HomoCore: The Loud and Raucous Rise of Queer Rock

We're here to tell you, ya better make way.
We're queer rockers in your face today.
We can't relate to Judy Garland.
It's a new generation of music calling.
We're the butt-fuckers of rock n' roll.
-Anthem by Pansy Division

Music as a form of social activism dates back for centuries, but rarely has there been a movement as daring, exciting and provocative as homocore, the queer-oriented rock scene, which through its cult following in clubs around the country presents a brazen face to the queer sociopolitical movement.

Journalist David Ciminelli has been immersed in the queer rock scene since the early 1990s as a fan, writer, musician and band manager. His book drops you front and center as Brian Grillo, frontman for Extra Fancy, leaps from the stage at the Viper Room and chases a homophobic heckler up Sunset Boulevard. It takes you backstage as Pansy Division recalls being pelted by coins when they opened for Green Day during their career-making Dookie tour. Ciminelli's exploration charts the trendy homocore scene from the 1990s to today. Through interviews with scene leaders such as Pansy Division, Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü), Jinx Titanic (Super 8 Cum Shot), I AmLoved, Clint Yeager (Söur) and the Skinjobs, Ciminelli tells the story of using music to promote tolerance and ponders whether pro-gay music is a powerful enough tool of activism to gain mainstream acceptance.

David Ciminelli grew up in Buffalo, New York. After moving to Los Angeles, he served as editor in chief of In Los Angeles magazine and editor of Unzipped, a gig he still has. When we asked him to tell us something cool about himself, he said, "I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain." We don't talk to him anymore.

Ken Knox is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Instinct, Unzipped, Fab! and Frontiers. He is currently adapting his column "My La-La Life" into a screenplay.

David Ciminelli grew up in Buffalo, N.Y. After moving to Los Angeles, he has served as editor in chief of In Los Angeles magazine and editor of Unzipped, a gig he still has. When we asked him to tell us something cool about himself, he said, "I like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain." We don't talk to him anymore.