Q) What is Punk Planet?
A) It’s a bi-monthly magazine dedicated to music, culture, and politics. We’re fiercely independent and dedicated to living outside the mainstream. Punk Planet has been publishing continuously since 1994.
Q) How often do you come out?
A) Like I said, we’re bi-monthly, which means we come out every two months.
Q) I’d like to get in touch with you. How should I?
A) For mail, just send to us directly: Punk Planet 4229 N. Honore, Chicago IL 60613. If you have a PO Box address for us, that box is now closed. If you want to call, give a ring at 773-248-7172 Fax? You betcha: 773-248-7189
E-mail for different departments are as follows:
General inquiry, writing pitches, letters to the editor and other stuff: punkplanet[at]punkplanet[dot]com
Advertising inquiries should go to: ads[at]punkplanet[dot]com
Questions about reviews should go to: reviews[at]punkplanet[dot]com
Questions regarding subscriptions: subs[at]punkplanet[dot]com
Inquiries about orders (purchases you have already made online or via the mail): orders[at]punkplanet[dot]com
Inquiries about ordering the magazine (or books, or other merch) direct and in bulk: retail[at]punkplanet[dot]com
In order to protect us from undue amounts of spam (there are only so many Rolex watches and stock tips a person can read in a day), we ask you to use the Contact Us link for any of the above departments (and a lot more).
Q) Do you have a street address for things like UPS and FedEx?
A) Yes. It is the same address as is listed above: Punk Planet, 4229 N. Honore, Chicago IL 60613.
Q) How did Punk Planet start?
A) Punk Planet started as an idea in the frigid early days of 1994. The idea was originally posted by publisher Daniel Sinker to an AOL message board frequented by many punk folks. In the months leading up to the original idea being posted, many people had been complaining about changes in the editorial and review policies at Maximum Rock’n‘Roll, which had left many bands and labels without a good, nationally-distributed zine to interview bands, review their albums, or run their ads.
Taking the spirit of DIY to heart, Punk Planet was started simply because it seemed that creating something new was better than complaining about what was already there. PP01 was released in May of 1994. A total of 2,000 copies were printed, though only about 400 were sold initially (there are still copies available via the Punk Planet Merch Table). The first issue was 56 pages long.
The magazine has grown over the twelve years since to a total print run of about 16,000 copies each issue. The magazine is now distributed extensively in the US and internationally, and runs around 144 pages of pure awesomeness six times a year.
Q) When did Punk Planet Books begin?
A) Punk Planet books launched in August of 2004 with the publication of Joe Meno’s “Hairstyles of the Damned” and Mark Andersen’s “All the Power.” The initial idea for the imprint was hashed out between Daniel Sinker and Akashic Books’ Johnny Temple over bagels and coffee in April of 2004. The impetus to start the imprint was the success of the 2001 book, “We Owe You Nothing: Punk Planet, the collected interviews,” which was published by Akashic.
Q) Will you publish my book?
A) Probably not, sorry. We’re sure it’s very good, but we only publish about two books a year
Q) What is Independents’ Day Media and how does it relate to Punk Planet?
A) Independents’ Day Media is the company that owns Punk Planet. Back when PP started, it operated as a sole proprietorship, which isn’t a great way to run a business. When we incorporated, we decided to use a name separate from Punk Planet, in case we wanted to grow beyond PP’s borders. Also, we like that Will Smith movie—they blow stuff up good.
