Sun. September 12, 2004
By Eric Roldan
The self-titled 2004 debut for the Scissor Sisters is still making its way through the smaller avenues of the music industry. It’s not taking that long, however, for these hip and stylish babes to navigate the gay friendly highways already traversed by Elton John, George Michael, and Boy George. The difference is that there’s no ambiguity this time. In a post-Queer Eye world, this band has been able to make being gay a commodity. And why not? Closeted and mysterious vocal artists are so boring these days, and audiences can have a good ear for sincerity if given actual examples of composition and urgency.
Urban tales of the group’s NYC meeting and formation are already circulating. One of the best ones goes like this: chief song writers Jake Shears and the guy only known as Babby Daddy met performance artist Ana Matronic, the hostess of a decadent cabaret show in the Lower East Side. “She’s tough, amazing, glamorous…” the boys rave. She first met Jake at a Halloween party, where she’d dressed as a Warhol Factory reject, and he was in the guise of ‘a back-alley abortion.’ She recalls: “We both took one look at each other and thought: ‘Hey, you’re cool!!’” Right. That’s what gets me about all the articles and reviews I’ve read about this band. The critics love the gayness and their own personal images about the Sisters’ fabulous life. They might even mention how catchy and truly seventies the songs are. “Terrifically Gay!!” they exclaim.
To say their status as Universal Records’ latest hype machine has them at the helm of all their control boards would be naïve, but the band knows what it’s doing. Personality is all over this record. The ideas and emotions might seem to hide behind the glamour pastiche, but a close listen shows the darkness behind their nostalgia. Maybe some cult-status is in the works, as a debut album on a major label is risky business. For now, The Scissor Sisters have promised us a fabulous party. This is their second time through Chicago on a massive world tour. This Wednesday, September 15, Metro 3730 N. Clark. Dj Sammy Jo provides pre and post music. Doors, 7pm, 18 & over. (Event Details)
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