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Underground > Radio & Music >

Are You A Scissor Sister?

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Regrettable Juvenilia

14:58 / 13.01.04

Hello, is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me.

Every now and again a band arrives with a fully-formed aesthetic that goes beyond their sound whilst being entirely suggested by it. Scissor Sisters are one of those bands. They may well be the queerest band ever, for one thing... or maybe just the campest, the most glamorous and flamboyant, the most irreverently witty. They're a band to get obsessed with, to become a FAN of rather than just someone who, y'know, kinda digs it. Just check out their names: Ana Matronic, Jake Shears, Del Marquis, Babydaddy and, er, Paddy Boom. Check out the sleeve artwork, the videos, the outfits, the reports that their live gigs are phenomenal...

But above all, check out the songs, which someone distill all this to bursts of pop melody and disco grooves. So far we've had 'Laura' (which is, uh, pretty hard to describe, except it has this piano, right? and this wah-wah guitar? and the line "this'll be the last time I ever do your hair"). Then there's 'Comfortably Numb', which apart from anything else turns a cover of a song by a band I can't stand into something I adore, and is completely irresistible, with the handclaps and the falsetto and the space-age laser effects and the neat little references to two or three extremely uncool but great old pop records. That gets a re/official release on Monday, and you should all help get this band onto Top Of The Pops. Then you should buy the forthcoming debut album, and thus help the band avoid becoming this year's Electric Six.

If I had to complain about something to do with the band, it'd be this: even though, at the other extreme, I object to a band's debut album being mostly stuff that's been out for a while in some other format, I think it's a crime 'Electrobix' won't be on the Scissor Sisters LP. But it's still the first album of 2004 I'm completely psyched for... I'm counting the days.

Official Scissor Sisters website.

Interview:

"My mum comes to all our big shows in New York," says Shears. His eyes light up. He's just had an idea. "We're going to make our mothers look like fuckin' nasty, dirty hookers. I want to see them smokin' and drinkin' and fightin'. She's so excited, she'll do anything. She'll dress up as a whore if I tell her to."

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

16:35 / 13.01.04

Waitasec! I like the Scissor Sisters, and I'll definitely be going to see them (in Leicester! Where are you now Riz?!)... but... I've just realised I've never heard "Electrobix" and I can't find it anywhere.

Why is this, eh?

18:58 / 13.01.04

I was just listening to the Numb song a few minutes ago, it's ok (not as good as the original Flyboy!) but I no nothing about them so I'm going to check out the site as you suggest....

Not sure what I think of the song to be honest, it's good I think but something doesn't sound quite right about it?

Matthew Fluxington

19:14 / 13.01.04

Ah, let's face it. The Scissor Sisters disco version is way better than the Pink Floyd original!

It's not even one of their best tunes, really. You've got to hear "Laura," "Tits on the Radio," "Music is the Victim," "Better Luck Next Time," "Mary," and "Take Your Mama Out."

Suede, "Electrobix" was a 12" single that they did, and it was on the original version of their debut album. There's about eight songs that were rejected from that record, and everything that stayed was rerecorded except for "Comfortably Numb."

19:28 / 13.01.04

Yeah but it's just not Disco enough, I think that's what's wrong with it... downloading Laura as I type.

Not going to get into a Pink Floyd thing, I don't like them enough

20:02 / 13.01.04

Laura is much much better..

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

22:14 / 13.01.04

Matthew, can you sort me out with an mp3 of Electrobix? I've looked all over (why is it I can hold of all their other songs but this one?), and my soulseek still won't work. This cannot be so!

Regrettable Juvenilia

22:38 / 13.01.04

You can see the video for 'Laura' here (I'd never heard the version with the sax all over the end before), and 'Comfortably Numb' here. Both are brilliant and very fitting; 'Comfortably Numb' in particular *looks* exactly like the kind of stuff that filled my head first time I heard it. Crazy lights flashing in the darkness.

I know this is said about people *all the time* these days, but Jake Shears really was born to be a pop star...

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

11:35 / 14.01.04

For those interested, Channel 4 tonight promises an interview and performance by the Scissor Sisters.

4play, 2.10*; so be there! You will like it, do not question this.

*Take that time as an approximate estimate, I never trust the late night listings and sub-listings.

ps, Finally heard "electrobix" and lo and behold, I see the thread title anew!

Matthew Fluxington

11:57 / 14.01.04

This is going to sound a little crazy, but Ana Matronic and Jake Shears are both even better looking in person than in those videos.

I love that video for "Laura" so much - especially the women in the scissor costumes.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

12:22 / 15.01.04

Did anyone else see that?

Jake Shears is BUFF. He's got the strangest little head/buggy eyes combo though. He was more Iggy than I imagined (it was the leather pants) but more bug eyed and demented than that. He sure is a skinny/muscley fella (more Iggy). Miss Matronic was more down to earth looking than I imagined, but maybe that's because she was dressed as Dorothy so much.

There was a whole wizard of Oz section, if you didn't see it. Jake was the scarecrow, matronic dorothy - I'm not really sure about the others though. I know the drummer was the wizard.

Their guitarist has stalked a few people from bands he loves.

I'm a little worried about how many people will be going (dancing at) to the Leicester show, but I'm gonna try and get as many as I can. I mean, even if it's not music they're gonna love - I'm still pretty certain they'll have a good time.

Matthew Fluxington

15:15 / 15.01.04

Well, I'm thinking, how many people are going to pay to see them play if they don't know what they are in for? The album isn't coming out for some time in NYC, and the crowd I was in all clearly came knowing exactly what to expect, and thus were totally game for it and danced and had fun. I'd imagine that most of the indie funphobic people have already been scared off by how pop and flamboyant they are.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

16:40 / 15.01.04

Yeah, I was a little worried that might happen with my friends. Luckily, most of them seem interested enough to come with me (and asking me how come I've heard of them, which makes me feel cool!). I'm certain there's a few trendy style mag reading types that have heard enough to warrant showing.

In fact they seem to be getting talked up a bit in the media (interview on C4 teletext Saturday), so there should be a fair few curious types. I'll be interested to see the audience they attract.

On the show they were on last night, the performance was in - I think it was Brighton - and they were all happy for it. But it's not Leicester there. I'm worried for them!

Regrettable Juvenilia

11:00 / 26.01.04

Top 10, motherfucker! That's what I'm talking about.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

10:52 / 30.01.04

Guess who's on TOTP tonight. Go on, guess!*

Is it just me, or does "Return to Oz" sound like Bowie?

*the stereophonics!

Tryphena Absent

13:01 / 30.01.04

I'll be glued to the TV.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

13:41 / 30.01.04

I hope Jake brought his mum.

Watch yourself with the glue, there (tryp).

No star here laces

20:15 / 30.01.04

Been sitting up all night playing dominoes in singapore (I won $140!) and a godlike run of "good luck", "comfortably numb" and "fix up look sharp" came on the telly. So Scissor Sisters are officially globally massive (cos they're on Singapore MTV...)

Matthew Fluxington

15:00 / 31.01.04

American MTV is never going to be that cool, Jefe.

Regrettable Juvenilia

18:13 / 31.01.04

The NME have redeemed themselves ever so slightly this week by giving the album 9 out of 10 and a prominent, glowing review - they also have an interview with Jake Shears in which he says he would blow up Atomic Kitten, but not Sugababes or Girls Aloud - "there's a difference!" - damn straight.

20:12 / 31.01.04

Is it just me, or does "Return to Oz" sound like Bowie?

You totally stole my thunder there!

The band's not really my cup of tea, but I don't object to them generally. But, and I cannot stress this strongly enough, Comfortably Numb is the dumbest fucking thing I've ever heard! I quite like the original, mainly for the Dave Gilmour sections and the solo, but this is a travesty. They might as well take out a Pink Floyd CD and piss on it! Not that many people here would object, by the sounds of things.

'Comfortably Numb', which apart from anything else turns a cover of a song by a band I can't stand into something I adore

Bizarre. I would have thought the most objectionable thing about Floyd, if anything, would be the sometimes pretentious lyrics. I don't see how anyone could object to the music itself (but that's another discussion). How can you hate a song, and then like a cover of it which has exactly the same lyrics? Or is it precisely because it makes a mockery of the original?

Besides, musically it's a poor copy of Daft Punk.

Scrambled Password Bogus Email

15:44 / 01.02.04

I watched SS on TOTP on Friday night, having not heard them 'til then, but having read this thread.

I fell off my fucking chair! I was embarrassed for them. It was woeful, pitiful shite! I'll reserve judgement until I hear the album, but the fact that this aural turd is being talked up like it smells of roses makes me feel very, very old.

Just my opinion, mind.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

17:41 / 01.02.04

You don't need to feel embarassed, you know. They're not, they're just having fun.

Why is their cover so offensive to Pink Floyd fans? Is it because they are all terribly self important and precious? They wee all over my memories! This song is now irrevocably changed! My dad likes Pink Floyd but I seem to have managed to avoid ever really listening to them.

Why would you say that, musically, they are like Daft Punk, eh? Why would you do that? Pet Shop Boys, maybe.... Is this the same thinking behind everyone else who has only heard this one track saying they are a "novelty" band because they made Pink Floyd sound disco? Is it? (I think this single is either smart/stupid on the sisters part. I'm leaning towards smart because everyone will *know* them now, "novel" or not...)

This is not a novelty band, they play real music. They are a real band, and you could sing their songs round a campfire with GUITARS.

ps. it is ok to feel sory for the presenter of TOTP. What is he even doing there I ask, and how did he get that job? I ran out of fingers to count his mistakes.

Matthew Fluxington

17:51 / 01.02.04

I really don't think they should have released "Comfortably Numb" as a single, it just confuses things too much and gives new listeners a very awkward first impression. They really should have put the push behind "Laura" or "Take Your Mama Out."

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

18:01 / 01.02.04

Yeah, it's kinda double edged - in that it doesn't really give an impression of their own specific sound... but also, I see this song as one which was absolutely guaranteed to get popular, and put them in everyone's minds. I don't think any of their other songs would have placed as high, or got them as much exposure merely on their own stengths. So to me, it's kinda like they're trying to sneak themselves in to the public consciousness.

And now hopefully they'll be able to show people they don't just have the one trick.... (like the Darkness).

19:03 / 01.02.04

"Is this the same thinking behind everyone else who has only heard this one track saying they are a "novelty" band because they made Pink Floyd sound disco?"

Not sure where you got that from. I've listened to a few of their other tracks, and they range from okay to good in my opinion. Just that one track I couldn't stand.

And I have no doubt that they know exactly what they're doing. I said the song was dumb, I don't think they are. If I thought they were dumb I wouldn't have been quite so annoyed.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

20:15 / 01.02.04

Sorry, that wasn't in direct relation to what you were saying. It's just a prevailing school of thought I keep seeing with regard to the single.

Scrambled Password Bogus Email

07:51 / 02.02.04

I'm no great fan of Pink Floyd (not that particular era, especially), just well crafted, well programmed/produced/played/recorded, interesting and heartfelt artistic output.

And Scissor Sisters 'Comfortably Numb' sure as shit ain't it.

I gather there is more merit on the album, so I'll have to hear that before writing them off completely. So far, so hype. It'll end in tears!

Scrambled Password Bogus Email

07:54 / 02.02.04

Yeah, and what's with that bloody presenter? Dean Gaffney's long lost brother?

How the hell did he get that gig? Do they actually pay him?

Jesus

Our Lady Has Left the Building

05:35 / 03.02.04

Scissor Sisters- Pah! Bunch of badly produced crap with silly voices...

Only joking. Should hopefully get my copy of the album by the end of the week, am looking forward to this more than any other band for years. Is Ana the woman with the mad staring eyes from the 'Comfortably Numb' video? Yummmm.

I'm Rick Jones, bitch

06:12 / 03.02.04

I tried streaming the single but all I got was some rubbish sub DFA bollocks - now I'm really worried something is wrong with my PC! Is there some kind of special plug-in I have to download?

Old brown-eye is back

08:50 / 05.02.04

Got the album yesterday and fuck me if Take Your Mama isn't the best song ever. Bollocks to Bowie - they sound like Elton John.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

10:06 / 05.02.04

What's shakin' Miss Matronic?

Nothing but my bacon Mr. Shears!

You feelin' funky?

I feel so funky I don't know what to do with myself!

Damn that's funky! What you gonna do when you're funky like that?

I said I'm gonna do the pony! And then I'm gonna do the jerk...

One day I will have to DJ this version of "music is the victim", so everyone can bask in it's coolness and worship me. Although I do like the piano on the album version.

12:53 / 05.02.04

Okay. When I'm trying to order a CD by a Finnish band, I can understand having to order it from Finland and pay silly shipping to get it before their possible American release a year later. When I'm trying to order a CD by a band from New York... why can't I find a place outside of the UK that sells it? This makes me a very, very sad Google monkey.

I want to send them my filthy American money without retarded shipping. A few pages of Google on the work clock have failed. Link me!

*makes biig cute eyes*

The resistable rise of Reidcourchie

12:50 / 06.02.04

Originally posted by Suedehead

"It's just a prevailing school of thought I keep seeing with regard to the single."

Where? Kerrang? They seem to be media darlings and they're quite popular here.

I'm not sure that Floyd dans are angry at the cover so much as don't like it/prefer the original.

Personally it's an amusing novelty single though I don't see what the fuss is. No better or worse than Ozzy doing Staying Alive.

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