Pansy Division: Life in a Gay Rock Band

All Region NTSC DVD

Alternative Tentacles

Web: http://www.alternativetentacles.com

Pansy Division has always been an enigma of a band, too queer for many punks and rockers and too outspoken for much of the Gay community. In many ways they represented (and still do) the dichotomy in the LBGT community between those who beg for acceptance and just want to be like everybody else with a white picket fence and 2.5 adopted children (the contemptuous tone is deliberate!) and those who could not give a sh*t and just are who they are.

Pansy Division started in 1991 when gay music was still very much in the closet. Sure there were gay artists and songs with queer themes but nothing like a totally out punk group with all “in your face” gay members and a very confronting attitude and tone. They began what became known as “Queercore” and somehow made a name for themselves with little radio airtime and only being signed to small record labels. Along the way they achieved some amazing breaks, such as opening for Green Day and when Billie Joe stood shoulder to shoulder with Pansy Division and refused to play venues that wanted to ban them. But also have to deal with constant harassment from the music industry who could not deal with their explicit lyrics, it seems it is fine for straight bands to promote their sexuality but queer bands sound be subtle.

Their music explored a range of themes, especially in the early days it was marked with a sense of erotic play as well as humour. Who can forget such amusing songs as “Touch my Joe Camel” or “Bed and Teds Homosexual Adventure” or the classic rewrite of Teen Spirit as Queer Spirit. At the same time Pansy Division always seemed to have an angry edge and this certainly continued through the AIDS explosion. Even the latest album “That’s So Gay” offers a nice balance of punk, rock, erotic fun and solid lyricism.

The Band is primarily made up of Ginoli and Chris Freeman and various drummers, some twelve in the last twenty years. It is amazing to think how long they have lasted and still kept true to their vision of what queercore music should be.

Director Michael Carmona creates a fascinating documentary through a wide and diverse range of interviews and footage of various shows and live performances. In many ways the documentary is also an exploration of how a gay band can communicate with different audiences, many of which are straight. It was a difficult journey including many hair-raising confrontations with homophobia, at times the band didn’t know if “their van would be put on fire,” recalls Freeman.

There is also a bonus DVD of live performances.

This review will appear in Volume 2 No.3 (2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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