Rock Street Journal. This is one of the first magazines in Bombay to cover music and specifically rock music. From the beginning this magazine has stayed away from hype and gloss and has a very commendable coverage of rock music. Usually the information available about rock groups is limited but RSJ manages to produce information about the most obscure bands. Rock lovers will drool over the many informative articles about popular (and unpopular ) rock acts. Death, thrash, blues , all types of rock is covered here. What I noticed in this magazine is that its writers focus more on providing information rather than analytical thought. You will hardly find an article with a philosophical touch. This is not a bad thing. When your tired and you want to read something without getting into heavy discussion about the arts, this would be the magazine to read. For something of a more theoretical and analytical approach you can pick up a copy of Rave. I’d like to consider a point about RSJ that some would take to be a minus point of this magazine.
This magazine seems to take an anti-pop stance in its issues. Letters to the editor are filled with abuses hurled at pop acts. RSJ does contain articles about pop acts once in a while and the editorial board has no official stand on being anti or pro pop music and they do give credit where it is due. Would you believe this magazine once carried an article on Michael Jackson! I feel maybe its readers are too narrow minded to accept other forms of music or entertainment. However since rock music is not as big in India as it is abroad, hence very difficult to encourage, this magazine is a blessing, an oasis in the desert of pop acts. (excuse the weak metaphor).
A very important part of RSJ is that it has recognized that rock is not getting its due in India. Events are difficult to organize in Bombay. You need around sixteen different licenses to organize any event. In addition to this there is fifty percent tax on shows levied.(I’m not aware about how it s levied but the figure of fifty percent is accurate). Therefore in order to have a successful show you need to have generous sponsor to cover costs and have a sizeable audience. Neither of this is available. While RSJ may not be able to monetarily support the cause of rock , it does it bit by printing encouraging article about local rock acts. Its supports rock concerts and even organized a rock group concert. Some its issues carry albums of locally recorded artists thus helping out the local warriors of rock..
All in all this is a great magazine though if you are not a rock fan I would not recommend this magazine to you. Rock on!