INTERVIEW: Loud and lascivious, The Kinsey Sicks are ready to get dirty in Denver
The Kinsey Sicks are not just “America’s Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet,” but America’s only Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet (they registered the term “dragapella” as a U.S. trademark in 1999). But had they the competition, the luscious (and, well, lushes) ladies of The Kinsey Sicks’ riotous and raunchy humor, savvy political commentary and pitch-perfect harmonies would still leave them the tops (and/or maybe bottoms) of their craft.
Since the quartet’s inception in 1993, The Kinsey Sicks have begged to bear Satan’s child, dreamt of success as Republican bigwigs and suffered from the dreaded “electile dysfunction.” And to celebrate the slightly unhinged roller coaster that has been the group’s past 20 years, the scandalous singers are traveling across the country with a new show, “America’s Next Top Bachelor Housewife Celebrity Hoarder Makeover Star Gone Wild!”
Out Front caught up with Rachel (one of the original members of the quartet) and Trampolina ahead of their upcoming shows at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret to talk the big 20-year anniversary, that time Miley Cyrus stole their act, and getting naughty with Sharon Osbourne.
Kristin Ziegler: You’re currently touring your new show, “America’s Next Top Bachelor Housewife Celebrity Hoarder Makeover Star Gone Wild!” marking the group’s 20th anniversary. How does it feel to be back out “on the road” celebrating such a huge milestone?
Rachel: Some have said that it’s better to be on the road than in the gutter. Fortunately, in our case we don’t have to choose between the two.
KZ: Could you tell us a little bit more about the show?
Rachel: I think the most important thing for people to know going into the show is… no refunds.
KZ: The show is said to contain “brilliant new songs about the ethics of stardom.” What are the “ethics of stardom?” I’m assuming Kim Kardashian is doing it wrong?
Trampolina: I don’t know Kim Kardashian’s ethicnicity, but I do think the success to stardom can be summed up by viewing Miley Cyrus’ music video, “Wrecking Ball”. We’ve been licking sledgehammers and riding nude on construction equipment long before it was popular.
KZ: Your new songs take a few swipes at reality television, although The Kinsey Sicks actually auditioned for America’s Got Talent.
Trampolina: It was kind of my fault that we auditioned and didn’t win. I misread the title of the show and we started growing out our fingernails for a couple years to compete on it. We would have won hands down if the show had been called “America’s Got Talons” like I thought.
KZ: But did Sharon Osbourne absolutely eat you up?
Rachel: Who told you that Sharon Osbourne ate us out?! That was between her and us! Oh, you said “up”? Nevermind.
KZ: Of course, drag has found its way on to reality television with RuPaul’s Drag Race. What’s your take on the show?
Trampolina: Those are drag queens? They sure fooled me! Next thing you’ll tell me is that those are actually women on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
KZ: The Kinsey Sicks have been around since 1993, and although you [Trampolina] joined in 2008, you have been active in the world of drag longer than that. How do you feel drag culture has changed in the past 20 years?
Trampolina: Drag culture has evolved a lot in terms of style. And fortunately for us, a cappella music has never been in style and we’ve been very successful at keeping it that way. I think that’s what’s kept us in the business for so long.
KZ: What kind of impact have social media and online videos had for the group?
Rachel: I think that the most important thing about our videos is knowing that, at any given moment, someone is naked in bed looking at us. I only wish they’d watch us in the nude when we’re performing live.
KZ: What about Denver and Lannie’s keeps charming you lovely (and fabulously filthy) ladies back out here
Rachel: We love Denver because it has a high concentration of people with discretionary income and bad taste. How can we resist
KZ: Anything else you’d like to share with your Denver fans?
Rachel: I’d love to, but the health department is watching me like a hawk.
The Kinsey Sicks will be performing “America’s Next Top Bachelor Housewife Celebrity Hoarder Makeover Star Gone Wild!” Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5 at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret. For ticket information visit lannies.com.
