The Eighties Issue

The fifth issue of our annual Periodical Numerical is a genre-defying exploration of all things Eighties. Our cover star is one of the decade’s most iconic artists, and someone we’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last six years as we developed our colossal Blondie: Against The Odds: 1974-1982 box set. Annapolis, Maryland, punk scene participant Andrew Gebhardt gives us a peak inside the hooligan culture of Reagan’s America through the lens of beloved early emo band The Hated. Aaron Cohen follows his exception work on T.L. Barrett’s I Shall Wear A Crown with an examination of the late Syl Johnson’s ongoings after his departure from Hi Records. Cold wave enthusiasts will find plenty to digest in articles about Scotland’s Vazz, Belgium’s Elisa Waut, and Isabelle Antena’s adventures with Martin Hayles. We’ve got Indian disco from Rupa, Tlingit yacht rock with Archie James Cavanaugh, and the Texan synth-funk of Jeff Phelps. Long-time contributor Jon Kirby returns to the fold with new insights on the making of Universal Togetherness Band’s wild “More Than Enough” video from 1982 (as recently sampled in Hot Chip’s blistering “Down” single). Fellow Numero lifer Blake Rhein (of Durand Jones & The Indications fame) had been threatening to go long on the Gary, Indiana, scene for years and found some time between tours to turn in a fascinating study on the criminally ignored Magic City. Not to be left out, Numero ten year survivor and resident long hair Adam Luksetich produced one of the most imaginative box sets in our nearly-20 year history in Bound For Hell on the Sunset Strip. We’ve excerpted Katherine Turman’s glittery liner notes from the 2xLP for those on the hair metal fence. Twelve unique tales from across the musical spectrum spread across 96 pages, Periodical Numerical is the hardcore music freak coffee table mag that you wish was in your dentist’s waiting room.