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ABSTRACT
In this article, I detail the inception and history of Caution! Zine, a physical and online fanzine dedicated to the Killers, that launched during the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic. First, I demonstrate how the Las Vegas quartet represents a new generation of the legacy rock canon. I contextualize the history of the Killers’ fandom, especially how it has ebbed and flowed alongside changing technologies of music and communication. Finally, I utilize the case study of Caution! Zine as an example of shifting social and cultural dynamics within global online fandoms since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. In his 2012 book, Baby Boomer Rock ‘n’ Roll Fans, Kotarba details at length the way fandom has shifted with aging baby boomers and their relationship with rock and roll: “In commonsense terms, I examine what happened to the first, complete generation of rock ’n’ roll fans—the baby boomer generation, now in late middle age and early old age. I argue that rock ’n’ roll music continues to serve as a critical meaning resource for its adult fans as they continuously experience the becoming of self throughout life” (8).
2. For volume 1, the staff at Caution! Zine selected The Loveland Foundation as the benefiting charity; for volume 2, Roadie Relief; and for volume 3, RAICES.
3. Caution! Zine illustrations are provided by Shan Murady and Bianca Ramos. With their permission, these illustrations are reprinted for this article.
4. Glastonbury, held in England during the summer, is one of the largest and most well-known music festivals in the world. Each year, the event has a couple of “secret sets” reserved for popular acts that are promoted as “TBA” in the more intimate venues of the festival. The Killers headlined the Pyramid Stage in 2019 to over 100,000 people. When the Killers played their secret set at the John Peel Stage in 2017, the festival closed off the tent at 7,000 people.