Scissor Sisters on being labelled a “gay band”: “It was rooted in homophobia”

nme.com:

Scissor Sisters have spoken to NME about plans for their upcoming reunion tour – including their dreams of a Susan Boyle collab, thoughts on new material, the absence of Ana Matronic, and being labelled as a “gay band” in the past.The New York pop icons announced last week that they are returning as a trio comprising singer Jake Shears, bassist Babydaddy and guitarist Del Marquis.

The group’s second vocalist, Ana Matronic, will not be joining the tour due to her podcasting commitments.Their 2025 UK arena tour will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut, home to hits including ‘Take Your Mama’, ‘Filthy/Gorgeous’ and ‘Laura’, which became the UK’s best-selling LP of 2004.In addition to performing the classic album in full among other hits, Scissor Sisters revealed that they intend to play ‘I Believe In You’, the 2004 Kylie Minogue single that Shears and Babydaddy co-wrote and produced.“We’ve never played it before in our sets, but I think it’s going to be fun to do,” Shears told NME.Babydaddy added: “She’s probably busy.

Maybe she’ll show up? Put her on the wish list!”The genre-melding band, who have previously been joined on stage by everyone from Elton John to Gossip‘s Beth Ditto and the late Pete Burns, also discussed the prospect of bringing out other special guests during the tour.“Oh, there are loads of people that I think it would be really fun to come out and sing with us – this tour is a party for everybody,” Shears said. “Obviously we really want to have the right people on stage,” Babydaddy continued.