Search - Pansy Division :: Essential Pansy Division

Pansy Luv

MarkeN | Portland, Oregon United States | 06/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Get yourself into Pansy Division. You'll be glad you did. Others have. For starters, no less than Green Day took them out on the road as an early career opening act.



Gay or straight, Jon Ginoli, Chris Freeman, Luis Illades & Patrick Goodwin create flat-out great rock `n' roll. I've loved them since a record store clerk turned me onto their second album in 1994. Have bought each new release along the way. Seen them whenever they come to town. Collected numerous pieces of merchandise as well: A VHS tour diary, t-shirts, refrigerator magnets, even my car sports bumper stickers. Though for some time they weathered the "Spinal Tap-like" syndrome that used to affect the drum kit, thankfully, Luis seems to be there to stay. Regardless of who's keeping the tempo, the philosophy is & always has been: Queer punk rock is not an oxymoron.



They are at times humorous, provocative, sexy, politically correct & not, and often downright thought provoking. Amazon can print the song titles, but I don't seem to be able to refer to them in a review (I've tried 4 times). Take my word, they aren't just silly or irrelevant; they are also quite serious about life, as well as staying alive.



Jon (most lead vocals, guitar, chief songwriter) creates great, usually short, songs that leave so many others in their, um, wake. Chris (bass, occasional lead vocals & songwriter), while not as prolific, also contributes plenty [he's sort of the Mick Jones to Jon's Joe Strummer]. Luis (drums) and Patrick (lead guitar, recently replaced by Bernard Yin, who's straight) fill out the band with enthusiasm & verve.



And what a knack for album titles & cover art they have. Undressed (1993), Deflowered (1994), Wish I'd Taken Pictures (1996), Total Entertainment (2003) and the clever and truly inspired Steve Albini-produced Absurd Pop Song Romance make up the official releases, while Pile Up (1995) & More Lovin' From Our Oven (1997) collect various b-sides, compilation cuts, demos, outtakes, etc.



Unlike most career-collections, this has everything but the kitchen sink, but only because there is just so much room to work with. Added to the set is a DVD of television, live & promo video footage totaling 45 minutes. Even the cover here is both original & yet not. Want more? Create it yourself!



Advice: buy it directly from the band's website for no shipping! Then get yourself to a show when they are in your town!"