Braggin' & tryin' not to lie

'You can call me Timmy or you can call me Lint/ I got no money it's all been spent/ why's America so straight and me so bent?'
'In Upstate NY/ Rochester perhaps/ maybe you witnessed the dancefloor collapse/ How'd we ever get away I don't know'

"No offense, but we're not talking Spin or Rolling Stone here.
How much fame could Hoi Polloi actually bring?"

1996 / 1997 / 1998 / 1999 / 2000 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2006 / 2007 / 2008 /

First review,
Thanksgiving 1996

"Hoi Polloi! #1 & 2: One of the writers of this zine (Eric Mearns) got an issue of RBDTC, my *sooper-fantastic* zine at the Janitors Against Aparthied in NY. In Ithaca NY, I believe. So I get this package of Hoi Polloi! 1 & 2. The first issue has an interview with Dan McAllister (I don't know who Dan McAllister is!), some reviews, a recipe section (Super Succulent Cereal Substitute 77 and Wonderful Wonder-filled whipped 'wiches). Also there is a poorly drawn comic strip called "the Adventures of Yucky ka ka man". I love it! It so reminds me of "Searching for Spatula". #2 has record concert and pie reviews... An interview with the Toasters. A letter to some guy's car alarm, or some guy AND his car alarm (I don't know, I just liked it cuz it used bad words!) another installment of 'Yucky ka ka Man', and at the end there is a bio of all the writers, all 3 of them...I didn't know this, but Eric's real name is Nancy... hmmm." – tIM Caron, Rather Be Dead Than Cool #10, Hartford CONNECTICUT

17 Aug 96
Rochester Hills /
Royal Oak, MI

11/11/96

Last time I got my hands on a copy of your zine was this summer… Is Hoi Polloi still around? I hope so, I thought you did a great job. Here's a copy of the zine I do out of NYC called Skary Joe, hope you like it. Ad space for bands and zines is free so if you send an ad I'll put it in the next issue. See ya! – J. Wagner, NYU.EDU

1/1/97

Hey Eric I'm writing to say thanks for the new issue of Hoi Polloi! And for the Sluggo ad in it. I like the writing a lot – very funny stuff. The new catalog should be out in late January/ early February. I was hoping to start earlier (the holidays were great for Sluggo but a bit too much for me) I love New Year's Day – that shit's officially over! Happy New Year, & I'll send a catalog when it's done. – Anthony Torres, Sluggo Mailorder Orlando FLORIDA

Jav, Thanks for the trade, I really liked both 'zines. The Miggedys ARE really big here. They’re almost trendy, but so are the Checkered Cabs, Mephiskapheles, Ocean 11 and other bands you totally wouldn’t expect to be. It’s all good! – Noey KYTZYL 'zine, Halewia HAWAII

4/97

"Thickass ska zine from New York with lotsa articles, concert, record and zine reviews, interviews with Johnny Too Bad/Strikeouts and the Allstonians. Send a dollar or two" – P. Kellum, Trouble Bound #6 Lenexa KANSAS

Dear Hoi Polloi! I was wondering if you could send me your latest issue. Out of all the zines out there ...You've got the best. Dan and Jav's commentaries rule! I read them (sometimes w/ editing) over the air on my WALF radio show 89.7 FM. Another question: Do you guys accept cartoons? Let me know. Thanks a lot, – Brian Neu, #657 Powell Campus Ctr, Alfred NY ––– P.S. Ian says Hi

14 May

JV – we have finished recording an album that will be out in early fall and its called Maximum Perversion. The lineup is the same as the one on God Bless Satan, but we will be touring with Vic Rice on bass, not Mike Bitz. – brendog (Mephiskapheles)

John, I told my boss about your printing, so take your paper there and ask Doug to print it for you. I don't have time, I have to go to school all day and then work at night. – inept copygurl

7/15/97

hoi, i would like a copy of this magizine i got a flyer from Fantastic Records and was intererested so i went on to this site. please send me an e-mail on how to get and issue. thank you for your time. - J. Baxxter, Brighton NY

7/29

I just checked out the Hoi Polloi website. It looks good! I enjoyed reading the 'zine a lot, my one complaint – it's really hard to read the interviews because of the small print and the blurring that happens when you scan something into a computer. But really i did enjoy the site. – J. Sprig, New Haven CT

8/4/97

Heya just got #4 in the mail today (forwarding takes a while :( ). Just flipped through and I must say I'm quite impressed. Definitely one of the better "cut and paste" zines I've seen in a long time. And it's got that great DIY look and feel to it. Kudos! - Y. Watanabe, RiMShoT!

8/30

Hi John. This is Amy (Pete’s friend) I was just wondering when the next issue is coming out because I’ve been working on the crossword puzzle and I can’t get a bunch of answers. It’s like I know ’em but I just cant think of them and a couple are really bothering me! So mail be back. Thanks!! Bye bye! xxx Amy Lakecrest, 14612

9/24

You must save your girlfriend's sister – get her out of Minoa before she's EATEN ALIVE. I moved to Syracuse, yep, more fun here. I can walk or ride my bike everywhere. Suburbia is a plot for cash by the automobile industry, don't you agree? Yeah, I'm the bass/guitar guy in the band The Flashing Ashtonishers. The Chuck's show was fun, were you there? We're playing the Bug Jar sometime in Oct - check your listings. We're not ska at all but you might dig it. #10 de la Flashing Ashtonisher is yers - we put out 2,000 o' the fuckers - and are doing more next issue hopefully. Issue #11's to be ALL EROTIC so gear up the vaseline. Send a stack o' zines, we'll hand em out at shows - we always have a table o' free shit. Take it easy, Gregg Yeti

"This is probably the best zine devoted to ska that I've seen. There are good articles about the silliness of 'scene mentalities', plus interviews with Hepcat, The Scofflaws and several others. There are also lots of music, zine and book reviews, plus goofy little clippings. Layout mixes computer with cut & paste and looks pretty good." – Idy, Something for Nothing #38, Massillon OHIO

11/6/97

Dear JAV, hey dood whassup? Remember me, its me, Erin from Distant Voices zine? We finnaly got numero 17 out....YAY!! It's still not anywhere as good as yours, but its an improvement!! So, have ya been to any cool shows lately? I've been to a few. Have you seen Metro Stylee, they are really really good. I just did an interview with Andy for the next issue. Well, I better go hope to hear from ya soon!! Thanx keep skankin – your favorite zinesters: Erin & Alli, Scarsdale NY

Fall '97 issue

Black & White #6 // Rude Boy Web: Bob Timm, page 12.

1/8/98

Skaloha Hoi Polloi! I got your address out of the Moon Skazette, I think. Wanna trade zines? I would appreciate it if you could. Anyway, some local bands you may have heard of are Tantra Monsters on Dill Records, Red Session (their singer Selika Drake appears on Stubborn's Version City) & Ohana Junction on Steady Beat's upcoming Westcoast Chronicles – Craig, Kaneohe HAWAII

"Hoi Polloi! #3 This is the first of the three that I receive, thanks JAV! He doesn't seem to put these out very often (this one must be from late '96) but they're all really good reads and have a really cool cut & paste, messy-yet-creative layout. Typical things to look for in these are well thought out interviews – Johnny Too Bad & the Strikeouts, Venice Shoreline Chris and The Allstonians, personal writing (from his point of view that Moon Ska employee really sounds like a jerk), articles (Think Twice before yelling Sellout) and zine, concert and records reviews. Hoi Polloi! is one of the best, true zines out there. The material is more than often well written, the opinions are honest and the layout is creative. There's just so darn much to read in these things!" – Craig H, DOH! zine #3, Kaneohe HI

#4 (42pgs,half-size) A good read, only bigger & better than the above. This one is extra cool cause it’s on cream colored paper and printed with blue ink! Cool, no? This ish has the origins of the zine’s name, a crossword puzzle (a good one at that too!) interviews (The Scofflaws, Hepcat, The Skalars, King Chango, and The Pietasters), summaries on local bands in Rochester, and of course record reviews. – Craig H, DOH! zine #3, Kaneohe HI

1998 February

"Hoi Polloi skazine #4 is a dense zine with a good series of interviews from the larger bands. I liked their take on the"sub-cultural elite" which traces four stages of scene participation. Features Mephiskapheles, Pietasters, Hepcat and The Scofflaws in enthusiastic interviews." – Factsheet Five #63, R. Seth Friedman, San Francisco CA

2/98

"Ska zine outta Rochester NY, containing interviews with Isaac Green and the Skalars, Pietasters, Scofflaws, Mephiskapheles, Hepcat and King Chango. Also there's articles, news and reviews. Check out #4 by sending two buckaroonies to the HP! address" – P. Kellum, Trouble Bound #7 Lenexa KS

2/23/98

This sounds very tempting but I already took today off school. I have something to tell you...about the interview. Well, I waited around after the show and interviewed Jeremy Mush1 the trumpet player. He took a piss and walked and stood around for like a half hour and said some really cool stuff. I mean, this was a freakin' incredible interview!!! He said that the Wix is from Buffalo and she is now the president of Hellcat and she signs all the bands and they gave her an apartment and a car and she lives in L.A. now. He also said that the Slackers were going to release a CD under the name of "The Nods" and it would be all punk music. After the interview I noticed that I had it on pause the whole time! Sorry JAV!!!!! He thought it was sooo cool that he was being interviewed because usually it's someone else so I was thinking that maybe I could email him the questions. Email interviews sorta suck but during the interview, I didn't say anything anyway and this guy has a lot of really cool things to say! What do you think?? Davie B.

"So what if there's a barcode on there! This is Roc's premiere skazine! Scofflaws, Hepcat, Mephiskapheles, Isaac Green, King Chango, and The Pietasters. plus crossword puzzle, local news, reviews and other stuff"– J. Lyons, The Right Path #3 [x716x]

"HOI POLLOI is a very indepth SKA 'zine. I like this zine, cause it teaches me about the ska scene. This zine is ska, that's it, and JAV knows his ska. Tell 'em Worm sent u." – The Worm Hole #13, Penn Yan NY

1998 Spring

"Hoi Polloi! #3 & 4: Ska-focused and really informative about the modern ska scene, with a focus on Western and Central Upstate NY. #3 has ints w/ Johnny Too Bad & The Strikeouts, Venice Shoreline Chris, The Allstonians and a longish article looking at Ska and Scooters in Syracuse NY. #4 is much thicker and features Hepcat, The Scofflaws, Mephiskapheles, King Chango, Isaac Green & The Skalars, & The Pietasters. Zine/record reviews/digest/photocopied/$2." – Gregg A. R. Yeti, Flashing Astonisher #11 (all-erotic issue) Syracuse NY

4/98
first with photo accompaniment

"For an interview / review skazine, this had me impressed. The layout rocks! that isn't my only criteria for reviewing zines, really, it's not! despite the fact that it seems to be pieced together by hand, it is really well done. It features The Scofflaws, Hepcat, Isaac Green & The Skalars and The Pietasters and also includes: crossword trivia, the evolution of the sub cultural elite and American ska distortion editorials, local ska talent in Rochester, and a HUGE review section, with some pretty decent reviews surprisingly enough. Hey lookit! I dug a skazine! Yipee!" – Chelsea White, Carry Go Bring Come #7, Overland Park KANSAS

Thanks Gem for the scan!
3/2002 >

"Hoi Polloi! #5: A wide variety of bands are interviewed in this ska 'zine. Mainly larger name bands like Bim Skala Bim, the Articles, Skavoovie & the Epitones and Less Than Jake. However, they don't exclude the Upstate New York scene in the least, there is a great editorial "Roots Roch Reggae" (Roch standing for their hometown of Rochester, NY) which talks about their history of ska locally. There are TONS of CD reviews which tend to be the short and to the point method. Visually interesting with random pictures, written out checks, and weird advertisements. This is a classic cut & paste photocopied fanzine. The great thing about Hoi Polloi! is that it doesn't seem biased to any one wave. It looks like these guys have fun putting this thing together, and you'll have just as much fun reading it. This clever 56 page zine is well worth the two dollars they ask." – Jess Reiter, Bombshell Magazine #1, Aptos CALIFORNIA

"Five is the biggest Hoi Polloi! yet! And in this zine's case, bigger does mean better. This edition has interviews with Skavoovie & The Epitones, LTJ, The Articles, Bim Skala Bim, The Suicide Machines, Dicky Barrett of the Bosstones and Jeff 'Django' Baker. Articles on Primus' connection with ska, plus more record and zine reviews than you can shake a stick at. This one is definitely a must have!" – Craig Ho, DOH! #4, Kaneohe HI

7/22/98

Hello JAV, Yesterday your zine arrived and I must say: I like it very much!! I was very impressed about your reviews of "Dead or alive" and "Stompede". We know that V and W story since 11 years now, but I guess Klaus will never learn it (for the rest of his life). Thank you also for all the other stuff (Photos etc.). I hope we gonna meet next year on our States Tour!! As you probably know our new CD "Make a move" will be released on MOON NYC - so things gonna be easier for you. I guess you will get a promo copy from Steve - if not please tell me. Release will be in October 98 or January 99 - not clear yet. For the requested interview I think it would be nice if we do it together with the release of "Make a move" - I hope that's OK for you. Thanks Cheers Peter Quitte, the Busters Rauenberg, GERMANY

Sept – Oct '98

"Hoi Polloi! Skazine #5, $2ppd, Half-standard, 56 pages, typeset. Interviews with: Skavoovie and the Epitones, Less Than Jake, Paul Phelps, Bin Skala Bim [sic], Mighty Mighty Bosstones and more. Audio, live and zine reviews." – Flipside #114, Pasadena CA 91116

10/6/98

Are you coming to the show on Saturday? I already got the ins' on an interview with the Pilfers, and Probably Reel Big Fish. so I can get those for issue #6 if you want them. If your not coming see if you can mail me some copies to sell, and one copy of issue #3 if you have one. write back as soon as you get this. - DPK, Oswego NY

Fall 1998

HP#5 seen on page 12
while at PSU Skafest '99

4/1/99

hey John, this is that clip for Hoi Polloi you asked for. Thanks a million for all the stuff you've down. We contacted some kid in Penfield for trombone. name's Keegan Wood and he saw an ad at Nazareth during some competition. - the Motives

5/5/99

Subject: Hoi Polloi! New Online
In celebration of Eric Mearns' 22nd birthday this Thursday, I've put this up. Keep in mind its very crude and is not permanent at this address, but it should work for a coupla weeks until my professor shuts it off. happy mother’s day all. JAV

8-14 May

Hi guys, can you send me your zine. Thanks! (Here’s $2, US) – Syod Razikin, Woodlands Drive 40, SINGAPORE

nice page, I do like it. ill have to send in that $.99 so I can get the new issue – Adam Little, Rochester Ska WebPageMaster

6/11

Hello, Can you please send me one copy of the June '99 Issue 6. Thanks – J. Berner, Potsdam NY

6/21

Hi, I sent you some money a few days ago (a dollar) but now I realize that it wasn't enough. Here's some more $$ for issue 6. Sorry about paying in installments.

Summer 1999

"HOI POLLOI is a killa ska zine, (read the interview next page) and JAV know his shit, and support the scene, and is a very cool dud."
– The Worm Hole #15, Penn Yan, NY

November 1999

“Superb. Definitely one of the best zines I’ve come across” – Kevin Flowerdew, Do The Dog Skazine Berkshire, ENGLAND

"The layout style is fucking terrific! Pure hand crafted beauty. And the writing is actually intelligent and engaging; by far the best around today. Stands WAY out in my mind" – Jordan Hillyard, Denver Skabeat / Rude Tales Comics COLORADO

2/24/00

To whom it concerns at Hoi Polloi,
Hey, I read a review of your zine in Skatatrophe [Fall 98] and was wondering if you still put out a zine. If you do, could you please send me a copy? Thanks, I've enclosed 2 bucks. – Cyrus K., Menlo Park CALIFORNIA

Y2K bug

"Hoi Polloi! Skazine #6 (5 1/2 x 8.5 64 pages $2)
For some reason i just received the summer 1999 issue. Weird. I like this zine a lot because unlike most “ska zines” this is a real zine – it’s photocopied, not newsprint and has a mixture of computer and cut and paste layouts. It’s a fanzine without the major league aspirations. There are interviews with Coolie Ranx, Neville Staples, Laurel Aitken, Vic and Dave of The Slackers. Loads of record and zine reviews, plus little bits on local bands and ska radio shows. Comes with a sticker too. Quite an accomplishment!"
– Something for Nothing #47 Massillon, OHIO

April 2000

Dear hoi polloi! zine Hi. I’m Ari from Indonesia I’m interested in your skazine releases, wonder if you have free sampler I would like to read it. We had terrible problem of searching ska stuff cause its too expensive but… Wonder if you guys have used stuff like CD, zines, shirt anything can I have it?heres my address: HARI. Thanx for your attention. Sincerely – Hari, Jakarta Selan 12210 INDONESIA

5/3/00

Dear HPSKA – I read all about you in issue 47 of Something For Nothing – I have enclosed $2 for 006.
Sincerely Willard S., Washington D.C.

Hey Johnny, I just got the zines in the mail today. You guys have absolutely the coolest skazine I've ever read. I love the fact that you keep the DIY punk rock look too (isn't a zine supposed to be about cut n' paste? Ha ha) Anyway, the layout is awesome. Don't you just love Laurel Aitken? He is the sweetest man I've ever had the honour to interview. And to this day he still keeps in touch with me (I did one with him for my issue #2) Your interviews are so in-depth and interesting, not just standard "Who are you, what are your influences, how many records do you have out..?" stuff. Good job. Seriously, I'm sure you get that a lot! Anyway if you want to distro up here in Toronto, or Montreal, let me know. I also know a girl in Edmonton who helps me out. We should do a trade for ads! Take care, – Yvonne M. Suits and Spikes & Toronto ska-punk co-op/ ONT, CANADA

Dear Hoi Polloi!
Thank you so much for the great reviews of Two Left Feet and Finding My Way. You could not have written a better review and it cheered me knowing someone got it. Usually zines criticise me for not being "ska enough", "punk enough" or even "zine enough". I'm just trying to have a good time. Sheesh! The reviews were also great because I've always respected hoi polloi! And it was one of my inspirations for Two Left Feet. Hoi Polloi! #2 was one of the first ska zines I ever read (The Gathering, & The Denver Skabeat were also one of my first), and I loved the combination of information & humor. Of course you guys have grown leaps and bounds, but that issue will always hold a special place in my heart. I even remember getting into an argument with lil' Abby over it. Jeez, that must've been in early '97. Wowza. Anyhoo, since that issue of Finding My Way (where I pretty much officially disassociated myself from the ska zine), I founded a new mag, totally non-ska but still lotsa fun. It's READ magazine, and each issue has a different theme. I put 2 issues out so far (Humor In Music issue in summer '99 & Goth and Cartoons ish in Fall '99), and a third will be out in Feb (Artificial Intelligence & Sharks Vs. Dinosaurs) Enclosed is Goth cartoons, the Humor In Music issue is totally sold out. I'll also send the next one as soon as its out. They're not ska-related so I totally understand if you don't want to review them. But if you wanna, woo hoo! I'm also enclosing an ad if you'd like to swap. I'd need your ad superfast tho– The next READ's deadline is Jan 31st. By the way, sorry my handwriting sux, its 4AM & my brain is on strike. What else.. what else.. Oh yeah! I moved! Here's the new info: ADAM LEIBLING c/o READ MAGAZINE POB 3437 LIC NY 11103. The Geddy Lee Perry thing was really clever, I never thought of that, but my post office is dumb and they might return anything not addressed to Adam Leibling or READ magazine. It's awesome there's another Rudie For Rush out there!!! In case you're interested they're going back into the studio soon! Here's hoping they don't put out another Test for Echo! OK sorry for this book I'm writing you, I'm a blithering lunatic, what can I say? Stupid strikin' brain, stupid 4AM, stupid test for freakin' echo.. stupid dinosaurs messin' with my sharks! there will be hell to pay I tell you when the sharks organize and mobilize. See sharks are crafty. I wouldn't be surprised if they discover time travel and travel back and crack open some dino skulls. They'd also have to build some water suits so they can walk on land. There were NO dinosaurs that actually swam or flew. Common misconception. Those were just prehistoric flyin' swimmin' tremendous toothful monstrosities. Real dinos walked on land, bad mouthing the sharks. Who, by the way pre-date the dinosaurs by a good 150 million years. I see this upcoming epic battle really as a metaphor between good and evil. Well, no one's really good... I guess I mean it's a battle between raw-ass and totally fuckin' brutal. But there can only be one victor. Ominous! Anyway, point is, even though you're more Canadian than New York, and probably root for the dinosaurs, you're good people. Best wishes for the new year 2000 – Adam

PS: Sorry for the Canadian crack, ay? visit readmag.com

Feb 2002

And there is a great regional ska zine in our area, Hoi Polloi, but it comes out so infrequently that we really can't rely on it for critical information.

4/24

Hope all is well in Rochester. Just saw these flyers hanging up on a telephone pole – looks like I missed Bad Manners! I saw The Skatalites though. That was good, though the security guard told me to take my hooded sweatshirt off because he thought that I was a gangster. Anyways, take care... P.S. I ran into Matty Messner (the Priests) the other day while walking down the street! – Peter, San Francisco CALIFORNIA

Thu, 2 May 02
Subject : hi hi hi!

Okies.. here we go... i ordered some stuff from Asian Man Records.. and they sent me all kinds of crazy crap... including the 7th issue of your zine.. i read it.. and loved it.. and i was wondering if you had any copies of issue 3 hanging around? i saw that there was a johnny too bad interview. and well i'm a big fan =) thanks for your time! davec (via email)

Hey! I'm not sure where I picked up the flyer for your zine, but I found it on my great record store tour of northern California. Sure I'm not really into ska music, "hardcore is more my cup of Twining's English Breakfast Tea", but my wife loves ska 'for whatever reasons... Just jokin' hahaha' so I thought it would be a nice surprise to order a issue of your zine for her. I'm enclosing 3$ for your most current issue, or whatever issue you got! Well gotta go, take care! Thanks
– Karl & Laine K., Las Vegas NEVADA

5/31/02

A great job. This thick catalog of reviews you have made is an essential guide to recorded ska. It's interesting to see what your choices & views are on CDs that I have been playing. All the ones I don't have (and hope to find) are here, as well. Then there's things like The Untouchables disc which I have had here for years & never brought in to play. Also, thanks for mentioning Milton Blake! – Doc Awkward, host of The Ska & Roots Emporium, 88.5 FM WRUR ROCHESTER NY

Dearest Mr. Jav
Hi. Nice to hear from you again! Thanks for the latest Hoi Polloi! it’s impressive. I like the layout and it’s amazing that its that many pages. It was weird reading reviews of stuff I’ve had for ages, like Madness (had One Step Beyond on cassette + Absolutely on vinyl since like 12th grade. About two years ago I got The Lot box set, so now I have them all on CD), Fishbone, the Beat, and the Ska-Dows (had the LP taped from a friend since 1991, got the CD a couple years ago). Incidentally, all of the Beat stuff was released domestically on CD before these new issues. Mine are older and slightly different. I love all their stuff, but probably most to least in the order it came out... The interviews are pretty good – much more interesting than most. It’s always good to ask different questions. I can relate to your dislike of the “Christian Ska” bands. I don’t like most Christian music, as it tends to be sub par, and I don’t like the sneakyness of trying to make good look 'cool' via whatever music style is already established. He is what He is, and to most that probably wouldn’t considered cool. Anyway, keep in mind that there are some Christians that aren’t total idiots. Thanks for the dollar + postage stuff. These issues should bring you back up to date, and I’ll put you on the mailing list too. – Idy SFN Massillon, OHIO

Fri, 4 Oct 02

Re: Stargreen Sez
What the hell are y'all talking about? That's the most confusing email I've ever read. Who is Eric and who is J Andrew, and who are all these CCs you sent this to? Why do you want to confuse me like this? What did I ever do to YOU! But, oh, yes, I wrote that Out of Bounds thing, "Lessons of a Lost Sound," which was well-intended if not the most eloquent thing in the world, and which also appeared in Stargreen (no copies of which remain, not even my private stash!). I cannot believe anybody out there made that association without a tip-off from SOMEBODY. So who was it??? – Patrick Smith

"Hoi Polloi! Skazine #7 [Digest, 116 pages] I could have sworn I reviewed this zine a while ago, but I guess it slipped past. The fact that this issue is almost two years old and still relevant speaks of its greatness. For a ska zine, HP is very open-minded, covering all waves with equal interest and enthusiasm. Case in point, this issue features engaging interviews with Toots Hibbert (Toots & the Maytals), Dave Wakeling (English Beat), Rob Hingley (Toasters) and Johnny Vegas (Bosstones), symbolizing Jamaican ska, 2-tone, Third Wave, and ska-punk, respectively. The only thing this zine needs is to come out more regularly!" – Read Magazine #22

Wed, 5 Feb 03

Hehe, although it was unexpected to finally get that $20 dollar bill, it was really appreciated. Even better was to read your zines and listen to that Untouchables CD. I was really happy for that disc, that band is rather obscure here in Europe and it was cool to listen to their really early stuff (although sound quality was rough). Thanks once again!! Good to hear that your zine is still going. I havent read a good ska-zine for years now. Here in Europe there used to be tonnes, now I can count them on my five fingers. Nice to see that you're contributing stuff to the SKAWARS website. Since your writing is real good it would be cool to have you write more often for Skawars. I could do some stuff for Hoi Polloi too. Have you heard THE BLASTER MASTER? I've been doing management for that band for 2 years now, organising tours and stuff. Their present label is owned by Warner Records, and doesnt know too much about how to market a ska band, so we're trying to get a new deal for the band on a more ska-oriented label. Grover would probably be the best, they're booking their gigs in Germany, but we'll see. Stomp is going to have a track on an upcoming comp. I'll send you some of the band's stuff soon. Thanks once again! Niklas, OSB Promotions – SWEDEN

Part of the City Newspaper cover
THIS 'ZINE RULES IN HELL
opposite Springsteen

Summer 2003

"HOI POLLOI SKAZINE (po box 13347, Rochester NY 14613-0347) issue #7 out, and #8 soon (NOW?) ok JAV know his ska, t and this zine is pure SKA, no metal, but that’s cool and He helps me out, by sending cool pix-art-zine-CD, and he supports the scene a great zine, and you should check it out now! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!JAV RULE!!!!!!!!!!!" – The Worm Hole #19, Penn Yan, NY

8/03

It's incredible this zine was made by one guy, it is so in-depth and well researched. Here are just a few of the things you can find in Edition #8: Interviews with the Planet Smashers and David Hillyard, articles on Lee Perry and The Clash, tons of album reviews, an interesting editorial by Nightshift's Yvonne Moir, info on local Rochester ska, and more... Jav, you keep raising the bar on quality! (Limited number of issues – 300), 8 is great! – Gem, webmaster rochesterska.com

8/18/03

This thing is SUPER well done.. Big ups to JAV – Grif n' Ops

8/26/03

Just received this boss ‘zine from Upstate NY. It’s good to see that in this digital age there are still ska fans hardcore enough to put out old school paper zines. And what a plethora of info for some great toilet reading here!! 68 pages of articles, reviews and news. Cheers! Bucket, Toasters.org

hI Jav,
man let me tell you your fanzine is FANTASTIC, honestly, I haven´t seen anything better yet, really I was breathless and feel ashamed comparing my zine to yours, great artwork too. Let me be your slave :::: no man I really like it, no joking, pretty great work, I wonder how comes you don´t sell many (as you mentioned) this should be for any ska fan a bible. And compared to the Skaworld it´s like comparing Gwen Stefani to Phyllis Dillon/=HP zine. The babe is just my kind, love that kind of haircut hmmmm :o)) Actually how many you did and how many you sold ? btw. could you help me by selling few bananas, so you can say Da, we have bananas... let me know and once again thanks! ciao, Don Bruno / Banana CZESKA REPUBLIKA

"Holy shit, this zine is still around???" – Matt Carroll, Bridges Freeze First Danvers MA

Oct '03

"HP is back! The best cut n' paste ska zine around, HP#8 features tons of ska news and record reviews (maybe a little too overly positive), and conversational interviews with Planet Smashers, Dave Hillyard & Rocksteady 7, and more. Full of infectious energy and fun! I love this zine, even if it takes 'em two years between issues" [Digest, 64 pgs, $3] – Read Magazine #23

11/13

Just wanted to say thanks and well done for the new Hoi Polloi. Nice to see that you're keeping up with the spirit still. There's not a heck of a lot of paper zines around anymore, and yours is definitely one of the best. It's funny how we seem to share exactly the same taste for ska, all your reviews are spot on. If you want me to contribute something for next issue, let me know. Right now I'm unemployed, hence the more regular updates for Skawars. I'm trying to get the thing going again. Some guy wrote to me the other day and said that my reviews were too "mean", that I shouldn't slag people off within the scene. Yeah, but at the same time it's kind of boring that zines like Do the Dog write that everything is excellent, right? And I don't think I'm mean, I'm being honest :-) One thing I've tried to steer away from though is the more personal way of writing I used to have in earlier issues of One Step Beyond. I looked at some old issues yesterday, and some of that stuff feels pretty embarrasing now. I guess it's a common problem, trying to make some boring article funnier by being witty or tongue-in-cheek, and it all comes out as incredibly lame. Do you know what I mean? Tomorrow I'm off to see "The Killers" here in Stockholm. They're a ska-cover "celebrity" band consisting of various familiar faces from the Swedish music scene. They're not that great, but it's about as much as we've got. Ska is pretty dead here at the moment apart from these guys that everyone love. That's all for now, Niklas

11/17

Skawars.nu/international's BEST RIGHT NOW list by Niklas Bergstrand
1. Stiff Breeze reunites (One of the early Swedish ska-bands are back)
2. Hoi Polloi Fanzine #8 (Long running paper zine from Rochester, NY)
3. Erin Bardwell Collective – Volume 1 CD (Trippy neo-trad-ska-reggae-dub with a lot of style)
4. Various Artists – Tune In CD (Not much new, but solid songwriting)
5. Ska Gal & the Hands of Ra – 61 Stone CD (Nice rock ska from Brighton UK)

Wed, 19 Nov 03
Subject : dude

I want to make sweet love to your zine. Sweet, sweet love. And then I want to make out with the screen printed envelope it came in. And now I'm just being creepy. :D – Kelly T, MISSION VIEJO, CA (p.s. thanks!!!)

Jav – Thanks for sending the copies of Hoi Polloi! It's great your still doing the zine after all these years. and also for sending those great photos, plus reviewing King Apparatus and 4 Trackaganza! Here's a copy of Ska World #1. Hope you like it. Peace, Chris Murray VENICE, CA

10 Dec 03

01/6/04

Wow, thats a bummer to hear about Ska World. I was really excited to see what he had in store for issue two. I submitted a couple of interviews to him and he had a lot of cool stuff planned. It really is pretty hard to keep a zine going. Alot of people don't seem to want to take out ad's and stuff. And also, it seems like the younger generation that's coming up is so used to the internet and stuff and don't really remember or know about the days when 'zines were so vital a source of information.
But I think our Ska Au Go-Go zine will be okay. We try to be really, really low key, no deadlines, stuff like that. Try to keep printing costs low, etc. I'm excited for a new zine culture though. Django has his new Version City zine coming out, and we still have our zine, and there's a fantastic zine in New York called Hoi Polloi [URL] that kicks so much ass and is already up to issue 8. And I heard Ian and Jason have something coming up. I think its great. Its important to build up a small network or zines and work together and so on. Its gonna be awesome. – K. Hickenbottom, Ska Au Go Go

Dec '03 issue

"Hoi Polloi! Issue #8 (NY, USA)
This zine is so visually impressive I am embarrassed with Everything Crash. It's a chunky zine, and the tit bit's style means I've been carrying it around in my back pocket, returning to it to always find something new. It's ska and its thorough, but more than that, it offers interesting reading and lets face it, cut and paste zines will always be better than the DTP variety" – Glen Smyth, EC #1, Sydney AUSTRALIA

Hello! I got your address from my friend Adam at READ. He said I should send a copy of my new CD to be reviewed. Hope you like – I'll try to send things in the future if you want. Cheers! Victor Rice São Paulo, BRASIL

2/4/04

Hi Jav, Thanks a million for the copy of Hoi Polloi....fantastic! Made my day, a bona fide fanzine that had me sitting for two hours non-stop! Great stuff, and much appreciated. Yeah, I'd love to do an interview or whatever....let me know what you want, or send it through. Anyhow, just wanted to make contact for now, I'll write more later, off to watch footie on the box! regards, Steve intensified UK

Feb '04

"Hoi Polloi! Skazine #8 (4 $ worldwide)
Guess I saw quite a few zines on ska/reggae, but let me tell you this one rules, yes this is the best I´ve ever seen so far, no it hasn´t colour cover or free CD compilation, but that´s not what counts. The zine is fat and packed with infos, interviews and articles, I kinda feel ashamed, that I found out about it just now, because it´s coming out since 96´!!! Jav (the Boss Editor) does very good job and I really like his way of doing the interview so you get the kinda chaotic Planet Smashers (M:"Okay I hate web zines, I fucking hate-more than anything a web zine") Tim Wells, King Hammond member and former skinhead that really has a lot to say("2tone was too punk for us. There were some good shows and all, but we were listening to those Joe Gibbs tunes and the Greensleeves dancehall tunes coming out at the time of 2tone, Barrington Levy, Eek a Mouse, Yellowman - real reggae!") honestly this was the best interview I read in long time, then you get the Dave Hillyard interview ("Rock n´roll didn´t do shit for me. Ska music made me want to play saxophone) Court Jester´s Crew interview ("your show will be announced as ska parties, the audience will come to hear fast and punky sounds and it´s no wonder that we sometimes even get experienced skinheads - drunk as hell - who don't stop screaming "faster") and a bit poor Arthur Kay interview, which is AKs fault, not the editor. Couple of articles, like Mr. Weirdo Lee Perry playing with the NY upstate band (very funny), stuff on Joe Strummer, The Deltones and column on burning cds. Of course loads of reviews and t'ing. Superior stuff!!! HP!, PO Box 13347 Rochester, NY 14613 USA" – Banana #4 Brno, CZECH REPUBLIC

2/11/04

Hey Jav, Jim from Big Roots here. Just got your package, thanks for the 'zine – I'm really glad that you're still at it. Nice piece on Scratch. The first time I met him he was playing SPIT on Lansdowne Street in Boston, backed up by the Terrorists. The same night that Bob Marley died. Scratch was grumpy. I've got a cassette of the show somewhere. Yeah, that pic of Mushroom was from the Electric Ave bridge. Our sax player lived on Ramona Street a block away. And yeah, Unk was QUITE a guy!

2/21/04

"Meh, ...it's a ska zine" – Alex Skatekorpse, Dunk and Piss, Chili NY

2/27/04

Hey! Nina here from STOMP, how are you? We just received the latest issue and it's amazing! Thanks so much for sending it over. I love it. If you ever need anything from our end, just let me know! Have a good weekend – N. Sudra, UNION2112

3/4/04

Anyway, just got your new issue and as usual it rocks like fucking thunder. I hardly even remember doing that ad but was stoked as hell to see it in there with the Smasher interview. I'll see what I can piece together for the next ad. Hope you're doing awesome. Cheers – Mike, Stomp Records

3/5/04

Johnny, Thanks for the radio info! I figure, I'd trade you a 'zine for a HP issue. Also are 2 stickers for your adhering pleasures. The zine is my friends' - it's her college radio station's zine. She interviewed me for it, but even better is there is a good interview with Django. Have Fun! -Michelle, Rockville,MD / dcska.com

Mar '04

"[issue no. 8] (5.5" x 8.5"--72 pages--$3)… I like this zine a lot, though this isn't really one of my favorite issues. It is really good to see that at least someone is still dedicated enough to ska AND zines to keep it up, though. There' s a pretty good and informative/interesting interview with David Hillyard and Larry Mcdonald of the Rocksteady 7, as well as interviews with Court Jester's Crew, Arthur Kay, Planet Smashers, and Tim Wells (who seems like a snobby jerk). Plus there's a piece on Joe Strummer and the Clash, Lee Perry's visit to suburban Rochester, and loads of album reviews. Oh, plus zine reviews and other news bits. The layout is pretty great, with a lot of attention to detail (particularly in the review section)-- all cut and paste too. Always good." – Something for Nothing #59

Mar – Apr '04

"For better or worse, ska has been noticeably absent from the music press lately, which makes this zine essential reading for those rude boys still lurking about. This issue features interviews with Rocksteady 7, a tribute to Joe Strummer, a look back at Lee Perry and reviews o' plenty" – Patrick Sayers, Punk Planet #60

3/24/04

Hello, I just read about your zine in Punk Planet, and it sounded realy cool so I was hopeing that you could send me one. I'm living in Salt Lake and things are going pretty good around here, spring has come and its starting to get really nice, after a long cold winter. I hope things are going o.k. for you and your part of the world. I was wondering if I could ask you a favor. That is could you tell me your favorite zine and ordering info (address, price, etc.) well thank you for your time. – M. Gonzales, SLC UTAH. p.s. keep up the good work!

5/04

That's a great little magazine... So when's the next issue coming out? – Tony D., Top Notch Monogramming Pittsford NY 14534

5/6/04

Dude your newest ish was dope congrats on a good release. My newest publication project is this, Bluebeat Express. Alex from Mass Hysteria, Matt from Spitshine Records have a monthly nite here called 'Tighten Up' as much as I can put the BBE out. Also I'm in a band its 50's R&B called the Alrighters – Andrew Galante, Bluebeat Express HYDE PARK, MA

5/13/04

hey names Alan, I live in Rhode Island and I wanted to know how to get ahold of an issue of Hoi Polloi!, went to the link. Wicked cool stuff in it, but I don't know how to get my hands on a copy.

May '04

"Thick packed full zine subtitled 'ska for the man in the street.' Clip art craziness keeps every inch of page covered. I'm not really a fan of ska or reggae, but this still held some interest. A true FANzine. Focused on ska, 2-Tone, reggae and soul. None of that crappy MTV stuff. Interviews with The Planet Smashers, The Rocksteady 7, Tim 'Bilko' Wells and Court Jester's Crew. Also an obit for Joe Strummer, tidbits of ska related news, a ton of record reviews and more. Solid writing." – Aprille, Slug & Lettuce #79 RICHMOND, VA

5/18/04

Hi, saw the review in Slug and Lettuce #79. Are you interested in submissions as far as ska related artwork, or a ska-themed comic? – Tea Krilios, Riverwürst Comics MILWAULKEE, WI

5/20/04

Dear Hoi Polloi, Please may I ask to be placed on your mailinglist, I am an indignant prisoner of the last 20 years and read a great review about your publication in Something For Nothing #59 by Idy. Thank you for your time and consideration; and have a great day! Humbly – XXXXXXXX a.k.a. Never There, D.O.C. #2-----– Washington State Penitentiary WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON

9/17/04

I got issue 6 from my friend who was attending Nazareth when it first came out (someone gave a friend of mine a copy with a new cover 2 or so years ago, i think it was a re-release?), and it's the best zine i've ever seen! I know i've got my number six somewhere and i've had my sticker on my sax case for years, and now it's been moved to my car "dance, music, printed, SKA" amazing! i could use a new copy though cause it's pretty beat, and i'll send you whatever for a copy of every issue, because I really want to read them all! – t. smolenski, threeprong.net

9/28/04

-5 X. 04

Oi! I am Ferdie of Le Beat and also a distributor in the Philippines. I see your review in Slug n' Lettuce and I'm very interesting in your fanzine. Hope you can trade this simple fanzine of mine. Earth's Final Warning is a project of Le Beat Distro/Zine. Only trade no money involve. Issue #1 of I have a 1,000 copies and for our next issue I hope I can review your fanzine. I want to support "Hoi Polloi Skazine". The first issue have no reviews but in our next issue I'm proud because there's a label, band and other zinisters support us. Hope you like this goofy fanzine of ours, more respect from us. Ferdie Lindayen & Sampaloc Crew Boi!!! – MANILA 1008 PHILIPPINES

Thu, 18 Nov 04

Subject: GOT YOUR ZINE
Ferdie here of Le Beat Fanzine < Earth's Final Warning > Anyway, just got your zine and CD... thank you so much... Gonna include it on my reviews on EFW #2... it will be distributed on the December before the year ends. Yeah I know Imelda Marcos... She just got 2,000 pairs of shoes.... and it really sucks.......!!! Gonna send you CD too...

14.XII.04

"I remember the best skazine here, the "Newskaster" same level of Hoi Polloi. What else can I say Good quality, nice lay out, fantastic reviews, up-to-date news, lots of pics and number 1 skazine in the world. And I mean it. Why? It's just because he did it alone by himself. #8, US $3/$4 World." – Earth's Final Warning #2 MANILA 1008 PHILIPPINES

1/16/05

My name is Nikki, I work with Ray T (he said to say Hi!) – we were talking about music the other day and I mentioned my love for ska and he said you have a ska magazine. I was wondering how or where I can get a copy of it. The web site is is great but your email is bust. I appreciate any info you've got, I've kind of fallen away from the ska scene and miss it greatly. There really is no ska scene here in the burbs. Tragic. Also, I am in search of any Desmond Decker [sic] music, I've got a best of but I can't find anything else. If you know of any let me know, also anything by the Bodysnatchers! Thanks again!! Nikki, PROVIDENCE RI

Tuesday Night
2/1/05

HP#8 spotted on pg. 114 of this
glossy full-color British monthly!

5/2

Hi J, how's things? Hope all is well. Just thought I'd send a message to see if the zine was still planned .....I've been reading no. 8 a lot again recently ....that's the true mark of a good zine, it's ageless! Great read....had the Aggrolites staying here too and it got a good thumbing. Is the next one still in progress?? I recall answering a couple of questions from you, but seems a long time ago, if you still want to do that, please feel free to send more questions/ send back what we've written just for a reminder/any updates. Also, I'd be more than happy to write any reviews or articles for the zine. At the time you last wrote I was helping Kyle and Kelly with their zine, did some label reviews/ record reviews/and interviews etc, but apart from issue one, they seem to have disappeared. Lot's been happening, great Aggrolites tour here, we had a new album of course, etc etc. ok, take care, Steve Harrington. East Folkestone, Kent, UK

5/6

YAY! I got it! Bravo! Not only on the 'zine, but on its slick packaging too. Love it! And the articles are interesting even if I don't know the bands. You should start a design journal/zine. I would write for it, as a educator in the field. That's right, I am DONE!! I am a teacher. Last night was my last class ever... well for a while anyway! Do you read Emigre? – R. Jacobs, ASTORIA NY 11105

5/11

Thanks for the recognition. There were only 5 or 6 people that helped me out back then, and you were one of them, and I appreciated it. Your magazine was extraordinary. There's something to be said for good 'ol fashioned paper and glue. I would love to check out the master pages sometime. But it's also kind of a sad reminder of how few 'zines there are nowadays. I've always been a fool for xerox art, and it seems like a dying medium. But then the few 'zines there are out there are filled with weird gratuitous violence, and nasty dissing of just everything that isn't just two inches from their heads. Hipness and class can only come from graciousness and respect, and your 'zine is full of graciousness and respect. I quit doing TGH because it was just bringing me grief and life is too short for grief. Too brief for grief. Print isn't dead yet, but I think that the magazine-as-book-art guerrilla mentality is. Everyone's a desktop publisher now, and there's no center to harness it. Plus newsprint in general seems to be embracing the fringe more and more, weirdos are getting employed now. Frank DeBlase at City is one of the best writers I've ever read. He's just fearless. And there's no way he would have been able to get away with that as soon as 5 years ago. Anyway, enough of my yakking. Thanks for the note and I hope you're doing well! – C. Reynolds, The Group Home ROCHESTER NY

7/4/05

Do The Dog is great and so is Hoi Polloi! Skazine, both that have survived for years and have always put out great content unlike that R*EAD magawebzine thing some monkey puts out! hehehe – Jiant webmaster, toasters.org

5/15/06

Got the latest Hoi Polloi and loved it, thanks a lot! (Years since I read the last one; I was glad to find I had only missed one issue in the interim.) Luckily the ska scene is perpetually small enough so that skazines have a nice, long shelf life. News of Todd Eckhardt's death came as a sad surprise -- read my Pietasters interview in DSB #7 for some sordid tales of his adventures. Hoi Polloi is an outstanding zine. You obviously have a great time putting it together and it's a lot of fun to read -- really well-designed and dense with info. If you should ever finish the mythical #9, let me know if you could use some artwork for it. Loved your self-cut typeface! Glad we could get back in touch, Jordan Denver Skabeat / Rude Tales Comics COLORADO

7/12/06

"A zine in my own collection is Hoi Polloi out of New York. It is done in a cut and paste fashion (as opposed to desktop published) and looks amazing. I hate to think how long it took to cut out everything and place it together before heading down the video shop to photocopy it all, but it was well worth it even for a little appreciation down here." reggae.net.au

11/2/06

What have you been up to for the last decade or so? I've kept up with Hoi Polloi online over the years, up to issue 8 anyway. (And I've still got my collectors edition issues 1-5!) Are you still working on it? I've been living in Minneapolis for the last seven years on an island in the middle of the Mississippi river. Although I spent Y2K homeless in Las Vegas, which is a different story entirely. Otherwise, things are good. Hope all is well with you! – B.P. Johnson

7/3/07

Hi Andrew,
Natty Bo from Topcats. do you have a number/email for interpunk or who ever is putting out Topcats c.d. in USA? Topcats are on BBC radio Mark Lamarr's show today will be broadcast Saturday then BBC web. I toured U.S. Canada and Japan last year with my other band Ska Cubano should be touring again in November. Cheers* Natty Bo, LONDON [**4 YEARS LATER, IN RESPONSE TO PAGE 49**]

10/13/07

Wow, I haven't checked out the Hoi Polloi site in a good while. Will make sure I add the link now. I still look at the issue you sent me and have even used in teaching ‘zines to my high school English class. Love your work. – Glen Smyth, dizzybeatnetwork.com/

11/15/07

hoi polloi is one of the best things I've ever read period. I actually contributed a small blurb about The Glow or something way back when for one of the issues. I'd love to see the full archive of that online. – Andrew "Frizz" Frisicano, City Newspaper

11/17/07

Subject: Re: Rochester
Have you been in Rochester for a long time? It didn't strike me as the kind of city that would produce ska fans. - 2ToneTed Morris, LOS ANGELES, CA

12/4/07

Hey I just got the 'zine just now. My wife was kinda enough hand over the mail and in the the great words of Stephanie Tanner "HOLY MOLY!!" I flipped through it just now and now I can see that what all those raving reviews were talking about. I can't wait to dig in and eat up every word. I gotta say the stamped name is pretty awesome. And HOW THE heck is the logo done in the back?? The Glooey Gabe Cabbage Patch kid is great! Man, I remember collecting those stinkin' things when I was a kid. Had my closet door covered with em. Trading, stealing em'...those were the days "when I was young I'm not a kid anymore" It's like I'm staring at a pile of clues with this 'zine of yours man. But blue ain't around to help. Thanks!! - G309

10/28/08

8:08 PM subject: hoi polloi!
somehow found your website on the internets. fun rereading the stuff from 10+ years ago. thanks! timmy (tIM from RBDTC zine)

Honestly, did you read all that?
Testimonals give an idea [we left out all already published reader mail from 96-97-98]
It's reassuring to know others like the 'zine despite every reason not to.

return to
MAINE

return to
NO. 5

"A desktop publishing nightmare" – RiMSHOT!

"Hoi Polloi is a great, great ska zine, even though it comes out once every Ice Age" – READ MAGAZINE

HPSKA! P.O. BOX 13347 ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14613-0347 UNITED STATES