Rock Bottom Zine
Rock Bottom Zine
As hard as it is to believe, a lot of the musicians I've talked to aren't
aware of what's really out there in the scene. I remember when I first got
into this business, I would talk to a band and mention I did a fanzine and
they'd look at me like they had no idea what I was talking about. There's
some people who think getting covered in a local paper is good enough.
Well, yeah, maybe it is...if you wanna limit yourself. How can you build a
press kit when the same people continue to write about you? I have a press
kit or two on my desk right now that's loaded with reviews, all from the
same two or three people. That's just plain stupid if you ask me. What that
says to me is that you have no desire to expand.
When I first got into this business, I was amazed at how many options a
local band has. So, in my efforts to help them out, I have no problem
pointing them in the right direction, to people who will help get their
music out to a much wider audience. I pass information on all the time.
Some use it, some don't. Those who don't...hey...it's your loss.
Instead of just passing information on to people, I thought, well, maybe I
should do something a bit more so the bands could really get to know these
people. With that in mind, I'd like to introduce you to Rock Bottom Zine,
which was actually one of the first publications I hooked up with. Rock
Bottom has been around a bit longer than I have. In fact, when I first got
the idea to do a fanzine of my own, this was one of the publications that
gave me the idea to do so.
Marcy's been missing in action for a few years. But, she has returned to
once again bring Rock Bottom Zine to the masses. So, I thought I'd ask her
a few questions so you could get to know her and what she's all about. She
covers music of all styles, much like myself. So, be sure to get in
touch...after you read the interview, of course.
Paul Autry: What were you doing before you started Rock Bottom Zine?
Marcy Miller: I was writing to local bands and writing to tons of pen-pals.
I was supporting bands by telling all my
penpals to check the bands out. One of my pals started a newsletter to
promote local bands in early 1989 and asked me to help....that would be
Katrina Price who does the layout for ROCKBOTTOM . The newsletter was
titled L.A.R.A. which stands for LOCALS ARE ROCKING AMERICA eventho we
covered bands in other countries as well. L.A.R.A. was based in San Diego,
CA so most of the bands were long-haired make-up bands but I added my
touch...the thrash/speed whatever you wish to call the
bang-yer-head-til-ya-break-yer-neck bands. I remember KRAZE from PA,
VALHALLA out of Boston, SIMPLE AGGRESSION from KY, MYSTIC FORCE from MD,
SKELETON from VA & so on....some great bands!! Other contributors followed
with the heavier bands. I also think....Hell, I'm pretty sure I covered
the first foreign band as well which I think was WICKED ANGEL out of
CANADA. While writting for L.A.R.A., a friend from New York wanted me to
start a 'zine with her so I did and that was around....the middle of 1989.
That didn't go well at all. Her heart was not into it NOR BRAINS so I just
decided to start my own and did...ROCKBOTTOM!! I continued to help wth
L.A.R.A. also but it died in the middle of '91......that broke my heart so
I decided to have a section in ROCKBOTTOM titled L.A.R.A. and Katrina
contributed everything for that section as well as doing the layout for
RB!! Kat rocks!!
Paul Autry: When and how did Rock Bottom first come into being?
Marcy Miller: I think I just answered this question--didn't I, Paul.
SORRY....I was going to help a friend start a 'zine which didn't really get
off the ground but I told EVERYONE about it and I didn't want to be a liar
so....7800MAGAZINE just became ROCKBOTTOM FANZINE. This was the middle of
1989 but I think ROCKBOTTOM debuted in late 1989....November, maybe?? The
first issue was full size and I DID the whole damn thing....no one
contributed! That was FUN!!!!!! A lot of work but fun.....I did have an
art student out of Chicago do the cover for me tho.
Paul Autry: For someone who has never read or seen Rock Bottom, how would
you desribe it to them?
Marcy Miller: FUN FOR ALL!! Seriously, a fanzine created by a music fan
who's trying to promote so many underrated musicians of all musical styles
in the world. ROCKBOTTOM is full of info, interviews, articles, photos,
music/'zine reviews, contacts, etc.... I picked up some great contributors
like CHUCK FITZGERALD (people may know him from SACRED REICH's "HEAL" tour
& is now in a local band called TONGUE-N-GROOVE--he also wrote for a 'zine
out of Boston in the early 90s...SPECTRUM), BILL JANNUSCH from Chicago's
Power Band RAVENSTHORN (Has a way w/words!!), YOU, CAMERON GILLESPIE from
POWER PACKER WEBZINE, STACEY MASSER from RB's earlier days and a very wild
tattood/peirced stagehand dude, AJ. Sorry for blabbing but YOU can always
edit me....ANYWAY, I have tons of ads made up for ROCKBOTTOM and one sums
it up....."Fanzine specifically designed to promote worldwide and make
known lesser musical acts of all styles." I try my best to cover a wide
range of musical styles in each issue, for example #19 has RAVENSTHORN
(Power Metal), STRONG ARM FAMILY (Rap), VORTICE CREMISI (Heavy Guitar
Rock), DORO PESCH, FUNNY MONEY (Ex-KIX STEVE WHITEMAN-Fun R&R), etc.....
Paul Autry: You went missing in action for a few years...what happened?
Marcy Miller: LOOOOOONG STORY!! First up, let me apologize to everyone who
sent me demos, 'zines, etc... that were never reviewed. I feel as tho I
ripped off a lot of people but I've been in touch with quite a few of these
people and they have been very understanding and supportive which lifted a
heavy weight off of my shoulders. Anyway, I have several reasons for
missing in action.....Several are rather personal but for one, let's just
say I have a very addictive personality. I also met what I thought was the
guy of my dreams, got pregnant, & had a beautiful baby boy (Damian Wyatt)
on Jan. 10th, 1998. To make a long story short, he was NOT the guy of my
dreams but an asshole & deadbeat Dad......Damian became my life and I
basically didn't have time for anything else. BABIES CHANGE YOUR LIFE
COMPLETELY!!! They depend on you for EVERYTHING but now that Damian is 5
years old and will be starting school, I have time for ROCKBOTTOM now and
lots of help w/it. I can NOT thank the people who help me enough--I just
hope they know I couldn't do ROCKBOTTOM w/out them!!
Paul Autry: What made you decide to bring it back?
Marcy Miller: Music runs thru my veins! It's my first love and it makes me
happy to help promote musicians & bands who need my help. I suck on bass
as well as drums but I made straight A's in school......YEAH, that's been
years ago and I'll be the first to admit I'm NOT perfect but I try to make
ROCKBOTTOM enjoyable to the readers as well as understandable AND I try to
get it out there to as many people as I can to help the bands get better
known. I brought it back because I love the long hours, no pay & hard
work!! YEAH, BABY!!!
Paul Autry: Maybe it's a bit too early to ask this question. But, how has
the response been so far?
Marcy Miller: The response so far has been GRAND!!! So many people from my
earlier days remember me and are more than willing to help me get my name
as well as ROCKBOTTOM's out there to the musicians, labels, promoters,
etc...!!!! It's still a bit early but things are starting to pick up
just fine!!!
Paul Autry: What do you hope to accomplish with Rock Bottom now than you
haven't done in the past?
Marcy Miller: I hope to reach more people who will support and promote the
bands I feature. That's about it, Paul. I had so much fun w/ROCKBOTTOM's
earlier years and done so much....what more could I want to accomplish
then just continueing to promote, promote, PROMOTE w/a passion &
sincerity?? I'm back to stay this time, buddy and I JUST WANT TO TAKE ON
THE WORLD.
Paul Autry: Looking back on everything you've done, what are some of the
highlights for you?
Marcy Miller: HIGHLIGHTS......uuhhhhh.....getting to know soooo many
wonderful people, going to see tons of local bands perform (getting drunk
at the shows), writing, writing, writing, annoying certain people, writing,
writing, writing, hearing so much damn good music from around the world as
well as reading awesome 'zines, putting together the parts of ROCKBOTTOM
Kat didn't THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY....cut, glue, cut, tape.......YOU know!!!
Paul Autry: Who would you like to interview that you haven't done yet?
Marcy Miller: The person I would most like to interview I haven't met
yet!!!! I like to interview the unknown to basically all mankind--THEY are
the ones who need my support & promotion!! But I have to admit, I would
LOVE to interview SHANNON LARKIN again. He has been my favorite drummer
since I was 14 years old and now he's so many other people's favorite
drummer just because he bangs da skins in GODSMACK. Don't get me
wrong....GODSMACK kick it but there's better out there.....
Paul Autry: You asked me this question. Now, it's my turn....webzine,
printed zine....your thoughts/opinions on both?
Marcy Miller: Late at night when my son is in bed being an angel.....I love
to check out webzines & sites but somehow I always end up playing spider
solataire instead--GO FIGURE. Webzines are not my thang eventho there are
a few interesting ones out there. Websites....I just check out for
additional info on bands. Printed 'zines--can NEVER get enough!! I LOVE
printed 'zines because you have to be more than dedicated to do one and I
admire EVERYONE who does a printed 'zine.....it's time consuming, freaking
hard work, and damn expensive. There are over 35 'zine reviews in issue
#19 of ROCKBOTTOM--YEAH!! I wrote up probably over half and I had a blast
reading & reviewing them. Writing is a wonderful form of expression and
some people are awesome at writing. I love reading words on
paper.....'nuff said.
Paul Autry: What's your favorite style of music? Favorite bands, local,
independent and national?
Marcy Miller: Oh no.....The HEAVIER the BETTER but I've NEVER had a one
favorite style...........What I listen to & when I listen to it has a lot
to do w/my mood or the mood I want to be in. Does that make sense? I have
NO favorite style. As for favorite bands, ones that have always been my
favorites.....WRATHCHILD, KIX, DIRTY LOOKS, SLAYER, JOAN JETT, old
METALLICA & MEGADETH, old CRUE, RATT, THE OFFSPRING, ROB ZOMBIE,
SOUNDGARDEN (Chris Rules!--AUDIOSLAVE), LOTS of 80's metal bands &
NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS, OUR LADY PEACE, POWERMAN 5000......sorry, I could go
on & on. Local, independent, national?? Every one I give a good review!
Older ones...WRATHCHILD, KIX, KAGE, 7th STRANGER, NV, CRACKED ACTOR.....TOO
many to name. As of late, KEEP, VORTICE CREMISI, UMOUNT, TONGUE-N-GROOVE,
EXP, RAVENSTHORN, FUNNY MONEY (EX-KIX...Steve Whiteman),
etc....etc....etc.......Quit making me think, Paul!!! I LOVE MUSIC.....I
HATE PICKING FAVORITES--the others will get jealous, dammit.
Paul Autry: Like me, you've been in this business for years. Do you think
it's changed at all? If so, how?
Marcy Miller: When I decided to make a come back with ROCKBOTTOM.....I
didn't think it would work. I just thought everyone was mindless computer
freaks that could care less about reading 'zines on paper but the more
people I contacted, the more I realized I was wrong. A lot has changed but
yet a lot is the same. For example, I love snail mail...it's much more
personal but people prefer emailing me more like YOU! Come on, write me a
damn letter, lick a damn envelope, put a stamp on it & send that puppy to
me, ANYBODY!!!! Yes, emails have advantages but I still love my snail
mail. Bands send CDs, that's it......some don't even write a short note
which really hurts my feelings. They just expect you to go to their
website and d.i.y.!! HEY....I LOVE promo paks & promo pics mailed to me
w/a nice note--doesn't need to be a 50 page letter but just a fuckin' note
for cryin' out loud. I get very few & very far apart promo paks & short
notes. That's really the only changes that bother me...ya know?? I'll
eventually get used to you mindless computer freaks but I don't have to
like YOU......nah,nah,nah....
Paul Autry: How can people get a copy of Rock Bottom? Where can they find a
copy?
Marcy Miller: People can get ROCKBOTTOM off me for $2 or send me stamps...
Postage is what kills me!! ROCKBOTTOM can also be picked up at.......BEAR
PAW TATTOOS, Mercersburg, PA, C.C. RIDER's Rocking Tattoos, Waynesboro, PA,
HOLLYWOOD VIDEO, Shamokin, PA (????), MUSIC SPOT, Everett, PA, RECORD
CITY, Chambersburg, PA, SEA THE SOURCE, Chambersburg, PA, VICTORY IN HEAVEN
BLUES BAND merchandise table & various distributors WORLD WIDE. I'm trying
to get more places to carry & distribute ROCKBOTTOM. Take note
tho.....usually, you can ONLY pick ROCKBOTTOM up at the above places
(shops) as soon as it's printed and not too long after that...usually.
Rock Bottom can also be found in Hollywood Video in
Shamokin.
Paul Autry: Ever met anybody famous?
Marcy Miller: HELL NO!! Oh......FIREHOUSE, a couple times LONG time ago,
WRATHCHILD a lot and I considered them famous!!!! UHhhh...I know I've met
more but who??? It's been years since I've met anyone famous!! I've
talked to quite a few famous people tho. But again, that's no big deal for
me, I like to party w/the local bands--YEAH, BABY!!!
Paul Autry: Best experience meeting a band? Worst experience meeting a band?
Marcy Miller: Best experience.....can't think of a best! I've had great
experiences meeting lots of local bands. Not really any bad
ones.......maybe the last SOULS AT ZERO show SHANNON LARKIN played could be
considered bad. I got beyond drunk......was at the bar w/Jay (gtr.) and
Brad (vox & bass), spilled my vodka on Brad and poked Jay in the eye w/my
long-ass pinky claw. hee...hee.... I do believe Jay was a li'l ticked.
Anyway, I do NOT remember that show at all--DAMMIT!! It was the last show
"all my boys" were together before SHANNON left for UGLY KID JOE....
WAAAAH!!!! That really bummed me out!! It still bums me out!!!
Paul Autry: What's the best and worst part about doing a zine?
Marcy Miller: Best part....getting to know wonderful people and musicians,
hearing the most kick-ass music, reading/reviewing printed 'zines,
PROMOTION-THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!! Getting out there to as many
wonderful people that you can and promote what you believe in!!!!!!!!!!!
Another good thing w/ doing a 'zine is being appreciated which is very
rarely told to you.....yeah, you get THANK YOUs all the time but......I
WANT MORE THAN A THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! Worst part.....like I said,
time-consuming, shitty hours, and NO pay but I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
Paul Autry: Final comments for the people who will be reading this?
Marcy Miller: Yeah, I ramble on about meaningless shit all the time but
that makes ROCKBOTTOM interesting so pick up a copy or buy one off of me
($$$'s nice to have once in awhile). SUPPORT the musicians and bands you
dig. SUPPORT 'ZINES because we support the musicians & bands you dig.
WRITE ME A LETTER & SNAIL MAIL IT!!!!!!! If you drink, don't drive. If
Paul doesn't edit this too much, I hope I have severly confused you because
I confused myself...... SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MENTAL INSTITUTION, I MAY END
UP IN IT ONE DAY OR YOU MAY. SERIOUSLY THO......SUPPORT & PROMOTE WHAT YOU
BELIEVE IN!!!!!!!! **THANK YOU, PAUL!! YOU RULE!!!!
ROCK BOTTOM ZINE
c/o MARCY MILLER
12706 Pleasant Ridge Road
Harrisonville, Pa. 17228-9406
E-mail: marcymillerrb@hotmail.com