Santa Cruz Film Festival 2009

Undeniably one of the most important and influential gay music acts in the last twenty years, Pansy Division pioneered the “queercore” genre long before other gay musicians had the confidence to come out of the closet, and all without major record label support or mainstream radio airplay.

Using original and archive footage and covering over fifteen years as a group, Pansy Division: Life in a Gay Rock Band is a fast-paced, intimate and humorous account of one of rock’s most fearless acts. From their first days in San Francisco’s underground music scene to a full-fledged stadium tour with Green Day and beyond, founding members Jon Ginoli and Chris Freeman overcome increasingly difficult line-up changes, prejudice and near-poverty to keep the band together and create music that has truly made a difference.

The film also examines issues that the gay community faced in the 1990s, as well as the adversity one encounters simply by being oneself. Featuring interviews and appearances by Lookout Records founder Larry Livermore, Jessie “Luscious” Townley (The Criminals, Alternative Tentacles), Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys, Alternative Tentacles), Rob Halford (Judas Priest) and Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Pansy Division: Life in a Gay Rock Band provides an essential history of a genre of alternative music that is only now beginning to be appreciated.

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Following the screening join us at:
Mad House Bar and Lounge
529 Seabright Ave

Meet Director Michael Camarona and rock out to Pansy Division co-founder and bassist Chris Freeman who will DJ the night away with modern rock/post punk and new wave stylings.