Last May, at the final Flesh Hungry Dog Show, Jinx Titanic and the Ladykillers debuted material with a new sound. The absolutely fantastic 10-track album, Mister Casanova, is out now and still has plenty of punch with that familiar humor as found on "Rocket to Uranus" and sexualized goodies like "What Turns You On?" "Money, Love And New Shoes Baby!" ranks among the group's catchiest material.
Jinx Titanic has been rocking the music scene with Super 8 Cum Shot and an eponymous band. An episode from the fourth season of True Blood was named after the song "You Smell Like Dinner," which played during the end credits. Also the new tracks "You Drive Me Wild!" and "Dirty Little So And So" appear in the film Exotic World And the Burlesque Revival.
Windy City Times caught up with the devilishly handsome frontman, before the beloved queercore band embarks on a tour to Istanbul, Tel Aviv and Bucharest. Between continual outbursts of laughter, Titanic speaks excitedly about his latest project, gray areas with sexuality and misconceptions of his talents.
Windy City Times: Mister Casanova is a slightly different direction for you musically, with its rockabilly vibe.
Jinx Titanic: It is a new sound, but it is still in the roots of what we were doing. This is really rooted in the '50s and '60s pop-rock song. Structurally, it is like The Ramones. But it is not too far from left field; it is an homage to great styles and is a contemporary of its time. "What Turns You On?" is like Elvis' "King Creole," with a big group of men harmonizing in the background: [Referencing another Elvis Presley song] "Rock-A-Hula Baby!" I am a super Elvis fan until the songs in his jumpsuit stage.
WCT: Tell me about the line-up on the new album.
Jinx Titanic: It is all original members of Super 8 Cum Shot with different roles, as well as members of the band before Super 8 Cum Shot. It is a big family reunion. I suckered my friends to be in this big new project. [Laughs]
WCT: And who is the woman on Mister Casanova with that mighty, powerful, bluesy voice?
Jinx Titanic: That is Catherine Smitko, also known as The Lady Ladykiller and Cherry Pop. I felt proud of myself with the way I sang, and then she came along and I felt like an amateur. [Laughs]
WCT: There are songs that suggest relationships with women like "Money, Love And New Shoes Baby!" and "Dirty Little So And So."
Jinx Titanic: Listen and see what you find. Sexual freedom is important, but we do not embrace gray areas or experiment. The gay community does not want to embrace the bisexual male. Sexuality is about fluidity. I had an experimental year last year. Why not? It is your job as a musician or artist to observe culture, human relations, sound, movement, light and make judgment. Some songs are better when put in a more bisexual realm for me. Last year my New Year's wish to everyone was a year of bisexuality. I wish everybody would experiment a little more. It is a slap in the face for the gay community.
WCT: I love "Dirty Little So And So."
Jinx Titanic: That is a hat tip to Russ Myer type movies. I wanted to do a duet with Smitko that implied a relationship. "There's something about you that makes me wanna be bad." Having bad relationships helps you with your good relationships. Then there is "Take It Off;" that is classic burlesque. We have not had a good striptease song in awhile.
WCT: So fans will still get sexual yet playful songs, as with your previous work.
Jinx Titanic: This is sad; sexual freedom has not come that far since Super 8 Cum Shot started. Every one of our records is still relevant. Look at the lyrics to "Manifesto," "They'll use the words of Jesus and the book to keep you down. They will destroy science and reason." That was our last election! [Laughs] "You Make Me Wanna Cum" can be an overt sexual song. It is your right as a human being. Nobody should repress others' rights to express themselves. One of our strongest elements was live shows because people felt completely free regardless of gender, sexuality and even body type. I am a big, hairy person. There have been times we were dismissed and brushed off. It is part of our whole movement. The concept of sexual freedom is more important to me than the hetero-modeled married equality.
WCT: Did you write the beautiful instrumental piece with Latin flair, "Mi Corazon?"
Jinx Titanic: [Laughs loudly] Yes, they are all original songs written by me. It happens to me a lot. I sent some demos to a director and he called me one day and asked, 'Did you write that?' I am glad I can give the illusion of being unskilled.
WCT: There was a single before Mister Casanova came out.
Jinx Titanic: Yes, "I Love You How Much Money Have You Got" was released before the album as a bridge between the two bands. Also so the change would not be too shocking.
The latest, Mister Casanova, is available now at digital retailers. Jinx Titanic and the Ladykillers will have a homecoming show at Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark St., on Friday, March 22.