SCISSOR SISTERS

SCISSOR SISTERS

BIOGRAPHY
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 features 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 as 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 their 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.

SCISSOR SISTERS

Scissor Sisters are never exactly going to be the coolest band in the world. Their first single was a bizarre cover of Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb', performed in the style of a Bee Gees disco track. Naturally, the resulting album turns out to be a tribute to every terminably naff outfit of the 70s and 80s, with the ghosts of Elton John, Queen and Billy Joel nodding approvingly in the wings. Unfortunately for the cynics, the songwriting here is so good that any nagging doubts are quickly swept away. The dashing New Yorkers may be camp, but they're also deadly serious and their glossily-produced songs about coming out, celebrity antics and the drawbacks of Rudy Giuliani's zero tolerance policy are far more affecting than their cabaret image would suggest. So on this evidence, the Sisters who looked like pantomime dames have instead turned out to be the new queens of the electroclash scene.

1. Laura 3:36
2. Take Your Mama 4:31
3. Comfortably Numb 4:25
4. Mary 4:41
5. Lovers In The Backseat 3:17
6. Tits On The Radio 3:14
7. Filthy/gorgeous 3:47
8. Music Is The Victim 2:57
9. Better Luck 3:08
10. It Can't Come Quickly Enough 4:39
11. Return To Oz 4:40

password: NS12

TA-DAH

Their self-titled debut album not only went platinum, it did so nine times over. (An album is certified platinum for one million copies sold.) But the music is only half of what makes up this New York City quintet known as the Scissor Sisters. The concerts put on by the band resemble a theatrical production incorporating elements from burlesque and drag shows. Band members feel it is important to be who you are and their shows reflect that. The Scissor Sisters second album is titled Ta-dah. The first single from the album "I Don't Feel Like Dancing" has already hit the airwaves. It is a song that makes you feel good about feeling bad. The song came about in response to the let down after the band's whirlwind success and touring. But by all indications the let down will not last. In fact, with the pressures of making the new album behind them the band has already hit the road again. The first single from the album"I Don't Feel Like Dancing" and "Intermission" were co-written with Sir Elton John. Sir Elton also contributed his piano playing skills on "I Don't Feel Like Dancing". Ta-dah contains 12 original songs that range from pop to rock including some beautiful melodies and cute ditties. There is no need to worry about getting bored because each song explores a different musical style. At times the lyrics are quirky and don't make much sense, but who cares; crank it up and get down.

1. I Don'T Feel Like Dancin' 4:48
2. She'S My Man 5:31
3. I Can'T Decide 2:46
4. Lights 3:35
5. Land Of A Thousand Words 3:50
6. Intermission 2:36
7. Kiss You Off 5:02
8. Ooh 3:29
9. Paul Mccartney 3:44
10. The Other Side 4:22
11. Might Tell You Tonight 3:20
12. Everybody Wants The Same Thing 4:22

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THE DEMO ALBUM

The Scissor Sisters' Demo Album, sometimes referred to as Filthy and Gorgeous, was recorded before the group became famous. It included original versions of songs which were changed before being added to the official Scissor Sisters album.
In overall tone, the Demo Album reveals much more of the band's original electroclash roots, especially in the extended use of synthesized music throughout many of the songs. This was a genre which the band would move out of with the addition of Del Marquis and Paddy Boom, who would contribute live guitar and drums and move the band towards a more traditional rock and roll sound.
In addition, the Demo Album also contains much more overtly gay content, especially in the songs Electrobix, Backwoods Discotheque Part 1, and Step Aside For The Man. The songs Monkey Baby and Bicycling With The Devil showcase some of the band's fixation on 'bizarre erotica', which can be also seen in more mature songs such as Filthy/Gorgeous.

1. The Valley of the Scissor Sisters 0 :46
2. Electrobix 5 :59
3. Us & Them/Comfortably Numb 6 :52
4. Someone To Touch (How Many Times) 3 :58
5. Music Is The Victim 3 :11
6. The Backwoods pt.1 3 :45
7. Step Aside For The Man 3 :18
8. Filthy/Gorgeous 5 :55
9. Monkey Baby 5 :30
10. Bicycling With The Devil 3 :59
11. Laura (Simone) 3 :40
12. Return To Oz 4 :39
13. Doctor (I'm Only Seeing Dark) 4 :34
14. Take Your Mama 4 :35
15. Forever Right Now 4 :46
16. Ohh (Them Blues)/Dancin' Shoes 4 :00

password: NS14