Three Dollar Bill, the Chicago queercore band whose 2001 American Dream EP is their most recent release, have become drama queens. In the role of Sugar Puppy Cum, the band that backs up dyke punk singer Rose ( Samaiya Ewing ) in Nomenil Theater Company's revival of Pushin' Up Roses, Three Dollar Bill gets theatrical on us. Here is what Chris Piss of Three Dollar Bill had to say about this new stage the band's career.
GS: Are you looking forward to reaching a new audience ( meaning theatergoers ) ?
CP: Yes. I think Nomenil's audiences would love Three Dollar Bill, but some of those folks don't like hanging out in bars. I also think a lot of Three Dollar Bill fans think they don't like theater, which is what I used to think ... but when they see this crazy show, they'll become Nomenil fans like Jane and I did.
GS: You and Jane and Sarah, the members of Three Dollar Bill, are composing original songs for the production. How will Rose's band differ in from Three Dollar?
CP: Actually, Rose's band sounds a lot like Three Dollar Bill. The music we're working on for the show will most likely resurface at a future Three Dollar Bill show or on our next CD. One difference is Sarah's contribution. She's a great songwriter and her bass parts add an indescribable fresh flavor.
GS: How do you think it will feel to be in the background, as Rose's band?
CP: It should feel fine, I think. Playing and singing our own songs, especially new ones, is always fun for us. Since our band is in a period of transition right now anyway, the timing was perfect.
GS: Could you foresee doing more theatrical collaborations in the future?
CP: Absolutely. Allen ( Conkle ) , Courtney ( Evans ) , and I have been working on Love Pollution: A Techno-popera. It's a full-on musical but it includes techno, trip-hop, new wave, and rap. I've composed and programmed the music for at least 15 songs on my vintage 1990s computer. I suppose if Pushin Up Roses makes Three Dollar Bill into stars of the theater community, our public will demand we are given roles in Love Pollution.