Seattle gay news pride ‘07
June 15, 2007 - Issue 24, Volume 35 Music
Sting of The Police at Key Arena on June 7th Photo by QH on SGN assignment Dream Police Pop’s top cops at the Seattle’s Key Arena by Maggie Bloodstone fading youth you were a big part of, so just was written, constructed, and played with or something. When they followed that SGN Contributing Writer assume they already know you’ve “grown care, technical finesse, and a heapin’ helpin’ with their rockingest tune,‘Synchronicity as an artist”, and give the people what they of lily-white English soul aimed at that part II’, I could have gone home happy then, There are certain unwritten rules want- hits! of the listener’s brain that reacts to intensely but brain chemistry going back 27 years concerning reunion concerts, which vary After about 4 numbers into the Police’s appealing stimuli, i.e.: sex, chocolate, and (along with a couple of Jack & Cokes I according to the history and reputation of June 7 set, I was stricken by a revelation: all truly great Pop music. downed prior) kicked in with a vengeance individual bands, but some are as obvious their songs were hits! At the very least, hits With Bob Marley’s recording of ‘Get for a life-affirming rendition of ‘Spirits as Bono’s political leanings or the bulge in the sense that even a passive listener such Up Stand Up’ for an intro (another good In The Material World’, and I heard my in M. Jagger’s spandex knickers. First as I was back in the day will immediately reunion rule: never forget your roots) the 23-year old self yelling: “Why didn’t and foremost: Play The Hits! Your fans remember exactly where they were the first ultimate power trio kick-started the show we go see these guys in1980?!” Well… don’t want to hear any ‘experiments’, no time they heard the opening notes of ‘De with ‘Message In A Bottle’, which brought because in 1980, I was still hopelessly filler from your solo album, no covers of Do Do Do, De Da Da Da’. Pretty near every the 30-to-50something crowd to their feet ‘Louie Louie’- they want to recapture the note the Police produced in their 8-year run so fast, you’d have thought they were young see POLICE page 17 2 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007 Bette Midler is coming to Caesars Palace! “Get ready Vegas ‘cause here I come!” greg gorman
Bette Midler heading to Caesars Palace
Thar she blows! Bette Midler officially Caesars Palace President, Gary Selesner announced that she is headed for Las Vegas. couldn’t be happier that Bette Midler will be The legendary sensation has signed on with coming aboard and calling The Colosseum entertainment promoter AEG Live for a home for the next two years. minimum two-year deal as the new resident “Caesars Palace has set the standard for artist at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace entertainment in Las Vegas by continually starting in February 2008. booking the biggest and best acts the city When asked about her upcoming run in has ever seen including Celine Dion and Las Vegas – The Divine Miss M. had this Elton John,” said Caesars Palace President to say. Gary Selesner. “Adding the inimitable “Get ready Vegas ‘cause here I come! Bette Midler to The Colosseum’s family of Caesars Palace will never be the same and entertainers adds yet another jewel to our to all those critics who have accused me of crown.” being ‘tacky,’ ‘too much’ and ‘over the top’ I say, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet!” Tickets on-sale now The show, which is scheduled to premiere Bette Midler will perform approximately on February 20, 2008, will be the biggest, one hundred shows a year at The Colosseum most imaginative production Bette Midler at Caesars Palace. The show will be has ever done. With plenty of girls, gags presented at 7:30 p.m. five nights a week and guffaws, her incomparable humor, the and will be dark on Monday and Thursday. best song catalogue in American music Tickets for performances from February 20 and her fabulous “Kiss My Brass” section, through March 9 are on sale now and can audiences will be treated to an experience be purchased by calling 1-877-7BETTEM that can only be referred to as “divine”. (723-8836) or on-line at www.ticketmaster. “All of us at AEG Live are ecstatic about com, keyword “Caesars Palace”. Tickets working with Bette and look forward to may also be purchased in person at The the fun and success we are going to have Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office together on this project,” said John Meglen, open daily from 10a.m. to 10p.m. For Co-CEO and President of AEG Live/ groups of 20 or more, call 702.731.7208. Concerts West. “The show is going to be Ticket prices are $95, $140, $175, Bette at her absolute best and her fans are and $250. Visit bette.aeglive.com for going to be blown away!” more information on Bette Midler at The For over 40 years, Caesars Palace has set Colosseum at Caesars Palace. the standard in entertainment by offering its guests world-class performers and Printed by permission of AEG Live. musicians. In keeping with that standard,
June 15, 2007 PRIDE ‘07 Music Seattle Gay News 3 Getting sloppy with an American Idol courtesy of philadelphia gay news
by Gary M. Kramer Philadelphia Gay News Special to the SGN
Jim Verraros may be best known as the openly Gay “American Idol” contestant on the show’s first series. But hopefully that will soon change. Since the show, Verraros has appeared in the film “Eating Out” and produced a CD, “Rollercoaster.” Now Verraros is back as the lead in “Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds,” the better-than- the-first sequel to the hit film now out on DVD. In “Eating Out 2,” Verraros plays Kyle, an insecure Gay guy whose boyfriend Marc (Brett Chukerman) dumps him. When Kyle and his female friends Gwen (Emily Brooke Hands) and Tiffani (Rebekah Kochan) meet the hunky but sexually confused Troy (Marco Dapper), they try to determine what team Troy American Idol Jim Verraros plays for. The screwball plot has Kyle pretending to be Tiffani’s boyfriend so he can get close in real life. There are two types of straight to Troy in a romantic way, even if it means men. One who is a bit more insecure about teaching him how to score with women. his sexuality, who’s homophobic and then Verraros met with PGN to discuss his you have the straight man who’s like, “Hey, acting and singing careers, as well as his this is work. It’s a fucking kiss and I’m not sexy scenes in “Eating Out 2.” going to make a big deal out of it.” And the latter is how they were. They made me feel PGN: Jim, you may be more well-known comfortable. for singing than for acting — how did you PGN: Can you discuss the scene where get involved in performing? Would you you teach Troy about the fine art of rather be an actor or a singer? cunnilingus? How were you and Marco Jim Verraros: After I was eliminated not bursting out in hysterics licking each [from “American Idol”] back in 2002, I other’s fingers? wasn’t even thinking about music to be JV: It looks funny. I was worried how honest. I had taken such a beating from it would come off. I wanted to ask about that show that I was just focused on acting. women, if they watch that scene and think That was my niche. My cast mates would it’s hot/get off on it. And some girls are say, “Jim, you’re fucking hilarious, be in a like, “I was a little moist.” So we delivered. sitcom or something.” I got an e-mail from That’s all that matters. I know, I’m so my producer about [Q.] Allan Brocka, who crude! was the director of the first [“Eating Out”]. PGN: Most of the cast gets naked. But I met him, read the script, fell in love with you are wearing two shirts in every scene! it, auditioned and he cast me. I don’t really JV: Before we shot, I had worked out want to choose between either. I want both. for two-and-a-half months so I could feel PGN: Were you surprised that you were a better about taking my shirt off. It was supporting character in “Eating Out” but the actually written in the original script that lead part here? How did that come about? when Octavio [Adrian Quinonez] takes JV: People connect with my role. I don’t his shirt off [during his love scene with my know one Gay man who does not feel they character], he was supposed to unbutton aren’t “good enough.” mine. It never happened. Kyle doesn’t need PGN: Your character, Kyle, is not a to [get naked]. I think his character is a bit confident guy, which hurts his relationships. more conservative. How are you when it comes to relationships PGN: You had three songs of yours on — shy or in control? the soundtrack of the first “Eating Out;” did JV: People think that I would be the shy you try to get a tune in “Eating Out 2”? one — to be taken control of — but I’m JV: I submitted some brand-new stuff kind of the more aggressive one. I don’t to Phillip [the director], and he loved [the bullshit. I don’t have time to waste. songs] but there wasn’t a place for a full PGN: Kyle has to pretend to like women song clip in the film. It just didn’t work. I to get the hunk of his dreams. Have you was fine with it. ever dated a woman? How far did you get PGN: So while you are waiting for your with her? next film role, are you working on another JV: Yeah, I did date [a girl] in high school. album? It clearly didn’t work out, but she’s a great JV: Yeah, I’m halfway through it. It’s girl and I learned a lot. I learned that I’m going to be different. It’s going to be rock- Gay! I’ve had pussy — I’m definitely Gay. ier, but I’m going to throw in some twists When I went down on Tiffani in the film, just to screw with people. A ballad, and that was method acting — that was going something that’s a bit more urban. I am back to the days when I tried to avoid it at edgier and sexier than the boy bands. “Idol” all costs. molds you into this cookie-cutter thing and PGN: In the film, your character kisses when I came out with my album, I think many men and women. Who gave the best people were excited because it was so lip lock? different. It had its pop moments but there JV: Rebekah is a good kisser; I just had were some sexual moments, where people to react badly to it. Marco [who plays went, “Holy fuck, did he just say that?” I Troy], for being a straight guy, is decent. kind of like getting that reaction. But the men who I had to kiss in the film — what really impressed me was their © 2007 Gary M. Kramer professionalism, knowing that I was Gay
4 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007 SGN PRESENTS SUMMER MUSIC PREVIEW: From Indigo Girls to Josh Groban, Gay concert fans will have lots to enjoy! by Albert Rodriguez, Lorelei Quenzer, work - more than any other female artist in Lyle Lovett and kd lang Rufus Wainwright Richard Kennedy and Grammy history. ($39.50-$69.50, www. @ Chateau Ste. Michelle, July 20-21 @ Moore Theatre, July 29 Jessica Browning ticketmaster.com). L. Quenzer These are truly two incredible live He wasn’t overly friendly backstage SGN A&E Writers performers, and you just can’t miss a chance during his recent two-night stand at The Kelly Clarkson to see them both in such a beautiful setting Triple Door, but we won’t hold that against @ Key Arena, July 13 as the Chateau. In spite of being void of him as long as he continues making top The original American Idol is back in chart-topping hit singles, they both continue quality music. Rufus Wainwright attracts town, and you don’t have to sit through 9 to fill concert halls year after year. You will Gay fellow hipsters and straight trendy- runner-ups to hear her! You might remember know why when you hear kd lang’s vocals types to his live shows, and what they that Clarkson beat out Justin Guarini with soar, giving you goose bumps on a warm experience is a theatrical pop artist in his 58% of the votes. Don’t hold that against summer night, followed by Lyle Lovett and prime. “Going to a Town” from his new her - she clearly had the best voice of all his superb band entertaining while you sip album, Release the Stars, is one of his finest the finalists. Since her appearance on the wine during sunset. ($57.50-$125, www. pieces. ($33.50-$43.50, www.ticketmaster. 2002 Idol season, Clarkson has won two ticketmaster.com) R. Kennedy com) A. Rodriguez Grammys - proving she’s the real deal. Her next album, My December, drops June 23. Erasure Daft Punk w/ The Rapture ($48.50-$68.50, www.ticketmaster.com) @ Moore Theater, July 24 @ WaMu Theater, July 29 L. Quenzer There’s no denying the sweet spot most This is sure to be the biggest electro-rock club-goers have for those dependable party to hit Seattle all summer. With Daft popsters of Erasure. The Punk only playing a handful of US cities, last time I saw the half-Gay grab your tickets now because this show pair in action, they allowed will draw people from all over our region. the audience to choose Sharing the stage will be The Rapture, Kelly Clarkson the next tune from a giant who are not to be missed. Don’t forget deck of cards. They are to wear your dancing shoes. ($40, www. From the dozens of upcoming summer exciting and full of energy ticketmaster.com) J. Browning concerts in and around Seattle, we picked in concert, and still write twelve of them that you might want to join fabulous songs as their new us at. Some are outdoor, some indoor. And release, The Light At The each promises to be memorable in its own, End of The World, proves special way. Here’s to live summer music yet again. ($33.50-$43.50, in Seattle! www.ticketmaster.com
Indigo Girls Projekt Revolution @ Woodland Park Zoo, June 17 Tour w/ Linkin Park, Indigo Girls Emily Saliers and Amy Ray Taking Back Sunday, are probably as well known for their sexual HIM, and more Josh Groban orientation and political activism as they are @ White River for making great music. And that’s kind of Amphitheatre, July 25 a shame, because these Grammy-winning Tegan & Sara White River Josh Groban Girls really rock. I sure hope you’ve already Amphitheatre in late July is @ Key Arena, August 18 got your tickets for this show, because it’s Tegan and Sara the place to be for hard rock music fans. The Gay men can’t get enough of Josh Groban, sold out and has been for a while. Oh, well. @ The Triple Door, July 19 Projekt Revolution Tour, featuring Linkin the platinum-selling cutie pie with a voice Maybe you could pick up a copy of their Lesbian duo Tegan and Sara aren’t just Park, Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical that can melt ice into water in seconds. His newest album, Despite Our Differences, identical twin sisters, they’re equally gifted Romance, HIM, Placebo and a few other new effort, Awake, has already sold over a burn it to your iPod and listen to it in the musicians. You may recall their cool-as- standout acts, will surely give everyone million copies domestically, thanks to the park? (No tickets, concert is sold out) beans single “Walking With a Ghost”, a good bang for their buck. Non-heteros Grammy-nominated artist’s committed fan L. Quenzer which they performed to hordes of people should feel welcome at this show, as Taking base. At Key Arena, Groban will make when they opened for The Killers two years Back Sunday interviewed with Seattle Gay hearts pitter-patter. And with African diva Norah Jones and The Handsome Band ago. At The Triple Door, this exciting pair News last year and Linkin Park definitely Angelique Kidjo opening the show, expect @ McCaw Hall, June 29 is not to be missed. They often babble know they’ve got strong support from Gay this to be thrilling from start to finish. ($55- The last time Norah Jones played Seattle and squabble on stage, but when they get fans. ($23.50-$69, www.ticketmaster.com) $95, www.ticketmaster.com) A. Rodriguez she filled Key Arena. This is a great to playing, it’s a rockin’ good time. ($20, A. Rodriguez opportunity to see her in a more intimate www.thetripledoor.net) A. Rodriguez venue. She is likely to include songs from her newest album, Not Too Late, in her set list. You will find in concert that she comes across as humble, charming and most of all a fantastic singer-songwriter. ($47.50-$58.00, www.ticketmaster.com) R. Kennedy
Eartha Kitt @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley June 31-July 5 At the age of 80, Gay icon Eartha Kitt isn’t done strutting her stuff just yet. TV’s original Catwoman is a multi-talented entertainer that shouldn’t be missed in concert. She sings, she dances, she flirts, and of course, she purrs. Kitt will treat fans to a six-night stay at the intimate Jazz Alley, and for those staying in town during the holiday weekend, you’d be smart to reserve a night with this divine legend. ($32.50- $35.50, www.jazzalley.com) A. Rodriguez
Alison Krauss & Union Station @ Marymoor Park, July 7 You probably remember Alison Krauss best from her work on the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack from 2000; Union Station band member Dan Tyminski even provided George Clooney’s singing voice for “Man of Constant Sorrow.” But Krauss won her first Grammy back in 1990; 17 years later, she has a total of 20 - including awards for solo, collaborative and producing
June 15, 2007 PRIDE ‘07 Music Seattle Gay News 5 Best of 2007½ : Ten albums and singles you should Canadian rockers The download now Reason don’t object by Albert Rodriguez Not since Tony Basil’s “Mickey” have SGN A&E Writer gay boys had such a grand opportunity to to playing at a Gay reach for the pompoms. All grown up and 2007 is halfway through and here’s a such a tease, Avril Lavigne is smoking hot. sampling of the year’s best albums and wedding and love a little singles. Expect these recordings to wind Going to a Town by Rufus up somewhere on our year-end best-of lists, Wainwright (Single) and be sure to download them to your MP3 Rufus Wainwright is no stranger to Nelly Furtado on the side player for summer listening or buy a CD writing bold, gorgeous ballads with copy for at-home play. dramatic arrangements. And this powerful, purchased for your MP3 player? emotional track from Release the Stars is by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E writer Bordignon: Aretha Live at Fillmore Ankle Injuries by Fujiya & perhaps his most captivating. West Miyagi (Single) Widerman: Hissing Fauna, Are You A month ago at the Virgin Festival in Comeback Kid, on iTunes. Proving that dance music doesn’t have to Rodriguez: What US city do you most the Destroyer? Vancouver BC, Canadian rock band The be loud and obnoxious, Fujiya and Miyagi Reason invited me backstage to hang out. want to play in? by Of Montreal (Album) are the proud owners of this year’s niftiest I sat with guitarist Jeremy Widerman and Widerman: California, because of all the club hit. “Suffer for Fashion” was either made courtesy of M ischa R ichter drummer Cam Bordignon inside a tent, hype. Whether it’s good or bad. for a summer pool party or a convention with a stash of chips in front of us and a Bordignon: LA or New York. of 80s nerds. Either or, Of Montreal has tub of iced beer behind us. Sneaking a tape Rodriguez: What’s your favoritecourtesy of Kevin Westenberg guilty created one of 2007’s quirkiest and most entertaining albums.
Icky Thump by The White Stripes (Single) Jack White is a rock genius, and this kick ass title cut from the multi Grammy- winning duo’s new offering is proof. A wild, inventive piece of music.
Let’s Call It Off by Peter, Bjorn and John (Single) Finger snapping never came in handier Amy Winehouse than using it for Peter, Bjorn and John’s jingly-retro pop number that reminisces the Back to Black by Amy days of Psychedelic Furs. Winehouse (Album) The Reason Beehive hairdos, trash talking and courtesy of Kevin Westenberg partying the night away are all on Amy recorder through Canadian customs and pleasure song? Winehouse’s resume. So is this year’s festival security was too risky, so I grabbed Widerman: “Maneater” by Nelly excellent, Motown-throwback debut. a notepad and pen, asked Widerman and Furtado. She’s a fellow Canadian who is Bordignon to give me one-sentence replies, rather successful. Children Running Through by and this is the product of that conversation. Rodriguez: Do you have an opinion Patty Griffin (Album) The Reason is currently shopping for a US about American chicks? recording contract, so it could be months Bordignon: They seem a little more Veteran folk artist Patty Griffin did the before they appear on American radio forward. impossible, one-upping herself again. Her stations or concert stages. In the meantime, Widerman: I like them. I love their little latest recording, featuring the stunning listen to “All I Ever Wanted” and “This is accents. “Heavenly Day”, is undoubtedly her finest Just the Beginning” at www.myspace.com/ Rodriguez: What piece of clothing or work to date. thereasonrock. accessory do you often leave behind on At the Virgin Festival, this is what tour? Fort Nightly by White Rabbits Arcade Fire Jeremy Widerman and Cam Bordignon of Widerman: Sunglasses. (Album) Hamilton, Ontario-based group The Reason Bordignon: Show shorts. (Bordignon is Neon Bible by Arcade Fire If you want to be different, be different. goofed off about in “The Music Lounge”. a longboarder, and usually wears shorts on Just sound amazing. And that’s exactly (Album) stage) what Brooklyn-based White Rabbits do on Religious fanaticism gets a deserving, Albert Rodriguez: Now that Gay Rodriguez: Does The Reason have any their rather eclectic debut. Take a listen to brilliant, sarcastic bitch-slap from highly marriage is legal in Canada, how much music videos out? “While We Go Dancing” and start swinging acclaimed ensemble Arcade Fire. With would you guys charge to play at a same Widerman: Yeah, on Much Music those hips. memorable tracks, like “Keep the Car sex wedding? (Canada’s equivalent to MTV). We just Running” and “Antichrist Television Jeremy Widerman: If they’re friends of shot a new video in Toronto with Sean Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne Blues”, this is a sure contender for Album ours, I’d do it for free. I’m just glad we Michael Turell, who directed a video for (Single) of the Year. live in a country that deals with it (Gay Michael Buble. marriage). Rodriguez: What’s the most luxurious Rodriguez: Does Hamilton have a Gay item on your concert rider (tour contract)? Pride parade? Widerman: V-8. Widerman: No, but Toronto does. A real Bordignon: Jack Daniels, fruit, veggies, VolunTeers pita bread and hummus. big one. Rodriguez: Which band member do you Rodriguez: One of my favorite Canadian think gets hit on most by guys? acts, who has interviewed with Seattle Gay Widerman: I’ve been hit on by guys a News twice, is Tegan and Sara. Widerman: Sara sang on our album, on few times, even without knowing it. But I needed! the song “We’re So Behind This”. Adam would have to say Adam (White) because lead singers get the most ass. (White) was friends with Tegan and Sara Sign Up Now! Cam Bordignon: It doesn’t matter to me since they were a folk two-piece. – being hit on by men or women. But the Rodriguez: What are you guys going The Pride March and Queerfest: 2007 Pride Festival lead singer gets all the attention, and the to do with all the money you made at the drummer. Virgin Festival? on Capitol Hill in Volunteer Park, Saturday June 23 Rodriguez: How often do you guys do Widerman: It’ll pay for the new van (he laundry when you’re on the road? points to a shiny white van parked close to Organized by the Seattle LGBT Community Center Bordignon: Whenever I’m home. I the tent). Our old one kept breaking down. Help with outreach, set-up, tear-down, march logistics and security. seriously wear the same jeans for a week. But if we ever make a lot of money, I’ll buy A great way to support our Community Center and celebrate Pride 2007! Rodriguez: What comes to mind when a guitar. [email protected] you hear Seattle? Bordignon: Yeah, maybe some new Widerman: Grunge, of course. drums. Bordignon: Nirvana. They were huge for me. Rodriguez: What’s the last item you
6 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007 Hello Betty: An courtesy of www interview with Betty .hellobetty.com vocalist Amy Ziff
by Larry Nichols Philadelphia Gay News Special to the SGN performing at pride festivals. “I can’t say things like that because it “Economically and politically, people makes me sound horrifically un-humble,” realize we’re the best audiences in the Betty vocalist Amy Ziff said, trying to back world,” she said. “Even if you’re not part away from a very bold statement she made of this community, if you support this not even five seconds earlier. community and you put on a show, it’s great. She was talking about a new song the We’ll always be part of this community band has introduced into its live set that she forever and ever and ever.” has high hopes for. And since we here at For more information on Betty, see www. PGN love to grind humility under our heels hellobetty.com or www.myspace.com/ like a spent cigarette, we weren’t about to bettymusic. let her off the hook in describing it. “My favorite new song that we’re doing © 2007 Philadelphia Gay News (L-R) Elizabeth Ziff, Alyson Palmer & Amy Ziff of Betty live that I hope Philly really loves is called ‘My Name is Linda Blair.’ My wish is that it turns into the biggest fag anthem of all time,” she laughed. We’re down with that, but who’s to know if it’s the earth-shaking Gay anthem she claims it is? “I’ve been practicing,” she said. “So I’m hoping that I can get my head to turn all the way around during the performance of it.” That will get our devil horns in the air. Stealing the show is nothing new for New York-based alternative rock group Betty, featuring Ziff on vocals with her sister Elizabeth on vocals and guitar and Alyson Palmer on vocals and bass. The group is primed to rock out at Philly Pride this year, which is a tour stop they are always more than happy to make. “It’s right up there in the top 10,” Ziff said, comparing Philly’s Pride Festival to the numerous other pride festivals at which Betty is a seasoned performance vet. “Maybe in the top five. It’s an amazing good time and it’s always blazing hot for some reason.” Ziff said that along with the new anthem- in-waiting, audiences should be delighted with Betty’s other new songs, which, outside of the band’s live shows, should see the light of day on its new CD later this year. “I think when we started, we were doing electronica stuff before we had live instrumentation backing us up and now we have a great combination of everything,” she said, speaking of the additions of guitarist Tony Salvatore and drummer Mino Gori to the group. “We tried out some of the new songs in Paris and the French audiences love it. So if it’s good enough for Paris, it’s good enough for Philly.” Betty has a long history of pride performances and Ziff points out that appearing at a pride festival wasn’t always as in-vogue as is it now. “We played, I think, one of the very first Gay prides in Washington, D.C., where we formed,” she recalled. “I remember some agencies and management companies saying that it was a bad move in our career. It was super-political in the beginning. Our friends were dying of AIDS. We were coming out. There wasn’t a question. It wasn’t something you thought about. You just did it because you wanted to be part of the whole celebration and making a stand. “Now it’s a little bit different. It’s less political and it’s more of a party, but I think when you step up and you realize what’s happening and you see some of these great communities all over the country and the world, it’s awe-inspiring. I think that, more than sharing the stage with different acts or playing with different people, it’s the most significant thing as performers to see where we’ve come, where we have to go still and how we’re all dancing as we’re part of the revolution.” Ziff went on to further extol the virtues of
June 15, 2007 PRIDE ‘07 Music Seattle Gay News 7 The Raveonettes bask Out Israeli idol in The Triple Door’s by Larry Nichols “The sexuality issue in Israel, it’s really Philadelphia Gay News open,” he said. “Not like in Lebanon or Special to the SGN Egypt and especially not Iran or Iraq. intimate ambience The whole situation in the Middle East, Ivri Lider may not be a household name of course, is making life a little bit more in the United States, but if he has his way, difficult for Israelis.” that will soon change. For now, he’ll just Despite those difficulties, Lider said the by Jessica Browning impossibly beautiful Foo and her partner have to be satisfied with being a hugely constant influx of so many different cultures SGN A&E Writer in crime, Rose, wanted to strike out on popular and out pop star in his native Israel in Israel has its benefits, especially when it their own, unencumbered except for the with a number of gold and platinum albums comes to acquiring his musical influences. essentials. Mind you, this wasn’t to mean to his credit. “I feel like Israel is very diverse,” he The Raveonettes acoustic. In fact, nearly the entire set was It’s not that Lider hasn’t started to make said. “We’re influenced a lot by the U.S. w/ Midnight Movies still pleasantly noise-laden, yet somehow, a a ripple in the U.S. music scene yet. Lider and also a lot by Europe. So it’s a mixture June 5 @ The Triple Door little more intimate. is the only international artist featured of American music and European music. In a flash, the duo officially took the stage, on the recently released emerging queer We’re kind of in the middle and we get Any excuse to head downtown and glasses of red wine in hand. Foo, dressed in artist compilation “Music with a Twist: all the Middle Eastern music, so it’s a big soak up some five-star musical talent black with her trademark platinum hair, and Revolutions.” Lider also completed a melting pot of influences and styles. I love and atmosphere at The Triple Door is Rose in his favored black and white stripes quick U.S. tour last year of intimate venues a lot of stuff. I play a lot of jazz, classical worthwhile. The beautiful booths and looked a little awkward at first, no doubt in cities like New York, Chicago, San music and modern music like Brian Eno, outstanding food from the kitchen of the getting used to playing in a lavish dinner Francisco and Los Angeles. Lou Reed, Bob Dylan. I love Bjork. I love a Wild Ginger is reason enough to hit the theater where everyone was seated in “Israeli audiences know me and know lot of bands from London and the U.S. like so-called “West Edge” any night of the booths. A brilliant cover of Buddy Holly’s P HOTO by EMI week. When the Danish noise-pop duo The “Everyday” kicked things off, and it wasn’t Raveonettes announced a stripped-down set long until both audience and performers there (promoting nothing in particular, I was warmed up nicely. told) I decided to make a night of it. Billed Foo played simplified percussion on as a “Special Electric Duo” performance, I just a snare and floor tom. Sandra Vu of was excited to see what the band could do Midnight Movies took over drumming for - without the band. a fair amount of the set, taking cues from P HOTO by soren sol k aer
The Raveonettes
Openers Midnight Movies took to the Rose since obviously, they were winging stage, after most patrons had wined and it. It worked. The result was a fresh look at dined for an hour or so. Hailing from Los the music of The Raveonettes, highlighting Angeles, the two girls clad in sparkly shirts how the dynamic of these two sparks their Ivri Lider and two non-descript boys crafted a wall entire appeal. “Attack of The Ghost Riders” of Sky Cries Mary-esque sound. It took and “Love Can Destroy Everything” were the songs, so it makes it a bit easier, but I Bright Eyes.” me a song or two to warm up to them, but favorites from past releases. I can hardly get the feeling that the American audiences While most of Lider’s releases are sung eventually I found myself swept up in their wait for brand new songs such as “Lust” are very open to listen to some new music,” in Hebrew, he says that singing and writing psychedelics and dreamy vocals. and “Black Satin” to see the light of day on Lider said of his toehold in American pop. songs in English definitely has an appeal The sound at the Triple Door is so perfect, a new release, whenever that may be. “I felt like it was an open audience. They for him. I couldn’t help but think that the reason I Giving a nod to their influences, covers of want to have fun and hear what you have to “Hebrew is my first language and I feel was enjoying them so much was because The Gun Club (“Sex Beat”) and even Sonic say. It was good.” very comfortable in it,” he said. “But more you could actually hear every instrument Youth (“100%”) respectfully delivered. The fact that Israel shares borders with and more, I’m writing in English. I love and vocal, every whack of the tambourine. The Raveonettes admit to being a degree many socially conservative countries writing songs in English because it’s a The Triple Door’s excellent acoustics repetitive, but in doing so strive to always means that Lider has to travel far outside different experience for me. I find myself served them well. Not to mention, when keep it interesting. The past is referenced of his country’s borders to perform for an able to say all kinds of things in English that drummer Sandra Vu came out from behind only as a means to conjure up tried and true international audience. I can really say the same in Hebrew. Also her drums and grabbed a flute to play the songwriting. Heartbreaking beats, stories “I’m sorry to say, but Israel doesn’t have the way the language is communicating familiar intro to “Knights In White Satin”, of love and teenage rebellion, harmonies a good relationship with its neighbors,” he with the music is kind of different because I was impressed. What young, LA hipsters to die for - these things they have lovingly said. “Culturally, we’re closer to the U.S., the sound of the language is different. cover The Moody Blues? Midnight Movies, mastered. the U.K. or Berlin than our neighbors. I English is the language of music, so it’s a that’s who. Now living in New York and sometimes don’t get to play, I’m sorry to say, in places really good experience for me to write and After a brief intermission and another Los Angeles, Foo and Rose have been like Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. So it’s sing in English.” round of drinks, I noticed Sharin Foo socializing with the likes of The Dandy much easier for us to come and play in Lider is currently working on an English- and Sune Rose Wagner in the shadows Warhols, William Reid (of the recently the U.S. than to go and have a concert in language album that he hopes will be of the darkened stage, tuning their own reunited Jesus & Mary Chain), and LA Egypt.” available in the States next year. instruments and sound checking, thus locals such as Midnight Movies. Here’s Lider went on to explain that the political For more information, see www.ivrilider. proving it really was just the two of them as hoping the freedom to hit the road whenever issues between those countries — along com. advertised. Foo and Rose are the heart and they feel like it and rub noses with their with his openness about his sexuality — are soul of The Raveonettes, but have enlisted influences only inspires The Raveonettes the reasons he’s limited in his opportunities © 2007 Philadelphia Gay News an assortment of backing musicians for further in what they do best. to tour in that region of the world. previous tours. This time the ultra-slinky,
8 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007 3118!QSJEF!GFTUJWBM!PO!DBQJUPM!IJMM QueerFest
SBMMZ!!!!DPNNVOJUZ!WFOEPST!!!!!GPPE!!!!!NVTJD!!!!!UXJMJHIU!NPWJF!!!!!BSUT!'!DSBGUT 15%%2Qsftfoufe!cz; &%34 3EATTLEgSåå0RIDEå&ESTIVAL 3ATURDAY¬*UNE¬RD¬ 'UESSåWHOgSåCOMINGåOUT å4OåCELEBRATEå0RIDE 10RIDE¬-ARCH¬3TARTS¬AT¬"ROADWAY¬0IKE¬AT¬!-¬5%%2&%34 3EATTLEgSåå0RIDEå&ESTIVALAND¬GOES¬NORTH¬TO¬6OLUNTEER¬0ARK C 3ATURDAY¬*UNE¬RD¬C C C G" F'UESSåWHOgSåCOMINGåOUT å4OåCELEBRATEå0RIDE 0RIDE¬-ARCH¬3TARTS¬AT¬"ROADWAY¬0IKE¬AT¬!-¬ AND¬GOES¬NORTH¬TO¬6OLUNTEER¬0ARKTBUVSEBZ!KVOF!34-!3118!A!22BN Qsjef!Nbsdi!tqpotpsfe!cz!Cspbexbz!Hsjmm!'!fndffe!cz!Bmfltb!Nbojmb/ 2!,,9åTubsut!bu!Cspbexbz!'!Qjlf-!qspdffet!O/!up!Wpmvouffs!Qbsl/ å!243åå#2!&43å å&//$å å-53)# Gftujwbm!jo!Wpmvouffs!Qbsl!gspn!22bn!.!ebsl/47),)'(4å/54$//2å-/6)% 4HIS¬FESTIVAL¬IS¬COMMUNITY¬SUPPORTED ¬AND¬DONATIONS¬HELP¬UNDERWRITE¬THE¬COSTS¬0ROCEEDS¬BENEFIT¬THE ,'"4¬#/--5.)49Ibjstqsbz"!¬-ORE¬INFOtipxt!bu!uxjmjhiu/ GO TO WWWQUEERFESTORG 2EGISTER¬FOR 0RIDE -ARCH AT MARCH SEATTLELGBTORG 2EGISTER¬TO¬VOLUNTEER AT VOLUNTEERPRIDE SEATTLELGBTORG -AKE¬A¬DONATION Hfu!zpvs!Qsjef! AT WWWSEATTLELGBTORG sjohupoft!'!xbmmqbqfs! 0RESENTED¬BY¬3EATTLE¬,'"4¬#OMMUNITY¬#ENTER ufyu;QSJEFup::245 ¬%AST¬0IKE¬3TREET¬3EATTLE ¬7!¬¬WWWSEATTLELGBTORG¬,'"4xxx/rvffsgftu/psh /52å30/.3/23 2!,,9å å!243åå#2!&43åOur Sponsors: å&//$å å-53)# 47),)'(4å/54$//2å-/6)% 4HIS¬FESTIVAL¬IS¬COMMUNITY¬SUPPORTED ¬AND¬DONATIONS¬HELP¬UNDERWRITE¬THE¬COSTS¬0ROCEEDS¬BENEFIT¬THE 3'. ,'"4¬#/--5.)490ACIFICå0RINTING¬-ORE¬INFO GO TO WWWQUEERFESTORG 2EGISTER¬FOR 0RIDE -ARCH AT MARCH SEATTLELGBTORG 2EGISTER¬TO¬VOLUNTEER AT VOLUNTEERPRIDE SEATTLELGBTORG -AKE¬A¬DONATION AT WWWSEATTLELGBTORG 0RESENTED¬BY¬3EATTLE¬,'"4¬#OMMUNITY¬#ENTER ¬%AST¬0IKE¬3TREET¬3EATTLE ¬7!¬¬WWWSEATTLELGBTORG¬,'"4 /52å30/.3/23 3'. 0ACIFICå0RINTING Produced by: 1115 E. Pike St. Seattle, WA 98122 U 206.323.LGBT U www.seattlelgbt.org
June 15, 2007 PRIDE ‘07 Music POSTER DESIGN BY SEATTLESeattle GAY Gay NEW NewsS STAFF 9 10 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007 June 15, 2007 PRIDE ‘07 Music Seattle Gay News 11 12 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007 no longer has that power. His upper voice The Glagolitic Mass of Leos Janacek is, appeared delicate, and he treated it very to these ears, one of the giant masterpieces Seattle Symphony carefully, so that he was often inaudible. of the 20th century. It deserves the kind of Mezzo Sarah Heltzel had so little to do that treatment it got from the Seattle Symphony it was not possible to assess her work. a few seasons ago, which was a performance Orchestra: The great Organist Joseph Adam (strangely un- I don’t expect to be surpassed. That this credited in the printed program!) had a week’s attempt fell quite a bit short of major solo (not shortened as in many that level is regrettable. But the work is so performances) and made as much of it as intensely magnificent that any chance to Glagolitic Mass of the Watjen Organ would allow. (I prefer hear it is to be prized. The sooner it returns the more gnarly sound a big baroque organ to Seattle, the better! might produce.) Janacek falls short Reviewer Rod Parke can be reached at [email protected]. courtesy of S teiner hots
2007 Seattle Dyke March
Christina Goerke Activism on the Personal Level by Rod Parke SGN A&E Writer
An evening of Gyongyosi, Husa, and and beautiful. And what gorgeous choral Janacek doesn’t sell very well in Seattle. writing we got from Janacek! Hearing those Even though Benaroya Hall was only about sounds from the Symphony Chorale was 2/3 full, the audience was very responsive worth the price of admission alone. to an excellent first half, even though hardly Also excellent were the contributions of anyone had ever heard this music before. soprano Christine Goerke (Seattle Opera’s Levente Gyongyosi, born 1975, was most recent Norma) and bass-baritone present to receive the enthusiastic applause Patrick Carfizzi. Janacek requires very following a committed and rewarding powerful voices to ride atop his complex email: [email protected] reading of his 2001 composition, The writing, and these two were more than equal website: www.home.earthlink.net/~dykecommunityactivists/id12.html Annunciation. Each of the five, very short to the task. Gary Lakes’ tenor, however, movements held our interest with its skilled orchestration and varying textures. Clearly, conductor Schwarz and the SSO players had the many complexities well in hand, so that the audience could revel in new sounds and ideas. An expanded percussion section delivered its major contributions with aplomb. Karel Husa, born 1921, wrote his Music for Prague in 1968 in the 12-tone mode that was so popular among composers at that time. But, unlike so many of those overly academic works in serialism, this one transcended the dry intellectuality of its peers and managed to be consistently compelling of our interest. The kaleidoscopic variance of orchestral colors alone was enough to reward the listener. While both works before the intermission were well prepared and played, the glorious Glagolitic Mass of Leos Janacek appeared in parts to be the casualty of insufficient rehearsal. Balances were sometimes sloppy. The opening fanfare was a perfect example of how Maestro Schwarz can too often drain all the energy out of a great piece. It totally lacked the intense energy he gave it several seasons ago, with the all-important brass playing limply in the background. The lack of preparation in the orchestra was all the more evident standing in contrast to the excellence of everything that came from George Fiore’s Seattle Symphony Chorale. Their sound was a model of how to balance beauty with intensity. Every word of the Old Church Slavonic was clear, passionate, June 15, 2007 PRIDE ‘07 Music Seattle Gay News 13 Interview with Band of Horses coming June 29 sub p o records
Band of Horses
Seattle Gay News is your source for the was among the prestigious choices for coolest interviews with the hottest music 2006’s New Pantheon Award, the year’s artists. best albums chosen by a select panel of Thus far in 2007, Chris Cornell, Silversun musicians. Speaking of year-end mentions, Pickups, Joshua Radin, The Bravery, the trio’s widely acclaimed Everything All Angelique Kidjo, Albert Hammond Jr., the Time also made the SGN’s Top Ten Patty Griffin and The Reason have all Albums/CDs of 2006 list. interviewed with us. We’re honored to now Pick up a copy of our newspaper on June add Sub Pop recording artist Band of Horses 29 and get familiar with Band of Horses, to the list, with a one-on-one interview in who will perform live at their sold-out our upcoming June 29 issue. performance at The Showbox on July 2. Formerly of Seattle, Band of Horses
New CDs from tried and true artists
by Larry Nichols adventurous and satisfying as anything Bjork Philadelphia Gay News has ever done. Fans of her music that might Special to the SGN have found albums like 2004’s “Medulla” a little challenging will delight in this album’s Bjork playful and lush sounds punctuated with Volta powerful electronic rhythms. Atlantic Records We here at PGN are convinced that Bjork Erasure is not of this world. Yes, we know the former Light at the End of the World Sugarcubes lead singer is from Iceland, but Mute Records it’s obvious that she just has her mail sent When artists have been in the business there and uses the far-off island country as a as long as synth-pop duo Erasure (over 20 jumping-off point to teleport to whatever alien years and counting), they tend to get more planet or mythical realm she lives in where reflective and introspective with each new candy rains from the sky and small fuzzy release and focus on serious themes of growth animals have butterfly wings and discuss and maturing. Many times, this growth and philosophy with you over tea and biscuits. quest for maturity bore the crap out of us, Anyone familiar with Bjork’s music knows the longtime fans. We’d like to point fingers that her perfectly angelic voice can make you at Madonna, Prince and Depeche Mode at like anything. She could sing the ingredients this point, but all of their last studio albums to a bottle of shampoo and make it work. backed them away from the cliff, leaving This is probably why she has been able to George Michael and Janet Jackson there to consistently emerge from Iceland every three ponder Wham! and Jackson family reunions, or four years with a new collection of pop respectively. strangeness that is sure to have most of us Thankfully, this is not the case with Erasure mesmerized and dumbfounded by its sheer or their new album, “Light at the End of the brilliance. World,” which finds the British duo (Andy Bjork’s latest release, “Volta,” is no Bell and Vince Clarke) returning to form after exception. On this latest sonic trip, Bjork fuses their 2006 foray into acoustic music with orchestral arrangements, off-kilter tribal and “Union Street” and continuing to do what techno beats and sparse electronica to dizzying they do best. effect. “Earth Intruders” is a galloping romp “Light at the End of the World” is filled that sounds like Bjork leading a Martians with the exuberant synthesizer pop early marching band in a Mardi Gras parade. Erasure fans will find familiar, but not tired “Wanderlust” is curiously schizophrenic pop or dated, especially on songs like “Fly Away” pulsing with techno fury and an undercurrent and “Sunday Girl.” Erasure knows the reason of majestic horns. “The Dull Flame of we like them and the reason we will always Desire,” a duet with Anthony Hegarty, is a have a soft spot for them is they know how heartfelt ballad that teases the listener with a to make soulful and infectious songs that percussive tension that threatens to explode, make you want to shake it on the dance floor, but never actually materializes. whether it’s an upbeat number like “Sucker And the brilliance keeps flowing from For Love” or more subdued affairs like there, especially when Bjork goes Devo- “Storm in a Teacup” and “Glass Angel.” meets-Rage-Against-the-Machine crazy on the fist-pumping “Declare Independence.” © 2007 Philadelphia Gay News “Volta” is collection of songs as 14 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007 The Horrors get scary at The Crocodile Café, Terence Blanchard chills out at Jazz Alley by Lorelei Quenzer and Terence Blanchard
Jessica Browning Friday-Saturday, STOC K P HOTOGRA H SGN A&E Writers June 22-23 7:30pm and 9:30pm; The Horrors w/ Thee Sunday, June 24 - Emergency, Skullbot 7:30pm Wednesday, June 20- 9pm Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley The Crocodile - $10 $23.50 Nothing very interesting has come out of New Orleans native - and the British rock scene of late, unless you Grammy-winning trumpeter - count The Libertines; but that was ages Terence Blanchard is probably ago and muddied up by clammy, creepy best known for his collaboration Pete Doherty ever since. That is until last with director Spike Lee. month, when the much-anticipated debut Blanchard has scored 12 of Lee’s album from London’s The Horrors was films, including Inside Man, released in America. Appearing in Seattle 25th Hour, Summer of Sam, in support of Strange House, this very Malcolm X and Jungle Fever. polarizing group of fright-rock hopefuls is But despite his involvement in astonishingly different and promise to put film and television, Blanchard on a show like no other. distinctly regards himself Perhaps it’s the fashionable disdain of primarily as a jazz musician. jaded music critics fueling The Horrors. He successfully juggles touring Looking a bit like The Cure meets a with his band while undertaking zombified Herman’s Hermits, they’re a outside projects. “Nothing can scary looking crew in only the way that beat being a jazz musician, the very young (all five members are in playing a club, playing a their early 20’s) can pull off because no concert,” Blanchard is quoted one else has the nerve to. They come with as remarking in his press notes. “When I stood next courtesy of J A ZZ ALLEY to Sonny Rollins at Carnegie Hall and The Horrors listened to him play, that was it for me.” The New Orleans native first picked up the trumpet time Grammy winner Herbie Hancock. the thing about this band. What we’re in elementary school, and was also The 2005 album was the first time since talking about is their musicianship. They coached at home by his opera- Dexter Gordon’s The Other Side of ‘Round find spaces to put things in spots that make singing father. In high school he Midnight (1987) that Hancock produced sense.... I’m really having so much fun with came under the tutelage of Ellis a project other than his own; he also this band.” Marsalis, and after graduating he plays piano on two of the album’s tracks Noted for his unique African-fusion style attended Rutgers University on (“Benny’s Tune” and “The Source”). of playing, Blanchard is currently serving a music scholarship. One of his “We played together a few times and as Artistic Director at the Thelonious professors was so impressed with when it came to produce this record, I Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at the Blanchard he helped get him a wanted - needed - to have Herbie’s creative University of Southern California. On tour touring gig with Lionel Hampton’s ability and just his approach to work with,” with Blanchard are several of the musicians band. Wynton Marsalis later Blanchard says. “He has played with a from Flow: Brice Winston (saxophones), recommended Blanchard as his bunch of people and he’s done a lot of Aaron Parks (piano), Derrick Hodge replacement in Art Blakey’s Jazz things. I mean, he’s forgotten more music (acoustic and electric bass) and Kendrick Messengers. than I could ever know. It’s been a life- Scott (drums). - L. Quenzer Blanchard’s most recent release changing experience.” on the Blue Note label, Flow, was “What you hear on this record is the way Artist Essentials: 2005’s Flow, Mo’ Better produced by the artist and four- we play live,” Blanchard continues. “That’s Blues original soundtrack. Terence Blanchard formidable names as well - Faris Baduwan (vocals), Tomethy Furse (bass), Joshua Von Grimm (guitar), Spider Webb (organ) and Coffin Joe (drums). Don’t dismiss them on the grounds of image alone. Haven’t the Cramps and Nick Cave already proved that frightful can be cool? Musically, these five Londoners have substance and even better, fresh ears and no boundaries. Strange House is noticeably better than their initial EP, which was promising but didn’t make much of a mark stateside. Vocalist Baduwan is the first to admit his band is just beginning and always hungry for inspiration. You can tell they’re the real thing, all fashion and eyeliner aside. Which if you think about it, is the true spirit of punk; they’re not pretending to be smug and neat, just giving all they’ve got and being who they want to be. New single “She Is The New Thing” is a ferocious assault, infused with more energy than anything I’ve heard in a long time. Impressive. These guys have monstrous reserves of ambition and promise to thrill. - J. Browning
Artist essentials: Check out the video for “She Is The New Thing” on www.myspace. com - it’s as if Edgar Allen Poe’s feverish dreams devoured A-ha’s “Take On Me”. Must be seen to be believed.
June 15, 2007 PRIDE ‘07 Music Seattle Gay News 15 Kevin Aviance keeps the party going
by Larry Nichols Philadelphia Gay News Special to the SGN
[Editor’s Note: He has appeared in several films, including Flawless starring Robert De Niro and the independent film Punks. Besides his feature-film work he has made guest appearances on such shows as the The Tyra Banks Show, and America’s Next Top Model, also hosted by Tyra Banks. His songs “Din Da Da,”, “Rhythm Is My Bitch”, “Alive”, “Give It Up” and “Strut”, have all reached #1 of the Billboard dance chart.]
Kevin Aviance is living proof that you cannot keep a good diva down — “It’s always been a dream of mine to evidenced by his newly introduced line of have my own shoe store,” he said. “This shoes, a new album in progress, his tour to is going way back to 10 or 12 years ago. I promote anti-violence and his overall story was so lucky to get hooked up with Global of survival. Footwear Partners. It’s been magic ever It’s been almost a year since the singer since. It’s been a dream of mine ever since and performance artist was the victim of I was a little kid. I love shoes. I have a big a vicious anti-Gay attack by a group of fetish for shoes as you know.” men as he left a New York City club. What Aviance said he designed his shoes with followed was months of physical recovery the club-goer who wants to turn heads in and a trial that ended with his four attackers mind. pleading guilty and receiving prison “My shoes are for the party person,” he sentences ranging from six to 15 years. said. “It’s for going out at night. You want Aviance still feels the effects of that attack to stand in something that will show you off today, but even when the incident was fresh a little bit. Our heels are a little high and the in his mind and his jaw was broken and platforms are high but they are shoes to be wired shut, he still poured his energies into worn out. I’m definitely trying to market it performing. for the red carpet. I market it to women of “I was back on some sort of circuit two course. I do have larger sizes because if I weeks afterward,” he said. “I shouldn’t didn’t do it, the queens would let me have have been but I was back working because it. I just think it’s great to have these shoes I couldn’t really sit at home all day. I could available for people that can’t afford $800 only do a little bit but I haven’t really shoes.” stopped that much. I pressed through this Aviance is confident that his line of shoes whole thing with the support of doing will be a hit, but don’t expect to see them shows and the support of other people. If strutting down any red carpet any time I had to sit in my house the whole time, I soon. would be crazy right now.” “Right now, we’re still pretty young,” Even with the attackers in jail, Aviance he said. “We’re just trying to get people to still lives with the fallout from the assault wear the shoes. We’ve had a great response and doesn’t have any sense of closure. from the people I’ve sent them to. We’re “It’s not over,” he said. “I still have to deal starting out and it takes a while to get it with the pain and the mental stuff. Every known. Face it — there are a lot of shoe day I’m struggling with it. It’s just hard. It’s companies out there and there are a lot of hard even to describe it, the repercussions things people are doing that have been done of everything. I had no idea it was going already. All I’m doing is bringing my style to be like this. I had no idea it was going to and wisdom into how strong these heels be this much of a thing I have to carry on and shoes should be and how comfortable my shoulders. I had no idea it was going they should be.” to weaken me the way it did. Every day Amid all this activity, Aviance still finds is about me building my self-esteem up, time to work on a new record. my gratitude for being alive and having “I’m recording my third album and the my friends around. Things are good. It’s a new single should be done in a couple struggle every day but things are good.” weeks,” he said. “I’m excited about getting Aviance now tours with an anti-violence that out there. I’ve always wanted to do a message and said the tour continues to gain tribute to the songs that I loved so much in momentum. my life and do my versions of them. That’s “It’s going really, really well,” he said. what we’re doing this time around, almost “We only had a couple cities booked at like a standards album. We’re going back to the time and then all of a sudden, because the ’80s and ’90s, finding songs I like and of Gay pride celebrations, people are reworking them and bringing them back to requesting more from me. It’s great. Some the forefront. There are a lot of great songs of the prides are running back to back, so out there.” doing three cities in one weekend is going Aviance also said that while the events of to be kind of hard. I’m on that anti-violence the last year may color his new music, it tour for the rest of my life as far as I’m won’t affect the type of music he makes. concerned. I survived this thing and if I can “My writing has gotten a little dark from start spreading any wisdom about the whole what’s happened to me,” he said. “I wanted thing, it will help other people that have to touch on that a little bit but I didn’t want been beaten or attacked to have a stronger to bring anybody down. I’m a party girl.” voice.” For more information on Aviance’s tour Aviance is also channeling his creative and shoe line, see www.kevinavianceworld. efforts into the world of fashion with his com. new line of shoes. © 2007 Philadelphia Gay News 16 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007 POLICE leaving fans with happy thoughts, rather of a reunion’s ‘perfect’ set list, but anyone ‘Demolition Man’, ‘Canary In A Coal Mine’, continued from cover than dragging on long after the thrill is curmudgeonly enough to complain about ‘Man In A Suitcase’, and an enjoyably silly gone. It seems hard to believe they hadn’t the choices of the Seattle show should have obscurity about an inflatable love doll: Prog-Rock, and my personal gold standard played together for more than 2 decades… just stayed home and listened to the box set. ‘Be My Girl-Sally’ (I guess the guy who for rock vocalists was stuck at Joplin, Plant, but have you heard some of the bands that Still, I wouldn’t have minded the inclusion couldn’t convince Roxanne not to put on and Daltrey. Full-throated belters, not some have endured for more than 2 decades of the following: ‘Murder by Numbers’, the red light had to get it somewhere). weedy little warbler whining: “Raahhx- lately? Mention should also be given to the aaanne!” like his ball sack was being pulled opening band, Fiction Plane, but I should over the back of his head. also mention the lead singer happens to be While I have come to eat those words Sting’s eldest, Joseph. But one would figure over the last couple decades, the fact that progeny or not, Sting would never is Sting’s vocals have always been an permit any band to share the Police’s stage acquired taste for many, but few can deny unless they were top drawer-which they Readings make great gifts! the effectiveness of that voice combined indeed are, with strong songs and a drummer with that music, Reggae-flavored rock who would compare favorably to Copeland more Pub than Punk. A voice determined to himself. Yes, Joe Sumner does sound like Have a Pride Party! get the attention of jaded post-Sex Pistols Daddy-but cut him some slack, it’s no small hipsters in London clubs, singing highly feat for any artist to establish their own style literate, memorable lyrics worthy of the in the shadow of a megastar parent (just ask former English teacher who penned them. Liza-or the Lennon brothers). I can finally appreciate that adenoidal wail And, of course, everyone has their idea for what it was: the plaintive chaunting of a young man hopelessly obsessed with a lady of pleasure. And of course, they played that very song, with that high-pitched cry filled out to a roar by several thousand strong: “RAAHHX-AANNE!” Another unwritten rule for reunions should be: Don’t Fuck With The Hooks. Don’t get all cute with phrases and melodies that are hard-wired into your fans’ collective consciousness, especially if they haven’t heard you live in 23 years. The Police violated this rule but once, with ‘Don’t Stand So Close To Me’, which features one of the most irresistibly danceable choruses in Pop, Rock, or Reggae. Cueing off the leaden remake from ’86 (remember the seizure-inducing strobes from the video?), the song nearly grinds to a dirge, causing frustration and the temptation to smack the band upalongside the head one time. But all is forgiven with a note-perfect ‘Driven to Tears’, which verifies Andy Summers’ status as a bona fide Guitar Hero, shredding with controlled abandon, but never too show-offy (certain death for any band that doesn’t aspire to make you forget AC/DC). ‘Walking On the Moon’ and ‘Every Little Thing She Does is Magic’ follow, equally flawless, with no messing about with the Hook, doubtless because the boys know we’ve waited all night to chant back “Ee- Yo-Oh!” til our throats are raw. But the ultimate peak in a show that was damn near all peaks is the sultry ’Wrapped Around Your Finger’, with Sting at the height of his emotive powers and rhythm king Stewart Copeland using the full range of his percussion to paint a picture of operatic obsession that wraps itself around your ear like…well, like Scylla reaching for Charybdis (no, I’m not being intellectually pretentious-it’s in the lyrics!). ‘De Do Do Do’ was sheer joy, as was ‘Walking In Your Footsteps’, ‘Can’t Stand Losing You’, and ‘Invisible Sun’ (though re. the latter, I might have known we weren’t going to get out of there without a Meaningful Message- namely, a video of images of devastated Iraq. Really, we haven’t forgotten, Sting). The official ender was, natch, ‘Roxanne’, with ‘King Of Pain’ the first encore of three-count ‘em, three. One of which I had already resigned myself to, ‘Every Breath You Take’. Grammy or no fucking Grammy, I still maintain this song is their weakest, as if they had foreseen the rise of Karaoke back in ’83 and decided to write the ultimate song for that particular milieu. At this point, Sting seemed understandably weary, but soldiered on til the final drawn- out note. Then, the for-real, no-kidding, go- home-already finale, a song I admit I didn’t recognize, but from the distinctive punky energy, I figured it must be off an early album. (Yes, there were some misguided souls who once considered The Police ‘Punk’. But from the raw power these three put out this night, it’s perhaps not such a stretch after all.) This was one of those rare concerts that I will be able to say I saw in years to come, and expect youngsters who don’t know who Gordon Sumner is to look at me with awe and envy. With this show, the band re- establishes themselves without a doubt as a solid unit, not just ‘Sting & Co.’ Perhaps it’s just as well they split up at their peak,
June 15, 2007 PRIDE ‘07 Music Seattle Gay News 17 predicament pretty easily. The only thing that we’ve been in danger of being labeled National artists join forces as is goth, which is completely wrong. We’re just too hippie and happy to be considered gothic. So I think we escaped to show True Colors that one too.” Try telling that to the legions of loyal goth fans that show up in force at their energetic by Larry Nichols basic freedoms. If a parent of a Gay kid tour is going to be new to her. and wildly entertaining shows. Philadelphia Gay News — or not Gay for that matter — sees the “I’ve done a couple of shows here and “I think that those kids gravitate towards Special to the SGN coverage of the tour on the local news, it there with music,” she said. “I did some us for obvious reasons,” Palmer said. opens up a discussion. Even if it becomes a shows with The Dresden Dolls in London. “There’s definitely a lot of stuff in the music One of the highlights of summer has to debate or even a negative discussion, they I haven’t done tours with musicians, so it’s that is very dark and personal, like the goth be the non-stop stream of touring musicians are being discussed. In that case, I’ve done going to be a different experience.” days of yore. But also I can’t discredit my that bombard the amphitheaters and arenas my job. Ushering so many talented performers on roots. I grew up loving The Cure, Depeche with the opportunity to see anywhere from PGN: Have you gotten any criticism and off stage most of the night will not be Mode, Joy Division and Bauhaus. I feel like two or three to 20-plus acts in a single day. about the tour? a chore in Cho’s eyes as she’s a fan of most goth, when it was what it was in the ’80s; Unfortunately, the majority of these summer CL: Sure, some of the conservatives of the acts on the tour. it’s certainly very different from what they outings tend to be short on eclecticism at have come at me, but that’s their right. It’s “For me, I would go see all these people call goth nowadays.” best or exercises in extreme crowd control my right to have a tour in support of Gay individually on my own,” she said. “The The Dresden Dolls have been known at worse, with GLBT-friendly events few rights to further the cause for equality and people that are on the tour I just love. I think to throw odd and brilliantly chosen cover and far between. civil liberties. Once again, it’s all about the they’re planning on doing it again. It would songs in their sets along with their own Not that there haven’t been some good debate and discussions. be great to see an artist like Marc Almond magnificent songs. efforts. The Lilith Fair came damn close, PGN: Who would you like to see on the or an artist like Morrissey.” “I think what’s most important is that we but we haven’t seen hide nor hair of that 2008 edition of the True Colors tour? While Cho agrees that the tour will raise actually just do what we want and what cross-genre all-female summer tour since CL: Oh my god! I can’t even think that some eyebrows and ire in some circles, it we think is going to sound good,” Palmer 1999, which is why the inaugural True far ahead yet. I just want to focus on the shouldn’t have an effect on its success. said. “It’s fun being irreverent and it is fun Colors tour is such a welcome and long people who are on the tour this year. This “I think because we are focusing on a Gay confusing people, but it certainly doesn’t overdue event this summer. really has been a labor of love and an insane audience in sort of a mainstream idea, it’s come before the music and the art. We’ve True Colors brings together an intriguing amount of work, but worth every minute of controversial among Christians,” she said. covered Britney Spears [‘Baby One More mix of artists who are touring this summer it. It’s taken five years to pull this together. “There’s that kind of a backlash. I think Time’] and people seem to love it. I think to support the Gay and Lesbian community So honey, call me next February or March it’s perfect timing for this to happen. Even we don’t even know when we’re doing as well as human-rights issues. The tour and we’ll see. now, it’s weird that anybody would have a something tongue in cheek. That Britney is headlined by Cyndi Lauper and also problem selling the tour because the tickets Spears song is a fantastic pop song and features Erasure, Deborah Harry, The are almost sold out everywhere. [Black Sabbath’s] ‘War Pigs’ is a fantastic
Dresden Dolls, The Gossip, The Cliks, The C ourtesy of cyndilau p er.com metal song. To be completely honest, ‘War Misshapes and Margaret Cho as host and Pigs’ is fucking fun to play, partly because comes to Atlantic City June 15. Other artists of the reaction.” will make special appearances on various When it comes to the subject of sexuality, stops on the tour like Rufus Wainwright, Palmer, who is Bisexual, doesn’t go out of Indigo Girls and Rosie O’Donnell. her way to address the issue. “I definitely don’t feel the need,” she said. Cyndi Lauper “I definitely grapple with sexual tension Lauper is an artist who needs no between myself and with others in my introduction. She has been making her lyrics. But as far as feeling the need to do presence felt in the music industry for the that or feeling like I have to be vocal about past 25 years as an outspoken and colorful how I orient, it’s not something I’ve ever personality and a successful Grammy- been particularly concerned about one way winning recording artist. or another. I’m always just very blunt and Lauper, a longtime supporter of Gay honest when people talk to me about stuff issues (her sister is a Lesbian), conceived like that and that’s something in itself.” the True Colors tour, named after her 1986 Palmer went on to say that just being on hit song, to give back to the community that the True Colors tour will speak volumes supported her music throughout her career, on issues of sexuality, acceptance and raising money for the Gay-rights advocacy tolerance. organization Human Rights Campaign, $1 “I think all the performers are going to for every ticket. maintain an awareness throughout the night Even with Lauper’s success in the music that there is this sort of umbrella under which industry, she says it took a lot of time and we’re all gathering,” she said. “I think in effort to get the True Colors tour off the music, as in anything, it’s dangerous to get ground. But now that the tour is about to too preachy. The very fact that we all will spring to life, Lauper has found herself have gathered is a statement in itself. We’re busier than ever with rehearsals and looking at this tour as a fantastic way to let promotional duties. PGN was lucky enough loose and have fun in front of people you to get a few minutes of her time to talk know will appreciate it. In general, when about how she pulled the tour together. asked about politics, we make a very bold statement by doing what we do how we do PGN: How did you go about choosing it without needing to interrupt ourselves the artists for the True Colors tour? and get up on a soapbox and say, ‘By the Cyndi Lauper: There are many great way, it’s really important to be individuals.’ artists on the tour. Some are dear friends I think you send a much stronger message like Debbie Harry and Erasure and some by example than by shouting.” are artists that I was really blown away Hopefully that example will include by like The Gossip, The Cliks and Rufus some of the artists on the tour joining forces Wainwright. for a song or two at some point during the PGN: Did you initially plan the tour to Cyndi Lauper evening, a possibility that Palmer thinks run for just 15 dates or did you want it to definitely will happen. run longer? “Everybody is planning different things,” CL: Actually, we are up to 16 dates. We Margaret Cho The Dresden Dolls she said. “We’re all working together. There’s really wanted it to run for about a month Anyone who’s ever done comedy will tell The Dresden Dolls, with their punkish going to be a lot of cross-collaboration and [but] trying to coordinate everyone’s you that mixing live comedy with live music and romantic cabaret style, should fit in I think we’re going to try to do one big schedules would be insane. is never the chocolate-hitting-the-peanut- nicely among the artists of the True Colors ensemble number. And then individually PGN: Do you think the concert industry butter experience people think it will be. tour as well as win some new fans. But we’re going to play around. Margaret [Cho] sees True Colors as just another package But a seasoned comedy vet like Margaret this isn’t the type of band that worries too and I have performed together before. She’s tour or does it stand out as something more Cho is more than up for the challenge. much about fitting in. a fucking riot. So we’re trying to work up a meaningful? “Who else is going to keep all those “I think it’s perfect,” singer and pianist number with her. We have very little time. CL: I think the response from the industry queens in line?” she said, describing her Amanda Palmer said of the tour. “The I think our set is going to be a half an hour, has been incredible. We’ve had nothing but role on the tour. one really nice thing about The Dresden so we need to try and pack it all in. The fun love come at us from the industry. “I’m going to be on and off stage all Dolls and the music that I write is that it about package tours is they tend to evolve. PGN: Is there a chance that the artists night,” she said. “I’m going to be emceeing defies genres and it fits nicely with a lot of So we may, as we travel around and make on the tour will join each other on stage to the whole event. I’ll be there for everybody things, but this tour seems an especially friends with different performers, we might perform? for a long time. I’ll be guiding everybody perfect match just because of the sort of start inviting and trying different things out. CL: Definitely. I’m looking forward to through it.” expressive, eccentric nature of everybody Hopefully we won’t be playing the same set the spontaneity factor. Cho is a force to be reckoned with as she, else on the bill. It’s sort of like a freak’s every night.” PGN: What kind of impact do you expect armed with her razor-sharp wit, has built club.” The True Colors tour pulls into the the True Colors tour to have? up a considerable amount of success and The Dolls’ contribution to the “freak’s Borgata Hotel Spa and Casino at 7 p.m. CL: I’m hoping that beyond it being a acclaim in the worlds of comedy, television, club” is a dramatic and seductive style of June 15, One Borgata Way, Atlantic City. kick-ass party, people get the message that movies and activism. And even though she music that, through its mercurial nature, For more information and tickets, see it’s presenting. The tour isn’t just for GBLT has shared the stage with musicians on a draws a wide range of listeners. www.truecolorstour.com. people, it’s for everyone and it’s about few occasions before, she says being part “Luckily, there’s not much you can label opening up the discussions for equality and of an event on the scale of the True Colors us with,” Palmer said. “We slip out of that © 2007 Philadelphia Gay News
18 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007 June 15, 2007 PRIDE ‘07 Music Seattle Gay News 19 20 Seattle Gay News PRIDE ‘07 Music June 15, 2007