The F.I.B. 'zine Summaries: Part Two
Jimi Sharp provides more keys to what's in Fidalgo Island's Beautiful music history
I hope the itemization of each FIB issue will be useful for your research purposes. Below is the second batch of cliff-notes-style information for The FIB issues #5 — #8.
The FIB issue #5
Published 20 AUG 1997
Cover: Jimi Sharp & Chad Champneys
Interview: The Champs’ Brandon Schafer (age 19) talks to Jimi about Anacortes arts festival 8–2 –1997 and being unplugged by the city for playing too loud; seeing Nirvana on Pier 43 for MTV‘s live and loud new year special; politics – Brandon summed up Ross Perot by burping into the mic; Tugboat recording in Olympia at yo-yo with Pat Maley; A metal band or duo (Brandon & Nick Stewart) titled “AZREVASIVE”; Brandon said The Champs were playing lots of shows, “unfortunately most of them are at the teen center [Editor’s Note: Located inside Anacortes City Hall basement] at downtown Anacortes. I’m tired of playing there.” Jimi: “I saw Phil play there and those kids have no respect for music.” [Editor’s Note: Phil played as The Microphones] / Excerpts from The Blimp #6 by Phil Elvrum / A full page advertisement for The FIB Compilation 5 1/2 cassette tape consisting of the lyrics to the song “The Bees” written by Jimi and sung by Phil (with Jimi on backup vocals) / A “fib” article about Ross Perot’s running mate, Vice-Admiral James Bond Stockdale with Jimi Sharp’s own memorable interactions with Mr. Stockdale included / A full page advertisement for The FIB Compilation 5 1/2 cassette tape consisting of the lyrics to the song “Apple’s Red” written by Jimi & sung by Matt Hermstad & Jimi / Photos by Mark Foley / Drawings / A full page advertisement for The FIB Compilation 5 1/2 cassette tape consisting of the lyrics to “Diamond Dog” [Editor’s Note: That was Brandon’s title to a song with Jimi’s lyrics and once Jimi learned that David Bowie already had a song titled Diamond Dogs, he changed it] that Jimi re-named “Sad Sun” / The debut of Jimi Sharp’s comics [Editor’s Note: In the 2004 issue of Plan B magazine #9, Everett True reviewed The FIB issue #12 and coined the description of Jimi’s comics as “Oddly Unfunny”] / The debut of Phil Elvrum’s comics [Editor’s Note: Phil would later ask Jimi for photocopies of his own comics and republish them in his own zine titled, “Fancy People Adventures”] / Four pages of “Peter Leek” advice columnist republished with permission by Brandon Schafer from The Paintbrush #6 / An article titled “6 Indie Interviews” featuring the band 66% Chick with guitarist & singer, Leeann Fox, age 15; Bass player Ursula Stewart, age 14; and 15 year old drummer, Matt Hermstad; also in the article solo artist Bronwyn Holm, age 17; and Chris “Sandman” Sand, age 26. Phil beatboxed during the entirety of Sandman’s song, “Ronald McDonald“ [Editor’s Note: the black-and-white photos, I, Jimi Sharp took of Phil and Chris were too dark to print until modern technology on my MacBook allowed me to lighten them in 2024 they’ve never been published]; also in the article 19 year-old Leica Piranha a.k.a.: Brandon Schafer and Knw-Yr-Own label artist and manager, Phil Elvrum. Info from the article states that Phil played a Microphones show at The Business on 03 AUG 1997, which was the day before the Microphones’ big show at the Anacortes Arts Festival on seventh Street - Andy who inspired the song, “Gone Forever” on the Mostly Clouds + Trees tape was at both shows and heard the song for the first time at The Business. Phil played “happy birthday“ on his guitar for his mom, but he didn’t sing it at The Business show on 03 AUG 97; in the article each person lists past bands they were in and who their favorite bands are as well as questions about other music related info – 22 questions in all / Poems / Photos by Mark Foley / Phil’s comics (Pre-Fancy People Adventures) / Jimi’s comics (Press-Oddly Unfunny Comics) / Photos of The Microphones, 66% Chick, The Champs, and Sandman / Created at 494 Salmon Beach Road, Anacortes, WA 98221 (*Address later changed in 2000 by the city of Anacortes to 6976 Salmon Beach Road) / Pages: 62 / Reviewed in Factsheet Five #63
The FIB issue #6
Published 14 FEB 1998
Cover: Phil Elvrum
Interview: No interviews — There are Photos / Poems / The FIB reviews in Factsheet 5 & Zine World / Drawings / Jimi Sharp’s pre-Oddly Unfunny comics / Phil Elvrum’s pre-Fancy People Adventures comic (not plural) / Full page advertisement for The FIB Compilation 5 1/2 cassette tape with a photograph of Phil drumming by Jimi Sharp and the complete lyrics to the DJ Microphone song “NAVY“ with photos of the sailors whose secretly tape recorded voices are featured in the song / A page of Jimi Sharp drumming up business for Knw-Yr-Own by singing the label’s praises followed by 1 page photo of Kurt Cobain with a K records logo on his guitar and 1 page of advertisements for D+ and Beat Happening releases / Photos of Calvin Johnson and Chris Sutton of Dub Narcotics Sound System by Phil Elvrum with excerpts of music news in letters written to Jimi from Phil / 1 page advertisement about the zine Farm Pulp with a handwritten letter from Farm Pulp editor Gregory Hischak / A 5 page single spaced long boring diatribe about Courtney Love titled, “The Wilted Flower Child: Courtney Love-Cobain” / Selfie photos of Phil Elvrum on the ferry Portside and Starboard side after seeing Julie Dorion play / A “fib” article by Ken Lee about his interaction with Kathy of Bikini Kill / More Poems / More Photos
Created at 3740 Nieman Blvd, San Jose, CA 95121
Pages: 64
Review: Zine World #8
The FIB issue #7
Published 31 JUL 1998
Cover: Brandon Schafer
Interview: D+ (Bret Lunsford - Vocals + Guitar, Karl Blau - Bass, & Phil Elvrum - Drums). Jimi Sharp dropped off handwritten questions and a micro-cassette tape recorder for D+ at The Business. Bret Lunsford answered some basic questions about the new D+ CD titled “Dandelion Seeds“ and touring and origins of D+. Bret said he didn’t answer questions 10 or 13, “because I couldn’t do those superficially.“
Phil & Karl answer Jimi’s handwritten questions using the micro-cassette tape recorder while they were working at The Business. Phil mentions, “Dandelion Seeds“ is slated for release August 28 and, “The Microphones are playing this Saturday the 18th (July) at The Business with some Bellingham bands.“ Karl said, “Fathom’s playing on the 7th at Hillcrest Lodge and the following 15th… August 7 and August 15. Well, August 15 is the Rexville Grange and there’s others too.“ A customer observed Phil and Karl reading the interview questions Jimi had dropped off at The Business and Phil put the micro-cassette tape recorder up to his mouth and said to the customer, “We are doing an interview now. Do you wanna put a few words in?“ The customer explained how their mom was using a hazardous chemical called Naphtha to clean the kitchen floor that morning and had to be driven to the hospital. The customer explained that long enough exposure to Naphtha could cause blindness. Phil said, “Really? Naphtha?” Customer: “Yeah, it’s bad stuff!” Phil: “I’ll stay away from that.” Karl added, “There’s probably a band out there named ‘NAPHTHA’.” Phil and Karl answer basic questions about D+ and in unison answer, “A couple, two, three” when answering a question about how long they’ve been playing in the band D+. Phil & Karl read Jimi’s questions aloud before answering them. They provide jokey answers to many questions, including what does the bands name D+ mean? And how is being in D+ different than other bands you’re in? And what is it most you enjoy performing in front of people? More jokey answers from Phil when he says, “Popularity!“ before clarifying with a more serious answer. Phil said he was “proud“ of the latest D+ album. Karl said D+’s new album is “cool“. Phil said the next D+ album will be electronica and five hours long. Karl said it would be have three orchestras. / Lots of Jimi Sharp’s pre-Oddly Unfunny comics / Zine World reviews of The FIB #4 & #5 / Jimi Sharp provided a questionnaire to Phil Elvrum, Brandon Schafer, Rachelle Finegan, Melissa Stark, Noah Richards, Colleen Pollard, Ursula Stewart, Kara Fox, & Vance Snelson - Phil answered a question, “If I had the power to change history, there wouldn’t be any major labels.” The questionnaire asked about favorite alcoholic drink, and Phil wrote, “FUCK ALCOHOL!” Other questions asked about favorite book/author, favorite movie, favorite zine, and best gig you’ve seen, etc. / A brief recap of a Modest Mouse show Jimi Sharp attended with Nicole Conte, Katy Compton, Ursula Stewart, & Colleen Pollard on June 26, 1998 at Pain-In-the-Grass at Seattle Center / Photograph of Grace’s nose ring by Bret Lunsford / Drawings by Brandon Schafer / Page 37 contains 3 pre-Fancy People Adventures by Phil Elvrum / Pages 38 - 44 an article titled Operation Project Paperclip as seen in an episode of The X-Files TV show versus the real life experience of Jimi’s maternal Grandpa Captain Sidney Sharp who worked with former Nazi’s as a Navy Lieutenant aeronautical engineer at Point Mugu Naval Air Missile Test Center between 1946–1949. / Photos by Mark Foley / Page 52 - One pre-Fancy People Adventures comic and Page 57 - Two pre-Fancy People Adventures comics by Phil Elvrum / Pre-Oddly Unfunny comics by Jimi Sharp on Pages 7, 30, & 61
Created at 6976 Salmon Beach Road, Anacortes, WA 98221
Pages: 64
The FIB issue #8
Cover: Brandon Schafer & Jimi Sharp
Published 04 JAN 1999
Interview: Greene Legion (Brandon Schafer - guitar/vocals, Tim Chomiak - bass, James Moffitt - guitar, & Nate Thomas - drums). Lots of locker room humor and nothing too serious. / Interview: Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie talks briefly about recently graduating from Western with a degree in environmental chemistry and working in a lab at an oil refinery called Tosco in Ferndale. Ben answered Jimi‘s question about “weirdest gig death cab played?“ by saying they played at a birthday party to 30 slam dancing 11 and 12-year-olds – “It was a lot of fun.“ Jay Chilcote added, “They sold 30 CDs.” Phil Elvrum’s asked, “Did you really sell 30 CDs?“ Ben answered jokingly, “Oh, yeah. We’re big with the kids.” / Interview: Clarity Miller -MILKLIFE - Clarity talks briefly about making a video compilation of bands connected to K records but she does not get paid to make videos, “Those videos cost me money.“ Jimi says, “It takes money to make money.“ Clarity, “No one has ever paid me to make movies.” Bronwyn: “Wanna dollar?” [Bronywn tosses a buck to Clarity] Clarity: “Wait. You owe me twenty.” MILKLIFE press packet for K records showcase July 1998 for the movies: “She For Me Forever”, “MILKLIFE”, and videos for Bronwyn‘s, “Not Gonna Be DayDreams” and the Microphones’ “Bass Drum Dream.“ Clarity talks about music videos she’s going to do for ICU and D+ has one and the other D+ music video is half done. MILKLIFE Public Art Campaign titled “The Ransom Note Series” is discussed and one ransom note is published in the article; Clarity talks about knowing Bronwyn since they were babies and Bronwyn says, “I’m her inspiration“ and Clarity says, “She’s my shining star.“ Clarity said her education in the field of filmmaking includes an independent film class in high school with her, Josh Young, and Phil Elvrum running around the school wreaking havoc, “We did make movies, just not while we were at school”. / Jimi Sharp’s review of an Elliott Smith show at Tower Records in Seattle on 10 SEP 1998 / Interview: The Revolutionary Hydra (Bart Sharp - guitar, Jay Chilcote - Vocals/Guitar, Joe Chilcote - Drums, & Ben Gibbard - Bass). Jay Chilcote answers Jimi Sharp‘s question about how many releases Elsinor records has, “We have 21. A lot of them are cassettes, but we have the MICROPHONES CD here in the next couple weeks. It’s called TESTS.“ Jimi asks if the Hydra CD is due out in January and Jay explains that, “Yes, well Chris Walla from Death Cab, his 8-track is broken so as soon as it’s fixed, we’ll mix everything.“ Jay said the Hydra recorded five songs with Phil in Olympia. Phil replied, “They’re really good.“ Ben said he doesn’t write songs for the Revolutionary Hydra, he writes bass lines for the Hydra and “all the songs that I write go to Death Cab.“ Jay talks about Hydra‘s next CD being enhanced with Adobe Acrobat Reader with a 110 page novel. / Interview: Old Time Relijun’s Arrington de Dionyso. Arrington talks briefly about moving to Olympia because he liked all the music and he was the biggest Some Velvet Sidewalk and Beat Happening fan ever. Arrington mentioned how he met Phil at a show in Olympia and Phil told him about Anacortes, so O.T.R. ended up playing twice at The Business and once at Bronwyn‘s birthday party. Arrington heard Phil play drums in D+ and heard the Microphones tapes, “I like his style. He plays drums like a caveman“ but has a good ear because he’s very good listener and O.T.R. has a fuller sound as a two-piece than it did as a full band. / Review: Dub Narcotic Sound System (Calvin Johnson - Vocals, Chris Sutton - Bass, Heather Dunn - Drums, & Brian Webber - Guitar) played the Grand Opening of Bedazzled Discs 08 OCT 1998 / Interview: Bronwyn Holm about her forthcoming cassette tape release titled, “Evening Star“ on Knw-Yr-Own records. She said Phil was producing the album and James Moffitt might sing a song. Bronwyn said her new inspiration is rap music. Jimi asked if she pictures herself evolving into a Riot Grrrl? Bronwyn said, “Oh, no. Maybe I’ll wear pigtails. That’s kind of riotish and wear pink pantyhose.“ Bronwyn mentions working at La vie En Rose bakery. Evening Star is “not sad” Bronwyn said, “It’s explaining how everything’s so sweet or not sweet.” Bronwyn talks briefly about D+ and the Microphones and college to study Fend Shui. / Interview: Mary Lou Lord on 23 MAR 1998 at the Agenda in San Jose, CA. Jimi Sharp asked Mary Lou Lord if it was true Courtney Love chased her down the street in Olympia with a knife. Mary Lou Lord answered that yes, Courtney chased her, but without a knife and no, she didn’t catch Mary Lou. / Interview: The Microphones’ Phil Elvrum. Phil lists the upcoming plans for his future releases, including 1000 copies of TESTS on Elsinor records with “cover hand letter pressed by me.“ Phil talks about trying hard to never be set up with a bar show after D+ was banned from playing at the Doublewide in Bellingham because Phil and Karl both forgot to bring their ID cards and it was a 21 and up venue. / Interview: Chris Ballew of The Tycoons and The Presidents of the USA / Collages / Zine World review of The FIB issue #6 / Art by Brandon Schafer / Stories by Jimi Sharp / Pre-Oddly Unfunny comics by Jimi Sharp on pages 13, 26, 51, & 59 / Phil Elvrum’s painting titled, “MAN IN HOTDOG SUIT” on page 47 / Created at 6976 Salmon Beach Road, Anacortes, WA 98221 / Pages: 64