After a stint in Los Angeles, Chicago's beloved gay rocker Jinx Titanic returns to the Windy City with his stellar solo debut Stuporstardom. Recorded and mixed by Steve Albini ( Nirvana, The Breeders, Pixies ) , Stuporstardom brings Jinx Titanic to a new level with a sense of urgency.
A major back surgery brought Jinx back to Chicago, however it left him unable to perform on stage until later this year. Interrupted by phone calls and hits on manhunt, Mr. Titanic catches up with Nightspots about his new album and jokes about settling down.
Nightspots: Your new album Stuporstardom contains live favorites SLUT, Happy Fag and Everybody Here Wants to F#$K You.
Jinx Titanic: I made the perfect rock record, fuck everybody! ( flips the bird ) This album pulls no punches. It even has been called anti-gay. It still has a sense of fun, but it also has a sense of 'come on!' I want to shake things up.
NS: Like the set's closing track Trouble Of The World.
JT: Yes! Actually that song is a gospel song. Mahalia Jackson did the best known version. It's my current state of mind, I want to change things.
NS: I notice you have Jackson, as well as Amy Winehouse and Jonny McGovern, the Gay Pimp in your iTunes.
JT: [ sings McGovern's Somethin' For the Fellas ] I love him! I want to wrestle The Gay Pimp in a swimming pool full of lube for my next video. He can 'up and shout work bitch' at my house anytime.
NS: Happy Fag is one of those catchy songs I swear I've heard before.
JT: I get letters from all over the world everyday about that one. The best part is that the person Happy Fag is about saw us do it live and he did not realize it was about him. But he thought it was great. Everything I write is based on a true story. Yes, even my dad was a bank robber.
NS: How is it being on your own?
JT: Being a solo artist is sad and lonely, but also I do not have to be responsible for four other people 24-7.
NS: The summer festivals will not be the same without your live show.
JT: This is my longest stint of non-performing in 5 years. I miss the band, packing bags, dressing rooms and hitting the road. It is painful! Plus I may have to undergo another back surgery. I cannot sit in the same position more than fifteen minutes.
NS: Where can we see you next?
JT: I won't have a booth at IML, but I will have a street team there.
[ Jinx refreshes his manhunt screen ] I am changing my status to bi-curious, because I do not understand gay people anymore. Now I am going to start interviewing for life partners. I'd like to find another bi-curious person. I'm thinking about going back into the closet, if it's at all possible. Right now I am battling a pills and booze addiction. I'd like an enabler and have this horribly dysfunctional relationship with our bi-curiousness, Vicodin and Scotch. Good Scotch. Send applications to the website.
Stuporstardom is out now via iTunes and cdbaby.com
