BEAT MAGAZINE 31/10/01

Just when rock n roll was beginning to seem bland, along come the androgynous posers The Toilet Boys to inject some excitement and put the glamour back into punk. The Toilet Boys started playing in New York City in 1997 however lead singer, Miss Guy has been getting into stilletos and make up since the late 80’s, and looks better in them than most women do.

It is rumoured that the real life superstar inspired the lead character in the new feature film, Hedwig And The Angry Inch,  as the creator frequented many of the same bars such as Miss Guy during the 90’s. The music of The Toilet Boys sounds good next to bands such as KISS, New York Dolls, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Sweet, Blondie, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, Motley Crue and Guns N Roses.
Although The Toilet Boys sound fine on CD, they are a visual experience. Described as “New York City’s most exciting live band” they released a live video to acompany their EP Live Like A Millionaire two years before their debut album crankin’ their ass kickin’ hits and all their electric show loaded with freaks, fun and flames.

Who was your favourite member of KISS?
Ace was my favourite member and I used to dress up like him as a kid. Ace Frehley came to see us play last Halloween and hung out with me in my dressing room for an hour. That was a big thrill. Although I like Ace more and he seems like a cooler guy, Paul Stanley was the perfect rock star in my eyes. He is just it. I actually got a piece of Paul’s guitar last time I saw them play, I was right up the front. I think he is one of the greatest rockstars ever. He whips the drowd in a frenzy and he is really on.

But you would have waxed that chest, right?
It suits him. Yeah, I luckily don’t have any body hair but I think if I did I would wax it. It doesn’t suit a blonde guy.
No, but it suited David Lee Roth. He was a swinger in his day and a wild guy.

What kind of reaction do you get from straight guys?
“If you were a chick, I’d fuck you”. Which is funny because if I was a chick what makes you think I would let you fuck me. I have plenty of straight friends, plenty of gay friends. I have lesbian friends, I have friends across the board, of every sexual background and different likes and dislikes. Everyone can get along. Sexuality is such an irrelevant thing to bring into a relationship with someone, because if it’s not sexual what does it matter what someone does in their bed, y’know. Girls like the way I look. Girls have always loved the way I look. And maybe a guy in the audience who wants to get into dressing up can relate to me. I think we have got something for everybody.

Where did you get the skill to put on your makeup?
I like to draw and I have since I was a little kid. I mean, it was one of the first things I remember that I loved to do . I used to draw girls faces, I still do. I guess I used to take my mom’s fashion magazines and draw Kiss makeup on the models.

Do you wear makeup off stage?
Noy usually. I used to up until I turned 20. Then the more facial hair I started to get, the more the hassle.
If I am going to go out to be seen I will usually have make-up on as I want to be seen a certain way. Not that I want to be recognised. As I have the long blond hair even without make up I get recognised. I think it makes me look better and I am trying to keep up an image, at this point.

Did you ever work at Don Hill’s in NYC which is well known for bringing together musicians and drag queens?
Yes, there is a night called Squeezebox and I was the DJ there for like six and a half years. I don’t DJ there anymore but I still hang out there, it’s a fun place.

Does Theo fron The Lunachicks still work at Don Hill’s? You look a little bit like her.
Yes, there is a party called Mullet that Theo does with Sean, my guitarist. The Lunachicks are one of my favourite bands for sure. Theo is a good friend, she is a beautiful girl. Funny you said we look alike. Some say we were seperated at birth. You don’t know how many times people have gone up to her and thought it was me and vice versa. Usually from behind or whatever. A few years ago we used to look a lot alike. She is far more beautiful that I am. But our looks were very similar. We are exactly the same height. We have the same shoe size and everything. It’s really weird. W e don’t really look alike but we can look alike.

The Toilet Boys have played with the reformed Blondie and I have read that you have been friends with Debbie Harry for a while.
Did she ever give you make up tips?
No, I think it has been the other way around. She is a fan, she and I are good friends. Playing with them was a huge thrill, because Blondie is one of my all time favourite bands.

Do you think it is harder these days for women who want to play rock music not pop music?
Things always change. I think right now it is really male dominated because of certain bands like Limp Bizkit. But, I think that there is always going to be a high place in rock for women. It may not always be fashionable or easy.
For me, women in rock are most exciting. They do a lot more and they are a lot more brave that the average Joe fronting a rock band. With the exception of someone like David Bowie, Alice Cooper, The new York Dolls or even Boy George, Kiss or Marilyn Manson. Any guy who puts himself on the line by inventing a character that is going to cause controversy and make people uncomfortable, especially straight young macho guys who think any guy in high heels and make up is, y’know, whatever…
These days it is jocks on stage and that is such a bore. Give me Mick Jagger with his hand on his hip and shaking his ass.

So is the world ready for The Toilet Boys?
That whole jock rock thing is on it’s way out, especially after what happened in New York in September. People are really going to want entertainment and real entertainment, visual stimulation and The Toilet Boys provide that. I think there will be a really exciting time in rock over the next couple of years.