The Ricecooker Archives

LickZine #4 2025/26

Got these from Andrew S. Guthrie, who started Lick Ink in Hong Kong about 10 years ago, putting out and distributing local zines and books. These days Lick Ink is mostly in Antwerp, Belgium but its web-based distro is still up and active.

Andrew was in KL last year and wanted to meet but I was in KK. Bummer! But months later I received these in the mail. The whole of this 4th issue is about his trip to KL - his findings upon checking out the local zine scene and meeting KL zinemakers.

There are three main practitioners interviewed or featured here: the BANG BANG ZINE collective (a risograph studio and store located in the GMBB building, KL), Nizang (NERVHOUS RECORDS, MOSH fanzine, ex-DUM DUM TAK, etc.) and also Sue of the recently shuttered TOKOSUE bookstore.

I haven’t sat down and really pore over the pages as yet but there are interesting pages where my old friend Sue talks about the early scene we had at the Central Market (see attached photos).

Do ask Nizang for a copy. I think he’s distroing this over here.

Contact the zine here: likink.com - website only as their FB is now offline while i can’t find their IG.

Thanks Andrew / / /
ricecooker

BATTLEGROUNDS - Have You Seen My Heart? EP
(Speed Rawk Records, 2003)

this is a tape by Segamat-based self-described “emo-grunge” band who have been around since the mid-90s (first demo released 1995). this is their 7th release from 2003, and since then the band have been putting out a hell lots more recordings – at least one or two every year. very prolific, yes. and the band are still around too with plans for more releases (check their youtube page for recording plans up to 2027!), but i read somewhere that it’s now down to a one-man project helmed by mainman, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Angah who’s also running a jamming studio cm live venue Brain Music on Jalan Panglima, Taman Laksamana, Segamat.

the more interesting part of this release for me is the DIY label responsible. it’s called Speed Rawk Records, a Melaka-based label ran Aim “Chicanoz” (Abd Rahim Bin Abd Rahman) who died suddenly in November 2024. besides running the long-running label, Aim was also instrumental in keeping the MTUG (Masjid Tanah Underground) scene active, including organising shows and such. yes, he’s quite a figure looming large but mostly unsung. al-fatehah.

Aim and Speed Rawk released 40 plus recordings (on tapes and CDs) since 2002. the first was an EP by symphonic metal band XS-DENIED, followed throughout the years by recordings of many genres local and overseas, including three albums by Belgian mincecore legends AGATHOCLES and the band leader Jan Frederickx’s project JAN AG & THE GAJNA.

If any of you reading has tapes from Speed Rawk, do get in touch. the archive would love to get copies or at least dubbed-copies of the local bands released. thanks. 🙏🏼

two days ago a old friend i haven’t seen for many years came to to pass his zine collection. always a joy when this happens. the photo of us being all so serious and nerdy is not the correct indication of how happy was the meet. in fact, it was a fun one. these snaps of the zines here are just a part of the big bag. will post more photos as i got through the stash. btw, most the zines are from the early 2000s and i have to admit that it’s still shocking to realise that early 2000s is about 25 years ago! dang!

thanks so much Daryll! big hugs!