If California’s Prop 8 bummed you out, it might make you feel better
to know that Golden State natives Pansy Division do away with the
notion of gay marriage on their latest album. On “Life Lovers,” Jon
Ginoli sings, “No box to check on the census form / Unless they’ve got
one that says ‘Don’t conform’ / Won’t live a lie, won’t need permission
/ We’ll invent a brand new tradition.”
On “Twinkie Twinkie Little Star,” which celebrates the virtues of a
sexy twink hitting the scene, Pansy Division shows that little has
changed since 2003’s Total Entertainment! They’re still focused
on a camp portrayal of the gay life. That’s what we love about Pansy
Division—they never attempt to dress up their faggotry so it
looks wholesome. “I’m getting grayer / But feeling gayer,” Ginoli sings
on “20 Years of Cock.”
If you’re tempted to write off Pansy Divison as a gimmick, it’s your
loss. TSG is filled with irresistible pop-punk, from “It’s Just
a Job” to the anthemic “Some of My Best Friends,” directed at
intolerant breeders. The band’s not about innovation; they’re about
taking the iconic sound of classic pop-punk and repackaging it with gay
content. The joke is obvious but doesn’t ever get old, because
underneath the cartoonish simplicity, the music is actually, well, fun
as hell.
This article appears in May 7-13, 2009.