It's still a work-in-progress people, but I'm in the process of scanning every front cover of Pictures of Chairman Mao (POCM) so that Revolution fans unfamiliar with the publication can get some glimpse into a unique period in Revolution supporters' history. Pictures of Chairman Mao was a soccer/football/futbol fanzine that was produced by and for supporters of the New England Revolution over five years from 1996 - 2000. Below is the cover from the Vol. 2, No. 4; July, 1997, "Special Super Terrific Happy Issue": You may find those covers I've been able to scan here, along with a review of POCM in the U.K. football magazine When Saturday Comes. http://www.pbase.com/ewhitney/pocm Enjoy! The Magpie
Please say Pics is coming back. This is the kind of work that doesn't make money, but I think the community should support it because it's invaluable for fans.
Every issue was a "Special" something-or-other issue. There was one time toward the end of our run when we did a "Special you'll miss us when we're gone" issue. Thanks for the platitudes, Jeremy, but we ain't coming back. It's kind of like a band who had their day, and then the various members went off on solo careers, movie stardom, substance abuse, and whatever else bands do after they have had their time of critical (but not necessarily commercial) success. We did a "reunion gig" a couple of years ago for MLS Cup 2002 as a collaboration with the Emrald City Gazette, a.k.a. Son of Mao, but that was a one off project. You can't recreate something that was a product of its time, otherwise you get things with all the quality of any Hollywood movie with a numeral after it. POCM was a special zine in it's day, but that day is over. Of the five most prominent contributors, two haven't been to a Revs game for who knows how long. The Magpie, Comrade Foley and I are still involved to varioius degrees, but we can't recreate what once was. I can't recall the exact word, but there's a Portuguese expression that means longing for a past that never was, and that's what any talk of a POCM revival reminds me of. In the meantime, if you miss Mao, subscribe to Andy Mead's excellent ECG. It's not just for Wizards supporters any more. Tom
I take it you haven't seen Mission of Burma live lately. Just because most of the time, groups that make a later appearance are crap, doesn't mean that it can't happen and be "right" again. Ah well
The word is probably "Saudades," literally meaning "to miss." Anyway, I loved POCM and I just want everyone involved to know that your creativity and humor were so appreciated.
Nothing like soccer sunday mornings with a cup of coffee in a PoCM commemorative mug (all 32 covers) Go Revs, Alan