I’ve always been the curious, courageous explorer-type. I’m always in shock when people don’t want to try something new: a new type of food, a new book, a new band, etc. Life IS a banquet after all and there are some people out there doing some amazing sh#t, y’all! In that spirit, I bring you a list of ten people (bands, writers, photographers and generally fabulous personalities) that you probably don’t know, but you should.
V.I.P (Party Boys)
I tried to like Pansy Division, I really did. The problem was that the songs were all too obvious. Yes, some of the coolest artists can make-up for bad songwriting with a good sound, solid vocals and a steady beat, but Pansy Division just lacks all of that in my eyes ears. My ex-boyfriend loved PD, so every time he put one of their CDs on I had to find somewhere else to be: hmmm… no trash to take out? Let me make some – I’ve been meaning to get started on my life-sized Madonna statue made entirely out of popsicle sticks.
These rap all-stars with a Lil’ Kim beat, a Missy Elliot hip-hop jive are coming ya with an always fabulous queer slant.V.I.P. is the real Feminem with their uncommon rhyming raps – and, as my name suggests, you should know how much I love industrial – sound that makes you want to dance till you just can’t dance no more. If you’ve ever wondered what a queer Beastie Boys would sound like, check out the electrotastic Misshapes mix of Shorti.
Photo Credit: Tyler Goosey, Courtesy of Chris Yarber Myspace
With a sound like an audio-orgasm (an eargasm, if you will) Chris Yarber’s music will instantly conjure images of Duran Duran and Depech Mode. His deep vocals set on top of a steady, pulse-pounding melody will get your head bobbing and your feet moving. Let’s face it, sometimes the mood calls for total honesty, no matter how dark and Yarber’s track, A Reason To Lust is perfect for that emo-vampire goth orgy you’ve been planning.
Photo Credit: Unknown, Courtesy of Amazon.com
Brompton’s Cocktail, Hentges’ 1998 album may be ten years old, but it was light years ahead of its time with fancy keyboard work, strong beats and queer-friendly (sometimes outright queer) lyrics. The first single released (This Kind Of Love) for radio play on Austin’s famous, The Next Big Thing with Andy Langer was not well received by the mostly straight audience. While many listeners agreed she had a great sound (something akin to the industrial electropop DJ bands we hear out of NYC these days), they refused to swallow and chose to spit out the new-New Wave Hentges style.
But, if you have an open mind, you’ll love the retro sound of Hentges’ Brompton’s Cocktail. ‘Cause “girl and girl and boy and boy and girl and boy are workin’!”
Photo Credit: Jeffery Walls, Courtesy of MattildaBersteinSycamore.com and The Austin Chronicle
Matt isn’t your ordinary ‘mo – he’s been an advocate for the anti-assimilation camp among us new ‘radical fairies’ for a while now, just trying to keep us all from becoming dollar signs in the eyes of big-wig corporate types that are willing to market and sell to the gay community, but not willing to do anything else to support us.
His partially-autobiographical novel, Pulling Taffy, explores the non-assimilation stance in the queer community, the dangers of being a sex worker and the heartbreaking search for a place to call home. He’s also released several other compilations and anthologies, including: That’s Revolting: Queer Strategies For Resisting Assimilation, Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity and Dangerous Families: Queer Writing on Surviving.
Photo Credit: Unknown, Courtesy of Gabe Lopez Myspace
So you’re looking for a little more of a pop rather than the punk, the electro, the techno and the industrial, huh? I’ve got the solution for you with Gabe Lopez and his Indie-rocker tunes. Lopez has written songs for American Idol alum Jim Verraros and his skill with writing a catchy little song shows. His sound is mellow and his pitch is always perfect. Imagine that: a gay man that can write songs and sing them in the correct key! Okay, so there are some of them out there, but they can be few and far between. My favorite track? Check out Red Queen and strut your stuff, roughcuff!
Photo Credit: Michael Zavus, Courtesy of IceCreamTruck Myspace
He’s like ice cream on hot summer day, that much is evident, but this humpy guy is not just eye-candy, he’s a talented photographer and great philosopher with a terrific message for empowering the queer community. He’s launching a new GLBT dating website, GetSteady.com: Get Ready To Get Steady!
Photo Credit: Anonymous, Courtesy of SOR Myspace
I know you, you need a little bubblegum in your punk. If you think Ween meets Nada Surf with a little bit of a HelloandGoodbye highschool confessional feel, you’ve got SOR.
They’re like Fall Out Boy with a little more street cred. Check out their track, Let’s Flip A Coin for a dancey little ditty about unrequited teenage love and spin around your room humming the song till the ‘rents tell you to stop. You can download their EP free off their Myspace page.
Photo Credit: Jorgey, Courtesy of Mitchell’s Myspace
When I was in high school, I remember how all the kids would come back from long weekends with story after story of their drunken debauchery. Of course, you would never believe them about what a good time they’d had. No mater how good they said it was, you knew you could top it. You needed the photographic evidence. Like magic, photos of uber-cool scensters, hipsters and emos came pouring out of their backpacks and purses.
Mitchell and OutWithMe.com have capitalized on this overwhelming need to make the scene and be seen with candid event photography helping to put Austin on top of the list of tragihip world destinations. And why not? Austin’s the live music capitol of the world, after all. Where there’s music, there are the music makers and their legions of inspired fans. So go and check the guylinered prettyboys with foppish hair and the made-up mollies’ kissy-faced candids.
Photo Credit: Anonymous, Courtesy of Leslie Cochran Myspace
He’s run for mayor of Austin two times and by some fluke, he’s never won. He’s Austin’s favorite (honorary) son, a homeless advocate who now lives in a mansion and transvestite dynamo with his own magnetic “dress me” doll! Well, sure he has a beard and it can be frightening to see him crossing Congress Avenue in high heels, or hanging out on Sixth Street in his catholic schoolgirl uniform, but he helps to Keep Austin Weird.
Photo Credit: Anonymous, Courtesy of Captain Badass Myspace
We’re in a recession here people; some superheroes can’t afford a steady gym membership! So, his only power is being a total and complete badass, but you don’t want to get on his bad side, ‘cause he’s got plenty of them. He’s the original badass and an Austinite with flair.
2 responses so far ↓
mattilda bernstein sycamore // May 10, 2008 at 8:48 am
Oooh, so lovely to make your list, Shaun!
Love –
mattilda
shaunindustry // May 10, 2008 at 1:17 pm
You’re welcome, of course! I loved “Pulling Taffy”, by the way.
- S.Ind.