"I think we're
very marketable," says Guy, the outlandish blonde transvestite leader of
New York's Toilet Boys. "But I don't know if people are just freaked out
by me or what," he explains about A&R guys who are a tad overwhelmed
by his appearance. At the moment, the Boys are unsigned and as Guy puts
it, "looking for someone with dollar signs in their eyes."
It all started a little over a year and a
half ago, when Guy, a self-admitting Kiss-a-holic, was putting together
a band to back himself and Debbie Harry for a NY club show. "Me and some
friends did it just this one time," explains the singer, " and we got a
really good response and started getting more and more bookings." From
then on the Toilet Boys, easily described as the consequence of Kiss meets
the Runaways, have solidified their line-up, put out a few indes, an EP,
and began touring.
To understand the Toilet Boys, think back
to a more flashy, shameless decade. Bowie, Max's Kansas City, androgynes,
and lipstick--the 70's were the peak of glitzy rock'n'roll. "We all love
any of the old shock rock bands and the excitement of old rock'n'roll,"
admits Guy. "We're just interested in making (music) fun and putting some
glamour back into it. The MTV generation doesn't know what's out there,"
says Guy. "The punkest thing they have is NOFX or Rancid. I love those
guys, but it's like there's a whole other world of punk out there. We're
into putting on a show," says Guy. "I miss that part of Rock and Roll."
Not only do the Toilet Boys sound and look
outrageous--they are outrageous. Back from a small west coast tour,
Guy explains, "This one show I was running late and they put us on earlier
than they should have. I had a Toilet Boys wife-beater on, and I just took
off my pants and went on stage in my underwear and high-healed boots."
And Guy isn't the only stylish boy in the band, "Our guitarist Sean, he's
so hot his guitar shoots sparks," the singer explains." The instrument
shoots sparks and is also equipped with a laser gun and a flamin' red pitchfork.
Why all the stage antics? "Well," says Guy, "I think if you're playing
to an all deaf audience they should still be able to enjoy the show." Maybe
that explains all the androgynes, explosives, fire, and sparks.
