PANSY DIVISION / BEV RAGE & THE DRINKS / RAT BATH

 

There have been gay musicians hidden throughout rock music history,
but when Pansy Division began in 1991 in San Francisco, they were the first
to be so boldly open about it.  Founded by guitarist/singer Jon Ginoli and soon
joined by bassist/vocalist Chris Freeman, with the intent of forming a gay rock
band, Pansy Division blew the closet doors open.

Raised on a diet of 60s pop and 70s punk, their sound was suitably crunchy
and catchy as hell. They wrote in-your-face lyrics, but did it with a sense of humor.
Not only did their music and stance defy stereotypical norms of rock musicians
being openly gay, they also broke gay cultural stereotypes that rock
wouldn’t interest gay people. 

 

 

Bev Rage & the Drinks are a loud, fast, and brash queer garage-pop band from Chicago. Fronted by guitarist Beverly Rage, a 7- foot tall drag queen with hair and heels, the band is known for their riveting live show of all original songs rarely breaking the 3 minute mark. Rounding out the band are Sam Westerling (bass and vocals), Mary Rose Gonzales (drums), and Dan Jarvis (lead guitar and vocals).