New mix from Kid Zipper:
Dubstep MNRG by Kid Zipper
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Friday, 22 April 2011
Musings on UK vs US Drag Styles
Now, I LOVE RuPaul's Drag Race. I'd say it's probably my favourite show (not on UK) TV, and definitely my favourite reality TV show. Well, if you can call our hyper, heightened glamour world 'reality'!
Watching it though, you do come to realise that there are several key differences between U.S. and British drag queens, and after consulting a few dragnificent friends of mine, it doesn't just seem to be me that thinks this.
For one, American queens are definitely more obsessed with looking convincingly 'femme', often trying to out-'tuck' one another and there's a clearly sexual aspect to this too. If they can not only pass as a real woman but also get fucked by a straight guy who's turned-on by them, then they've been successful.
Also, U.S. drag seems to be more pageant-oriented than it is over here. That's wholly a U.S. concept anyway, but you really see this underscored in drag culture, and I guess the house ball system also plays a part in this somewhat too.
The other major thing that I notice is the type of makeup they all tend to use, and the way they apply it. Doing your face is called 'beating', and U.S. queens favour heavy, theatrical makeup like Kryolan, which they apply in a process called 'cooking' where they let the makeup set before they blend it all together. For me and other makeup artist friends of mine, we find this method a bit crazy. We're used to applying makeup more like a woman would, starting with foundation and building up contours with blush, as opposed to layering it all up separately as foundation shades.
Personally, I feel that our style of drag here in the UK is a bit more cutting-edge, experimental and fierce, though I do love the 'Showgirls' style too, even though a lot of it's quite alien to us here. We all love a pretty face and big titties, but aren't constrained by beauty like a lot of American queens seem to be. Drag provides a space for experimenting with your look and aesthetic, and should be constantly in flux, not settled just on mimicking one specific sex. As the word suggests, we should be 'trans' - in a state of constant transition between the causal factors of queer theory. That's what makes it all so fun and exciting! :-)
Watching it though, you do come to realise that there are several key differences between U.S. and British drag queens, and after consulting a few dragnificent friends of mine, it doesn't just seem to be me that thinks this.
For one, American queens are definitely more obsessed with looking convincingly 'femme', often trying to out-'tuck' one another and there's a clearly sexual aspect to this too. If they can not only pass as a real woman but also get fucked by a straight guy who's turned-on by them, then they've been successful.
Also, U.S. drag seems to be more pageant-oriented than it is over here. That's wholly a U.S. concept anyway, but you really see this underscored in drag culture, and I guess the house ball system also plays a part in this somewhat too.
The other major thing that I notice is the type of makeup they all tend to use, and the way they apply it. Doing your face is called 'beating', and U.S. queens favour heavy, theatrical makeup like Kryolan, which they apply in a process called 'cooking' where they let the makeup set before they blend it all together. For me and other makeup artist friends of mine, we find this method a bit crazy. We're used to applying makeup more like a woman would, starting with foundation and building up contours with blush, as opposed to layering it all up separately as foundation shades.
Personally, I feel that our style of drag here in the UK is a bit more cutting-edge, experimental and fierce, though I do love the 'Showgirls' style too, even though a lot of it's quite alien to us here. We all love a pretty face and big titties, but aren't constrained by beauty like a lot of American queens seem to be. Drag provides a space for experimenting with your look and aesthetic, and should be constantly in flux, not settled just on mimicking one specific sex. As the word suggests, we should be 'trans' - in a state of constant transition between the causal factors of queer theory. That's what makes it all so fun and exciting! :-)
Thursday, 21 April 2011
NIGHTWALK
Saturday's MENERGY may only be days away, but Lady M & VVG will be on the tiles on Friday night too, guest hosting at bi-annual independent fashion showcase NIGHTWALK at the Arches!
Fused with electronic music, art, photography and performance, see cutting-edge fashion and seductive performance on the spectacular 40ft Nightwalk runway while being immersed in stunning sound & visuals.
Obviously y'all will be coming to see US, but there's also a few other people doing shit there:
Performance: Cat Aclysmic
...
Designers: Beretk!Ah... // Betty Spoke // Fair Feathered Friend // HandmadeInPartick // Hilary Laing // Jennie Lööf // Katerina Lambrou // Lilly Wiggler // MeeMee Couture // Obscure Couture // Oui! Designs // ten30 // William Chambers Millinery
DJ's: Ursula // Mustang Sally
GSA Capsule Collections: Adnan Mirza // Clare Boyle // Daniel McGeough // Emily De Vale // Hannah Mitchell // Israel Parra-Zanabria // Louise Grant // Megan Held // Olive Pearson // Paul Duncan Thomson // Roisin Connoly // Stacey Keen // Stephanie Hutchison
Hair by:
SASSOON SALON
*Tickets are £15. Each ticket includes 1 voucher for £15 OFF @ SASSOON SALON in Princes Square! To claim your voucher, purchase your ticket from the Arches Box Office in person. Everyone gets a Sassoon goody bag! Meal deal @ the Arches CafeBar also available.
Click the links below to buy online:
The Arches: http://www.thearches.co.uk/events/clubs/nightwalk-ss2011
Tickets Scotland: http://www.tickets-scotland.com/
TecketWeb: http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/
Sassoon Salon: In store @ Princes Square
Proceeds go to local charity St. Margaret’s Hospice.
Fused with electronic music, art, photography and performance, see cutting-edge fashion and seductive performance on the spectacular 40ft Nightwalk runway while being immersed in stunning sound & visuals.
Obviously y'all will be coming to see US, but there's also a few other people doing shit there:
Performance: Cat Aclysmic
...
Designers: Beretk!Ah... // Betty Spoke // Fair Feathered Friend // HandmadeInPartick // Hilary Laing // Jennie Lööf // Katerina Lambrou // Lilly Wiggler // MeeMee Couture // Obscure Couture // Oui! Designs // ten30 // William Chambers Millinery
DJ's: Ursula // Mustang Sally
GSA Capsule Collections: Adnan Mirza // Clare Boyle // Daniel McGeough // Emily De Vale // Hannah Mitchell // Israel Parra-Zanabria // Louise Grant // Megan Held // Olive Pearson // Paul Duncan Thomson // Roisin Connoly // Stacey Keen // Stephanie Hutchison
Hair by:
SASSOON SALON
*Tickets are £15. Each ticket includes 1 voucher for £15 OFF @ SASSOON SALON in Princes Square! To claim your voucher, purchase your ticket from the Arches Box Office in person. Everyone gets a Sassoon goody bag! Meal deal @ the Arches CafeBar also available.
Click the links below to buy online:
The Arches: http://www.thearches.co.uk/events/clubs/nightwalk-ss2011
Tickets Scotland: http://www.tickets-scotland.com/
TecketWeb: http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/
Sassoon Salon: In store @ Princes Square
Proceeds go to local charity St. Margaret’s Hospice.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
NIALLIST: Menergy POPPERS Mix
A brand new mix form the Niallist, featuring some of the tunes that rocked the floor at the last Menergy. Enjoy!
ZSA ZSA NOIR - Hey Lean Diggy Doggy
DEN HAAN - Gods From Outer Space
PATRICK COWLEY - Mind Warp
GOLDFRAPP - I Wanna Life (Niallist MNRG edit)
SCISSOR SISTERS - Invisible Light
FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD - Welcome To The Pleasuredome
MIA v PINEAPPLES - XXX Come On
VANITY 6 - Nasty Girl (Chuck Hampton Edit / Original)
SAM SPARRO - Pink Cloud
HARD TON - Food Of Love
MADONNA - Burning Up (Demo Mix)
ZSA ZSA NOIR - Hey Lean Diggy Doggy
DEN HAAN - Gods From Outer Space
PATRICK COWLEY - Mind Warp
GOLDFRAPP - I Wanna Life (Niallist MNRG edit)
SCISSOR SISTERS - Invisible Light
FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD - Welcome To The Pleasuredome
MIA v PINEAPPLES - XXX Come On
VANITY 6 - Nasty Girl (Chuck Hampton Edit / Original)
SAM SPARRO - Pink Cloud
HARD TON - Food Of Love
MADONNA - Burning Up (Demo Mix)
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
DJ Pee Play 's Cruising #2 "Deep Inside"
More vintage gay butchness, this time an excellent re-edit video by San Francisco's DJ Peeplay (of Honey Soundsystem) cutting up the gay S&M thriller Cruising to the sounds of Harddrive's "Deep Inside". We like this. A LOT.
Monday, 11 April 2011
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Skatt Bros "Life At The Outpost"
Totes Hilare! Thanks Gregor :-)
I really wanna get a copy of "Party Every Day" now too..
I really wanna get a copy of "Party Every Day" now too..
Saturday, 9 April 2011
New LGBT Mental Health Campaign
One of our regular queens approached me and told me of a campaign that they're currently working on and feel passionately about - namely the new campaign of the National Union of Students, There's More to My Education, which is focused on LGBT mental health. This is also something we here at the HOUSE OF MENERGY feel strongly about, so we thought we'd share it with y'all.
Evidence shows that experiences of isolation, homophobia and general oppression are all too common for LGBT people. This not only contributes to higher incidences of mental ill health among this group, it also shapes their experience of accessing mental health services. It is clear that the stigma attached to both mental ill health and LGBT people must be seriously challenged in order to ensure they are able to access these services without fear of being persecuted because of your sexuality.
I feel strongly that more must be done to improve the mental health experience of LGBT people and that creating positive mental health across all groups of people should be a priority.
We ask you to pledge to support LGBT people and improve their experience of mental health services. By pledging your support you are making a much needed statement that mental health in university and college campuses, our health services and our communities in general should be free from discrimination and fully accessible to all.
And on that note, some wise words from JIZ.
x
Evidence shows that experiences of isolation, homophobia and general oppression are all too common for LGBT people. This not only contributes to higher incidences of mental ill health among this group, it also shapes their experience of accessing mental health services. It is clear that the stigma attached to both mental ill health and LGBT people must be seriously challenged in order to ensure they are able to access these services without fear of being persecuted because of your sexuality.
I feel strongly that more must be done to improve the mental health experience of LGBT people and that creating positive mental health across all groups of people should be a priority.
We ask you to pledge to support LGBT people and improve their experience of mental health services. By pledging your support you are making a much needed statement that mental health in university and college campuses, our health services and our communities in general should be free from discrimination and fully accessible to all.
And on that note, some wise words from JIZ.
x
Friday, 8 April 2011
Ursula from Disney's The Little Mermaid lipsynchs to Divine!
Well, her look IS based on Divine, so it makes sense! Props go out to Gregor for finding this gem. :-)
Monday, 4 April 2011
Sunday, 3 April 2011
MIA v PINEAPPLES "XXX Come On"
Here's a wee mash-up by Menergy resident The Niallist. It's MIA's "XXXO" vocal over Pineapples "Come On Closer". Fierce bitches and Italo - two of our favourite things!
MIA v PINEPAPPLES "XXX Come On" by theniallist
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Zsa Zsa Noir LIVE at Menergy
Here's another vid of live tranny action - this time it's Manchester's Zsa Zsa Noir performing at last month's Menergy. Yes, there's a quick flash of the fisting incident too:
There's an exclusive interview with this seriously feroche bitch further down the page.
There's an exclusive interview with this seriously feroche bitch further down the page.
Friday, 1 April 2011
Vanity Von Glow live at the FRD Ball
Here's a vid of our very own Vanity Von Glow performing at the Fierce Ruling Divas Ball - wurk it gurl!
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Jiz! is on Twitter!
Follow her bitchez - then you'll get goodies like:
"Jiz recession tip. Sue an old priest for rape from a "recovered" memory."
"Asha kept saying she wanted to go for an asymmetrical look. So I gave her a right mastectomy."
"FML. My labia majora looks like a cluster of Ghandi foreheads. I guess it's Valtrex time."
http://twitter.com/Jizismyname
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Monday, 28 March 2011
Menergy Anthems: Scissor Sisters / Loleatta Holloway
Cheers to everyone who came down to the Vic on Saturday, that was one of the best Menergies yet! Here's a couple of anthems form the night, tried and tested on the Menergy dancefloor. We've posted these before in different contexts, but here they are as official anthems:
It took the crowd a few bars to recognise this, but when they did... Also the huge breakdown after Ian McKellan's bit - dancefloor dynamite!
Well, the lights went up, security started shouting, but the corwd just wanted to keep dancing to this:
Loleatta Holloway "Love Sensation"
It took the crowd a few bars to recognise this, but when they did... Also the huge breakdown after Ian McKellan's bit - dancefloor dynamite!
Well, the lights went up, security started shouting, but the corwd just wanted to keep dancing to this:
Loleatta Holloway "Love Sensation"
Friday, 25 March 2011
Interview with ZsaZsa Noir
ZSA ZSA NOIR is our live musical guest at tomorrow night's MENERGY. She also happens to be one of the hottest gender benders from the San Francisco of the south, Manchester. We sent her a few questions to get her lips around:
Who is Zsa Zsa Noir?
Zsa Zsa Noir is the seven foot tall, sorded incarnation of all my subversive kinks in musical, gender queer form.
When did you start performing? And why did you start?
I started performing when I realised I wanted to be a mermaid at the age of six. I've never looked back except now I can hold the attention of a whole crowd of freaks and scream obscene lyrics over polished electronic disco filth. I'm compelled.
You produce all your own tracks, so who/what are your main musical influences?
I loved Uffie and double rate Peaches. My voice was created from a love vibration emitted by David Bowie, Tina Turner and Marilyn Monroe. I have tonnes of influences but Miss Noir is an original.
And you style yourself too, talented girl, who are your fashion/design icons?
Shit loads.
What is the gay scene like in Manchester? How does it compare to other cities?
People sometimes see me as a 'gay' act. 'Queer' is correct and 'Queer Happenings' by and large exist outside of Manchester's gay scene for me. I'm part of the Queer Scene. Sorry that didn't answer your question.. You should ask someone who shops on the high street.
Bonus question! Asked by Midnight Growler: What does an octopus' arse taste like?
Octopus arse.. It fucking stinks beyond the capabilities of my vocabulary but tastes a delicate balance of salt and fish. Rather nice even when raw.
Here's a taste of what will be on offer tomorrow night - ZsaZsa's current single "Hey Lean Diggy Doggy" (available to buy from iTunes)
Who is Zsa Zsa Noir?
Zsa Zsa Noir is the seven foot tall, sorded incarnation of all my subversive kinks in musical, gender queer form.
When did you start performing? And why did you start?
I started performing when I realised I wanted to be a mermaid at the age of six. I've never looked back except now I can hold the attention of a whole crowd of freaks and scream obscene lyrics over polished electronic disco filth. I'm compelled.
You produce all your own tracks, so who/what are your main musical influences?
I loved Uffie and double rate Peaches. My voice was created from a love vibration emitted by David Bowie, Tina Turner and Marilyn Monroe. I have tonnes of influences but Miss Noir is an original.
And you style yourself too, talented girl, who are your fashion/design icons?
Shit loads.
What is the gay scene like in Manchester? How does it compare to other cities?
People sometimes see me as a 'gay' act. 'Queer' is correct and 'Queer Happenings' by and large exist outside of Manchester's gay scene for me. I'm part of the Queer Scene. Sorry that didn't answer your question.. You should ask someone who shops on the high street.
Bonus question! Asked by Midnight Growler: What does an octopus' arse taste like?
Octopus arse.. It fucking stinks beyond the capabilities of my vocabulary but tastes a delicate balance of salt and fish. Rather nice even when raw.
Here's a taste of what will be on offer tomorrow night - ZsaZsa's current single "Hey Lean Diggy Doggy" (available to buy from iTunes)
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Lady Munter's Fierce Focus - March
In this new segment, I'll be reflecting on the my current makeup, glamour, high-fashion and general all-round fierceness swoons for that month. This month, I'm in love with my perpetual favourite makeup brand for your alter-ego, ILLAMASQUA and their new S/S Toxic Nature collection.
Here's what they say about the collection:
"In retaliation against the genetically modified society that plunders it, the landscape has issued forth a torrent of hybrid shades. Corrupted hues glister amongst muted tones - extreme, intoxicating versions of their original selves.
This is an atomic-botanical environment where survival is key and camoflague by colour is the path to existence.
We scoured the abandoned toxic wastelands of the world to create an eclectic selection of corrupted hues for the eyes, lips, nails, face and body. Flitting effortlessly from poisonous pastel to hazardous neon, this cataclysmic mix of brave new tones take your look to the outer limits of nature's palette.
Become a herald of the new age of Toxic Nature with uncharted night-time make-up."
As you can see from the imagery, they've went all-out with this campaign, with very manga-inspired imagery like nothing the market has seen before. This wild collection, just like all previous ones of theirs, is causing a storm in the blogosphere and rabid fandom for this cult beauty brand doesn't look like it'll run out of steam any time soon. And neither should it. :-)
In other news, I'm absolutely loving Gaga's Plato's Atlantis-inspired prosthetic makeup in the 'Born This Way' video, promo material and the new i-D cover shoot. Check this muthafuckaaa!
Crazy cheekbones and forehead horns a-go-go! Don't be surprised if my look at Saturday's MENERGY draws inspiration from this! ;-)
x
Here's what they say about the collection:
"In retaliation against the genetically modified society that plunders it, the landscape has issued forth a torrent of hybrid shades. Corrupted hues glister amongst muted tones - extreme, intoxicating versions of their original selves.
This is an atomic-botanical environment where survival is key and camoflague by colour is the path to existence.
We scoured the abandoned toxic wastelands of the world to create an eclectic selection of corrupted hues for the eyes, lips, nails, face and body. Flitting effortlessly from poisonous pastel to hazardous neon, this cataclysmic mix of brave new tones take your look to the outer limits of nature's palette.
Become a herald of the new age of Toxic Nature with uncharted night-time make-up."
As you can see from the imagery, they've went all-out with this campaign, with very manga-inspired imagery like nothing the market has seen before. This wild collection, just like all previous ones of theirs, is causing a storm in the blogosphere and rabid fandom for this cult beauty brand doesn't look like it'll run out of steam any time soon. And neither should it. :-)
In other news, I'm absolutely loving Gaga's Plato's Atlantis-inspired prosthetic makeup in the 'Born This Way' video, promo material and the new i-D cover shoot. Check this muthafuckaaa!
Crazy cheekbones and forehead horns a-go-go! Don't be surprised if my look at Saturday's MENERGY draws inspiration from this! ;-)
x
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Snuff Trax For Japan benefit compilation
Crosspost from everywhere.
Wow, that was fast! in just over a week Snuff Crew from Germany have put out a 45 track compilation of house and techno in aid of the Japanese earthquake relief and Red Cross. This is some serious shizzle homepeeps. I am on there as House Machine, but check out the tracklist:
01 Laurent Garnier - Cancel The Apocalypse
02 Joe Drive - The Delivery
03 Humandrone - Sun Pillar On the Debris
04 Zwei Of Snuff Crew - Fukushima
05 Billie Ray Martin and Hard Ton - Sold Life (Luke Solomon Remix)
06 Quinto - We Don`t Sleep At Night Part 1
07 KiNK - Memories From The Future
08 Neville Watson - Keep On
09 Patrick Pulsinger - 12a (Dub Version)
10 Dance Disorder - Future Retro
11 Legowelt - I Want Your Love
12 The Saint Petersburg Disco Spin Club - Birds Of Japan
13 DJ Gio MC-505 - My Face On Rushmore Mount
14 Marcello Napoletano - Acid Sunday
15 Morning Factory - Deepest Thoughts
16 Detachments - Holiday Romance (Andy Blake`s Mix For A World Unknown)
17 Photonz - Carnival Of Light
18 The Model - Bump And Jack
19 Hard Ton - Marilyn (Zoe Xenia Dub`n Pop Mix)
20 Elec Pt.1 - It´s House
21 Hieroglyphic Being - Siddharta (Part1)
22 DJ M-Traxxx - House Thunda (Unreleased Mix)
23 Roberto Rodriguez - The Girl Who Silenced The World
24 Discodromo - Bunraku
25 Romina Cohn - Follow Me
26 Meschi - Stay And Play
27 House Machine - Relief (Mix for Japan)
28 Demetrio Giannice - Untidled (One for larry) (Strictly For Japan Mix)
29 Moralez aka Telecommander1 - Life Time Groove
30 Simoncino - Japanese Heart
31 Pathetik - Accroupi
32 Roland Bassline - Ode To Mick
33 Ascii.Disko - Blues For The Red Sun
34 Joel Alter - Roll With Me
35 Andreas Henneberg, Marquez Ill, Leigh Myles - Thousand Paper Cranes
36 Eins of Snuff Crew - Kana Power
37 Remute - Worldfingers
38 Oliver Dodd - Tokyo Lovers
39 Lukatron (aka Luke Solomon) - Tommy´s Cream Soda
40 Renato Cohen - Silly Walk
41 Featherweight - Featherweight (Expanded Mix)
42 Kool & Duvall - U Lift Me Up (Craig Stewart Remix)
43 Fran Mela aka I.F.M. - Not A Game
44 Phil Moon aka Valyom - Einstein Romance
45 Mark Boombastik & Eduardo Delgado Lopez - Anders
You can buy Snuff Trax For Japan here.
More info on the Snuff Crew's website.
Wow, that was fast! in just over a week Snuff Crew from Germany have put out a 45 track compilation of house and techno in aid of the Japanese earthquake relief and Red Cross. This is some serious shizzle homepeeps. I am on there as House Machine, but check out the tracklist:
01 Laurent Garnier - Cancel The Apocalypse
02 Joe Drive - The Delivery
03 Humandrone - Sun Pillar On the Debris
04 Zwei Of Snuff Crew - Fukushima
05 Billie Ray Martin and Hard Ton - Sold Life (Luke Solomon Remix)
06 Quinto - We Don`t Sleep At Night Part 1
07 KiNK - Memories From The Future
08 Neville Watson - Keep On
09 Patrick Pulsinger - 12a (Dub Version)
10 Dance Disorder - Future Retro
11 Legowelt - I Want Your Love
12 The Saint Petersburg Disco Spin Club - Birds Of Japan
13 DJ Gio MC-505 - My Face On Rushmore Mount
14 Marcello Napoletano - Acid Sunday
15 Morning Factory - Deepest Thoughts
16 Detachments - Holiday Romance (Andy Blake`s Mix For A World Unknown)
17 Photonz - Carnival Of Light
18 The Model - Bump And Jack
19 Hard Ton - Marilyn (Zoe Xenia Dub`n Pop Mix)
20 Elec Pt.1 - It´s House
21 Hieroglyphic Being - Siddharta (Part1)
22 DJ M-Traxxx - House Thunda (Unreleased Mix)
23 Roberto Rodriguez - The Girl Who Silenced The World
24 Discodromo - Bunraku
25 Romina Cohn - Follow Me
26 Meschi - Stay And Play
27 House Machine - Relief (Mix for Japan)
28 Demetrio Giannice - Untidled (One for larry) (Strictly For Japan Mix)
29 Moralez aka Telecommander1 - Life Time Groove
30 Simoncino - Japanese Heart
31 Pathetik - Accroupi
32 Roland Bassline - Ode To Mick
33 Ascii.Disko - Blues For The Red Sun
34 Joel Alter - Roll With Me
35 Andreas Henneberg, Marquez Ill, Leigh Myles - Thousand Paper Cranes
36 Eins of Snuff Crew - Kana Power
37 Remute - Worldfingers
38 Oliver Dodd - Tokyo Lovers
39 Lukatron (aka Luke Solomon) - Tommy´s Cream Soda
40 Renato Cohen - Silly Walk
41 Featherweight - Featherweight (Expanded Mix)
42 Kool & Duvall - U Lift Me Up (Craig Stewart Remix)
43 Fran Mela aka I.F.M. - Not A Game
44 Phil Moon aka Valyom - Einstein Romance
45 Mark Boombastik & Eduardo Delgado Lopez - Anders
You can buy Snuff Trax For Japan here.
More info on the Snuff Crew's website.
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