Comments on: Comment: Where are all the gay indie musicians? http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/ PinkNews.co.uk Gay News (UK and world) from Pink News - all the gay news for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community in the UK and beyond- thegaynews from Pink News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:41:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Murray http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-73743 Murray Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:19:04 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-73743 Personally, I don't care if a performer is gay or straight or whatever else s/he wants as a description of themselves. If I like the music they're making and they're not anti-gay that is good enough for me. As for Dan Sartain, I've met him numerous times and, no, he isn't gay. But he couldn't care less if you are. And that is good enough for me. Personally, I don't care if a performer is gay or straight or whatever else s/he wants as a description of themselves. If I like the music they're making and they're not anti-gay that is good enough for me. As for Dan Sartain, I've met him numerous times and, no, he isn't gay. But he couldn't care less if you are. And that is good enough for me.

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]]> By: ChristoRay http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-61208 ChristoRay Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:09:12 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-61208 I'm a bit late to the party, but here's my tuppence worth anyway. I'm slightly baffled by Toms's comment about the public wanting to 'own' people's sexuality by seeking gay role models. It's a GOOD thing if a gay man or lesbian working in an essentially staright-dominated field comes out - there'll always be someone, somewhere who'll feel less alone because of it. I was reading an interview with Rob Halford in a music mag and he was saying how he felt a sense of pride in being able to reach out to the (admittedly relatively few) gay heavy metal fans out there - he'd had no such role model in his time. Of course there's plenty of gay indie and Rock n Roll musicians out there, but there's still relatively few in the mainstream, and of those that are, it's only the gay girls making the real rock 'n' roll, in my opinion. I did have hopes for Wainwright, but he's turned out to be a typical theatrical opera-and-Judy-obbsessed musical elitist queen. Will Young's at least progressed in sound, but he's still one for the mums. Deerhunter are relatively obscure, likewise Grizzly Bear, and Kele Okerele has only ever hinted at being queer. As, you may recall, has Morrissey - but I can forgive him that (and anything else) for writing some of the best queer lyrics of all time (not to mention featuring a gay porn snap on the cover of the Smiths' first ever single in 1983) - go listen to Reel Around the Fountain, Handsome Devil, I Know it's Over, Sheila Take A Bow, Shoplifters of The World, Hand in Glove, Want the One I can't Have... (or at least Google the lyrics). But there's loads of queer musicians out there gigging around and making their own music (like me! I'm a drummer in a post-punk band) so we gay music obsessives do exist, despite being thought of as a rarely-glimpsed mysterious sub-species. However, as a huge Rockabilly and Ska fan, I'm still wating for those two genres to throw up a queer or two. I'm not holding out much hope for Dan Sartian or Terry Hall coming out... I'm a bit late to the party, but here's my tuppence worth anyway. I'm slightly baffled by Toms's comment about the public wanting to 'own' people's sexuality by seeking gay role models. It's a GOOD thing if a gay man or lesbian working in an essentially staright-dominated field comes out – there'll always be someone, somewhere who'll feel less alone because of it. I was reading an interview with Rob Halford in a music mag and he was saying how he felt a sense of pride in being able to reach out to the (admittedly relatively few) gay heavy metal fans out there – he'd had no such role model in his time.
Of course there's plenty of gay indie and Rock n Roll musicians out there, but there's still relatively few in the mainstream, and of those that are, it's only the gay girls making the real rock 'n' roll, in my opinion. I did have hopes for Wainwright, but he's turned out to be a typical theatrical opera-and-Judy-obbsessed musical elitist queen. Will Young's at least progressed in sound, but he's still one for the mums. Deerhunter are relatively obscure, likewise Grizzly Bear, and Kele Okerele has only ever hinted at being queer. As, you may recall, has Morrissey – but I can forgive him that (and anything else) for writing some of the best queer lyrics of all time (not to mention featuring a gay porn snap on the cover of the Smiths' first ever single in 1983) – go listen to Reel Around the Fountain, Handsome Devil, I Know it's Over, Sheila Take A Bow, Shoplifters of The World, Hand in Glove, Want the One I can't Have… (or at least Google the lyrics).
But there's loads of queer musicians out there gigging around and making their own music (like me! I'm a drummer in a post-punk band) so we gay music obsessives do exist, despite being thought of as a rarely-glimpsed mysterious sub-species.
However, as a huge Rockabilly and Ska fan, I'm still wating for those two genres to throw up a queer or two. I'm not holding out much hope for Dan Sartian or Terry Hall coming out…

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]]> By: theotherone http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-59671 theotherone Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:57:27 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-59671 BTW: as I think I've already said... If you want someone (unlike AH) who stays true to themselfs and doesn't kick others in the teath to make money then...STEP FORWARD GENESIS BRYER P. ORRAGE! All hail the disreputible old Gender NonConformast. Land may s/he live! BTW: as I think I've already said…

If you want someone (unlike AH) who stays true to themselfs and doesn't kick others in the teath to make money then…STEP FORWARD GENESIS BRYER P. ORRAGE! All hail the disreputible old Gender NonConformast. Land may s/he live!

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]]> By: theotherone http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-59670 theotherone Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:54:08 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-59670 JJ: 'he' made his name as a Queer artist discussing 'his' discomfort with 'his' body. 'He' named 'his' band after Marsha P. Johnson. 'He' foregrounded 'his' gender and then 'he' turned round and shat all over us when 'he' saw money coming in. When I think of that footage of 'him' singing Candy Says and (in an artical) discussing Jackie Curtis as a male...well I could shove my lipstick up his nose in anger. JJ: 'he' made his name as a Queer artist discussing 'his' discomfort with 'his' body. 'He' named 'his' band after Marsha P. Johnson. 'He' foregrounded 'his' gender and then 'he' turned round and shat all over us when 'he' saw money coming in.

When I think of that footage of 'him' singing Candy Says and (in an artical) discussing Jackie Curtis as a male…well I could shove my lipstick up his nose in anger.

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]]> By: RobN http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-59163 RobN Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:28:16 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-59163 George: Rob Halford of Judas Priest is openly gay. George: Rob Halford of Judas Priest is openly gay.

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]]> By: Iris http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58968 Iris Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:04:32 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58968 Amanda Palmer (Dresden Dolls) No idea if she's 'indie'. And yes, as a kid, it is useful to have role models. Personally, I find the way Hollywood hides the sexuality of gay actors more weird in the 21st century. I always got the impression that musicians were more free to come out if they chose. Amanda Palmer (Dresden Dolls) No idea if she's 'indie'. And yes, as a kid, it is useful to have role models.
Personally, I find the way Hollywood hides the sexuality of gay actors more weird in the 21st century. I always got the impression that musicians were more free to come out if they chose.

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]]> By: jj http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58950 jj Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:47:30 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58950 Patrick wolf. Yum. Also cocorosie are pretty sexually ambiguous. And don't slabber about anthony hegarty, its much more important he stays true to himself and "collapses" an identity than puts up a sharade for his "fans". People's perceptions of themselves change over time. The man's an angel so shuddup. Does the gossip count? Patrick wolf. Yum.
Also cocorosie are pretty sexually ambiguous.
And don't slabber about anthony hegarty, its much more important he stays true to himself and "collapses" an identity than puts up a sharade for his "fans". People's perceptions of themselves change over time. The man's an angel so shuddup.
Does the gossip count?

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]]> By: theotherone http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58925 theotherone Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:01:30 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58925 tom: if the public acepts them then if they come out it's not for the benefit of others to feal better about ourselfs but for Hetros to feal better about us. Oh and it's usefull to have roll models when you're a kid and it's nice to not have people publicaly denieing their sexuality. If it's not that much of an issue then why denie it? Is it because the public might not buy the records? The war is not, as you feal, over - it's only just begun. tom:

if the public acepts them then if they come out it's not for the benefit of others to feal better about ourselfs but for Hetros to feal better about us.

Oh and it's usefull to have roll models when you're a kid and it's nice to not have people publicaly denieing their sexuality. If it's not that much of an issue then why denie it? Is it because the public might not buy the records?

The war is not, as you feal, over – it's only just begun.

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]]> By: Ryan Haynes http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58915 Ryan Haynes Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:39:52 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58915 Well FYi RADiO only finds Indie queer alt artists to perform. Check the music out - with live acoustic sessions on every broadcast from The Edge in Soho Square last Tuesday of every month. The next brings six indie artists into the limelight www.fyiradio.net Well FYi RADiO only finds Indie queer alt artists to perform. Check the music out – with live acoustic sessions on every broadcast from The Edge in Soho Square last Tuesday of every month.

The next brings six indie artists into the limelight http://www.fyiradio.net

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]]> By: SteveDenver http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58912 SteveDenver Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:06:18 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58912 I like the article, but there's a problem from the opening paragraph: None of these guys was out or came out at the get-go. Even Elton was reluctantly "bisexual" (who didn't sleep with women) for years. Gately was outed. Mercury came out later, but played coy for many years. I like the article, but there's a problem from the opening paragraph:
None of these guys was out or came out at the get-go. Even Elton was reluctantly "bisexual" (who didn't sleep with women) for years. Gately was outed. Mercury came out later, but played coy for many years.

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]]> By: Tom http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58909 Tom Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:34:24 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58909 I think that Jay Brannan sums it up really nicely: while he's a homo, his gayness isn't the most important part of him because there are so many other elements to his personality that are more interesting that his sexuality e.g. his MUSIC. Why is there is such a need to 'own' public people's sexuality? We constantly single out famous individuals as being gay, desperately attempting to label them part of the 'community' to satiate our sense of anxiety about where we sit in the world: "Oh, they're FAMOUS AND POPULAR and society 'approves' of them, and now that I know they're gay too, it makes me feel so much more comfortable about myself!" Wouldn't it be a little better if we were to stop invading people's personal lives and just take their art at face value? Who <i> cares </i> if they're gay. We need to foster a greater sense of true individuality and bravery, hopefully supporting a whole generation of people who are comfortable to BE THEMSELVES, totally at ease in the world and at ease with each other, no matter if they are heterosexual or homosexual. I think that Jay Brannan sums it up really nicely: while he's a homo, his gayness isn't the most important part of him because there are so many other elements to his personality that are more interesting that his sexuality e.g. his MUSIC. Why is there is such a need to 'own' public people's sexuality? We constantly single out famous individuals as being gay, desperately attempting to label them part of the 'community' to satiate our sense of anxiety about where we sit in the world: "Oh, they're FAMOUS AND POPULAR and society 'approves' of them, and now that I know they're gay too, it makes me feel so much more comfortable about myself!" Wouldn't it be a little better if we were to stop invading people's personal lives and just take their art at face value? Who cares if they're gay. We need to foster a greater sense of true individuality and bravery, hopefully supporting a whole generation of people who are comfortable to BE THEMSELVES, totally at ease in the world and at ease with each other, no matter if they are heterosexual or homosexual.

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]]> By: theotherone http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58901 theotherone Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:54:08 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58901 and tony: the joy that was Bikini Kill (pre Le Tigre) or even that old pandroginis wonder Genesis Bryer P. Orrage from Throbbing Gristle/ Psychic TV. Indeed a recent Psychic TV album foregrounded gender non conformity. and tony: the joy that was Bikini Kill (pre Le Tigre) or even that old pandroginis wonder Genesis Bryer P. Orrage from Throbbing Gristle/ Psychic TV. Indeed a recent Psychic TV album foregrounded gender non conformity.

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]]> By: tony http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58898 tony Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:49:58 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58898 Don't forget Peaches and JD Samson from Le Tigre. Don't forget Peaches and JD Samson from Le Tigre.

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]]> By: tony http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58897 tony Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:49:02 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58897 Don't forget Peaches, and JD Samson from Le Tigre. Don't forget Peaches, and JD Samson from Le Tigre.

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]]> By: okami http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58875 okami Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:10:12 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58875 Dear Nell - Next time do some actaul research - Love, Us x Dear Nell – Next time do some actaul research – Love, Us x

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]]> By: okami http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58874 okami Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:07:17 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58874 Dear Nell - Do some research next time . . . Love Us x Dear Nell – Do some research next time . . . Love Us x

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]]> By: RobN http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58860 RobN Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:31:11 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58860 Um... Would Ricky Martin be classed as "indie"? ;) Um… Would Ricky Martin be classed as "indie"? ;)

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]]> By: theotherone http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58855 theotherone Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:54:12 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58855 Michel Stipe DID say he was Queer. What is that not good enough for you? So you're 'Gay' but you don't 'do' Queer. To describe himself in this way is shows he's a-l-o-t more radical than that twit (for instance) from OCS. Antony Hegerty? 'He' betrayed the woman he took 'his' band name from and alot of 'his' early fans by colapsing his identity to 'gay.' Give me Freddie Mercury any day - totaly fvck1ng Queer - or Bob Mold or Baby Dee or David Tibet (well I don't think he's said as such but the Soft Black Stars album is an elegent version of coming out.) Michel Stipe DID say he was Queer. What is that not good enough for you? So you're 'Gay' but you don't 'do' Queer. To describe himself in this way is shows he's a-l-o-t more radical than that twit (for instance) from OCS.

Antony Hegerty? 'He' betrayed the woman he took 'his' band name from and alot of 'his' early fans by colapsing his identity to 'gay.' Give me Freddie Mercury any day – totaly fvck1ng Queer – or Bob Mold or Baby Dee or David Tibet (well I don't think he's said as such but the Soft Black Stars album is an elegent version of coming out.)

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]]> By: Brian Burton http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58808 Brian Burton Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:13:54 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58808 RobN, Your 49 year old opinion do'nt count mate now dos'e it? RobN,

Your 49 year old opinion do'nt count mate now dos'e it?

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]]> By: maccoinnich http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html/comment-page-1/#comment-58749 maccoinnich Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:44:54 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12897.html#comment-58749 Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu Chris Garneau Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields 2 of the members of Dananananaykroyd, whose names I forget Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney Bob Mould and Grant Hart of Hüsker Dü Jón Þór Birgisson of Sigur Rós Sufjan Stevens (well, one can hope) Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu
Chris Garneau
Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields
2 of the members of Dananananaykroyd, whose names I forget
Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney
Bob Mould and Grant Hart of Hüsker Dü
Jón Þór Birgisson of Sigur Rós
Sufjan Stevens (well, one can hope)

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