Boys Keep Swinging: A Memoir
The glittering, hedonistic rise of Scissor Sisters in the downtown New York club scene.
The Historical Context
Before they became a massive pop phenomenon in the UK, Scissor Sisters were a bizarre, filthy fixture of the New York underground. Jake Shears details his journey from a bullied kid in Seattle to a go-go dancer in Manhattan, and the eventual creation of a band that brought subversive, queer club culture to daytime radio. It is a sharp, affectionate documentation of a vibrant downtown scene that was rapidly disappearing due to gentrification.
Deconstructing the Masterpiece
Here is exactly what you will find inside the pages of this pivotal work:
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The vital importance of queer nightlife as an incubator for art.
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The jarring transition from underground performance art to mainstream pop success.
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The complex dynamics of friendship and collaboration within a band.
The Myths & Controversies
Shears provides an unflinching look at his own struggles with addiction and the intense pressure of suddenly becoming a global pop star.
The Verdict
A joyous, filthy, and beautifully written account of modern pop subversion.
Archivist Notes: Boys Keep Swinging: A Memoir
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