Scissor Sisters

A genre- and gender-defying mix of rock, pop, and dance inspired by burlesque, drag queens, and glam rock, New York's Scissor Sisters made a splash in late 2003/early 2004 with their neon-bright reimagining of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb," the B-side to the band's first single, "Electrobix." The song made quite a name for the band, which featured singers Jake Shears and Ana Matronic, keyboardist/bassist Babydaddy, guitarists Del Marquis and Derek G, and drummer Paddy Boom: along with becoming the calling card that got the band signed to Polydor in the U.K., "Comfortably Numb" was heralded Single of the Month by Dazed and Confused and Jockey Slut magazines, named an Essential New Tune by Pete Tong on Britain's Radio 1, and also received considerable play by DJs including Felix da Housecat and Tiga.

Scissor Sisters (whose name is slang for a lesbian sex act) came from the cutting edge of New York's nightlife and gay culture, incorporating elements of burlesque and drag shows, as well as performance art, into their theatrical live shows.

This was the perfect setting for their music, which gleaned the best of Elton John, the Bee Gees, the B-52's, David Bowie, and many other artists with a campy sense of humor and impeccable style. After proving themselves one of the city's most dynamic live acts, Scissor Sisters won over British and European audiences on a tour early in 2004 that coincided with the release of their self-titled debut album.

That March, they returned stateside for a South by Southwest gig with Junior Senior and the B-52's before returning to the U.K.

to tour with Duran Duran in support of the "Take Your Mama Out" single.

The band continued to have a busy spring and summer, launching its first U.S.

tour in May -- coinciding with the stateside release of Scissor Sisters -- and returning to Europe in June and July.

These dates included two gigs supporting Scissor Sisters' spiritual and musical godfather, Elton John, as well as appearances at festivals such as Glastonbury, T in the Park, Roskilde, and the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Late that year, Scissor Sisters were nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Record for "Comfortably Numb." The band kept busy with touring and producing remixes during 2005, and returned with new material in fall 2006, when the single "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" hit number one in England.

The band's subsequent album, Ta-Dah, also topped the charts in Great Britain.

In 2008, Paddy Boom left the group and was replaced by Randy Schrager.

After completing and then scrapping an entire set of songs, Scissor Sisters worked with producer Stuart Price for their third album, Night Work, which was released in 2010 and preceded by the power ballad "Fire with Fire." ~ Heather Phares, Rovi

Scissor Sisters reckon they are ''as sexual'' as British rockers the Rolling Stones.

(BANG) -

Scissor Sisters reckon they are "as sexual" as the Rolling Stones.

The camp pop group - fronted by singers Jake Shears and Ana Matronic - compare themselves to the 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' rockers - who were often seen as the epitome of sexy, dangerous rock 'n' roll in their 60s heyday - because they are also "crude" about their sexuality.

Guitarist Babydaddy said: "It is true that we are open about our sexuality and we are sexual at the same time. It's a sexual show; Jake is very sexual onstage; Ana can be very sexy and be kind of a potty mouth as well.

"I think we're probably as sexual as a band like the Rolling Stones. I don't think people are obsessed that the Rolling Stones are straight. But they're obsessed with the fact that they are a little bit crude about sexuality, which I think is fine and I commend it."

Babydaddy added that the group - several of whom are gay - have tried to include a message of self acceptance in their songs on their third album 'Night Work'.

He added: "I think we have a lot of messages, but, overall, there's a message that we bring of acceptance of yourself, of feeling liberated, whether that's sexually or psychologically liberated, liberated in your life to do what it is you want to do,

"We're not trying to say to people, 'Stop worrying about the fact that we are gay men.' We are telling people, 'Have as much respect for us musically as you would have for someone like the Rolling Stones, who are just as sexual but are also known for their songs and their music and what they do.'"

Scissor Sisters thought they were ''too weird and too gay'' for mainstream success.

(BANG) -

Scissor Sisters thought they were "too gay" for mainstream success.

Singer Ana Matronic thought the camp band - who have now sold over six million albums - would be seen as too much of a novelty act to make it big.

She said: "I never thought the Scissor Sisters would make it outside of New York City, let alone outside of America. I thought we were just too weird and too gay for public consumption. I thought we were much more of a novelty and we'd never encounter success on such a level."

The 36-year-old singer also revealed the death of her father - from an Aids related illness when she was 15 -is partly responsible for her meeting Jake Shears and Babydaddy as she embraced the gay scene in New York and San Francisco.

She explained: "It was a subconscious thing. I didn't say 'My dad just died and he was gay so I'm going to immerse myself in gay culture to understand him.' It was a lot more organic than that."

Ana also admitted that she doesn't enjoy the trappings success has brought, saying she prefers drag queens to famous people.

She said: "I come from the New York club scene and when I'm not touring that's where I go back to. I'd much rather hang out with drag queens that a room full of famous people."

Scissor Sisters aren't worried their sexy new track 'Any Which Way' may cost them some fans with its provocative content.

(BANG) -

Scissor Sisters aren't worried their sexy new track may cost them some fans.

The 'Any Which Way' group are "relaxed" about the song's provocative imagery - including the lyrics "Take me anyway you like it; in front of the fireplace, in front of your yacht, in front of my parents" - and frontman Jake Shears said sex has always played a role in the group's music.

He told the Daily Star newspaper: "I feel happier than ever with what we're doing.

"We're all really relaxed about it. There's no other band who could get away with this stuff.

"Our new music was born out of going to these insane sex parties.

"I guess some people love us for who we are, some vehemently despise us."

Singer Jake, 31, also admitted he couldn't stop laughing at his bandmate Ana Matronic's improvised verse about her desires when she came up with it in the studio.

He added: "Ana's solo in that song was hilarious.

"If you get all the things right in a room for her you can stick a microphone in front of her and she'll come out with the most outrageous, amazing lines in one go.

"That was all one take, and totally improvised. I was having to try and keep my hysterics in check."

Jake and Ana are joined in Scissor Sisters by guitarists Babydaddy and Del Marquis and drummer Randy Real.

The group's third album, 'Night Work', is available now.