Perineum number eight recently fell under my radar, being handed over to me in a nice little coin envelope with a list of its contributors neatly listed in block lettering. An internet research on the zine's title left me with images of anatomical body parts of the most sensitive kind and nary any web presence whatsoever. This can only be a harbinger of good things.
Started by Nick Sylvester (Colbert Report (WTF dream job), Riff Market) and Zach Baron (Village Voice, Slate) Perineum number eight boasts stories by Marisa Meltzer (Daily Beast), Sam McPheeters(!), Lizzie Widdicombe (New Yorker), J. Robert Lennon, Nick Catucci (NY Mag), Camille Dodero (Village Voice), and none other than Robert Christgau(!!).
Beautiful thing is all the stories go uncredited, leaving an air of anonymity that only heightens the experience along with three gratuitous instructional images of how to correctly massage ones taint. Thanks for that. Also, brilliantly, each uncredited little square is printed onto removable bumper stickers. Nice one.
Save for about two or three of the micro-pieces, the stories cover personal tragedies or somewhat traumatizing experiences covering the death of loved ones, mass email nightmares, party drags, being the pope.
Personal favorite had me rethinking all kinds of aspects of my life:
“TO HAVE GOOD LUCK, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WANT IT. BUT REALLY WANT IT. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU WANT A HOUSE. BUT DO YOU REALLY WANT A HOUSE? WHAT IF A ROBBER HAS YOU HELD UP WITH A GUN? DO YOU WANT A HOUSE NOW? LOOK AT THAT GUY: HE'S GONE TO THE TROUBLE OF ROBBING YOU. CHANCES ARE HE WANTS A HOUSE MORE THAN YOU DO?”
Lucky for all Nick and Zach are hosting a zine-release party this Friday, April 2 from 7-9pm at Prime Time Gallery located at 135 Huntington Street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, USA.
