Pansy Division, for those who don't know, is an excellent pop punk band from the Bay Area. Our friends from the West Coast have been rocking hard and melodically since the early 1990's. PD quickly established itself as a musical force both in and outside the gay community, effectively spearheading a punk and indie movement which became known as "queercore."

The film, Pansy Division: Life In A Gay Rock Band, follows the band's formation and documents their cultural significance. The documentary will be airing this Friday (July 18th) as part of the annual Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Afterwards, Pansy Division will be playing a very special set at The Troc. The band's cofounder, singer, and primary songwriter, Jon Ginoli agreed to an interview with Cheap Shot!, and here are the results.

CS: It was something like a four year gap between Pansy Division appearances in Philadelphia, prior to the show at the First Unitarian Church last October. Is it a surprise to be coming back so soon?

JG: Yes. We thought this would be the year for the film, and next year--when the new album is out-- we'd play out again. We didn't think we'd be back before we did another tour, but the film fest is flying us in. We weren't expecting that to happen, so it's a nice surprise.

CS: Chris did some technical (editing) work on the film, and he also serves as its co-producer. Was he involved in that role from the planning stages or is that something he came into later?

JG: It's an interesting story. Chris' job was doing financial aid for small colleges. He got hired by one that just happened to be a film school. He ended up attending school there, and that's how the film ended up getting made. He didn't direct it, but he did edit it, so we were involved.

CS: There's been a little trouble so far in promoting the documentary because of the ridiculously pricey submission fees most film festivals charge. As a result, gay film festivals [which tend to charge less money for submissions] have been the go-to venue for the screenings. Would you be content if the documentary only screened at gay film festivals?

JG: I realize it's not a general interest film, even though it covers topics besides our music. But I thought we'd get into a few non-gay film fests, though that hasn't happened yet. I think it would interest indie / underground music fans as well as the gay angle. So I hope it ends up in any festivals that specialize in music films.

CS: Is there a DVD release planned?

JG: Hopefully. We've had a few conversations about it, but there's footage in it from sources that will probably cost us if we want an official release. And I doubt we can afford that.

CS: What did the film teach you about Pansy Division and the impact of the band?

JG: It just screened in San Francisco, and a number of people mentioned that it was a history of a certain moment in queer San Francisco history. A lot of people I know now and who are fans weren't there in the beginning, so to hear about the early history of the band, and the context in which we appeared was especially interesting to them. So it's interesting to me to learn which parts of the story people know, and which parts they don't.

CS: In your opinion, how does sexuality figure into the current rock / indie / punk landscape? Is there still a queercore movement?

JG: I ought to have a snappy answer to this, but I don't. I know there are queer bands out there now, but it doesn't seem like the movement it was in the early/mid 90s. Maybe we don't need one now, I'm not really sure how I feel about it.

CS: Let's switch over to the world at large for a second. Barack Obama is the presumptive Democratic candidate for this November and, as such, probably the best chance the LGBT community has for the next four years. Still, he's sort of a mixed bag on gay rights issues, supporting benefits for couples and employment equality, while also opposing same sex marriage. What's your opinion on Obama?

JG: I'm comfortable with him. He has his goals and opinions, seems open to suggestions, seems like he'll listen to people. I think it would be political suicide right now for a presidential candidate to declare himself in favor of gay marriage. I hope he could someday be persuaded. There are possibilities. He's not a perfect candidate, but he's the closest one I've seen in my lifetime.

CS: You guys will be putting on a special performance at The Troc once the July 18th screening's over. Being that this is an election year, any chance we'll get to hear "Political Asshole?"

JG: Quite possible!

CS: What's your personal favorite Philadelphia venue, past or present?

JG: We're playing The Trocadero, which we've played before as openers--once for Green Day, and once for The Donnas. Both were great shows. But it's large venue for us to play on our own, so I'm curious to see how well we fill it up. For shows we've played on our own, probably the Khyber Pass, but we've had good shows else where over the years. I remember playing this place called Upstairs at Nick's, on a Monday night, and expecting it to be empty; it was small, but full, and a really fun show.

CS: Are you planning to check out any of the other films or events at the Film Festival?

JG: We'll be in town for less than 48 hours at most, so probably not too much. But I'll try to make it to see other films if we're able to.

CS: Are there any particular spots in the city you like to visit when you're here?

JG: For years, a friend of mine lived in Germantown, so we used to stay with him. That was kind of out of the way, so I can't say I've explored a lot of Philly. I know the area around the Trocadero and the Khyber Pass. I've seen the Liberty Bell! I'd like to see more of the city.

CS: Finally...how's the new album coming along?

JG: It's coming along great, it's nearly done. We've got a recording session the weekend after we're in Philadelphia where we'll do some final overdubs on the last few songs. Then we'll mix the thing in September, and get the artwork together. It will be out sometime in the spring. We're really happy with the way it has turned out. It might be one of our best albums. I know bands always say that, but it's true! Joel, our guitar player, started playing with us since we last made a record; he's a really versatile guitar player, so there's a lot of variety.

CS: Anything else you'd like to say, add, or promote?

JG: I doubt the film will ever get a regular theatrical release, so I hope that anyone interested in the film make an effort to come out to see it. Apart from that, my book "Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division" is going to be out in March. It's a much more detailed account of band life than the film.

Also, I hope people will register to vote and make it the polls in November, especially in a swing state like PA.

Oh, and Jesse Helms died. What did people do that day? They celebrated! They took the day off work and shot off fireworks. It was our country's birthday that day too, but I think it was really about celebrating that asshole's demise.