Scissor Sisters | |
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 Scissor Sisters at Super Bock Super Rock 2007 in Portugal | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, U.S. |
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| Website | scissorsisters |
Scissor Sisters are an American pop rock band formed in 2000. The band's current line-up consists of Jake Shears (vocals), Babydaddy (various instruments) and Del Marquis (guitar, bass). Former members include vocalist Ana Matronic and drummers Paddy Boom and Randy Real.
Scissor Sisters incorporate diverse styles in their music, but tend to sway towards pop rock, glam rock, nu-disco, and electroclash. Forged in the "gay nightlife scene of New York", the band took its name from the female same-sex sexual activity of tribadism.[1][2]
The band came to prominence following the release of their Grammy-nominated and chart-topping disco version of "Comfortably Numb" and subsequent debut album Scissor Sisters (2004). The album was a success, particularly in the UK where it reached number one, was the best-selling album of 2004, was later certified nine-times platinum by the BPI, and earned them three BRIT Awards in 2005.[3] All five of its singles reached positions within the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart while "Filthy/Gorgeous" scored the band their first number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs, despite the album's meager success in their native US.
The album continued its success in countries around Europe, in Australia and in Canada before the release of the band's second studio album Ta-Dah (2006), their second consecutive UK number one album which produced their first UK number one single "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'". Their third studio album Night Work (2010) displayed a shift towards a more club-oriented sound, charting at number two on the UK Albums Chart, number one on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart and in the top 10 of several international territories. The band released their fourth studio album Magic Hour in May 2012.
Scissor Sisters has performed around the world and have become recognized for their controversial and transgressive live performances. They also collaborated with a number of other well-known pop musicians, including Elton John and Kylie Minogue; these particular collaborations have been received positively by both critics and other notable figures. In 2004, Bono, lead vocalist of rock band U2, described Scissor Sisters as "the best pop group in the world".[4] They also collaborated with Global Cool in 2007 on one of their green lifestyle campaigns.[5]
- ^ Hannaford 2005, p. 29.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (January 7, 2005). "Scissor Sisters: On the Cutting Edge". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
- ^ "Scissors score first number one". BBC News Online. September 10, 2006. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
- ^ Bono, quoted in Hannaford, Alex (2005). Scissor Sisters. London: Artnik. Blurb.
- ^ Waller, Martin (May 12, 2007). "Global Cool is hot on carbon emissions". The Times. London. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.