On the eve of a total relaunch, in Part 2 of 2, I attempt to situate Anti-Matter into the present moment by remembering its original ethos and unspoken mission—while also looking towards the future.
This all hit me in the gut, but this part especially "buy a t-shirt from the band that everyone walked out on because I wanted them to feel like somebody listened. "
If I might share one of the things I hold in my core at every show: no matter who I'm there to see, I give every band attention. Maybe not always full, but I'm not going to hold full on conversations, I'm going to listen, I'm going to watch. Because 1) other people might be trying to listen to *their* favorite band and like you said 2) If you're putting yourself out there on stage, I think you deserve to feel like you're being listened to.
Again, I'm just really happy that this digital zine exists.
I love that. Especially the part about not holding full conversations. There is nothing more disrespectful when a band is really giving themselves to a show. Paying attention is the least expensive form of payment!
Thank you so much for the relaunch. Anti Matter was such an important part of my childhood and read every page regardless of the fact of whether I dug the band or not. You actually turned me on to bands that I previously didn't care for simply by bringing out the best in whomever you were interviewing. I remember searching out the ice cream shop you did your interviews in and having Toffuti and imaging the interview process within the shop.
Now I'm off to listen to Judge for the first time in many years as your interview with Mike was inspirational.
Love this return- I remember that album, the original ‘zine, and talking to you at a Krishna dinner on the Boston Common and my friend Kendra saying - “that was you on the NYC the way it is cover” and you shyly smiling. Love the content- thank you.
Soooo guilty when it came to the shirt buys but, even more so when it came to 7" purchases,... which I amazingly still have most of! That said, I still can't exactly articulate what I felt seeing this phoenix pop up the other day but I know that it couldn't have happened at a more perfect time. Nothing but eternal love and gratitude.
Happy birthday, dude!
This all hit me in the gut, but this part especially "buy a t-shirt from the band that everyone walked out on because I wanted them to feel like somebody listened. "
If I might share one of the things I hold in my core at every show: no matter who I'm there to see, I give every band attention. Maybe not always full, but I'm not going to hold full on conversations, I'm going to listen, I'm going to watch. Because 1) other people might be trying to listen to *their* favorite band and like you said 2) If you're putting yourself out there on stage, I think you deserve to feel like you're being listened to.
Again, I'm just really happy that this digital zine exists.
I love that. Especially the part about not holding full conversations. There is nothing more disrespectful when a band is really giving themselves to a show. Paying attention is the least expensive form of payment!
Solid read. Please let that picture of the comp be foreshadowing.
Thank you for also picking a medium like substack that has accessibility features built in.
Thank you so much for the relaunch. Anti Matter was such an important part of my childhood and read every page regardless of the fact of whether I dug the band or not. You actually turned me on to bands that I previously didn't care for simply by bringing out the best in whomever you were interviewing. I remember searching out the ice cream shop you did your interviews in and having Toffuti and imaging the interview process within the shop.
Now I'm off to listen to Judge for the first time in many years as your interview with Mike was inspirational.
Happy birthday, Norman! (late to the party, any cake leftovers?)
great to see AM re-materializing in this new format.
Hardcore is the most ageist music scene I can think of. Really looking forward to some direction about how I can fit in as the hair turns whiter 😅
The ageism is real!
Love this return- I remember that album, the original ‘zine, and talking to you at a Krishna dinner on the Boston Common and my friend Kendra saying - “that was you on the NYC the way it is cover” and you shyly smiling. Love the content- thank you.
I was probably smiling because Gus Straightedge is on the NYC Way It Is cover and people used to confuse us all the time! :)
😂
Happy birthday Norman.
This article is fantastic.
I loved that at the same time I found Texas et al that I also found stuff like Moon Safari by Air. A refreshing and affirming read. 🧿❤️
Soooo guilty when it came to the shirt buys but, even more so when it came to 7" purchases,... which I amazingly still have most of! That said, I still can't exactly articulate what I felt seeing this phoenix pop up the other day but I know that it couldn't have happened at a more perfect time. Nothing but eternal love and gratitude.
And since I caught it in here, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Great intro! Really excited for this.
Happy birthday!! Thanks for being unapologetically you :)
What a lovely read Norman, excited for the future! 💜
Happy birthday, Norman! This was such a nice read. Sooo excited for the next post xxx
Happy Birthday Norm
Happy Birthday Norm!