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Homocore: The Loud and Raucous Rise of Queer Rock
We're here to tell you, ya better make way.
We're queer rockers in your face today.
We can't relate to Judy Garland.
It's a new generation of music calling.
We're the butt-fuckers of rock n' roll .
- Anthem by Pansy Division Music as a form of social activism dates back for centuries, but rarely has there been a movement as daring, exciting and provocative as homocore, the queer-oriented rock scene, which through its cult following in clubs around the country presents a brazen face to the queer sociopolitical movement. Journalist David Ciminelli has been immersed in the queer rock scene since the early 1990s as a fan, writer, musician and band manager. His book drops you front and center as Brian Grillo, frontman for Extra Fancy, leaps from the stage at the Viper Room and chases a homophobic heckler up Sunset Boulevard. It takes you backstage as Pansy Division recalls being pelted by coins when they opened for Green Day during their career-making Dookie tour. Ciminelli's exploration charts the trendy homocore scene from the 1990s to today. Through interviews with scene leaders such as Pansy Division, Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü), Jinx Titanic (Super 8 Cum Shot), I AmLoved, Clint Yeager (Söur) and the Skinjobs, Ciminelli tells the story of using music to promote tolerance and ponders whether pro-gay music is a powerful enough tool of activism to gain mainstream acceptance. David Ciminelli grew up in Buffalo, New York. After moving to Los Angeles, he served as editor in chief of In Los Angeles magazine and editor of Unzipped , a gig he still has. When we asked him to tell us something cool about himself, he said, "I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain." We don't talk to him anymore. Ken Knox is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Instinct , Unzipped , Fab! and Frontiers . He is currently adapting his column "My La-La Life" into a screenplay.
We're queer rockers in your face today.
We can't relate to Judy Garland.
It's a new generation of music calling.
We're the butt-fuckers of rock n' roll .
- Anthem by Pansy Division Music as a form of social activism dates back for centuries, but rarely has there been a movement as daring, exciting and provocative as homocore, the queer-oriented rock scene, which through its cult following in clubs around the country presents a brazen face to the queer sociopolitical movement. Journalist David Ciminelli has been immersed in the queer rock scene since the early 1990s as a fan, writer, musician and band manager. His book drops you front and center as Brian Grillo, frontman for Extra Fancy, leaps from the stage at the Viper Room and chases a homophobic heckler up Sunset Boulevard. It takes you backstage as Pansy Division recalls being pelted by coins when they opened for Green Day during their career-making Dookie tour. Ciminelli's exploration charts the trendy homocore scene from the 1990s to today. Through interviews with scene leaders such as Pansy Division, Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü), Jinx Titanic (Super 8 Cum Shot), I AmLoved, Clint Yeager (Söur) and the Skinjobs, Ciminelli tells the story of using music to promote tolerance and ponders whether pro-gay music is a powerful enough tool of activism to gain mainstream acceptance. David Ciminelli grew up in Buffalo, New York. After moving to Los Angeles, he served as editor in chief of In Los Angeles magazine and editor of Unzipped , a gig he still has. When we asked him to tell us something cool about himself, he said, "I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain." We don't talk to him anymore. Ken Knox is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Instinct , Unzipped , Fab! and Frontiers . He is currently adapting his column "My La-La Life" into a screenplay.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 5, 2010
Excellent look at the indie scene. The best part of the book is its objective stance, even including praise for Eminem's music. It doesn't change my opinion of him, but it was a refreshing, intelligent take on the issue homophobia in music. I've also become a fan of a number of the bands in this collection, and so many of them deserve bigger exposure. I thought the book did a fantastic job of introducing these artists and their stories.
I'm amazed at some of the bitter comments on here. Did you read the same book. The whine about the book's title is funny. Do some research; the term has defined the queer rock movement since its inception, at least that's what I learned from the book, which was the first and only expose of this exceptional caliber I've seen out there, and I've looked.
I've been in more than my share of bands, mostly while remaining in the closet for various reasons; if this inspiring music expose had been around ten years go, I'd have gone in a different direction. The comment about K.O.'s drummer is ludicrous. I've become a huge fan, and since the book, she, Alicia Warrington, has since played drums for virtually every huge artist that was on the charts within the last year. Look it up.
The comment by the bitter queen below, Adam Hodgins, rings of self-hatred. So, if an intelligent gay author also happens to be incredibly hot, that's a bad thing? By the way, my jacket has two sexy dudes on the jacket. I'm not sure what book you claimed to have read, but there's two authors, and I'm sure the mere thought that neither would probably give you the time of day sparked the self-hatred. No? It's inspiring to see out gay media personalities that aren't walking stereotypes. Rock n' roll, bitches.
I'm amazed at some of the bitter comments on here. Did you read the same book. The whine about the book's title is funny. Do some research; the term has defined the queer rock movement since its inception, at least that's what I learned from the book, which was the first and only expose of this exceptional caliber I've seen out there, and I've looked.
I've been in more than my share of bands, mostly while remaining in the closet for various reasons; if this inspiring music expose had been around ten years go, I'd have gone in a different direction. The comment about K.O.'s drummer is ludicrous. I've become a huge fan, and since the book, she, Alicia Warrington, has since played drums for virtually every huge artist that was on the charts within the last year. Look it up.
The comment by the bitter queen below, Adam Hodgins, rings of self-hatred. So, if an intelligent gay author also happens to be incredibly hot, that's a bad thing? By the way, my jacket has two sexy dudes on the jacket. I'm not sure what book you claimed to have read, but there's two authors, and I'm sure the mere thought that neither would probably give you the time of day sparked the self-hatred. No? It's inspiring to see out gay media personalities that aren't walking stereotypes. Rock n' roll, bitches.
June 7, 2007
Straight up, this book sucked. I mean there's a whole part about the lesbian drummer who played in Kelly fucking Osborn's prefab band. what the fuck does that have to do with anything? and why call it homocore when everyone you interview referes to queercore? Also on a more petty note, flexing in your author photo, seriously pathetic.
February 1, 2008
this book fucked up sooo bad.
May 6, 2010
An awesome book, wonderful storytelling style about just how great some of these undiscovered bands really are. After reading this book, you'll get the picture why these gay and lesbian artists have an unmatched aura of chaos and mystery that is genuine and not cheesy in the way that many current bands try to project a fake and corny image. It’s all about keeping it real. This book covers all the bases from the inspiration for their songs to facing adversity head on and coming out on top.
March 21, 2009
If you are looking for the definitive book on the Homocore and/or Queercore scene, this book isn't for you. The book reads more like a series of articles written for a magazine than an actual book. There are some nice insights here and there but overall, it really just skims the surface of homocore music, people and politics.
January 22, 2008
i'm half way through and haven't learned nearly enough. the journalistic style writing leaves something to be desired. oh, what could it be. i guess, less cliche phrases and a little more oompha.
May 6, 2010
This book was spot. I read it and went wow! This is rockin’! It is a fun read; it's the stuff of what legends are made of. This book did much to promote the a number of great homocore bands and gay artists - warts and all...
May 6, 2010
With wit and authority, writers Ken Knox and David Ciminelli pen an entertaining, exhaustive chronological history of queer rock and politics. Even readers who consider this volume's length somewhat daunting will find it the definitive source of queer rock.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews