This post was submitted by TNG founder Zack.

Kip Berman (2nd from left) discovers the pains of eating not-properly-cooled-down pizza.

Most of what I had to say about New York fuzz pop band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart I already said in Friday’s ticket giveaway, but I can easily sum it up here. They’re really good. They make me smile. They can sing lyrics like “You are my sister and our love is fucking right” without creeping me out. (Of course if the lyrics were changed to “you are my brother” I would probably get turned on in a weird Sean Cody sort of way. But that’s for another post.)

I’m excited to go check out TPOBPAH (say that three times fast) tonight at the Black Cat backstage. Their combination of high energy and a general romantic aura will test my ability to hold my boyfriends hand and jump around at the same time. Given my clumsiness, though, I’ll probably just pull his arm out of the socket.

TPOBPAH’s guitar player Kip Berman was nice enough to answer some of my questions about being straight. You can check out the full interview and a TPOBPAH (I can’t stop typing it!) mixtape below the fold.

The New Gay: When did you first realize you were straight?

Kip Berman: I had a crush on Vanna White when I was in first grade. I didn’t want to make out with her. Really I just wanted to be on Wheel of Fortune. That show is really good — and Vanna is still really pretty!

TNG: What is your least favorite stereotype about straight people?

KB: That we don’t like rainbows. I love rainbows SO much! Ask anyone!

TNG: What obligations, if any, do you feel that you have to the gay community?

KB: Well, our music is gay so I think that we should thank gayness’ influence. Like, “Dear Gay, thank you for helping us make our songs. You may not get a royalty check someday but we really admire you as a sexuality and as a synonym for ‘good’.”

TNG: What are the biggest challenges faced by a straight person in
today’s culture?

KB: None. Straight people have it easy.

TNG: If you had to “go gay” for one member of the same sex, who would it be?

KB: Everyone answers this questions with “David Bowie.” Seriously, I love his records, but I’d prefer to just stay home and play video games while listening to them.

TNG: Given the seemingly endless number of “indie” artist in existence today, how do you think you set yourself apart from the crowd?

When people say our music is gay, we say, “Thanks!”

The New Gay: Finally, why should Washington, DC come out and see you play tonight?

KB: Washington, DC should come out! If they want to see us play, that’s cool too!

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