Thrasher Magazine Reviews The Stowaways Issue 21

 

Thrasher Magazine's August 2026 Issue reviewed The Stowaways Issue 21 in Wez Lundry's long running Zine Thing column. The review says, "this is a great zine, very DIY, fucked up, and photocopied. It's from the guy behind the band / project Roman Candles, and has a few band / musician interviews, but also tons of reviews, metal, punk, indie - plus magic shows and comedy. He lived in Budapest during the pandemic so there are some interesting musings about that - grateful that shows end early because people rely on public transportation for example - and the reviews have little tidbits that you might not expect about the venue, the food, etc. There are tons of photos as well, although, since it's photocopied and they don't seem to be half-toned, some of them are kind of muddy and blodgy. But maybe that's part of the aesthetic? Overall tons of worthy stuff in there that is well worth the entrance fee. Send $5 to 2349 E Washington BLVD, Pasadena CA 91104 or write romancandlesmusic@gmail.com for more info." 

Sweat Interview in Razorcake #153

 

Sean Arenas invited me to help interview Justin and Tuna from Sweat. The interview got printed in the new issue of Razorcake, issue #153. You can pick up a copy of the interview at the link HERE. Please check it out, and let me know what you think. 

Razorcake Reviews The Stowaways #21

 Davida G. Breier  reveiwed Issue 21 of the Stowaways in the new issue of Razorcake Issue 152. 

Stowaways, The #21, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 36 pgs. 

The first page of this zine was more than most other zines cover in a couple of issues. The author moved to Budapest in 2022, back to Los Angeles in 2023, almost started a PhD program in New Orleans, found out he and his partner were having a baby, were displaced by wildfires, and then found a job with Outward Bound [Adventures]. This is all a preface to explain why there was a three-year gap between issues and why the shows reviewed contain everything from The Pixies in Budapest Park to Kendrick Lamar in Paris, and David Blaine in Las Vegas. The reviews, which were enjoyable, make up the bulk of the issue. It is rounded out with interviews with Justin Smith (Graf Orlock), Dean Spunt (Wives, No Age), and Jeremy Bolm (Touché Amoré). Davida G. Breier (Christopher Gyorgyovich, romancandlesmusic@gmail.com).

Slingshot Issue 144 Reviews The Stowaways Issue 21

Jose Fritz wrote a review of The Stowaways Issue 21 for the new issue of Slingshot, Issue 144. Check it out HERE. 

The Stowaways: Issue 21

80 pages – $5
romancandlesmusic@gmail.com

This beefy zine was put together by Christopher Gyorgyovich of the band Roman Candles. I think the writing in Stowaways has shown tremendous growth since the first issue back in 2011. This issue is chock full of interviews and show reviews. It’s thick like a novella, inviting you to curl up with it on a cold, snowy day and drink tea. I was reading up on the back issues and I discovered that Craven Rock kind of crapped on the last issue and had previously shat on issues 11 and 12. I asked Chris about it and he didn’t take it personally. Clearly he is much nicer than me. 

Gyorgyovich usually describes The Stowaways as a “fanzine.” The terminology usually means that one is a fan of a certain genre or band. There have been many bands named “The Stowaways”. My hope had been that he is a fan of the 1970s Stowaways from Cologne, Germany, for no reason other than that it would be hilarious… but we need to know the truth. 

So I asked, and he told me that the name actually came from his fascination with train hopping. At UC Berkeley, he wrote his senior thesis on the history of hobos, tramps, and trainhoppers. This is super cool, but I will resist changing the subject. I would absolutely rate Stowaways in a class similar to other fine zines like Ear of Corn, or Noise Widow. 

The Stowaways Issue 21 out now

Issue 21 of The Stowaways is now available HERE. It has interviews with Justin Smith from Graf Orlock, Dean Spunt from No Age, Jeremy Bolm from Touche Amore, and Tim Byron from Hlllyh and The Mae Shi. It's also got a bunch of show reviews from my time in Budapest as well as some book reviews and film reviews. Garrett La Bonte did the cover art. Please let me know if you'd like a copy. $5.00 shipped. Shoot me an email romancandlesmusic(at)gmail(dot)com
 

Roman Candles @ Genghis Cohen 02.13.2025

Roman Candles is playing at Genghis Cohen on February 13, 2025 with Youth Fountain and Bouges. 

You can pick up tickets at the link. 

Razorcake reviews The Stowaways Issue 20

 

Razorcake reviwed Issue 20 of The Stowaways in their new Issue #138 of the zine. 

Another solid issue of The Stowaways, bittersweet because of the author Christopher Gyorgyovich’s imminent move to Budapest. As an often locally oriented zine, one has to wonder what’s next for The Stowaways. I know my publishing practice (if you can call it that) changed drastically when I moved the very short distance from my hometown to Minneapolis, let alone changing countries. And it really is the local bent that draws me into this zine; despite my geographical distance I’m quite sentimental for watching a microcosmic world unfold in this way. The bulk of this issue is made up of characteristically thoughtful interviews with Pendant, Cupid & Psyche, Object Of Affection, and Dennis Callaci, with a few show and record reviews to round things out. Bon voyage, Stowaways! –jimmy cooper (romancandlesmusic@gmail.com)

Razorcake Reviews Roman Candles "The Daily Reminder of My Failed Folk Career"

Razorcake reviwed Roman Candles new album "The Daily Reminder of my Failed Folk Career," in Issue 138 of the magazine. 

Roman Candles have a little bit of ragged, heart-on-sleeve Replacements rock energy, and a little of Roky Erickson’s wounded, longing spirit. In other words: power pop, dream rock, sweat, looseness, unabashed love. Traditional and occasionally devastating and very real. I like it. –Matt Werts (romancandles.bandcamp.com)

 

The Daily Remind Of My Failed Folk Career

I put out a new Roman Candles album called "The Daily Remind Of My Failed Folk Career." It was recorded from July 2020 to December 2022. Madison Woodward, Garrett La Bonte, Maxwell Riech, Jeremy Leisure, and Evan Schaid helped play on the record. I pressed 100 tapes. You can pick up a tape at the link above, and give it a listen on bandcamp. 

Razorcake Reviews Issue 19 of The Stowaways

 

Razorcake #129 reviewed Issue 19 of The Stowaways. 

STOWAWAYS, THE, #19, $3-$5, 5½” x 8½”, copied, 38 pgs.

This issue of The Stowaways, a long-running zine by Christopher Gyorgyovich, has been three years in the making, thanks to his life—like countless other lives—being derailed by the ongoing global pandemic. He attended the livestreamed funeral of an uncle who died from COVID, saw his hopes to start a new job in Budapest dashed, and struggled through an academic year teaching virtual and in-person classes to college students on a campus that was rolling back COVID precautions. “Making a zine provides some sense of normalcy in a time when there isn’t any,” says Gyorgyovich in his intro to Issue 19. “I feel like I can control this when I can’t control anything else.” In this issue of The Stowaways are interviews with local musicians in Los Angeles, plus show reviews (some nearly five years old). This issue, the first since the August 2019 issue, wraps up with book and film reviews. –Gina Murrell (The Stowaways, 960 E. Bonita Ave. Unit #120, Pomona, CA 91767)

The Stowaways Issue 20 Out Now

 

The Stowaways Issue 20 is out now. It features Interviews with Chris Adams from Pendant, Michael Vidal and Juan Velasquez from Cupid & Pysche. It also features interviews with Madison Woodward and Colin Knight from Object of Affection and Dennis Callaci from Shrimper Records and Refrigerator. I'm really happy with the way this issue came together. Barbara did the cover art for this one in honor of the Allen Theatre in her hometown of South Gate, CA. Send me an email if you'd like a copy romancandlesmusic(at)gmail(dot)com. 

The Stowaways Issue #19 Out Now

 

The Stowaways Issue #19 is out now. I've got interviews with Jeremy Leasure, who did the cover art talking about his band New Balance. I've also got interviews with Lauren Freeman from Varsity Cheerleader and Upset, and Noah Green from The Pretty Flowers. It's also got some show reviews form the before times, as well as a book review and a film review.  You can order a copy by sending $2.00 to 960 E. Bonita Ave. Unit #69 Pomona, CA 91767-2013. 

MRR Reviews Listen Up!

 Maximum Rocknroll reviewed The Stowaways Presents: Listen Up! A Benefit For Democracy Now!

Check out the review below, and consider purchasing a copy over on the bandcamp or in store in Fullerton at Programme Skate and Sound or in Long Beach at Fingerprints.

V/AThe Stowaways Presents: Listen Up! A Benefit For Democracy Now! LP

Fifteen-band collection of catchy punk/indie/alt to benefit, as the title suggests, a public radio news program. The only artist I was familiar with was the FYP dude (yo, Todd—I’m still down to look after Boris if anything nasty happens), but I got turned on to loads of new shits. JASON ANDERSON wrote a straight commercial pop hit in “Buzzin,” PASTEURIZED MILK and RX are both minimal and addictive, LAYMAN and POST LIFE are favorites as well—the record cruises along between lo-fi indie and shoegaze and would-be mainstream songwriters with ease. All put together by a schoolteacher and zinester who uses independent reporting and media in the classroom to (hopefully) help a new generation of non-shitty humans find their collective voice/s, with art from Sophia Zarders, liner notes from Donna Ramone, and an issue of The Stowaways masquerading as a lyrics booklet. Thumbs up.

• REVIEWERROBERT COLLINS
• LABELTHE STOWAWAYS FANZINE
• ISSUEMRR #457 • JUNE 2021
  

Razorcake Issue #122 Reviews Listen Up!

 

Razorcake Issue #122 reviewed The Stowaways Presents: Listen Up! A Benefit For Democracy Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Listen Up!: A Benefit for Democracy Now!: LP

This is the kind of bridging I like to see! A convergence of some of my favorite writers, artists, and musicians in independent/punk/DIY/anti-commercial/whatever     showing their appreciation for my favorite independent news outlet! Chris of The Stowaways and Roman Candles has spearheaded this project and the final product exceeds all expectations. With art by Sophia Zarders, an intro by Donna Ramone, and musical contributions by Todd C., Pretty Flowers, Albert Square, Layman, Tom Grrrl, and a dozen more, how could you not love it!? Even if this benefit comp generates zero income for DN!, as merely a listener who had nothing to do with this release, I like to look at this comp as a thank you and a happy 25th birthday from DIY to all the bad asses at Democracy Now! who every twenty-four hours churn out another epic hour of the best reporting you'll find. Can we call volume two The Gwar and Peace Report? - Daryl (The Stowaways)

---

Click HERE to purchase a copy of the record

The Stowaways Presents: Listen Up! A Benefit For Democracy Now!

 

I have been working on this comp for about nine/ten months. I'm happy to be able to share it with everyone. It's a benefit for Democracy Now! with all the proceeds going to them. It's got a nice mix of bands that I've interviewed, written show review, and / or record reviews for over the last ten years.

You can listen to the comp HERE.  

The pressing info for the vinyl is:

87 Yellow

97 Red

113 Green

5 Test Presses

1 Reference Lacquer. 

Artwork is by Sophia Zarders. 

The record has a full color gatefold jackets with an essay written by Donna Ramone on the inside of the gatefold, and each record comes with a zine. The zine has a page designed by each band and artist that contributed to the comp. I really love the way this whole thing came out, and I'm so happy for you to hear it. 

You can also pick it up locally at Programme Skate and Sound in Fullerton and Fingerprints in Long Beach. 

Bandcamp

I put up all the Roman Candles records on bandcamp that I have including test presses. Everything is name your own price starting at $1.00. Barbara and I were supposed to move to Budapest this summer before the shelter in place / stay at home orders were put into effect. It seems less and less likely that that will happen. While I was originally hoping to get rid of some of this stock before we left, it would still be nice to get people these records if they wanted them regardless of whether we end up going. So if you're interested you can check everything out HERE or at romancandles.bandcamp.com

Roman Candles @ The Art In - Madison, WI 06.18.17

This set was recorded at The Art In in Madison, WI on the way to Justin and Stephanie's wedding a few summer's ago. The setlist is mostly songs from Can I Kiss You? You can pick up a copy HERE if you're interested. 

Setlist:

1. House Show

2. I Want to Hang Out in Your Bed Again

3. Broke Not Poor

4. Ryan 5. Blacklist the White Kid in Blackface 6. In the Kitchen

7. Too Fucked To Cum 8. Hair Up 9. Letter in the Mail 10. Samantha

The Stowaway Issue #18 Out Now

Issue Number 18 of the Stowaways is Out Now. This is by far the best issue I've ever done. Nathaniel Russel did the amazing cover art. Please click the link, and check out his other work. This issue's got interviews with Wez Lundry, Randy Randall, Todd Congelliere, and Josh Landau. Also included are some show reviews and a couple of record reviews. Check out the Honedew tape and the Garrett Walters tape. 

If you'd like to order by mail please send $3 of well concealed cash to 
The Stowaways / 960 E. Bonita Ave. Unit #120 / Pomona, CA / 91767-2014

You can still buy Roman Candles "Can I Kiss You?" lp HERE. 
or send $15 to the address above. 

That's all for now. Thanks for checking in. 

MRR #422, Razorcake #105 review Stowaways #17

MRR #422 and Razorcake #105 have reviewed issue # 17 of The Stowaways. I've still got a couple left. Send $2 to the address listed below. Please support both MRR and Razorcake and consider picking up the issues at the links above. 

The Stowaways #17

$2-3 / 20 pages

Pretty tight little read after the author took a few years off to join the Peace Corps in Colombia. Interviews with the band Post Life, trippy psych-core guitar wizard Calvin Jalandoni, and a few pages of live show reviews. I think I expected a bit more after a four year absence; tell me some wild as hell story of your weird ass time in fucking Peace Corps. It was a good read, though (DZ). 

960 E. Bonita Ave. Unit #120 / Pomona, CA, 91767

STOWAWAYS, THE #17, $2-$3, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", copied, 18 pgs. 

The Stowaways is back after a four-year hiatus while Christopher finished college and did two years of service in the Peace Corps. This issue consists of show reviews and interviews, some of which he wrote before this stuff happened. Unfortunately, this comeback left something to be desired. The interviews were solid and in-depth, but the show reviews were a little bland in a "they were amazing" kind of way (and I'm not a big fan of show reviews as it is). I've enjoyed Christopher's writing in Razorcake and earlier issues of The Stowaways, but this one was a bit disappointing. -Craven Rock (The Stowaways, 960 E. Bonita Ave. Unit #120, Pomona, CA 91767)

Roman Candles "Can I Kiss You?" Record Release show + Tour

Roman Candles is putting out a new 14-song full length album titled "Can I Kiss You?" We're having a record release show in two weeks at Golden Beat Studios in Los Angeles with Pretty Flowers, Pinned in Place, and Layman. Event HERE. Then we're leaving for a quick tour up to northern California and back. 

08.03.18 @ Golden Beat Studios, Los Angeles CA

08.04.18 @ 90.7 KALX Berkeley FM

08.05.18 @ 924 Gilman Street, Berkeley CA

08.06.16 @ Outer Space, Arcata CA

08.08.18 @ The Long Haul Info Shop, Berkeley CA