Founder seeks submissions for anniversary exhibition
Mark Perry, founder of the seminal punk fanzine Sniffin' Glue, has issued a call for contemporary music zine creators to submit their work for a special exhibition celebrating the publication's 50th anniversary. The exhibition, planned for later this year, aims to highlight the enduring influence of DIY music journalism.
Sniffin' Glue first appeared in July 1976, becoming a blueprint for punk fanzines worldwide. Perry produced 12 issues until 1977, each photocopied and stapled, featuring reviews, interviews, and raw commentary on the emerging punk scene. The fanzine famously included a diagram showing three chords on a guitar neck with the caption: “This is a chord. This is another. This is a third. Now form a band.”
Call for submissions and exhibition details
Perry announced the call via social media, asking zine makers to send copies of their publications to a designated address. “We want to see what people are doing now,” he wrote. “It’s amazing how the spirit of Sniffin’ Glue lives on in so many small, independent zines.” The deadline for submissions is 31 August 2026.
The exhibition will be held at the Museum of London in October 2026, curated by Perry alongside music journalist and author Jon Savage. It will feature original copies of Sniffin' Glue alongside selected contemporary zines. “The response has already been incredible,” Savage told the Guardian. “It shows that the DIY ethos is as strong as ever.”
Legacy and impact of Sniffin' Glue
Sniffin' Glue is credited with inspiring countless fanzines and independent music publications. Its raw, cut-and-paste aesthetic and irreverent tone captured the anti-establishment energy of punk. Perry later fronted the band Alternative TV and continued to write about music.
According to Perry, the fanzine’s influence extends beyond punk. “It was about saying you don’t need permission to create,” he said. “That message still resonates today, whether it’s a zine, a podcast, or a blog.” The exhibition will also include a series of talks and workshops on DIY publishing.
How to participate
Zine makers are encouraged to submit one copy of their publication, along with a brief note about their work, to: Sniffin' Glue 50 Exhibition, c/o Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN. Submissions will become part of the museum’s collection. For more information, visit the museum’s website.
