Burn Collector: Collected Stories from One Through Nine - Softcover

Burian, Al

Softcover

ISBN 10: 097023130X ISBN 13: 9780970231307

Publisher: Buddy System, 2000

Synopsis

A while ago, I had the opportunity to do a radio show for indie college station, KUOI FM 89.3. I had to choose a name for my show... and I ended up naming my first show "elaborate burn" partly in ode to the electronic group Future Sound of London and also as a nod to a brilliant modern writer, Al Burian. Follow our protagonist as he works for Kinko's copies, travels on a "hell bus" and personifies existential punk rock wanderer. This is, without a doubt, one of the BEST products to result from the "zine" fad of the 90's. Written on an ancient 1980's Macintosh and photocopied with punk rock skill this contains some of the best and most meaningful writing I've seen in years. This is, in my opinion, a modern classic, a "new classic" as they say. When I got my show approved, in a moment of stinging irony, I was given the burn in that the Media Director spelled my show wrong resulting in the name "Elaborate BARN!" I got a harsh Burn. I then had to yell at the Media Director to please change it. Another interesting fun fact: when I read from this book on the air, people were dumb enough to think I was reading MY STORY. Wow, profoundly stupid. No, I was reading from this book and please purchase it if you find it interesting. I even said I was reading from a book and people still didn't get it. College drunkards. Anyway, PLEASE pick this up for a read it's simply awesome. Al Burian also plays in the band Milemarker. And Hammerhead is a real rock group that actually does in fact have an album called "Into the Vortex." If you like this you might like: Jack Kerouac Douglas Adams Kurt Vonnegut

About this title

About the Author

Al Burian began producing small-run photocopied pamphlets, or zines, while touring with bands in his early 20s. Since then he has published two collections of his efforts, Natural Disaster and Things Are Meaning Less.

Review

Al would probably deny it, but reading these stories again it's quite clear that he was the voice of a generation.”   Dan Sinker, founder, Punk Planet zine

Burn Collector pairs existential dread with rapacious wit.”  Jessica Hopper, Punk Planet zine

Burn Collector is best read aloud, alone, line by line as each piece's train wreck unfolds. Al's shrugging, self-deprecating tales camouflage a truly hopeful and humanizing perspective, and are as biting and relevant as they are unassuming.”   Nate Powell, author, Swallow Me Whole

"Ridiculously entertaining autobiographical accounts of [Burian's] travels and living situations in various metropolitan burgs across America."  Creative Loafing

"Al Burian's name invariably comes up in every list of great zines. And there's no question why, really -- he's one of the most talented writers ever to sit down and bang out a zine." —www.BoingBoing.net

Edition details

• Publisher: Buddy System
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 097023130X
• ISBN 13: 9780970231307
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 280