This post was submitted by Zack Rosen

Hey, remember the 80s? Soft Complex does. The local band’s gloomy shimmer recalls some of the better parts of a decade I was barely out of diapers for. As the featured band at this Saturday’s TNG dance party at the Rock and Roll Hotel, it is only fitting that SC is helmed by a homo. Vocalist Shane German was nice enough to answer some of my questions about the DC gay scene, the relationship between new wave and queer audiences, and why he dressed as Boy George when he was ten. Full interview and Soft Complex mixtape below the fold.

The New Gay Zack: You’re the queer frontman of an otherwise straight band. Does this present any problems or difficulties?

Shane German: Never, they’re an amazing group of straight guys.

TNG: Even in terms of things like general sensibilities or the kinds of clubs that you would like to play?

SG: No, I wouldn’t be in a band with people that I had difficulty relating to. I wouldn’t feel it was a nurturing environment. I’ve had these guys for four years. We’re like a family.

TNG: Would you say you had a predomoninantly straight or gay audience in DC?



SG: I think it’s mixed, but more straight.

TNG: Would you like to increase your queer fan base?

SG: Definitely.

TNG: How? 



SG: By partnering with The New Gay and by reaching out to that audience, by reaching out to them and letting them know that we’re here. They may not have realized that we were here before. We’re making more of an effort to reach out to that community.

TNG: Is it gratifying to you to reach other audiences that might relate to you?

SG: The goal is to have as many people connect to the music as possible, but if they’re queer it’s good. They can identify with what I’m singing about and I have an audience I can connect to without me feeling odd about singing to a boy. Growing up, it was all about girls and this and that, but hopefully music is changing so much that people are more vocal about not changing the boy to a girl for the sake of sexuality.

TNG: What do you think about the DC music scene right now?

SG: It’s changing and growing. It used to be a hard core town and that’s not gone, but there are tons of great DC bands. Middle Distance Runner. Thievery Corporation is based out of here. I think the DC scene is always changing, but it’s a pretty transient town.

TNG: How do you fit in as neo-new wave band?

SG: We just get together to make music and to be creative amongst ourselves, we’re not really in it for a scene. I’ve never been one to be part of a scene. I like to be an artist and create art. That has no color lines or sexuality lines.

TNG: There has historically be a connection between new wave and queer audiences. Does that resonate with you?

SG: Back in the ‘80s at least, the New Wave/Glam movement was a good outlet for you to put makeup on and experiment with gender lines. I dressed up as Boy George in 4th grade because I identified with him. It made me feel safe in a certain way. That was the same way for a lot of New Wave fans, it was a reason to bend sexuality and bend gender lines a little. I think it still exists today, it’s much more prominent in our culture. We have a gay TV channel, gay sitcoms, that kind of stuff wasn’t available in the ‘80s. The world has changed, the whole dynamic of acceptance of gay culture. We still have a ways to go, but it’s changing.

TNG: Do you think DC needs more of that glam and gender bending? It can be pretty buttoned up here.

SG: DC is very conservative, but we had a conservative past 8 years. I think we’ll see a much more different vibe for at least the next four years. A new administration will be coming in. If we’re only comparing the last 8 years? Yes, it’s been entirely too conservative. I wonder what the Log Cabin Republicans will do for the next four years?

TNG: You live at 17th and R. How do you feel about that whole scene?

SG: There’s a scene there? I never leave my apartment, I wouldn’t know. I perhaps don’t utilize the neighborhood as much as I should.

TNG: What’s next for Soft Complex? When can we see a new album?

SG: We’re in discussions with a producer, Rob Rives, he’s worked with Magnetic Fields and Underworld. We’re finalizing what directions we want to go in and how we want to record.

TNG: Who would you say your biggest influences were?

SG: We’re huge fans of Moloko, The Smiths , New Order, Sade and Kate Bush.

TNG: Why should TNG readers come out to see you play on Saturday? 



SG: My drummer is going to be in buttless chaps.

TNG: Is he really? 



SG: No. TNG

Damn Mixwit. They only had one track available. It’s actually called “Barcelona.”

---

First time here? See what we're all about... Get involved... Send us a tip!...

---