Solidarity from Scissor Sisters

The New York band makes its debut in the city this week to showcase its fourth album, ‘Magic Hour.’

By Sergey Chernov

The St. Petersburg Times

Published: September 12, 2012 (Issue # 1726)

CAVIAR LOUNGE Scissor Sisters have spoken in support of gay rights and the members of feminist punk band Pussy Riot.

Scissor Sisters took Moscow by storm when they first performed in Russia in 2004. Back then, the country was almost exclusively toured by veteran rockers, and the New York five-piece was clearly in its heyday when it performed in the pouring rain in the Hermitage Gardens.

From the moment the band came running onto the stage, and Ana Matronic — one of Scissor Sisters’ two singers (and dancers) along with Jake Shears — sent her shoe into the air, the crowd was swept away by the bumping disco sound of songs like “Laura” or the unlikely Pink Floyd cover “Comfortably Numb,” and danced while twirling their umbrellas, or stood still transfixed.

Eight years later, as the band prepares to make its St. Petersburg debut, there are only four musicians on the posters. In 2007, original drummer Paddy Boom parted ways with the band “amicably” and was replaced by Randy Real, who does not appear on publicity photos.

Last month, Matronic spoke to the BBC in support of the imprisoned female members of the Moscow feminist punk group Pussy Riot soon after they were sentenced to two years in prison for a brief performance in a Moscow church.

“To me, this verdict is really indicative of the beginning of what could be a very large problem not just for artists and intellectuals in Russia, but for people in general — everyone who wants to speak their mind,” Matronic said.

On the other hand, according to a recent press release from Russian state bank Sberbank, Scissor Sisters are to take part in an event promoted by the bank in Kaliningrad and also to participate in an official fans’ anthem for the Sochi Winter Olympics due to be held in 2014.

The news was surprising in light of the fact that there are voices urging foreign musicians to boycott Russia — and specifically the Sochi Olympics — over human rights violations, notably the Pussy Riot verdict and laws against “gay propaganda” recently passed in several cities.

Scissor Sisters, whose name is a slang expression for a lesbian sex position, have spoken occasionally in support of gay rights, while Shears even had plans to hold a Gay Pride concert in Moscow in 2007, alongside Elton John and the Pet Shop Boys. Those plans never materialized.

Scissor Sisters will perform at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at Kosmonavt, located at 24 Bronnitskaya Ulitsa. M. Tekhnologichesky Institut. Tel. 922 1300.