"it's OK to be gay on avenue A"

SEVEN DAYS OF GAYS - Day Seven

Today is Gay Pride day in New York. All week, I've been posting songs by known homosexuals. For day seven, I've got only one song to sum up how I feel.



Taboo! - It's Natural
For those of you who aren't New Yorkers, you may not be familiar with our local drag star Taboo! Or you may not realize that you actually ARE familiar with her. As a Wigstock legend, she was featured in the film (and this song was on the soundtrack). But she is also the artist responsible for much of the art on Deee-Lite's first album.

Anyway, I love love love "It's Natural," a hilarious song about convincing people that there's nothing wrong with being drags, fags and dykes. I hope you enjoy it. And I hope you had a great Pride weekend.

"you can't be somebody's lover till you're somebody's friend"

SEVEN DAYS OF GAYS - Day Six

In the ramp up to Gay Pride weekend, I'm featuring songs by known homosexuals. For day six, let's celebrate the one, the only, the LEGENDARY SYLVESTER!



Sylvester - Over and Over
This is an Ashford and Simpson song that he tears up. I love all the background party noise. And it gets faster and faster and faster as the song goes on. They had a good fucking time making this record!

Herbie Hancock featuring Sylvester - Magic Number (Disco Mix)
I posted this for gay pride last year. It's a little known, very sexy Herbie Hancock song that features vocals from Sylvester. And he uses his alto range for a change.

Sylvester - I Who Have Nothing
Drama in the name. Nuff said.

Sylvester - Epilogue (Mighty Real)
This is an end of the night kind of jam. A gospel ballad version of You Make Me Feel Mighty Real. I will be playing this tonight as my last song. Hope to see you at Nowhere!

"beauty is skin deep"

SEVEN DAYS OF GAYS - Day Five

In the ramp up to Gay Pride weekend, I'm featuring songs by known homosexuals. For day five, let's indulge in a lusty, sleazy and often bitter queen. Ladies and gentlemen, Mister Marc Almond.



VIDEO: Marc Almond - Lonely Go Go Dancer
Marc recorded this song years ago, but the video is brand spanking new for '08. It was made as a backdrop for a recent UK performance. He looks good, right? Don't forget, Marc had a near-fatal motorcycle accident about four years ago when he was riding on the back of a friend's bike. They collided with a car and Marc landed head first on the London streets.

Starcluster featuring Marc Almond - Smoke and Mirrors
This record, released this year, reminds me of so many things... New Order, Sylvester, Patrick Cowley, Soft Cell!

Marc Almond and Trash Palace - Boy Toy (I'm The Boy)
One of the first recordings Marc made after his accident. This is a cover of another sleazy motherfucker, Serge Gainsbourg. Click here to see Serge perform it live.

Marc Almond - Youth (Live)
This dramatic live reading of the Soft Cell ballad (with only piano accompaniment!) results in an intimate and revealing performance. The song addresses gay culture's obsession with youth and beauty. Remember, it's only skin deep.

Marc Almond - Adored and Explored (Live at Radio One)
A paean to the obsessive exploration of a new lover. And a young one at that.

"you take the cake"

SEVEN DAYS OF GAYS - Day Four

In the ramp up to Gay Pride weekend, I'm featuring songs by known homosexuals. For day four, it's a bit of mad carrying-on by Fred Schneider of the B-52's.

Fred Schneider - Whip
From his 90's solo album Just Fred, he was backed-up by indie rock trend setters to pump out hard tracks with biting lyrics.

Sleater Kinney featuring Fred Schneider - Angry Inch
A cover of the Hedwig song from Wig in a Box, a benefit for the Hetrick Martin Institute. Fred was the perfect choice for lezzie rockers S.K. to pair with. I love the break down where he calmly tells you all about his botched sex change operation and then spits out "IT WAS AN ANGRY INCH!"

B-52's - 6060-842
An early B's track that features Fred, with the usual mad jumpy backing tracks and koo-koo harmonies from Kate and Cindy.

B-52's - Quiche Lorraine
Without a doubt my favorite B's song, probably because it truly showcases what an insane queen Fred is. What ridiculous lyrics! Is it about his tiny dark-green la-poodle? Or is it really about some slutty little faggot that left Fred for a great dane?

I love to stop the music on Saturday night and throw this song on. It starts so quiet that I can always hear someone say excitedly "it's QUICHE LORRAINE!"

"shoot me through and through"

SEVEN DAYS OF GAYS - Day Three

In the ramp up to Gay Pride weekend, I'm featuring songs by known homosexuals. For day three, it's a few Patrick Cowley numbers.



Patrick Cowley - Right on Target
Many of Cowley's songs are based on the pursuit of sex. I love this one because it's sung by a man. I think it might even be Patrick himself.

Patrick Cowley - Sea Hunt
An epic disco moment. No vocals. Only a cunt beat layered with water-world sound effects. Get into all of it.

Patrick Cowley - Menergy
Patrick's probably best known for producing Sylvester's mid-career hits, like Do You Wanna Funk. Menergy is another one of their collaborations, and it is sheer faggotry.

Oh, and by the way... we're having a party this Saturday.



DOUBLE HEADED DISCO
ARE YOU GAY???

Saturday June 28

with your DJs
Jeff Jackson + Pete Money + Disco Connie

River and David behind the bar
Karen at the door
You on the floor

Featuring classic dirty movies by BJ the Pornologist
And the annual DHD Popper Patrol

10pm No Cover All Gay All Nite

"disco monster terrorist"

SEVEN DAYS OF GAYS - Day Two

In the ramp up to Gay Pride weekend, I'm featuring songs by known homosexuals. For day two, it's four tracks by one of my childhood idols, Boy George.

Boy George - No Clause 28 (Pascal Gabriel Mix)
After the demise of Culture Club, George struggled with his career. Until this song. It's the point in where he stopped giving a fuck about commercial success and decided to make an acid house track about gay rights. Right on sister!

Jesus Loves You - Am I Losing Control (Disco Mix)
No Clause 28 led to the start of Jesus Loves You, a project that allowed him explore club music, politics and spirituality.

Boy George - Satan's Butterfly Ball
After all the dance music, George decided to take a totally different direction and make a glam rock record. This song was written in honor of his friend Leigh Bowery, years before he took on the role of Leigh in Tabboo!

Boy George - Girl With Combination Skin
From the late 80s, "Girl..." is a standout track from an otherwise dull and ill-fitting album called High Hat (a collection of mostly new-jack swing tracks). It has a lovely, cinematic arrangement and great lyrics about race relations(!).

I love George because he was the first person I ever heard say "drag queen" and he did it on American television - LIVE! I love George because he was on top of the world and went down in flames. I love George because he had a very messy moment with heroin, and he let everyone see it. I love George because he outed himself before outing was the norm. And I love George because he continues to reinvent himself and create new music.

"things that you're lible to read in the bible ain't necessarily so"

SEVEN DAYS OF GAYS - Day One

In the ramp up to Gay Pride weekend, I'm featuring songs by known homosexuals. For day one, it's two covers by 80s stars.



Bronski Beat - It Ain't Necessarily So
I'm not sure how many members of Bronski Beat were queer, but lead singer Jimmy Somerville most definitely was. And he let everyone know, with his soaring falsetto vocals and his ACT-UP politics. Here he lends his pipes to a George Gershwin standard.

Paul Rutherford - I Want Your Love
As the dancer in Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Paul helped create the queer mystique that surrounded the band, what with his decidedly gay big moustache, hairy chest and leather gear. After the demise of the band, he made some solo records, including this cover of the Chic classic, produced by ABC. Isn't it pretty?

Paul was recently profiled in the fantastic magazine for homosexuals, BUTT.

"you belong to him tonight"

My favorite song from the Hercules & Love Affair album gets an official video. I saw their first live show about a month ago at Studio B and they kind of sucked. But I thought "ok, it's their first show, so let's not be a total cunt about the whole thing." Anyway, the best part was they had these two voguing children as part of the show, so I'm excited to see they made the cut for this video too. Also, please note, it wasn't until that live show that I realized this song was sung by a woman (or at least a very convincing trannie).

The album gets a US domestic release next week - just in time for your gay pride pleasure.

BUY IT! Hercules & Love Affair

Saturday 6/21 addendum

I'm adding a quick note to let y'all know that a 12" double pack is coming out with remixes by Kevin Saunderson (!) and Derrick Carter (!). Click here for a preview.

"put the boogie in your body"

Rockers Revenge featuring Donnie Calvin - Sunshine Partytime (Rap)
You may also know this song as "Walking on Sunshine." I prefer this version with the talky rap by Donnie Calvin -- especially when he lists all the New York City clubs: Funhouse, Garage, Zanzibar, Danceteria, Mudd, Bentley, Roseland, Eclipse, Bonds, Escape, Continental, Better Days, Lamouche, Copa, Roxy, Magique, Studio 54. It's hard to believe so many clubs existed in our fair city at once. Quality of life, my ass!

Magazine 60 - Don Quichotte
French synth-pop from the 80s that is either brilliant or rotten, depending on your personal taste in French music. Get into the key'ed vocals... "no no no no no nononono Señor..." the off-the-rhythm electronic clap claps... and the rock guitar? What were they going through? Obviously, I think it's both brilliant AND rotten.

"I was not looking for arty farty love"

As my friends can attest, I love me some tacky gay British dance pop. Here are two recent faves.



Alphabeat - 10,000 Nights (Bimbo Jones Remix)
This is a cute young band making a splashy debut across the pond this year. Their songwriting is so sweet that it verges on nauseating. Like eating icing. Bimbo Jones takes them into a comically tacky territory that I find truly irresistible.

Mika - Lollipop (Yuksek Remix)
Mika had a bunch of singles throughout 2007. Not sure how I missed out on this remix, but I'm glad I caught it now. I've had my eye on Yuksek for a while now. I hope he (he? she? it?) gets more remix work 'cause this shit is hot.



If you're so inclined, here are links to the original versions...

Video: Alphabeat - 10,000 Nights

Video: Mika - Lollipop

"what's that on your iPod, tell me what you're listening to"

From the minds of nerds...



N*E*R*D - Anti Matter
Holy crap! DISTORTION in a hip hop song? Mutherfucker are you ADHD?
I love N*E*R*D.

Tweet / Human League - Oops (There Goes The Crowd)
The beauty of mashups is when they fit so perfectly that you can't remember what either of the originals sounded like.

"daddy whatcha leave behind for me?"

save the date...



Here are 3 truly mad disco cover songs of rock n roll classics.

Snatch - Another Brick in The Wall
A funky version of the Pink Floyd disco anti-establishment sing-along (and don't try to tell me that the original version wasn't disco - just listen to the hi-hat).

The Wonder Band - Whole Lotta Love
The Led Zeppelin classic abandons it's 60s LSD roots in favor of the 70s narcotic of choice, cocaine. Luckily free love was still in vogue.

Broadway - Kiss You All Over
A butch AM ballad by Exile gets a soft and pussy makeover for the dance floor.

"living in the fast lane can only bring you pain"

A great singer who should have been better known than she is, Fonda Rae is responsible for some of your favorites songs of all time. Ovah like a fat rat? Yes. Touch me? All night long!

This is a 12" I found a few years ago and have never seen again. Very heavy bass and drum programming. It deserves to be heard on a hot sound system, so crank up the bass and play it loud.

Fonda Rae - The Price You Pay (Club Mix)

Oh, and download the dub too, coz you just might like it better.

Fonda Rae - The Price You Pay (Dub Mix)

"the shark could eat me, or I could eat the shark"

Tom Tom Club are one of my favorite summer bands. But everyone knows Genius of Love. And everyone knows Wordy Rappinghood. So here's a couple album tracks that you may not know. Enjoy your summer, kids!



Tom Tom Club - Measure Up
This was on their second album, Close To The Bone. I used to always bring that tape to the beach with me. A great bass line (duh, it's Tina Weymouth) and a jumpy guitar part lay the groundwork for a happy summer song. I love the fade at the end.

Tom Tom Club - Tom Tom Theme / L' Éléphant
Side one of their first album was kind of seamless mix. Hence this is actually two tracks jammed together. If you listen closely, you'll hear the tail end of Genius of Love, leading into otherworldly tom-tom dubness, and then into a Frenchy sing-along. C'est bon!