Pint Sized Punk
Arlo is aged 10, he loves punk. During Lockdown he began to produce Pint sized punk zines which he describes as a “ten year olds guide to life and music”. Where he interviewed some of his hero’s including Super Furry animals and Manic Street Preachers. It all went a bit bonkers and he was features in local and national news and TV from the UK to Australia. His zines have been sold worldwide. We had a chat with Arlo to find out all about his zine, his music tastes, and his reasons to be cheerful.
Can you introduce yourself to us?
Hi I’m Arlo I’m 10. (During lockdown) I started a fanzine about my music hero. So I’ve just come from being a normal 10 year old who likes star wars, marvel movies and comic books to this celebrity who can’t listen to a radio show without being on it!
What is the name of your zine and how did you come up with the name?
The name is Pint sized punk. It was my Mum’s idea, because I love punk music and I’m teeny, so Mum just thought it up. It was going to be that or funky, ostrich, banana time!
What has been the best thing to happen as a result of your zine going world wide?
I can finally afford the Lego Millennium Falcon (small cheer)
Who has the best music taste in your house?
Probably my Mum and my Dad - joint. They love music and they always go to gigs and take me with them and when they don’t I’m just on my knees begging them to take me.
What are their favourite bands?
They really like Idols, Elvis Costello, Fontaines D.C. My Mum likes Dream Wife. (asks Mum) Come on Mum what do you like? (Mum) Super Furry animals, Nick Cave.
What do you like about punk music?
This has become my catch phrase.. I like how the drums and the vocals all go together like a big punk sandwich.
Who are your favourite band at the moment?
Thats probably Idols, Fountaines D.C, Dream Wife or actually Billy Nomates. I did a review on her debut album yesterday and its amazing. I’ve got my favourite bands (Idols) third album and I found I was listening to Billie Nomates more than that.
Who have you enjoyed interviewing the most for your zine?
I like interviewing groups, like Beak, Dream Wife and Milos planes, because they are bouncing ideas off each other and having a laugh.
Which band would be your favourite to share pizza with and which three pizza toppings would you choose?
Bands I’ve interviewed or any bands? I would quite like to have pizza with… well, that is a good question! I know what toppings I’d have.. I’d have pepperoni, ham and sausage. What band would I share pizza with? Maybe Queen and Freddy Mercury. That would be cool.
When you can go to gigs again, who would you like to see?
I like to see lots of bands. Lots of smaller bands like Milos planes, John and small bands like that. Ones that I’ve interviewed. I was actually lucky enough to go to a rehearsal of a really good small band called The Pleasure Dome. I interviewed their lead singer Bobby for the first issue of the zine.
Where are the best small venues to see bands near to you?
We have a venue in Bristol called Rough Trade, the owner Adrian is really nice he will let me and my little sister on the guest list so that we can go to gigs.
Can you give us your reasons to be cheerful?
If there’s a big problem there’s going to be a big solution for this mess!
Next year there’s a new program out Obi one Kenobi coming out.
Black Widow is coming out in November, I’ve waited for two years for that!
I can go to gigs again after COVID.
(In each of his zines Arlo places the people who he has interviewed on the lover or hater Marmite chart on the back page of his zine. We thought it was only right we should ask him too)
Our household is split 50/50 on Marmite, what about yours?
Our house is is 50/50 too because my Dad and sister hate Marmite but me and my Mum love it. So, my Mum tries to sneak Marmite in to Bolognese and stuff to make them like it.
Hear what Arlo is currently listening to here: