We never played in a laundromat, but some ideas were conceived there. Years ago Gordon and I were both doing our girlfriend's laundry, and I had just burned a CD of instrumental music that Billy and I were working on. When I saw him, I thought, hey why not give it to Gordon, though he probably won't listen to it. Years later, after we started writing together, he called me and told me he had lyrics for some of them. I was flabbergasted! First, because I didn't think he ever listened to it, and second, because I thought it would be lost by that point.
So it seems that he at least likes the ladies. From here. posted by kathrineg at 8:45 PM on October 17
There is also a seemingly apocryphal story about Blister in the Sun being inspired by a girl he had a crush on in high school who said his hands were small.
He seems to be really into Christianity so I doubt you'll find out if he's into guys. posted by kathrineg at 9:01 PM on October 17 [1 favorite]
"He seems to be really into Christianity so I doubt you'll find out if he's into guys."
Last I heard there were people who are "really into Christianity" who are gay. posted by dfriedman at 9:23 PM on October 17 [7 favorites]
On the Trivia section of his band's website, it says, " Teen actress Mayim Bialik of the show "Blossom" told Gano, "Don't get married until I reach the age of consent." Gano did not comply with this request."
She would have been 18 in about 1993. So, he's been married to a woman. This does not mean he's not into men, too, but at least he's into women.
His brother had this to say about Christianity: "People think that Christians are very conservative. But in fact there's a long liberal tradition in the faith, starting with Jesus himself." posted by Houstonian at 9:55 PM on October 17
While it's certainly possible he's into both, there are an overabundance of Violent Femmes songs featuring unsubtle references to sexual activites with women.
A brief selection of lyrics:
"36-24-36
I want lots of pretty chicks"
"I dig the black girls
Oh so much more than the white girls
I was so pleased to learn they were faster
Guess guess guess guess guess who I'm after"
"Cause I'm gonna touch her
All over her body
Gonna touch her
All over her body"
There's also at least some gender blurring in his lyrics, though: 'I was with a girl/but it felt like I was with a boy' (Held Her in My Arms) (or, for that matter, the second verse of Black Girls - 'I dig the white boys/so much more than black boys').
But I agree, most of the romantic or sexual references in his songs are directed at women. posted by Infinite Jest at 1:35 AM on October 18
dfriedman: "Last I heard there were people who are "really into Christianity" who are gay."
My point is that it will be very difficult to disprove that he has an attraction to, or has had sexual interactions with, men. I know that there are gay Christians. posted by kathrineg at 2:06 PM on October 18
I remember reading articles around the time his side project the Mercy Seat was going that he was dating the singer (Zena Von Heppinstall) who was very definitely a lady. posted by vickyverky at 4:02 PM on October 18
"Years ago Gordon and I were both doing our girlfriend's laundry ..."
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posted by kathrineg at 8:45 PM on October 17