A coupla late reviews for ya

Kamuke editor Cameron Murray (photo by Penny Ryan)

Kamuke #1: Ukuleles are making a resurgence around the globe and this glossy, full-colour, professional zine covers the Hawaiian instrument’s renewed popularity with well-written, informative articles. Highlights of the first issue includes features on top performers Uni and Rose Turtle Ertler, as well as historical pieces on Marilyn Monroe’s uke-strumming in Some Like It Hot and English legend George Formby. Editor Cameron Murray’s love of the ukulele cannot be denied. Cameron Murray, 6/42 Lombard Street, Glebe, NSW, 2037, AUSTRALIA cameronm@horwitz.com.au [AUD$5, 32S, :45] – Dann Lennard

Bizarrism #11: If Chris Mikul lived in New York or Portland, Bizarrism would be swiftly recognised as the greatest zine on Earth. But as it comes from exotic Australia, it remains zinedom’s best-kept secret. Each vaguely annual issue is a cause for celebration. Modern-day bohemian Mikul revels in the weirdness of this world and he tackles some extremely oddball subjects in this issue. They range from the relatively well-known (sadistic comic book artist Fletcher Hanks and the Raelian cult) to more obscure gems such as Mormon-kidnapper Joyce McKinney and Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha. There are also some Australian eccentrics highlighted, but the ghoulish gem of this ish is the horrific tale of 20th century surgeon Ferdinand Sauerbruch, who continued to operate on patients well into his 70s, despite being batshit crazy. Medical horror at its worst. Chris Mikul, PO Box K546, Haymarket, NSW, 1240, AUSTRALIA cathob@zip.com.au www.bizarrism.com [AUD$6, 40M, :90] – Dann Lennard