Revving Up the Indie Music Scene: How a Zine Bridged the Gap Between Speed and Sound

In the summer of 1988, Senator Frank Lautenberg made his case for national 55 mph speed limits, invoking the well-worn highway safety slogan: "The statistics show that speed kills." Little did he know that the phrase would take on a whole new meaning in the world of music fanzines, where "Speed Kills" became a rallying cry for a subculture that embraced both the thrill of fast cars and the energy of independent music.

Bridging the Divide: How a Zine Fused Automotive Passion and Musical Exploration

Connecting the Dots: The Rise of Music Fanzines

Music fanzines were a vital connective tissue in the pre-digital era, providing a platform for local music scenes to thrive. These homemade publications offered a glimpse into the world of independent labels, interviews with nearby musicians, and reviews of recently released albums. For music enthusiasts, obtaining a copy of a fanzine was akin to unlocking a treasure trove of information, allowing them to discover new artists and immerse themselves in the vibrant D.I.Y. music ecosystem.

Speed Kills: Merging Automotive Passion and Musical Exploration

The Chicago-based music fanzine Speed Kills, edited by Scott Rutherford, embodied the fusion of automotive passion and musical exploration. From its hand-screened cover featuring a cartoon skeleton in a dragster to its promise of "DRAG RACING! 60'S STYLE" and "LOTSA REVIEWS," the zine made its intentions clear: to bridge the gap between the high-octane world of car culture and the dynamic indie music scene.

Blurring the Lines: Embracing the Unexpected Connections

The received wisdom about subcultures often suggests that those who love drag racing and those who immerse themselves in indie music are worlds apart. However, Speed Kills challenged this notion by embracing the unexpected connections between these seemingly disparate realms. The zine's interviews, features, and reviews seamlessly wove together the stories of car enthusiasts and musicians, revealing a shared spirit of creativity, individuality, and a desire to explore the margins of their respective passions.

Celebrating the Tactile and the Accessible

In the face of the corporate-sponsored world of Funny Cars and Top Fuelers, Speed Kills championed the grassroots spirit of drag racing, much like how D.I.Y. labels embraced the handcrafted nature of their releases. The zine's dedication to small labels and independent artists mirrored the ethos of the Hot Rods From Hell, who sought to revive the "character and individuality" of a racing style that had been overshadowed by the big-money world of professional motorsports.

Preserving the Voices of the Past

One of the most poignant features in Speed Kills was the in-depth interview with Norm "Mr. Norm" Kraus, a legendary figure in the world of Grand-Spaulding Dodge and drag racing innovation. The zine's "Speed Kills Historical Society" approach to this interview allowed Kraus's wealth of knowledge and personal anecdotes to be meticulously documented, preserving a valuable piece of automotive history that might have otherwise been lost to time.

Igniting Enthusiasm and Inspiring Discovery

The passion and enthusiasm that the Speed Kills team poured into their zine had a lasting impact, even on those who were not initially immersed in the worlds of car culture or indie music. By connecting these seemingly disparate realms and inviting readers to explore the tactile and accessible nature of both, the zine sparked curiosity and inspired discovery. For the author, digging into the pages of Speed Kills led to a newfound appreciation for the NHRA, old issues of Car Craft, and the vibrant energy of the D.I.Y. music scene.In the end, the legacy of Speed Kills lies in its ability to bridge the divide between speed and sound, creating a unique and enduring intersection where the thrill of the racetrack and the power of independent music collide, igniting a passion that transcends the boundaries of genre and subculture.