I first interviewed Tim Cain, lead singer of Boys' Entrance, in the mid-1990s, when I was still writing for Gay Chicago Magazine. That was in the days before Scott Free's Grinder and Queer Is Folk music series, and long before the Windy City Radio Music Series at Nevin's Live. At the time, Cain was breaking new ground in the realm of queer rockers, even though he was getting resistance from the homocore musicians who appeared to be running the scene. Cain persevered and Boys' Entrance released a handful of CDs, the best of which include In Through The Out Door and The Queer Punk Folder. I recently spoke with Cain, who hosts the Outmusic Open Mic at Jackhammer on the last Wednesday of every month, to see what else he has been up to.
Gregg Shapiro: I want to begin by getting the latest update on Boys' Entrance.
Tim Cain: First of all, I want to thank you for helping me revive my interest in performing again. After my accident in '97, ( freak Rollerblading accident where I shattered my pelvis ) , I gained 40 pounds while I was in traction for a month in hospital. Not only did I not look like the leather-clad sex kitten I had been, I didn't feel like him any more. Coupled with that, I became partnered about six months earlier...so my attention was more directed at my man. Lastly, I turned 40 a few days after I got out of the hospital. Hmm, 40 seems to be a theme here. Anyway, my life changed radically. I didn't perform anywhere until you invited me to your radio show on LesBiGay radio. I didn't perform there either, but I did debut a new Boys' Entrance single, ( "Jon-Henri Damski, Queer Thinker, Queer Thoughts" ) . It felt really good to start producing again. I was interviewed on WBEZ the following March regarding the Jon-Henri single. Then I debuted as a solo performer at Grinder the following June. In 25 years, I had never accompanied myself in a solo performance. Then I put together a new line-up of Boys' Entrance which debuted the following October.
GS: What is the latest Boys' news?
TC: We just played at a Windy City Times music night at Nevin's Live last month. That was a blast. I have lost 25 pounds so far on a diet...so I am starting to feel a lot more like myself on stage, and off. The leather-clad sex kitten isn't back quite yet, but he is coming!
GS: What can you tell me about the movie soundtrack on which you are included?
TC: I am pleased to have three songs included on a soundtrack to a gay slasher film called, The Dead Guys. It is very B-Level schlock, direct-to-video, that should be in video stores [ this month ] . I can't say that horror films are anything I have ever been interested in...although the gay element was intriguing. I just don't watch this sort of thing as I have no reality buffers. Fortunately, there is very little gore...mostly chokings. But I got involved in the soundtrack because many people have commented over the years that my music is very "cinematic." So I decided to offer some of my more intense instrumentals, and "Soul In A Box," from "In Through The Out Door." They used all the songs during murder sequences...and they sounded very cool.
GS: What about your recent local performance gigs?
TC: Well, like I said, things have been heating up recently. It kind of came to a head when I had three gigs one week... Wednesday I did the first Outmusic Open Mic, Thursday I performed two songs in the last Feast of Fools Cabaret. I loved that gig...I actually got to free up my theatrical side. If you can't be theatrical in one of Fausto's ( Fernos ) shows, where can you be? I performed as one of my alter egos: The Anti-Pope. Then, on Friday, Boys' Entrance played at Nevin's. Now this would not be extraordinary for a touring band, but I was working full time on top of that and honey, I was winded!
GS: What about out-of-state gigs?
TC: Lordy! I got it in my head to drive to New York and Philadelphia last March. I wanted to play at the Outmusic Open Mic in New York. Now, why it happened then, I don't know. But I drove 15 hours straight...through a snow storm...got to New York, hung out with my friend John-Fredrick. Played the show that night. Collapsed after 23 hours. I got up the following day, drove to Philly. I stayed over night with a friend. I went into Philly the following day and taped Robert Drake's radio show, then drove a few blocks to and taped a cable show called, In Bed With Butch. That was fun! Very busy. Then I drove home the next day. It was "my East Coast Press Junket"!
GS: How do you foresee the future of Boys' Entrance?
TC: The band is so good right now. I want to do as much performing as possible. I would love to get them into a studio and do a new album. The problem, as always, is cash. I would love a fairy godmother to step forward with cash. In addition, I just finished my first musical, which I am shopping around.
GS: How did you become involved with Outmusic?
TC: I had been receiving e-mail for a number of years from Outmusic. I had a lot of friends in New York who I had cultivated through the Outmusic list and the Outvoice list. I wanted to go and meet them face-to-face. It was a beautiful thing to meet.
GS: How did you come to select Jackhammer as the venue for the Outmusic open mic?
TC: Jackhammer was the only bar that was open and receptive to the idea. Jim and Kevin and all the other staff there are like family. They have created a welcoming and supportive environment for the whole community. It is like being in a small-town pub. I really like the atmosphere. It is very different than Grinder, which has a folksy, campus vibe about it. This is more open to being electric. There are lights, and a small stage. The sound system is great too.
GS: What does a performer have to do to get involved in the Outmusic Open Mic?
TC: Just show up. We have a keyboard there. Bring a guitar or borrow one. We have a CD player if you have tracks you want to perform to. Just show up.
