LGTBQ musicians/bands from the 80s to early 90s?
June 6, 2017 7:10 AM Subscribe
Difficulty level: college/indie/alternative only.
I'm doing a second radio show for the summer on my local campus/community radio station. Pride Weekend here in Kingston begins next week so I thought I'd do a special edition of my show celebrating the LGBTQ artists during the heyday of college/alternative radio (specifically 1980-1992) . Given this is a not-for-profit station located in Canada, here are my criteria:
* preferably not a hit that charted in Canada or the US (UK and elsewhere is fine)
* CanCon always preferred
* it's okay if the artist/musician came out after 1992 as long as I can play something by them before that cutoff date
*really really needs to be college radio/alternative as that is the mandate of this show
I'm trying to think of some artists who have never gotten enough due or aren't played enough. Hope me, AskMe!
*yes, I will be playing Marc Almond and Bob Mould. For some reason, my mind is drawing a blank on everyone else. Frankie Goes to Hollywood is an obvious one as long as there is a single of theirs that wasn't a hit in North America.
I'm doing a second radio show for the summer on my local campus/community radio station. Pride Weekend here in Kingston begins next week so I thought I'd do a special edition of my show celebrating the LGBTQ artists during the heyday of college/alternative radio (specifically 1980-1992) . Given this is a not-for-profit station located in Canada, here are my criteria:
* preferably not a hit that charted in Canada or the US (UK and elsewhere is fine)
* CanCon always preferred
* it's okay if the artist/musician came out after 1992 as long as I can play something by them before that cutoff date
*really really needs to be college radio/alternative as that is the mandate of this show
I'm trying to think of some artists who have never gotten enough due or aren't played enough. Hope me, AskMe!
*yes, I will be playing Marc Almond and Bob Mould. For some reason, my mind is drawing a blank on everyone else. Frankie Goes to Hollywood is an obvious one as long as there is a single of theirs that wasn't a hit in North America.
I've never listened to them, but I remember hearing of the band the Frogs from that era. Also, Pansy Division.
posted by Leontine at 7:35 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Leontine at 7:35 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Magnetic Fields? Their first album came out in '91.
posted by leesh at 7:35 AM on June 6, 2017
posted by leesh at 7:35 AM on June 6, 2017
Best answer: Ellen James Society was an Atlanta band, very active in late 80's - early 90's
posted by thelonius at 7:41 AM on June 6, 2017
posted by thelonius at 7:41 AM on June 6, 2017
Best answer: Phranc
Team Dresch
Tribe8
Michelle Shocked
kd lang
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:42 AM on June 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Team Dresch
Tribe8
Michelle Shocked
kd lang
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:42 AM on June 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Frightwig
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:43 AM on June 6, 2017
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:43 AM on June 6, 2017
Best answer: Phranc. Music on BandCamp.
posted by Room 641-A at 7:43 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 7:43 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Bikini Kill! Or really any early riot grrl group (Bratmobile also formed in 1990?) - most of them had queer themes.
posted by capricorn at 7:44 AM on June 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by capricorn at 7:44 AM on June 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Tae Won Yu and Rachel Cairns of Kicking Giant - their song "Fuck the Rules" is essential.
Many of the bands in the Slampt! orbit had queer members - e.g. Emperor Julian, whose "Wonderful Boyfriend" you should definitely play.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:58 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Many of the bands in the Slampt! orbit had queer members - e.g. Emperor Julian, whose "Wonderful Boyfriend" you should definitely play.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:58 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Any of the non-charting songs by The Communards.
"Even Dogs In The Wild" or "The Affectionate Punch" by The Associates
I assume you're talking Marc Almond deep cuts from his solo work, not Soft Cell.
Nervous Gender
posted by Frowner at 7:59 AM on June 6, 2017
"Even Dogs In The Wild" or "The Affectionate Punch" by The Associates
I assume you're talking Marc Almond deep cuts from his solo work, not Soft Cell.
Nervous Gender
posted by Frowner at 7:59 AM on June 6, 2017
Are The Smiths & solo Morrissey too obvious or too tainted?
posted by kariebookish at 8:03 AM on June 6, 2017
posted by kariebookish at 8:03 AM on June 6, 2017
Response by poster: I will play the Smiths/Morrissey as I do a gigantic disclaimer beforehand that says, "It's too bad this song is great because Morrissey turned out to be an awful human being."
Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep them coming!
Also, I can't play any songs with swears in them around my timeslot (3 pm) but I'm pretty handy with Audacity so I can backmask them if needed.
posted by Kitteh at 8:06 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep them coming!
Also, I can't play any songs with swears in them around my timeslot (3 pm) but I'm pretty handy with Audacity so I can backmask them if needed.
posted by Kitteh at 8:06 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The Lookouts, founded by famous Larry Livermore.
posted by Frowner at 8:10 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Frowner at 8:10 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Folk OK? Ferron. Post-punk: Fifth Column. The history of Canadian queercore and the zine J.D.s might be of interest. There's a bunch of bands in that movement, which was created out of thin air (the first issues of the zine covered the "queercore scene"; the movement actually didn't exist yet, so the material was fictional. From that, a real queercore scene emerged).
posted by TheGoodBlood at 8:19 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by TheGoodBlood at 8:19 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Jimmy Somerville had a cracker of a solo album released in 1990: Read My Lips. I love the title track as well as My Heart is in Your Hands. Pet Shop Boys' first albums might work - there are some great tracks there (Rent, It's a Sin, What Have I Done to Deserve This (with Dusty Springfield), Being Boring as well as some deep cuts like Tonight is Forever and Shopping). I'm probably off on the poppy side of things here, apologies - just having Marc Almond there set me off!
posted by kariebookish at 8:22 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by kariebookish at 8:22 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Possibly too ubiquitous/mainstream for your purposes, but early tracks from The Nylons?
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 8:25 AM on June 6, 2017
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 8:25 AM on June 6, 2017
Wendy & Lisa/Girl Bros. Their album, Eroica, though hard to find, represents them at the top of their game, IMO. (YT playlist)
posted by DrAstroZoom at 8:33 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by DrAstroZoom at 8:33 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also maybe it's worth considering how the queer POC listeners will feel listening to Morrissey plus disclaimer. As a huuuuge Smiths fan and a queer POC, I think I would roll my eyes and proceed to turn off the radio! :)
posted by TheGoodBlood at 8:34 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by TheGoodBlood at 8:34 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: American Music Club : under-rated late-80s/early-90's alt/college-radio gay cult band that doesn't get heard as much these days, we used to listen to them a lot. Amazing stuff. Recommended songs: 'I've Been A Mess', 'It's Your Birthday'.
I'm trying to think of some vintage LGBTQ college CanCon, and I can think of quite a few individual musicians but perhaps not in particular reflecting queer identity. The most out example is Carole Pope, who was ironically kinda mainstream for college, though I may have heard some of her earlier stuff on college radio, like 'Birds of a Feather'.
posted by ovvl at 8:38 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm trying to think of some vintage LGBTQ college CanCon, and I can think of quite a few individual musicians but perhaps not in particular reflecting queer identity. The most out example is Carole Pope, who was ironically kinda mainstream for college, though I may have heard some of her earlier stuff on college radio, like 'Birds of a Feather'.
posted by ovvl at 8:38 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Dead or Alive?
posted by Hanuman1960 at 9:09 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Hanuman1960 at 9:09 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: This was huge but only in the clubs. The Dream Soldiers.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 10:06 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Mr. Yuck at 10:06 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: God is my Co-Pilot!
Huggy Bear
Chumbawamba (queer...ish?)
The Third Sex (they put out an album in 1995)
Heavens to Betsy
Beat Happening
Tiger Trap
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 10:28 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Huggy Bear
Chumbawamba (queer...ish?)
The Third Sex (they put out an album in 1995)
Heavens to Betsy
Beat Happening
Tiger Trap
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 10:28 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Bronski Beat's second album Truthdare Doubledare didn't chart in Canada. (1986, post Jimmy Somerville).
Can you include advocates/icons? Eartha Kitt was a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights, same-sex marriage, and HIV/AIDS organizations. She released I Love Men in 1984. The album was co-written by writer/songwriter Bruce Vilanch, and producers Fred Zarr and Jacques Morali, who worked with the Village People. The album is loaded with club staples, but didn't chart in the US or Canada. She had another club hit with Cha Cha Heels, her 1989 collaboration with Bronski Beat.
Pretty much anything by Klaus Nomi.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 10:31 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Can you include advocates/icons? Eartha Kitt was a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights, same-sex marriage, and HIV/AIDS organizations. She released I Love Men in 1984. The album was co-written by writer/songwriter Bruce Vilanch, and producers Fred Zarr and Jacques Morali, who worked with the Village People. The album is loaded with club staples, but didn't chart in the US or Canada. She had another club hit with Cha Cha Heels, her 1989 collaboration with Bronski Beat.
Pretty much anything by Klaus Nomi.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 10:31 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
When you're talking about the 80s, your talking mostly about folks who were widely understood to be queer, as there were few out queers musicians. I mean, some disco stars like Sylvester and the Village People were still releasing music, and Olivia Records was still releasing "women's music", but generally, this was a deeply closeted time!
Certain artists like Queen Latifah and Melissa Ethridge we all knew about, but Queen Latifiah still isn't out.
posted by latkes at 10:36 AM on June 6, 2017
Certain artists like Queen Latifah and Melissa Ethridge we all knew about, but Queen Latifiah still isn't out.
posted by latkes at 10:36 AM on June 6, 2017
"College Radio" doesnt mean much unless you define what that means. Does it include European acts that were getting gay club play in the U.S. but otherwise never touched commercial radio? Like Army of Lovers (Crucified)? Leigh Bowery's band Minty probably qualifies (although on second look it appears they didn't perform until 1993 and you'd have to do an awful lot of bleeping). Psychic TV / Throbbing Gristle? Jayne County? What about the first few B-52s records? Germs?
I would listen the hell out of this show. Will you be able to stream it and maybe share it?
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 10:44 AM on June 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
I would listen the hell out of this show. Will you be able to stream it and maybe share it?
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 10:44 AM on June 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Mr Bookish says early Suede would qualify as Simon Gilbert was always out & proud and active in LGBTQ work from an early stage. He says that The Drowners (with My Insatiable One as the B-side) was released in 1992.
posted by kariebookish at 11:05 AM on June 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by kariebookish at 11:05 AM on June 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: If you're okay with stretching the time frame back a couple of years, the Buzzcocks and the Tom Robinson Band would both count (and they certainly got college radio airplay through the '80s). Plus Pete Shelley's post-Buzzcocks solo career.
posted by the return of the thin white sock at 11:12 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by the return of the thin white sock at 11:12 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
MDC, depending on your genre margins.
As for terminology, College Rock was about 82-90 or 91, after which it was popular enough to change its name to Alternative (basically when it became necessary to distinguish between Grunge and not-Grunge). Modern Rock enjoyed a brief role as a bridge between the two.
posted by rhizome at 11:48 AM on June 6, 2017
As for terminology, College Rock was about 82-90 or 91, after which it was popular enough to change its name to Alternative (basically when it became necessary to distinguish between Grunge and not-Grunge). Modern Rock enjoyed a brief role as a bridge between the two.
posted by rhizome at 11:48 AM on June 6, 2017
Husker Du
Monks of Doom (a severely underrated REM side project)
posted by nixxon at 11:57 AM on June 6, 2017
Monks of Doom (a severely underrated REM side project)
posted by nixxon at 11:57 AM on June 6, 2017
Best answer: Chainsaw Kittens (first album 1990)
Nash the Slash (CanCon, and he did the soundtrack for the best Canadian movie ever in 1990)
posted by Gortuk at 12:19 PM on June 6, 2017
Nash the Slash (CanCon, and he did the soundtrack for the best Canadian movie ever in 1990)
posted by Gortuk at 12:19 PM on June 6, 2017
Lorraine Segato/Mama Quilla II reflected gay-positive CanCon vibes in the 80's, though I wasn't a fan of her later more successful hits.
Steven Davey/The Dishes/The Everglades were a cult phenomenon that made interesting songs.
I keep thinking of various 80's Canadian cult recording artists who flirted with Queer concepts but were shy of being openly out, which is also pretty common in some punk subcultures.
Never on college radio, but if you gave Anne Murray a spin on your show there will be a few knowing winks.
posted by ovvl at 12:43 PM on June 6, 2017
Steven Davey/The Dishes/The Everglades were a cult phenomenon that made interesting songs.
I keep thinking of various 80's Canadian cult recording artists who flirted with Queer concepts but were shy of being openly out, which is also pretty common in some punk subcultures.
Never on college radio, but if you gave Anne Murray a spin on your show there will be a few knowing winks.
posted by ovvl at 12:43 PM on June 6, 2017
Arthur Russell and/or his group Dinosaur L
posted by to recite so charmingly at 12:50 PM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by to recite so charmingly at 12:50 PM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Peaches, if you can get some of her early stuff with Mermaid Cafe. She didn't become well-known until the mid 90s, I think.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 1:11 PM on June 6, 2017
posted by LuckySeven~ at 1:11 PM on June 6, 2017
Seconding Team Dresch (they officially became a band in 93, so are pushing your timeframe a little).
posted by snaw at 1:21 PM on June 6, 2017
posted by snaw at 1:21 PM on June 6, 2017
Best answer: Kitchens of Distinction would certainly fit the bill: this song's from '91.
posted by Sonny Jim at 1:40 PM on June 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Sonny Jim at 1:40 PM on June 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Vanessa Davis Band—an excellent Chicago-based blues band. Vanessa's been out since as long as I've been aware of the band (late 70s). Here's a sample.
posted by she's not there at 3:02 PM on June 6, 2017
posted by she's not there at 3:02 PM on June 6, 2017
Best answer: Oh my god I love this question.
I heartily second American Music Club. It's hard to pick a favorite album, much less song, but if I had to choose, I would pick Mercury, particularly I've Been a Mess and titanic barnburner Johnny Mathis' Feet. It came out in '93, though, so if you need something earlier, try swing lament Western Sky from 1988 or barroom catharsis Jesus' Hands from 1991. Singer/songwriter Marc Eitzel is a rare talent, and I hold him in my personal pantheon alongside Adele, Dolly Parton, Sam Cooke, Elvis Costello, Janelle Monae, and other singular voices.
I also give a hell, yes to Kitchens of Distinction. 4 Men and On Tooting Broadway Station are good examples - both from their underrated 1992 album Death of Cool - of the band's lush Manchester sound and frank, love-lorn lyrics.
And finally, does anyone else remember the Knoxville band Judybats? Lead singer Jeff Heiskell came out in The Advocate in a somewhat infamous 1994 interview that tends to overshadow the complex, jangly, and intensely tuneful music the band put out. Favorite tracks of mine from back when I, uh, ran the web's first Judybats fan page from my dorm room include Native Son and Daylight from their 1991 debut or Our Story and the title track from 1992's Down in the Shacks Where the Satellite Dishes Grow.
posted by minervous at 3:46 PM on June 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
I heartily second American Music Club. It's hard to pick a favorite album, much less song, but if I had to choose, I would pick Mercury, particularly I've Been a Mess and titanic barnburner Johnny Mathis' Feet. It came out in '93, though, so if you need something earlier, try swing lament Western Sky from 1988 or barroom catharsis Jesus' Hands from 1991. Singer/songwriter Marc Eitzel is a rare talent, and I hold him in my personal pantheon alongside Adele, Dolly Parton, Sam Cooke, Elvis Costello, Janelle Monae, and other singular voices.
I also give a hell, yes to Kitchens of Distinction. 4 Men and On Tooting Broadway Station are good examples - both from their underrated 1992 album Death of Cool - of the band's lush Manchester sound and frank, love-lorn lyrics.
And finally, does anyone else remember the Knoxville band Judybats? Lead singer Jeff Heiskell came out in The Advocate in a somewhat infamous 1994 interview that tends to overshadow the complex, jangly, and intensely tuneful music the band put out. Favorite tracks of mine from back when I, uh, ran the web's first Judybats fan page from my dorm room include Native Son and Daylight from their 1991 debut or Our Story and the title track from 1992's Down in the Shacks Where the Satellite Dishes Grow.
posted by minervous at 3:46 PM on June 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Mr Bookish says early Suede would qualify as Simon Gilbert was always out & proud and active in LGBTQ work from an early stage. He says that The Drowners (with My Insatiable One as the B-side) was released in 1992.
YESSS. Suede's eponymous first album was the first album I bought with my own money, based on my gay spidey senses tingling when I first saw the "Drowners" foam party video. That entire album is the sound of my gay coming of age.
We kiss in his room
To a popular tune
UNGH MEMORIES
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 5:30 PM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
YESSS. Suede's eponymous first album was the first album I bought with my own money, based on my gay spidey senses tingling when I first saw the "Drowners" foam party video. That entire album is the sound of my gay coming of age.
We kiss in his room
To a popular tune
UNGH MEMORIES
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 5:30 PM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh, right, since someone mentioned Jimmy Somerville above, don't forget that he did that amazing song "Coming" from Orlando in 1992. That song ended up on every little gay radio mixtape, and I think SOmerville played the angel in the sky in the linked scene. Quite a mental seal for gays of a certain age.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 5:43 PM on June 6, 2017
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 5:43 PM on June 6, 2017
Best answer: Huggy Bear
Bikini Kill
Bratmobile
Cycle Sluts from Hell (may be slightly out of time frame)
Team Dresch
Tribe 8
The Butchies
The Queers
Pansy Division
Faith No More - "Be Aggressive"
Hunx and his Punx
Judas Priest
Suede
posted by bile and syntax at 7:45 PM on June 6, 2017
Bikini Kill
Bratmobile
Cycle Sluts from Hell (may be slightly out of time frame)
Team Dresch
Tribe 8
The Butchies
The Queers
Pansy Division
Faith No More - "Be Aggressive"
Hunx and his Punx
Judas Priest
Suede
posted by bile and syntax at 7:45 PM on June 6, 2017
Mollie's Revenge. Formed in Vancouver in 1993, first album in 1995, if that's not too late. Maybe you can squeeze them in.
posted by Cuke at 7:57 PM on June 6, 2017
posted by Cuke at 7:57 PM on June 6, 2017
Just within your time bracket: Thieves . David McAlmont became pretty famous later in the 90s for his singles with a post-Suede Bernard Butler, but the Thieves track "Unworthy" is just perfection.
posted by cardinalandcrow at 9:48 AM on June 7, 2017
posted by cardinalandcrow at 9:48 AM on June 7, 2017
If you have to play a Smiths song, then play: 'That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore'.
Morrissey's autobiography is very interesting.
posted by ovvl at 7:07 PM on June 7, 2017
Morrissey's autobiography is very interesting.
posted by ovvl at 7:07 PM on June 7, 2017
Best answer: Ani DiFranco's first three albums came out between 1989-1992 and I am 99.99999% positive she was getting college airplay then. "In or Out," off 1992's Imperfectly, might be a good choice.
posted by kristi at 10:19 AM on June 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by kristi at 10:19 AM on June 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Hi folks, the final playlist is done and thanks for all your suggestions. Memail me if you want to know how to listen to the show, which will be airing today!
posted by Kitteh at 7:12 AM on June 13, 2017
posted by Kitteh at 7:12 AM on June 13, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 7:21 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]