FOE ZINE #1 1984

(Click cover to go to FOE #1)

1984 was 27 years ago.

I take a deep breath and repeat, 1984 was 27 years ago. There was a time that I thought I wouldn't live to see 24 years of age and I am now 21 years past 24.

In 1984 I was 18 and had printed the first issue of FOE zine.

I had already been a hardcore DJ since 1982. That would be 29 years ago. Which means I will be celebrating my 30th year in 2012. Back in 1982 we prided ourselves as being "hardcore" not "punk".

In 2009, my long time friend, SS, completed a project I did not want to take on myself. He painstakingly took every issue of FOE and made them into PDFs. They were distributed on a DVD "1984-2009: A 25 Year Retrospective". The limited press run was 50 copies.
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I plan on rolling out each issue's PDF here and on www.frankfoe.com over time.

I want to do this one at a time, so that I can put together an introduction and reflect on each issue rather than just providing a dispassionate file transfer.

To put this all in some sort of context, FOE was literally completed using a typewriter, glue, scissors and access to a copy machine and a stapler. We took pictures and took them to the photo developer and got them back a few days later. I remember buying a stencil template to create the F.O.E. on the cover. 

Reflections on FOE #1

• Scott "Wad" Andrews wanted FOE to be "Angry Young Produce Workers" as most of the Northampton crew not only were DJs at WLVR but also worked in the Produce departments of local supermarkets such as Weis and Food Lane. We were like a revolutionary army of produce workers. Angry Young Produce Workers of America Unite! was our slogan. My produce career ended in 1988, as did most of our produce careers, so I am glad I convinced Wad that FOE was a better name.
• The Money Dogs and the punk rock show at the Northampton Band Shell on September 2, 1984 are the focus of issue #1. As I prepared to upload FOE #1, I was finally downloading the Money Dogs "Salute to America" demo. This is a pretty amazing transition when thought about. Completes the circle as I never had the demo prior to today. 
• My dad printed FOE #1. My dad now proudly takes credit for introducing me to punk rock via the Dead Kennedys and Pork Dukes around 1980-81. Other great influences on my early punk years were WMUH DJ Bob Massey, Mike Mickley (who made me one of my first punk/new wave mix tapes) and Joe Hanna @ Play It Again records. This N That Records (I think that was the name) in Northampton was also a great provider of my punk rock needs.  
• Johnny Generic stopped a fight at the Northampton show. He was also a DJ on WLVR back then with us Northamptonites. Johnny and I still DJ together as 2/3rds of Up To No Good Radio. 
• 1984 may seem like old school, but realize that CH3 was about to release "Airbourne" and Black Flag was already on "Slip It In" and Flipside was on issue #43. 
• Some of the people in this issue of FOE #1 are still among my best friends. Paul and Johnny are still in my day to day life. 
• Great records reviewed in the issue: 
• Anti "God Can't Bounce" LP
• MIA "Murder In A Foreign Place" LP
• Mental Decay 7"
• Avengers LP
• Verbal Abuse "Just An American Band" LP
• MDC "Chicken Squawk" 7"
• Conflict "Last Hour' LP
• Minor Threat "7"s on a 12" LP
• DYS "Brotherhood" LP
• YYY "Sin" LP 
• Aggression "Don't Be Mistaken" LP

Enjoy the read! This is FOE's infancy!

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