There are bands and there are phenomenons. Without doubt the SCISSOR SISTERS fall into the latter category. The American five-piece exploded onto the charts way back in 2003 with their poppy redux of the classic Pink Floyd track Comfortably Numb, which garnered praise from both commercial and club cliques alike. By 2007, the group had achieved iconic status after the release of two chart-topping albums loaded with hit singles. Strangely then, they disappeared into the depths of creative evolution and have now returned to reclaim their identity in the form of Night Work.
“There wasn’t really a hiatus other than Jake going to Berlin for a while,” says co-founder Babydaddy. “It was just us being us, making the most of our downtime like sitting down and writing a story or making art to fulfil our creative side. It’s good to get our heads out of the music for a while so we didn’t get too obsessed with the album.”
Luckily for the group, for their latest incarnation they managed to secure the services of uber producer Stuart Price, who DJs will know better by one of his many monikers including Jacques Lu Cont, Les Rythmes Digitales and the Thin White Duke.
“We have actually known him longer than most people. He took us on our first tour back in 2004. We aren’t the kind of band who just gets given tracks by a producer, we have kind of created a sound ourselves and he understands that,” he says. “In that way it’s great to work with someone as talented and strong-minded as he is.”
During their two year demiurgic break, the void left in their absence was quickly filled by a handful of imitators riding on the sequined coattails of their success. Rather than becoming beleaguered by these newcomers, Babydaddy seems much more pragmatic, even when I bring up the word ‘Mika.’
“If I had to quote, imitation is the greatest form of flattery. I mean it’s good to know you are successful and that you have influenced other people.” Though he adds coyly, “it also gives us that added motivation to be better and not just clichéd, like others.”
As they are well known for their overly elaborate live performances, the process of putting together a Scissor Sisters show is nothing short of incredible. Holding a ticket to one of their concerts not only guarantees you a good time, but also a completely unique experience, as Babydaddy explains.
“A lot of back and forth goes into our shows – it’s a huge collaboration and not something that is just delivered to us,” he says. “We always decide on an individual basis what is best for each campaign because we want to show people we are a great live band.”
See Scissor Sisters either at the Big Top at Sydney’s Luna Park on Tuesday July 27 (tickets via Ticketmaster) or at Splendour in the Grass.
