My guest this week is Jon Ginoli, who started the band Pansy Division in the early 90s. Jon was responding to a lack of queer music in the punk scene and a lack of punk music in the queer scene, and with the help of his bandmates he was among the first to successfully marry those two separate worlds — first in little dive venues in San Francisco, and before long, opening for Green Day at Madison Square Garden. Pansy Division is still touring to this day — check out their website for upcoming tour dates, including what will be the band’s one thousandth concert.
We’ll have that conversation in a minute.
First, a couple quick reminders, starting with a heads-up that I’ve got a new video coming your way this Sunday on YouTube. This one’s about the rise and fall and resurrection of 1950s heart throb Tab Hunter, who had one of the most unlikely comebacks in Hollywood history.
Also, I hope you’ll join me for weekly livestreams over on Twitch every Sunday afternoon at twitch.tv/mattbaume.
And if you haven’t yet, take a look at my new book about the history of queer characters on American sitcoms, Hi Honey, I’m Homo! — available now wherever books are sold. Go to gaysitcoms.com for details and to get a signed copy.
Big thanks to everyone who makes all my work possible on Patreon — visit patreon.com/mattbaume to support Sewers of Paris and get patron-exclusive benefits.