded and stored flat).
