Brian Howe
books
45 More Stories by Donald Barthelme
01.24.08
You'd think for the latest collection from Donald Barthelme, the man who left us the sets 60 Stories and 40 Stories, he might have settled on an even medium of 50 stories, but alas, never predictable (and dead, so obviously not making these decisions), gives up his ghost again in a new collection just 5 short of mathematical balance. Fitting for a writer whose sentences of anal algebra glean amidst an illusion of sweet anarchy (that makes no sense, I am all blurbed out). Brian Howe reviews Flying to America: 45 More Stories, Turkish delight for the Barthelme completist. Cover image of B. by Danny Jock.
features
On the Lost Highway with Greil Marcus
10.04.07
We're beaming proud to have this in depth interview with Greil Marcus conducted by FANZINE first timer Brian Howe. Marcus along with a sprinkling of other intellectual wild ones the likes of Lester Bangs invented a certain style of criticism years ago that young journalists on the culture beat today can only hope to aspire to. If you were ever curious what kind of writing FANZINE wants to publish more of, study some Greil Marcus. If you haven't read Greil Marcus, start with this interview.
music
Ignition, Orbit & Landfall: A Liars Synopsis
10.18.07
Brian Howe writes the LP narrative thus far of one of Brooklyn's defining bands, Liars, a group defined by their undefinable music. Liars (now spread between L.A. and Berlin) are starting to make some sense. With a driving, almost pop-oriented new album that's more coherent than anything they've done prior, Liars have once again fooled us all. What's in that name anyway, Liars? Has it ever sounded so sweet?
poetry
The State of N.C. ...Poetry (pt. 1)
07.25.08
The legendary Black Mountain College produced such avant-garde poets as Robert Creely, Denise Levertov and Paul Blackburn in under a quarter of a centurty. Now what remains of the BMC is a small museum and arts center. North Carolina poetry is not in trouble, however; here, Brian Howe celebrates three fellow modern North Carolina poets: Chris Vitiello, Tony Tost and Ken Rumble. The poetic spirit of this southern state lives on.