Review of Jon Ginoli's Deflowered
Pansy Division Singer Looks at His Life On and Off the Road
Deflowered is ostensibly Pansy Division singer Jon Ginoli’s autobiography, though it offers as much, if not more, insight into his music and band life as it does his own growth. Pansy Division is, as the book’s cover proclaims, the “first openly gay pop-punk band”. Just as the music combines forthright lyrics about gay love, sex and social politics, so Deflowered (named after the band’s second album) is almost conversational in tone, with Ginoli’s tour diaries blending with reminiscences and recent thoughts and ideas.
From Peoria to Pansy Division
Jon Ginoli was raised in Peoria, Illinois by a nice, Midwestern family. He felt out of place in high school, where he dressed like Patti Smith and took little interest in sports, but smiled in his graduation photo so that he wouldn’t upset his mom. After moving to San Francisco Ginoli met bassist Chris Freeman to create the centre of Pansy Division, along with a succession of drummers to rival Spinal Tap.
Formed during the ‘90s, when bands pinned with the ‘alternative’ label like Green Day and Nirvana rose to fame, Pansy Division sold thousands of records to kids of all orientations. Specifically and explicitly (often humorously) singing about lusting after and being in love with men, Pansy Division’s songs are melodic and punchy; more reminiscent of the Buzzcocks than of the bands that were central to ‘90s hardcore.
Deflowered
Deflowered is best in the early chapters, when Ginoli’s life is given a stronger sense of context within the musical discussion. While they rarely becomes tedious, the tour diaries could often be about any band – although the nights when the band is threatened by homophobic guys and protected by scrappy girls is unique to Pansy Division. Better though, are comments that divulge the band’s ideology and wit: “It was often suggested to us that we send CDs to Jesse Helms and Pat Robertson—instant hysteria, just add water! But we never wanted to have a symbiotic relationship with the right wing.”
Ginoli’s writing is crisp. He divulges facts and details in a matter-of-fact manner, rarely dwelling on anything for more than a paragraph or two. While this makes the story march, there are times when more exploration would be welcome. This is especially true in the book’s final chapters, when the future of Pansy Division is uncertain. Digging a little deeper into Ginoli’s thoughts and feelings at not having the band be a full-time concern would only add to the story.
Open and Engaging
Deflowered, like Pansy Division’s music, is the work of an openly gay man who has spent a great deal of time literally being threatened for being himself. He describes being pelted with coins at one concert and turning to see blood running down the drummer’s face. But Ginoli’s world view is resolutely positive. He tells his story more as a call for people to not live in fear of reprisal for their thoughts and ideas. At any time, but perhaps especially now when there is a lot of fear in the world, Ginoli’s story is inspiring.
While the references to sex—which likely wouldn’t get a second look if Ginoli was straight—will likely mean it won’t be chosen for high school libraries, Deflowered would be the perfect book for anyone (adult or teenager, gay or straight) who doesn’t always fit in with the perceived norm. It’s chatty tone makes Deflowered seems like a friend’s diary, and everyone could use a friend as open, engaging and funny as Jon Ginoli.
Deflowered: The Inside Story of the First Openly Gay Pop-Punk Band, Cleis Press, 2009 (ISBN: 978-1-57344-343-2, 275 pages)
Deflowered cover art
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