Your Flesh Magazine

I got into punk rock in 1983 or ’84—can’t remember exactly. What I do remember is that once I heard it, there was no going back. And so it’s proved for almost 45 years. Back in the ’80s, there was no Internet and very little mainstream press coverage of underground music. I found out about new bands in principally two ways: (1) bands’ thank you lists on their records and (2) ’zines. People know Maximum Rock n Roll and Flipside, but there were hundreds of amazing DIY ’zines in the ’80s and ’90s (and still today) that featured little-known music, art, writing, comics, you name it. I heard about YOUR FLESH before I ever saw an issue—Bob Mould from HÜSKER DÜ was rumored to be a co-founder. I’m a big fan of that band, so that was enough to get me interested. Can’t remember which issue I came across first, but I could tell right away it was in the top echelon of fanzines. Of course, I hadn’t even really started drawing then—I mean, I liked the art, but I was focused on getting my band reviewed in those pages. Never mind that we didn’t have anything to review and wouldn’t until Your Flesh was done. But once I started drawing and designing shirts, LPs, etc., I’ve taken a more-nuanced look at punk rock art and its practitioners—the names of artists that contributed covers, illustrations, and comics to YF reads like a who’s who of punk rock and alternative music history. I find it mind boggling to be affiliated with those names in even a small way. I may never have made it into the actual ’zine, but I thank Your Flesh co-founder and torch bearer Peter Davis for giving me the opportunity to proffer my take on the iconic Skull Buddy design (originally created by another YF co-founder, Ron Clark), and I’m stoked Charles and Bifocal are down to put it out. Truly an honor. -Abe Brennan

LIMITED TO 50. Printed on American Apparel heavy cotton tees.