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REIURI{IOIHE LOUE SHAGI( The B-52s,the world'sgreatest partyband, comesout (in more waysthan one)with its first new album in 16 years ByMTcHAEL Grlrz

WHEN THE B-52s first formed in1976, Jimmy Carter was about to win the White House. The iast time they releasedan album of original material-in 1992-Clinton was on his wayto takingover for Bush Sr.And astheir first offering in t6 years hits the standsMarch 25,the country is abuzzwithtalkof theDemocraticPartymakinghistory. "We won't do an album without a Democrat in the White House," jokes B-52s guitarist Keith Strickland. -! Fred Schneider, Whether you credit politics, the rise of derivative acts like Scis- Keith Strickland, Kate Pierson, sor Sisters and Mika, or a surge of creativity from a band that's never and CindyWilson stopped touring behind classicslike "Roam" and "Planet Claire," +

March25,2008 rHE ADvocATE 53 SPTGIAIOR

underscored their message friend's memory the best. that misfits would someday 'A friend ofours said he felt like the al- rule the world. bum was a funeral in New Orleans," says That battle cry was likely Strickiand, "where the musicians sing and forged when Ricky Wilson clap their hands behind a funeral proces- and Strickland were still two sion and celebratea person's life. There's a closetedteens. lot of reflection on that album. Itwas abit- "Ricky is my first friend tersweet success,defi nitely." who came out," saysStrick- Selling 4 million copiesin the United land, who lives in Key West, States,Cosmrc ?hing produced two top-10 FIa., with his partner, Mark hits with "Love Shack" and "Roam" and Hayda. 'And it was really cute turned the cult band into MTV mainstays. howhe did it. He satme down Ifthe piled-up hair and vintage clothing on a sofa and he said, 'Ricky didn't prove the B-52s weren't your typi- Wilson is gay.'At fi rs! because cal band, Cindy's announcement that she he was speaking in the third was leaving to be closer to her family-at person,I was a little confused. the height oftheir success-did. For the re- But then I was like. OK. that's cord, Strickland saysshe never really quit; cool.I think it was six months shejust took a leave ofabsence. later that I came out." But their record company, Reprise- When Strickland met suddenlyrealizingthatthis eccentricgroup Schneider at the Universitv was a massive chart success-pressured the B-52s are finallyback. of Georgia, the queer misfit group grew. "I them to record a new album and tour. The Whlle Funplexreflects Strickland's love met Fred at a street dance," he remembers. result, GoodStuJf,wasrushedand, to some, of electronica, there's no doubt the album 'At this time I was very flamboyant and unsatisfying. But a good thing did come out sounds like vintage B-52s, thanks to songs I was really into the whole glitter scene.I ofit. Strickland decided to come out pub- like "Pump," which played on TheLWord, had longhair, but I teasedit out, and I wore licly once and for all. "Love in the Year 3000," and "Keep This makeup, and I'd wear like silver 1am6pants. "Wehad allbeenout in ourprivate lives," Party Going"-goofy, deliciously surreal I was/cr more outrageous than I ever was he says."The funny thing is, we were never numbers that celebrate the mall, autoerot- in the band. I saw two people dancing out askedin the press,and no one in the record icized human beings, and, yes, partying. of this whole crowd listeningto the music. company ever said aq,thing. We were writ- This seems in keeping with singer Fred I thought, They lookinteresting. The guy ingGood Stuff fwhich was overtly political Schneider's advice for his fellow Ameri- was Fred, and they looked at me and kind by B-52sstandards], and I felt like I wanted cans:"Forgetthe Republicans.Put all those of laughed." to get it out there and get it over with. right-wingers and religious nuts on the The B-52s famously formed one night "I was really moved by Madonna," he North Pole and let God take care of them. after heavy drinking at a Chinese restau- continues. "She's not gay, but she's really Everyone inAmerica should take off their rant when a friend of Schneider's insisted supportive. Why should I hide being gay? clothes and have a good time." they perform at her Valentine's Day party. Why is it something I should be afraid of But something has changed for the So Schneider,Strickland, Wilson, Wilson's talking about? There is often legitimate B-52s since the releaseof Good Stuff-they sister Cindy, and Pierson came up with six fear depending on where you live, but you got a little queerer. While it has long been songs (including "Rock Lobster'), most of just have to be verybrave and be an adult." know that the three original male band which would appear on their eponymous And that's where the B-52s are today- members (Strickland, Schneider, and the debut CD and are still live staplestoday. adult but still ready to have fun. late Ricky Wilson) were gay, redheaded The party almost stopped when Ricky . "I didn't smokeanypot for the first time bombshellKate Piersonhas come out about Wilson died of AIDS complications in 1985. while doingthis album-maybe once,"says her relationship with Monica Nation. (The The band had been only quietly open un- Schneider. "I'm really happy that I could two own Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel in til then. "Especially if you're in a rock and channel whatever nuttiness without smok- Mount Tremper, N.Y) Kate and Monica roll milieu," saysSchneider, "you just don't ing pot every day." have been open about their relationship for trumpet it. We didn't back then. If people Solo albums, sideprojects, families, and some time, though it will likely come as a asked,yes." lovers have all helped B-52s return stron- surprise to manyfans. But theywere forthright aboutWilson. ger than ever.And if the messageremains "Well, it was news to me," Strickland "It was actually the same month, I think, the same, it's one worth repeating. While sayswith a laugh. Rock Hudson died," recounts Strickland. renting avideo in Woodstock, N.Y.,Strick- For his part, Schneider doesn't remem- "There was a lot of fear around it and a lot land was recognizedbythe clerk. Shesaid, ber how he found out. "Maybe she sent out of ignorance.People just didn tknow. What "Oh, the B-52s meant so much to me. I an e-mail saying'I'm a lesbian,"'he says, is this?How do you get it? But he was very never knew if any of them were gay.But it adding "\Me were gonna ostracize her. We brave, very brave, and went very quickly. didn't matter because they made me feel wdnt thepress! Stay in!" They just didn't have the drugs they have good about being gay myself." now. Of course, after that we didn t think "Gosh, what a badge," he says."Some- f the B-52s had recorded nothing but that we could continue without Ricky." thing like that really means more to me than "Rock Lobster," the band would live on The band had an album almost com- an award. You put out somethingthat made wherever there was a party. But songs pleted when Wilson died called Bouncing someonefeel good about herself. That has p like "Cosmic Thing" "Private Idaho" Offthe Satellites.But it was the album Cos- been our message:It's OK to be different. i (the inspiration for Gus Van Sant'sfilm My mic Thing three years later that would pro- Make it work for you. Be yourself. There's * OwnPrivate Idahd. and "Love Shack" have pel the B-52s to stardom and honor their not goingto be another like you." * q

54 THE ADvocATE March25,2008