“Let’s Have a Kiki,” by the Scissor Sisters, rocketed to the top of everyone’s “song of the summer” list starting Memorial Day, but it seemed the kiki was over by Independence Day. But it was fun while it lasted. I was fortunate to get the chance to see them perform the song at Rockit at XL and the next night at Terminal 5.
Before I begin, can we just talk about Rye Rye for a minute? I sort of think this girl is major. The 21-year-old Baltimore native tore up the stage as the warm-up act and inspired Ana Matronic to lament that she’s been the best opening act the Scissor Sisters have ever had. I walked into Terminal 5 while the pint-sized rapping firecracker was performing “Boom Boom.” Honestly, it was the only song I knew by her, but she swiftly impressed me with her next three songs: “Never Will Be Mine,” “Dance” and “Shake It to the Ground.” Shake it indeed. Let’s see where Rye Rye shakes it next.
Finally, my beloved Scissor Sisters took to the stage with “Any Which Way” from their last album Night Work. It’s their stellar new album Magic Hour that had their fans kiki’d out. “Keep Your Shoes On” and “Baby Come Home” were up next. The latter reminded me of vintage Elton John, as does their classic song “Take Your Mama.” Sometimes Jake Shears’ voice channeled a Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb vibe. Case in point: “Inevitable.” More fun from the past: “Running Out” and “Skin This Cat” from Night Work and “Kiss You Off” and “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” from Ta-Dah. But it’s the new stuff that made me the happiest: “Year of Living Dangerously” and “Shady Love.”
The gays went into a frenzy when “Let’s Have a Kiki” was performed. It’s such a fun song, but I thought it was over-choreographed. I thought a kiki was a party for calming all your nerves. I thought it would be more chill, not so prescribed, more carefree… Still, it was fun. While it is full-on schlocky pop music, I have to admit that I love, love, love their first single off Magic Hour and encore for the night: “Only the Horses.” It’s just pure pop bliss. “Only the horses can bring us back home… tonight.”
On Day 2 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, I got to the fairgrounds late, but still beat my friends who were enjoying the pool back at the Ace Hotel. So I got a little Brian time to discover French pop group, Yelle. I have to admit I’m a little behind the curve when it comes to Yelle. But now I’m a huge fan. There are three members: GrandMarnier (really?) and Tepr produce the music, while front woman Julie Budet (who now goes by Yelle) joins them in writing lyrics under the collective name, Yelle.
I really love their new album, Safari Disco Club, and the title song and “Que veux-tu.” Then they covered Robyn’s “Who’s That Girl?” in French (Qui est cette fille?) and that was enough to win me over as a fan. I don’t know what they’re singing about, but I love it. So did everyone in the Gobi tent. It was spectacular to see them perform as the sun set. I quickly discovered that sunset music sets are the plum slots to land at Coachella. The next day, I bought a ticket to see them in New York on April 30. I can’t wait!
After my rebel Yelle fun, my friends met me at the public art installation that affectionately became known as Mexican Hat. Once reunited, we danced our way over to the Sahara tent to take in the work of Fedde le Grand, a Dutch DJ and producer, who’s really, really hot. I remember dancing to Madonna’s “Sorry” and one of my favorites, “Hello” by Martin Solveig featuring Martina Sorbara of Dragonette. Dance.
Then we headed to the outdoor stage to catch Australian electro duo, Empire of the Sun. Most famous for their single, “Walking on a Dream,” I was a little underwhelmed by these guys. More pageantry than substance was my take away, but I do like their one big hit, so it was fun. But the crowning highlight of my night was seeing my beloved Scissor Sisters. I saw them a few weeks ago opening for Gaga and the crowd didn’t get them, or even know who they were. Not tonight. The Mojave tent was packed with queens and anyone else at Coachella who could care less about seeing Arcade Fire. When playing to their base, if you will, the Scissor Sisters are brilliant. While the flashy, flamboyant Jake Shears gets all the notoriety, it’s sexy lady Ana Matronic who steals the show. I love this woman and she knows how to connect with the crowd.
They opened with “Night Work” off their latest album while giant silver elongated balloons reached across the crowd as if the Sisters were giving us a big, glittery hug. They played a bunch of crowd-pleasing songs off their latest record including “Any Which Way,” “Running Out” and my favorite, “Fire With Fire.” They also played “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’,” “Take Your Mama,” and “Filthy/Gorgeous.” By this time, it’s close to 1 a.m. and we’re exhausted. My friends pulled me away at the start of “Invisible Light.” They are so great. Day 2 wiped us out!
In January my long-time friend Kelly suggested we rendez-vous in Las Vegas to catch Lady Gaga and the Scissor Sisters at the MGM Grand. How could I resist? And Vegaga Weekend was hatched. Appropriately, we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel a few blocks off the Las Vegas strip chock full of nostalgia and memorabilia. It was perfect. Needless to say, what happened in Vegas is about to be shared…
A few drinks and one pitcher of margaritas at the Pink Taco later, we arrived to catch the Sisters. Schmaltzy as ever, they opened with “Nightwork,” the title track off their 2010 album and “Any Which Way” featuring flamboyant frontman Jake Shears’ signature falsetto. Before they delved into their earlier work, I was surprised to see how unaffected the crowd was around me. Sure, they were there for Gaga, but I thought opening for her would boost their notariety in the U.S. Ana Matronic gets it. She said, “unless you’re gay or British, you probably don’t know who we are.” Still, they did a great job getting the crowd warmed up with “Take Your Mama,” “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” and closer “Filthy/Gorgeous.”
Finally, the main event. Lady Gaga appeared just as she did last summer at Madison Square Garden. Fierce as hell behind a veiled stage singing “Dance in the Dark.” While this was the Monster Ball, an extention of her 2010 tour, it felt like a completely different experience. This time, I’m on the floor, up close and personal — the way every concert should be experienced.
For my Monster Ball review and healthy comparison of Gaga’s rise to fame monsterdome to Madonna’s, read my review from last summer. It still stands and it begins to preview her next move — a little record called Born This Way. She herself proclaims it to be her Thriller. Ballsy statement, but would you expect anything less? Based on the two tracks released, the title track and the Elton John-esque love song “You and I,” I think she’s probably right. My favorite moments of the night were these two songs. I captured “You and I” on video, so check it out.
As for the song “Born This Way,” I’m not jumping on the hater bandwagon of Gaga ripping off Madge’s “Express Yourself.” In fact, it underscores my point of view that Madonna’s message was that of expressing oneself, while Gaga’s message has been about being yourself. Is she inspired by Madonna? I should hope so. And when she appeared for her final encore in that latex dress, it was evident the song may be her “Like a Prayer.” The audience went mad.
After the concert, Kelly and I hopped in a cab and headed over to the Bellagio to hit Fergie‘s birthday party at The Bank. I know — she was paid to show up (with hubby Josh btw) because operators of the competitive club market in Vegas need the buzz to drive foot traffic, but dammit it was fun. Fergie thanked the crowd for helping her celebrate and then stormed the deejay booth and sang over the tracks to the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” and David Guetta’s “Gettin’ Over You.” She looked amazing and I’m gaga for the unicorn cake. What a great, unforgettable night in Sin City.
Earlier this Spring I was fortunate to catch the ultra sexy glam rock Scissor Sisters perform an intimate gig at Bowery Ballroom to preview a number of new songs off their third studio album Night Work. Tonight they played Terminal 5 in Hell’s Kitchen to support the record (released back in late June to rave reviews) and to allow their fans to reclaim their inner Scissor Sister following a four year gap since the release of their last album, Ta-Dah. Comprised of vocalists Jake Shears and Ana Matronic (above), both whom appear in top vocal and physical shape, guitarist Del Marquis, bassist Babydaddy and drummer Randy Real (who replaced original drummer Paddy Boom in 2008), our Scissor Sisters are at the top of their game.
Terminal 5 was jam-packed. Old school New Yorkers still tell stories about their wild nights here when it was hot night club, Exit. Stories about the third level bathroom stalls, the same giant disco ball that still exists today and other debauchery I’ll keep to myself make it the perfect venue for the Sisters’ homecoming. They proudly revel in their infamous rise from the New York gay club scene. At one point in the evening, Ana Matronic peers across the cavernous space and reflects on how she and the others felt they had made it when they regularly played The Cock almost 10 years ago. “Yes, it’s still there, but it’s not the same. Now it’s a cafe, isn’t it?” she teased. I love the first single and video for “Fire With Fire.” It beautifully showcases Jake’s voice and his lower register (as opposed to his trademark falsetto). I want to believe the flatbed truck they’re performing on (so U2) slowed down around 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street to pay homage to their roots. Check it out!
The show got started following a DJ set by Sammy Jo and the third live performance (and coincidentally his third rehearsal) of original solo work by Casey Spooner, one half of the electro pop band, Fischerspooner, including a fun song called “Faye Dunaway.” He is one of Jake’s best friends. The Scissor Sisters took the stage by storm with their latest title track, “Night Work,” followed by “Laura” from their debut album and “Any Which Way,” which by the way will be their second single off Night Work. This song featured Jake and his Bee Gees-esque falsetto and Ana Matronic’s brilliant spoken word: “You know baby, when I was taking my pantyhose out of their egg this evening I thought I’m going to find that man with the right shade of bottle tan, a man that smells like cocoa butter and cash.”
Other tracks off Night Work they performed included “Running Out,” “Whole New Way” and “Harder You Get.” From their debut record, “Take Your Mama” was dedicated to the band members’ families, many of whom were in the audience, and “Tits On the Radio.” From Ta-Dah they picked their best tracks including the “Kiss You Off” and “She’s My Man.” “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” was clearly a crowd favorite, as expected. But my favorite moments were Jake singing “Skin Tight,” dedicated to his boyfriend who he got to sleep with in the same bed for the first time in three months last night, and the sexy and suggestive “Skin This Cat” featuring Ana Matronic on lead vocals with two back up pussy cats singing and dancing to perfection. Hot. “Fire With Fire” was the big anthem of the night and impossible to resist. Wonderful. And they closed their main set with “Night Life.”
But our Scissor Sisters saved the best for last. “Invisible Light” was simply brilliant. Inspired by the dark debauchery of Berlin’s underground sex clubs and discotheques, it’s said that Jake got his groove back here and penned lines like:
Babylon, where bricks of mortared diamonds tower,
Sailor’s lust and swagger lazing in moon’s beams,
Whose laser gaze penetrates this sparkling theater of excess and strobed lights,
Painted whores, sexual gladiators, fiercely old party children,
All wake from their slumber to debut the Bacchanal.
Come to the light! Into the light! The invisible light.“
Toward the end of the song, each band member and back-up singer appeared to bow down and worship the driving beat and the spoken word of Sir Ian McKellan. Existentially intense, provocative, delicious. Scissor Sisters at their best. How do they top that? Dedicate “Filthy/Gorgeous” to the friends and fans who’ve been with them all along — and of course the place where it all started — The Cock. “When your nose catches the wind just right in that place, you can still smell poppers and poo,” joked Ms. Matronic. OMG I love that girl. Enough said.
I got super lucky two weeks ago when I read on Facebook that a friend got tickets to a super special, super intimate Scissor Sisters show at Bowery Ballroom. After sharing the pre-sale password with me, I quickly scored two tickets of my own! (Thanks, Flint)! First, I have to say that Bowery may be my new favorite venue in New York! This is my first time here.
I first saw Scissor Sisters back in 2006 during their Ta-Dah tour in Atlanta, Georgia. Flash-forward four years, and the Scissor Sisters are getting ready to drop their third studio album this summer, so the two shows at Bowery Ballroom previewed a number of new songs… I don’t know them, nor do I know the names of them! So, I’ll just have to wait until I see them again to report on the new stuff… But, I love that in Rolling Stone magazine, Jake Shears admits venturing to the “darkest clubs and steamiest sex parties in Germany” before starting work on this disc. Wow. This is going to be fun.
In addition to the new songs, Jake, the amazing Ana Matronic, Baby Daddy and my Scissor Sisters crush, Del Marquis, played a number of everyone’s favorites, including “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’,” “Tits on the Radio” (which featured Sandra Bernhard the night before) and closer “Filthy/Gorgeous.” Super sexy Scissor Sisters. Love them.
