Black Velvet has been reviewed in many magazines and fanzines over the years - although recently many national magazines have unfortunately stopped reviewing fanzines. Having said that, here are a few quotes from reviews that we have had in the past:

'It's the 50th issue, and Black Velvet is celebrating with a full techno-colour spread coming at you in waves of vibrant pinks, greens and rainbow tones. Ok, all bright cheeriness aside, this is a great zine with fantastic music coverage, interviews, reviews and photos. Not only do the glossy pages look good with their full colour pictures of rockers like Eighteen Visions, The All-American Rejects, The Matches and more, but also the writing and interviews are mostly top-notch. Exceptional coverage is afforded to the Warped Tour 2006 and the Bulldog Bash, with enough information and shiny photos to reminisce the experience or make you wish you'd gone. The overall joyous celebratory mood of the 50th anniversary issue makes this one of the best issues yet, so pick it up! 4.5/5'

Big Cheese Issue 84 (Elyse Genderson) (Feb 2007)

'Black Velvet is a 'zine which just gets consistently better. The most professional looking, it's not just the glossy cover and colour photos that make it so. Featuring interviews with the likes of Bloodhound Gang and The All-American Rejects it mixes big names with up and coming bands. With single, DVD, book and album reviews this is definitely one to check out.'

Big Cheese Issue 72 (Don Mendez) (February 2005)

'Rock stalwarts Black Velvet are happy to give Taking Back Sunday a leg-up in their continued plans for world domination, with a major feature devoted to the US emo stars gracing the latest issue. As usual, the rest of the pages form a celebration of everything and anything rock, metal, emo, punk and goth. New Found Glory, Sugarcult, My Chemical Romance, Yellowcard, Dashboard Confessional and The Glitterati simply form the cake-decoration to an already impressive and choc-full lineup. An aspiring rock fan really couldn't ask for any more.'

The Fly (Apr 2005)

'One of the most professional fanzines you'll ever come across and it shows. With a regular column from Sugarcult's Marko 72, features on My Chemical Romance and Taking Back Sunday (oh, and Mark Owen) and an extensive reviews section, it's hard to go wrong. 9/10'

Rock Sound (Nov 2004)

'There's a reason Black Velvet has survived ten years, it's because it's really good. Focusing mainly on coverage of pop-punk/emo bands, such as Sugarcult and Brand New, the articles are interesting and the photos are brilliant. Loads of reviews for albums, demos and gigs. It might take you a while to read it all, as it's packed with stuff, but it'll be worth it. 5/5'

Big Cheese (Issue 55 Sept 2004)

'Already a well-established fanzine (it's been running 10 years now), Black Velvet 39 covers everything from Lostprophets and Thursday to Thunder and Bon Jovi. It's very professional in style with informative interviews and a good new talent section.'

Rock Sound (Issue 62 July 2004)

'Big Cheese favourite Black Velvet's new issue is just as informative, colourful and cool as ever. Obviously born out of a real love of music this 'zine is what the music scene should be about. This issue we have interviews with Thursday, Billy Talent and loads more to peruse including a column by none other than personal favourite of mine Marko 72 of Sugarcult. Cool.'

Big Cheese (Issue 50 April 2004)

'Crammed full of top quality articles and reviews Black Velvet is almost magazine-like. Featuring interviews with the likes of Alkaline Trio and All American Rejects this zine is bang up to date and doesn't shy away from popular alternative music. It does however have a unique voice featuring unsigned bands as much as famous ones. Black Velvet kicks ass in my opinion.'

Big Cheese (Issue 49 March 2004)

'Long running and professionally executed metal publication... Rather than waste time interviewing Marilyn Manson, Shari asked different fans what they thought of 'Holy Wood' - which turns out to be a lot more readable and interesting than talking to the ex-hack himself. Tons of well-written album and live reviews... Design's a bit boring, but that's a minor gripe for something with such overall high quality. Useful networking resource for artists and fans alike'.

Metal Hammer (Alex Burrows) (Apr 2001)

'FANZINE OF THE MONTH... Oh yes, the new look colour Black Velvet gets the thumbs up this time round most definitely. Still going strong in a scene which sees 'zines regularly come and go, Black Velvet has pretty much established itself as one of the leaders of the pack. Obviously BV wouldn't be the same without oodles of stuff on the Manics, but there are cool interviews with Therapy?, Tairrie B, Ratt and Bubble (who have a Dogs D'Amour connection), all wrapped up in a well presented and highly professional way.'

Metal Hammer (DS) (Apr 2000)

'A downright bargain, this quality 36-page A4 endeavour pulls under its umbrella a whole legion of hip bands ranging from front cover interviewees Feeder, to fellow South Wales heroes, the Manics and Stereophonics, plus Cyclefly, Cay etc. Lesser-known names also get the plugging treatment big-style, including crisp b&w photos, and there's a cartload of rock, pop, punk and glam reviews. Festival-philes get to re-live V99, Reading etc., and there's the first part of a Bon Jovi retrospective. Velvet smooth, indeed.'

Record Collector (T. Bach-Jones) (Feb 99)

'The latest issue of this sleek 'n' stylish A4 glossy (a previous FOTM) is as value-stuffed as ever, including dozens of reviews and photos of the many celebrities BV's Shari has met (3CR have to be her cousins or something). Only one thing - considering this mag aims to focus on contemporary glam rock, where's the Marilyn Manson feature? Otherwise, top marks for this tip-top mega-mag.'

Record Collector (James R. Blandford) (May 99)

'FANZINE OF THE MONTH... The bible of everything glam punk pop rock... This eclectic selection ensures a rollickin' good read with hundreds of record reviews (both common and horribly obscure), gig reports (including a pithy report on Reading) and features on Ash and the Kerrang! Richie Sambora fan interviews. Profusely illustrated with plenty of Shari's own photos and packed full of little snippets of info and fun, it's great value and a jolly good larf to boot.'

Record Collector (Martin O'Gorman) (Jan 99)

'...at the risk of sounding like a dribbling sycophant, it's a quality read and well worth checking out. OK, cover stars Mansun won't be to everyone's taste, but there's also an Ozfest review and features on Therapy?, Garbage, Alice Cooper and Stimulator - all done in Shari and co's inimitably stylish manner.'

Metal Hammer (DS) (Oct 98)

'...A glossy 36-page affair featuring articles and interviews with a rock and indie slant. In the copy we were sent there are a few too many exclamation marks (in! a kerrrazzzyyy!! way!) throughout and many of the reviews fail miserably in the clever stakes, but it's an entertaining read and well worth the cover price of £1.50.'

The Band (May 98)

'I have a real soft spot for Black Velvet. I don't know whether that's because of our shared passion for the Manics, if it's a throwback to my early glam days (cough) or just cos BV is a really committed and passionate 'zine. Anyway, #15 contains a 3CR interview, tons of reviews and features on the Ex-Boyfriends and the Wildies amongst others. Nice.'

Metal Hammer (DS) (Apr 98)

'The indomitable Shari, glam queen, Bon Jovi fanatic and BV mainwoman, has been doing this for yonks now and it shows in the superior quality of her labour of love. Unashamedly concerned with all things trashy, sleazy and rock 'n' roll, BV is polished, informative and eminently readable. And as the Manics are on the cover, it must also have impeccable taste.'

Metal Hammer (DS) (Sep 97)

'Shari Black Velvet is a zine making machine. Issue 61 is another corker with brilliantly researched interviews that have been carefully thought out for each interviewee. This issue boasts We The Kings who are this issue's cover stars, Billy Talent, Duff McKagan, Madina Lake, Black Stone Cherry, Ashbury and many more treats inside. Elsewhere there are some pretty awesome festival reviews including Download and Black Velvet are one of the only UK magazines that write about The Warped Tour in the States which is always an interesting read and makes me want to go there myself! You get a lot of articles to read for your dosh here and you can even win some free yummy vegan chocolate!

Devolution Issue 22

'Black Velvet is really top notch, I love the format. You get all the essentials a rock mag should have; band interviews, albums, singles and demo reviews, lots of gig reviews. All the photos are shot by the BV staff, many by Shari herself. They do this magazine the way they want, it's certainly not a slave to advertising, there are only a few ads and they fit in with the format of the zine. BV is a product of love of the music and it shows.'

Narcolepsy Press Review Issue 3

'Black Velvet meets another landmark with its 50th issue and a brand new look, all glossy and full colour! Shari's really stepped things up a gear once again with some great interviews with Sugarcult and The All-American Rejects.'

TrashPit Issue 10

'When you look at an independent magazine that is produced and distributed solely by an editor whose passion and unrelenting determination has earned her respect and a name that would make any mother proud - we have to salute the one woman army that is Shari for making it to Black Velvet's 50th birthday!! That's right - 50 issues on and this zine is still going strong. With hopes of it only getting bigger and better. This issue we see a new logo, and a full colour standard that has been set - making this look even sexier than it was before but now in technicolor. Appearing in this issue are cover stars Sugarcult who are avid supporters of the zine and The All-American Rejects, New Found Glory, Eighteen Visions, Allister and The Matches. With mountains of live, CD, zine and book reviews to munch. Seriously there isn't enough room to list here what the contents include so just buy yourself a copy and join in with the celebrations!'

Devolution Issue 11

'Shari is certainly the foxiest zine editor I've seen, and I thought long and hard about whether to put that at the start of the review incase it cheapened her zine. But the truth of the matter is that this zine is so bloody well put together I don't think anything I say could harm it. Shari has gone the extra mile this issue and there are even a bunch of colour glossy pages! Feature bands this time around include Funeral For A Friend, Teenage Casket Company (rah!), Bloodhound Gang and The All-American Rejects. As you can tell by that line-up Black Velvet is a lot more mainstream than most zines, and very readable too!

Beat Motel Issue 4

'How Shari manages to maintain the same high standards issue after issue beggars belief. She has turned in another corker with issue 45, which sees interviews with Finchm Wednesday 13 and Rise Against, amongst others. If you want a quality music magazine to read without the pretentiousness of the mainstream press, then this is what you need to buy.'

Splizz Issue 52

'Another long-runner on the zine scene, this issue of Black Velvet has excellent interviews with Taking Back Sunday, 3 Colours Red and Johnny Panic, amongst others. There are a huge amount of music reviews, so if you are undecided what to part your cash for at your local HMV, this is definitely worth a read.'

Splizz Issue 50

'After reading Black Velvet's 10 year anniversary (congrats!) issue, I have decided that it's my favourite magazine. Editor in Chief, Shari, is my idol, as she has produce a rockin' UK indie music publication that is all I aspire PV to be... Black Velvet provides in-depth interviews (this one spotlights Sugarcult) and dives into topics like animal rights with musicians. I was thrilled to see Lostprophet Lee Gaze as the Back Page Babe, and Never Heard Of It interviewed. Forget Rolling Stone, BV is for true music fanatics'

Planet Verge Issue 7

'It's quickly approaching Black Velvet's 10th anniversary and it's not hard to see why the zine has lasted so long and is continuing to do well. For those not in the know, Black Velvet is a professional quality quarterly magazine mainly covering indie, metal and glam... It is an excellent purchase. This issue contains acts such as Billy Talent, Ashba and coverstars Lostprophets all enthusaistically written about in a well designed magazine.'

The Worst Fanzine, Issue 2: Summer 2004

'It's an interesting mix of exciting contemporary stuff and people like Sebastian Bach (tee-hee) and Doro (tee-hee-hee), artists who require equal amounts of derision and respect nowadays. The layout's excellent and really clear helping make Black Velvet one of the most professional yet knowledgeable zines around in the UK today.'

A Short Fanzine About ROCKING! #5

'Dude, this is like a zine version of Tiger Beat - Jon Bon Jovi is even the 'Back Page Babe'! Woo! As for the front cover, well, I'd never heard of New Found Glory before I got this, so I see no reason not to give Black Velvet the credit for breaking them. They also steal into my good graces by running an interview with Martin Degville of Sigue Sigue Sputnik'

Zine World #18 Winter 2003

'This is a lovely, glossy magazine, aiming to be the glossiest pop punk glam and rock mag around. Lots of great photos produced really clearly and in colour on the cover... With the NME turning into The Daily Express, surely the time is right for Black Velvet to take over from the bland weeklies - if only!'

R*E*P*E*A*T #18

'This is a quality rock mag from the United Kingdom that I found similar in content to our very own Long Gone Loser zine. Well there's no porn in Black Velvet like LGL, and it's written by a raunchy looking chick and not some dirty old dude, but it's chock full of rock 'n' roll!'

Beans Baxter #11

'Black Velvet is a fanzine, or magazine rather, that is instantly eye-catching with its colour cover. Beneath such a quality fronting lies nothing less than a quality magazine packed to the rafters with album and singe reviews, interviews and gig write-ups... Black Velvet has been going for some time and they really know what they're talking about'

Satan's Fish Tank #4

'Black Velvet showed us once again that is is the BEST fanzine and definitely one of the best professional zines out there. The cool report on Bon Jovi in Europe, the Manic Street Preachers & Toploader UK tour report, the interviews with The Donnas, LA Guns... made me read this zine over and over again... So come on folks go & buy it!'

Dedicated To Bon Jovi #5/Q4-2001

'This fanzine is amazing, no take that back. I won't insult Black Velvet by calling it a fanzine, as it is without a doubt a legitimate magazine. Thirty five glossy pages all concentrating on good old fashioned rawk and roll. In my humble opinion it is superior to most of the rock mags found in an average newsagents (Kerrang! and Metal Hammer - I'm talking to you!). This magazine may be in black and white but it still looks superb. How the mag is produced and sold for one fifty an issue I don't know. If Vision and Black Velvet were cult sci fi, Black Velvet would be Star Wars to our Blake's Seven! Above all else the content is refreshing. When just about every fanzine is concentrating on the latest lad rock indie britpop (Idlewild, Embrace - you know the ones!!!) a magazine that is not afraid to look at pretty boy rock and heavy metal is a breath of alpine air... I was surprised to see a picture in this section of a girl who looked like my ex cuddling up to Jon Bon Jovi! But Black Velvet's high quality and production values are a seducer even great than Jon Bon Jovi himself.'

Vision - Issue 6

'Some say the hardest thing is not to reach the top but to stay there. That may be true for most of us but certainly not for Shari who still publishes the coolest magazine in the world!'

Their Days - Issue 8

'BV probably wins best fanzine ever! 5/5 The fanzine that others aspire to!'

Sappy - Issue 3

'A really ace proper glossy magazine/fanzine by a lady who certainly gets out and about with notepad and camera. If you're into the rockier side of life the bus stops here... Always crammed to the hilt with essential reading matter. Foxy lady umm.'

3rd Eye - Issue 7

'This is f**king amazing. Of all the fanzines I've ever seen, this is by far the most professional. Boasting glossy pages (oooh! I hear you cry) this has quality AND quantity... Damn good value for money, I suggest you all go out and buy it now.'

Psychedelic Daisies- Issue 1

'a great big glossy A4 fanzine that is very well laid out with a full colour cover and everything! And it comes out very frequently as well, how Shari gets the time and money to do it I don't know. Despite its glossy magazine style exterior, BV is written in a very friendly style and is a good read.'

The 'Exclusive' - Issue 8

'...Very impressive & polished stuff which indeed puts me to shame...'

Feather Boas And Napalm - Issue 1

'Undoubtedly the best fanzine around dealing with all things rocky and glammy...'

Iconoclastic Glitter - Issue 3

'Luckily for you and me, there's a new issue of Black Velvet Magazine out at the moment. Featuring interviews with Funeral For A Friend, The Movielife, All American Rejects, The Ataris, The Starting Line, Less Than Jake and Waterdown as well as a Bon Jovi European tour report and plenty of reviews to keep you well informed, you'd be a fool to miss it. Visit www.blackvelvetmagazine.com to find out where you can buy it. Wait until you've finished reading this first though (unless it's hurting your eyes, of course). Seriously though, the new issue of Black Velvet is very good.'

Andy Malt, Indigo Flow (Issue 39 - October 2003)

'Wow this has got be the best magazine doing the rounds in the uk at the moment. It just covers about every form of guitar music including punk and is well worthy of support.'

Steve DIY, Street Voice Summer Special (June 2003)

WEBZINE REVIEWS

'Another great issue from Shari who is doing a brilliant job. In this issue there´s interviews with Simple Plan, Alkaline Trio, Taking Back Sunday, MXPX, My Ruin and more! Not only that but there´s plenty of reviews of albums, singles, demo´s and other fanzines. The quality is top notch throughout and as usual is printed on glossy paper with plenty of colour! Why this isn´t stocked on the shelves of newsagents I´ll never know as this destroys magazines like ´Kerrang´ and ´Rock Sound´. So what you waiting for? Show some support and pick this independent magazine up. It rocks!'

Steve DIY, FFRUK (May 2006)

'Black Velvet inspired me to start my own zine kids FACT!'

GodIsInTheTV.co.uk (Sept 2005)

'I really really love this magazine and I can´t help but give Shari loads of praise as this just has to be read! It´s all Glossy and colour throughout all for the bargain price of £2 + Postage/Overseas around $5. There is so much love and dedication put into this to be believed. In this issue there´s interviews with The Used, Silverstein, My Chemical Romance, Fonzie and plenty more for your money. Not only that but thre´s plenty of music and gig reviews plus the regular column by Marko 72(Sugarcult) and the A-Z of Rock by Jummy Eat World. Brilliant - What more can I say?!! 10/10'

FFRUK.co.uk/Punkglobe.com (May 2005)

'This is a magazine that everyone into Rock 'N' Roll should be reading. Written by the beautiful Shari I can´t recommend this magazine enough and this issue is no different as it features interviews with the likes of Simple Plan, Papa Roach, 3 Colours Red, The Living End and Jimmy Eat World. There´s also reviews of Leeds Carling Weekend, Sugarcult and Broadzilla gigs to name but a few not forgetting all the new releases that are reviewed here. When most people are happy to just bang a magazine together with no thought so I tend to lose interest but Black Velvet is glossy throughout, well laid out and informative. It´s my favourite magazine I´ve picked up this year and it should be yours too! Don´t be a fool and miss out - so what you´re waiting for? Get ordering! 10/10'

FFRUK.co.uk (November 2004)

'Forget Kerrang and all them other boring rock magazines you find in most book stores and pick up a copy of the new Black Velvet Magazine. It's probably the best magazine in the world of music today and whats more its done by Shari from her home. The layout is spot on and every page is glossy. In this issue there are interviews with Yellowcard, Story Of The Year, Mark Owen, Taking Back Sunday and more as well as awesome piece on A Day In The Life Of A Concert Promoter. Some good articles from Marko 72 of Sugarcult and more. Plenty of reviews too! Its a blinding read so pick up your copy from a good record store or buy it on line.'

FFRUK.co.uk (August 2004)

'Editor, Shari, is not only a fantastically gorgeous and lovely glam lady, but an inspiration to anyone wishing to start a 'zine - including myself. Every issue is packed with a multitude of excellently written album reviews, single reviews, demo reviews, live reviews, interviews, articles, etc etc etc...
As far as I'm concerned it is *the* best music publication on sale.'

Random-Consciousness.co.uk (July 2002)

Remember when we all used to read teletext in the 90s? We used to send Black Velvet to be reviewed on there.

TELETEXT REVIEWS

'Kerrang! with better make up, the glossiest and most professional fanzine around, the fact it's issue 31 shows how remorseless BV is in chewing out the competition.'

UFO, The Void, Channel 4 Teletext (09.04.02)

'The veteran glam-tinged mag is so glossy and well put together by now that it feels something of a cheat to review it in a fanzine column... Near enough impossible to find fault so, er, we won't. 8/10'

UFO, The Void, Channel 4 Teletext (20.09.01)

'Beautifully packaged, this would not look out of place in a newsagents... Great value for money AND with an imprint of the Rock Chick editor's lips, what more could you ask for? 4/5'

UFO, The Void, Channel 4 Teletext (16.11.99)

'Rock zine that's packed out with rocking reviews, news and interviews with the best of hard-hitting glam punk and pop rock. The A4 and glossy design is a delight as is the Reef interview. Reef, Rides and Rolf! You'll have to buy it to learn more. The festival files covers European festival fun, as well as the usual Glasto. and co. A top round-up on the frenzied world of rock.'

UFO, The Void, Channel 4 Teletext (03.08.99)

'As big, bargainiferous, glossy and rocky as ever, issue 16 (!) of one of the slickest 'zines around...'

UFO, The Void, Channel 4 Teletext (28.05.98)

& velvet kisses

Shari Black Velvet

Shari Black Velvet is the editor of Black Velvet. She also reviews, interviews and photographs bands, as well as laying out the zine in its entirety, working on the website, maintaining the MySpace page, Facebook page, Twitter and lots more.

Shari Says...