Left of the Dial |
Various Artists: The Suicide Girls Black Heart Retrospectiveby Bill Mahoney |
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When Ministry front-man Al Jourgensen sang, “Well anytime, any place, anywhere that I go/All the people seem to stop and stare/They say why are you dressed like it’s Halloween/You look so absurd, you look so obscene,” his words accurately portrayed the disenchanted reality of 1980s-Goth culture. Two decades later, as the introductory track to The Suicide Girls Black Heart Retrospective compilation, Ministry’s “Every Day Is Halloween” classic is the perfect mantra for rebellious Goth girls shedding those costumes in front of crowds of the disenchanted. Spawned from the popular adult web site, The Suicide Girls traveling burlesque show revels in the fetishism of the Goth culture while maintaining its non-conformity. Even Jourgensen’s notoriously nasty mind probably didn’t see this delightful twist-of-fate coming. The show’s accompanying Retrospective CD, compiled by Skinny Puppy front-man Dave Ogilvie, features several of the finest club classics from the ’80s and ’90s. As expected, The Cure, Bauhaus and Nine Inch Nails make excellent appearances, yet surprisingly, these cultural icons aren't the highlights of the disc. Instead, Siouxsie & The Banshees’ glorious gem “Cities In Dust” stands out while The Cult’s mainstream rock classic “She Sells Sanctuary” reminds us of the band’s great origins. Most surprising, however, are pop-punkers Alkaline Trio who offer up the best work on this compilation by covering Sisters Of Mercy’s atmospheric “Lucretia My Reflection.” For The Suicide Girls and their adoring legions, it is a sexy celebration of a lifestyle that is more than just skin deep.
The Suicide Girls Live Burlesque Tour comes to The Icon on Friday (Oct.14) at 11pm.
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