For Shore

Rock legend Pat Benatar discusses her upcoming appearance at the Dinah Shore Weekend

BY LAWRENCE FERBER

You better run to the Dinah Shore weekend in Palm Springs, California, and catch Pat Benatar. Performing live with husband/guitarist Neil 'Spyder" Giraldo on Saturday, April 5 at the Doral Hotel Ballroom, the pop icon is making her first appearance at the hot lesbian event (Belinda Carlisle and the Go-Gos are also part of the weekend's line-up).

Of course, Benatar's hits continue to be heard in clubs, radio, and films, while she and Giraldo played themselves on soap opera The Young & The Restless last month. To discuss what she'll bring the ladies (and their pals), her gayest song, and what exactly a "Benatard" entails, we chatted up the Brooklyn-born pop goddess.

How did the Dinah Shore gig come about? 

I don't know. Sometimes they request us and I say “sure!”

Were you familiar with its popularity among lesbians?

No, not exactly. I was familiar with Dinah Shore, obviously. I grew up during the time she was on TV. But no.

What will you perform?

Well, the hits they want to hear and we'll throw in some later material, and an acoustic bit and anything else I can scrounge up. I leave that organic—I don't like to plan it out too much.

Have gays played a large role in your career?

Yes. I spent most of my life before I became a [professional rock artist] in musical theater and I sang in many of the cabaret clubs in New York."

One of your early gigs was co-starring in a 1970s off-Broadway rock opera, The Zinger. Do any videos or photos exist of this spectacle?

No—I wish! If you ever find anything you have to get it and tell me! It was great. I had an afro wig with glitter on! It was so fabulous. Someone has to have photographs or something! Christine Lahti was in this, too."

What is the most obscure or bizarre project you've been asked to take part in over the years?

There are many. So many little side things people thought were good ideas and you're just groaning. Benatards! A line of leotards called Benatards. Even at 26 I was smart and said no! Of course my kids are screaming that I didn't do it now, but I'm grateful it never happened."

You recorded a song, “Passion,” for a 2007 Jell-O campaign. Did they hook you up afterwards?

Yes. I got umpteen cases of Passion Jell-O. I gave it to everyone I could. I ate some too but how much can you eat.

I believe 1985's The Legend of Billie Jean is finally coming out on DVD. How do you now feel about that film and the song you did for it, “Invincible?”

God bless them. It's one of those cult movies. People love it. I don't get it, but my songs are in it and I'm happy. Talladega Nights is one of my favorites, and I'm happy we're in that too, it's great. That's the really fun part—you're hoping [your work] will have a legacy and legs so it's great when it happens.

Do you still have all your ‘80s leotards and paraphernalia?

Of course! I have OCD, I keep everything. Are you crazy? My kids are so upset already because I have so many vaults of memorabilia. I know they're just going to chuck it all when I'm gone.

What is the gayest Benatar song?

Oh, God. Gotta be “Love is a Battlefield.” They come in costume. I love it so much.

Is choreographed dance the best defense against pimps and sordid underworld types?

(Laughs) Possibly. Knowing that I have two left feet I'm probably not the one to ask.

Have you thought about doing a big gay remix album of your hits?

Yeah. Someone has approached me once before, and if anyone else would like to do it please be my guest. The other day I heard a Shania Twain song all maxed-out with loops and everything and thought, “well, that's not a bad idea!”

For more information, visit www.thedinah.com, and www.benatar.com.

NEW MUSIC

Dame Shirley Bassey

Get the Party Started (Universal Classics/Decca)
***

This brassy Dame is the once and forever voice of the Bond films (no one is ever going to top “Goldfinger” and “Diamonds Are Forever”). A beloved institution in England, here she's “that voice”— the big, belting alto that turns everything into drama and kitsch. And so she does on her first CD in ten years with the help of up-to-the-minute dance producers. She turns Pink's title track into—what else?—a Bond theme (with orchestra) and does a sulky take on Grace Jones's “Slave to the Rhythm.” The only misstep is the hoary “I Will Survive.” Otherwise, give it up for this septuagenarian's dance floor rave-up. —DAN LOUGHRY

Eric Himan

Resonate (Thumbcrown Records)
***

Is it redundant to label a genre “gay-emo”? The acoustic tracks on this sixth CD blend the straightforward approach of emo with the folksier elements of songwriters such as Dave Matthews and David Gray. He adds a critical eye to social injustice in the mix that's all his. The bluesy “Protestor's Song” is a harsh and funny smackdown of the ludicrous “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, while the chiming “Little Boy Blue” is an empathetic look at abandonment. And when he slows it down for the wicked “He's Using You”—an unrequited same-sex love song—he's an ace soul singer in the making. —D.L.

Moby

Last Night (Mute Records)
**

For his sixth album, Moby returns to his dance-oriented side. Nearly every track features his trademarked style of sliced 'n' diced vocals from a variety of sources. No real songs, no rocking tracks, and no vocals from Moby either. The trouble is, he seems to be on auto pilot; nothing here ever gets off the ground. And the sounds he's using seem cheap and antiquated. It's adequate, but dull. It's as if someone tried to mimic Moby and didn't quite pull it off. It's difficult to create cutting edge club tracks, and Moby's had his day. Sadly, this isn't one of them. —CHRIS FREEMAN

Bob Mould

District Line (Anti/Gm)
***

Husker Du voiced the alienation and confusion of a generation of hardcore kids—how thrilling to discover, in retrospect, that leaders Bob Mould and Grant Hart were gay. Yet like child actors, it's tough transitioning to adulthood. Mould formed a second band (Sugar) and released solo work ranging from singer-songwriter introspection to dance-floor experimentations. They all mesh on District Line, arguable his best solo release. I wish him better luck with men, but he makes wrenching post-punk from his relationship woes, especially on the l'amour fou of “Again and Again”—a trip to hell (actually, California) he'd do over in the name of crazy love. —D.L.

CONCERT CALENDAR

Tokyo Police Club

Tokyo Police Club rocks West Hollywood in preparation for their upcoming album Elephant Shell. The Troubadour. Thurs., Mar. 27. 8 p.m. $15 adv. www.troubadour.com.

Lost ‘80s Tour Feat!

You don't have to run too far away to enjoy Flock of Seagulls once again! Relive the madness of “the me decade” with the Lost 80's Tour Feat at the House of Blues on Sunset. Dramarama, When In Rome, Real Life, and Gene Loves Jezebel are also performing. House of Blues, Sunset Strip. Sat., Mar. 29. 8 p.m. $22.50-26.50. www.ticketmaster.com.

San Diego Indie Music Fest

The neighborhood of North Park hosts the fourth annual San Diego Indie Music Fest, founded in 2004 by Danielle LoPresti and Alicia Champion, two San Diego lesbian musicians. Enjoy a day filled with independent music, art, business, and thought with our queer neighbors to the south! San Diego’s North Park. 12 p.m.-Midnight. www.sdindiemusicfest.com.

Digitalism

Deutschland's own electronic duo heats up L.A. The El Rey Theatre. Tue., April 1. 8 p.m. $25. www.ticketmaster.com.

Homo Must

Ani DiFranco

Bisexual feminist rock goddess Ani DiFranco comes to L.A. for two nights only. Don't miss the chance to see one of the most prolific of performers at work. The Orpheum Theatre. Fri. April 4 & Sat., April 5. 8 p.m. $37.50. www.ticketmaster.com.