I’m going to be honest with you peeps: I really despise flagrant public displays of affection. Like, witnessing it just makes me feel all icky, or I feel like I’m just wasting my time if it’s friends doing it. For example, my friends started making out at the crosswalk the other day, even though the ‘Walk’ sign was on and they could move. I muttered “Losers!” before walking across ahead of them, admittedly pissed and slightly miserable. I guess I despise it because it’s really off that people have to publicly remind everyone that “We’re a couple and in love!” as though it weren’t obvious enough. Makes me think it masks some insecurity about their relationship. (Um, no, don’t have a lover at the moment. Can’t really afford to as a transient, honestly. Why do you ask?)
Handsome Furs, on the other hand, are an exception to my rule. Just look at the above photo. It may be partially staged, but I’ll be damned if that don’t look fucking hot. They just look so confident and sincere, secure as a wife and husband, and so utterly happy with who they are. It’s one of those moments that you either get wet/a boner, and/or you just want to watch forever in awe. It’s been a noted fact that they tend to do this a lot on tour and otherwise. In a way, it subverts the whole ‘couples rock’ stigma that couples are incapable of producing the sexuality that rock music represents. So it’s pretty awesome, I reckon.
Speaking of tours, they will be going on a brief North American tour soon in support of their new album Sound Kapital, out June 14 on Sub Pop. Notably, husband Dan Boeckner joined wife Alexei Perry on the keyboards, making it the first album done entirely on that lovely instrument. (Yes, I’ve been using one lately, why do you ask?) The band continues to promise a high degree of sexuality involved as with previous albums Plague Park and Face Control, especially if the NSFW cover art is any indication. That said, they really should invest in a makeout booth of some sort for the tour, complete with photos and a $2 fee per photo set. I mean, Marnie Stern had the right thing going with a kissing booth, but why direct all that attention to yourself, especially with the risk of creepers, when you could have that love and sensuality spread within the crowd for something far more beautiful?
What About Us Beautiful Losers:
06.18.11 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison *
06.23.11 - London, ON - Call the Office
06.25.11 - Montreal, QC - Cabaret Mile End **
07.03.11 - Des Moines, IA - 80/35 Festival
07.15.11 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
07.17.11 - Saskatoon, SK - Louis’ Pub
07.19.11 - Edmonton, AB - Starlight Room
07.20.11 - Calgary, AB - Republik
07.23.11 - Seattle, WA - Capitol Hill Block Party
07.27.11 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
07.28.11 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
07.29.11 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
07.30.11 - Detroit, MI - Lager House
08.01.11 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
* NXNE (Idiot Glee, No Gold, Josh Reichmann, Little Girls, Makeout Videotape)
** USA Out Of Vietnam
• Handsome Furs: http://handsomefurs.com
• Sub Pop: http://www.subpop.com