Artless Nonculture
Time 2021-10-28 14:05:04Web Name: Artless Nonculture
WebSite: http://artlessnonculturewebzine.blogspot.com
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Artless,Nonculture,Description:
keywords: description:Ramblings. Rock 'n Roll. Bad Taste.
When I met Rachel, everyone knew her by a different name. At the time, she was the bassist of the band Dropgun, who my band at the time, Dead City Dealers, had played a number of shows with. Though the two of us had never talked at any great length at that time, Dropgun had become one of my favorite punk bands in the area.
Then one day, in the Fall of 2009, I got a long, detailed MySpace message from a woman with the screen name "Rachel Dreadful", explaining that she was this person I had known the last couple of years, that she was transgender, she was going through transitioning, and wondered if I would like to do an interview with her for Artless Nonculture (2.0), in order to fully come out to the regional punk rock community, as well as to help answer everyone's questions, "all in one shot." After taking a minute to let this news sink in, I was eager to help.
Over the years, Rachel became sort of an "FAQ" for transgender issues, not just for me, but to many of the people in her life. Not that that's all she was, mind you; Rachel had a huge amount of knowledge on geek culture and punk music, as well. She had a sharp, sarcastic wit, and a warm, caring personality. She was also very humble, and would probably not care much for any tribute such as this one.
When my girlfriend of 6 years passed away suddenly, back in 2014, Rachel Bishop was one of the first people to reach out to me, offering support in any way she could. Keep in mind, before this we were not close; there was a lot of mutual fondness and respect there, definitely, and we would bullshit on Facebook, but I would say we were more fondacquaintancesrather than good friends.And around the one-year anniversary of this loss of a loved one, Rachel actually took the time to drive to Cleveland from Akron to spend the afternoon with me.When I sent her a message thanking her afterwards, all she said was, "We all gotta take care of each other."
Over the last 2 years, we would periodically check in on each other via social media (me, struggling with depression and other issues related to the death of my partner, and her with her own moods and health issues. This would typically be in response to one of us seeing a Facebook post from the other).
We would always invite each other to come and hang out in each of our respective cities (we were only a county apart, after all), but something would always get in the waytypically money or car troubles. I really wish we had spent more time together now, because I truly believe we would have become good friends had we lived just a little closer to each other, or had fewer financial issues. Unfortunately, time gets away from all of us, and you never know when it's gonna be your last chance. I just feel really lucky that I got to know her at all while she was here.
As a tribute, I'd like to republish the 2009 interview I conducted with her while she was transitioning. Maybe her story can help someone else who's going through a similar situation, or help quell any confusion about the entire subject for someone who just doesn't "get it."
Interview with Rachel ofDROPGUNby Sam Sinister.
ANC: Please state yourname, and what you do in which band.
RD: My name is Rachel, andI play bass in DROPGUN and maybe You Have Ten Seconds to UnfuckYourself, if we ever play again.
Now for anyone who isconfused, you're not a new member to either band, correct?
No, I am not. I've been inDROPGUN for three years. My legal name is John, that's the name I wasgiven at birth. I'm a transsexual, and Rachel is the name I go by,and will legally be my name soon.
That answers my nextquestion then... the legally changing your name thing.
I'm reading your mind.
Wanna explain thedifference between a transsexual and a transvestite?
Well, the term transgenderis a blanket term, covering transvestites/cross-dressers,genderqueers, and transsexuals... and others. They all have one thing incommon: They mess with gender.
A transvestite is a person who livesas their birth gender, but get some sorta kick outta cross-dressing. [The term "transvestite" has fallen out of usage in most circles within the trans community, as it is now seen as being archaic and, to some, offensive much in the same way that "colored" and "negro" are within the black community today. -Ed.]
Transsexuals are people whose bodies developed differently than theirbrain.
Now, this is a new term tome... What is genderqueer, and is that different from homosexual?
Yeah, it's just people whoscrew with gender to the point that they completely break the binarylaws of male and female. Gender and sexuality are not related.
So, how far along are youinto the transition? Are you taking hormones?
Yeah, I've been doing thatfor a year-and-a-half or so. I've got a therapist. It's beeninteresting, first trying to hide the changes, like wearing a coat onstage while sweating. Second, not hiding the changes, like when myfriends look at my chest. It's funny. I take two pills every day, andone shot in the leg every week. So it's a routine, but it's worth it.
At least you have a senseof humor about it. What's the reaction been like so far from yourfriends/band? Your family?
The band has been prettyrad. Everyone reacted in their own way, but all positive. My friendshave been great; I haven't had a terrible reaction yet. I'm notsaying people 100% get me, or accept me, but it's been fine so far.There's so much gender-bending in rock, I think I can get away withit a little more than, say, an accountant. (laughs)
How long before you'redone with the hormone treatments, or do you never stop with them?
I'll always be takingestrogen, but I won't have to block my testosterone once I lose someof the male equipment.
When will that be?
When I raise the money.Insurance normally won't cover trans health issues in the USA, so thebrunt of the bill is on me and my family. It's not uncommon for transpeople to drop 40k during transition. A lot go bankrupt, blow throughsavings, and sell everything that's not crucial to life. If I had thecash I'd be done by now. If I hadn't of sold my soul to the devil forrock n' roll I'd be cashing that in.
(Laughs) This is gonna bean in-depth and complicated interview...
Maybe you'll win an award.
(Laughs) Doubtful.
Well, if it makes you feelbetter, the Cavs are up by 27!
Not a basketball fan(laughs), sorry... or any sports for that matter.
If you live in Akron yougotta like the Cavs, it's the rules.
So, when did you firstrealize that you were... uh, for lack of a better word, different?
From the time I was ableto notice the difference between boys and girls. I knew if I tried tohang with the girls I'd get messed with, so I hung out with the guysand envied the girls from afar. It was weird when everyone wasgrowing up, I didn't understand why I was becoming more boyish.
Well, then later in life,I'm sure it's easier to hang out with mixed company, though...
Sure, and I didn't hatebeing a guy, it just wasn't the perfect fit. When I was growing up, Ilatched on to punk rock, because at least then I could control why Iwas an outcast. I know other trans people latch on to things likesci-fi, and comics, and stuff like that. In fact, there was a bandcalled Label the Traitor that were huge when one of their memberscame out as a trans person. So I know there has to be more of us outthere. If I could reach out to just one punk still in the closet,then they'd reach out to one, and so on. That's one reason that I'mopen with being trans, and not trying to go stealth.
One of the early New Yorkpunk frontmen, Wayne County, later became Jayne County...
That's right! Very earlyon, too. How punk rock is that?
I guess very... I mean, ifpunk is being "real" and saying, "Fuck you, this is meand you can deal with it or get out of my way," then I'd sayyou're pretty damn punk rock.
Bobby Steele of the Undeadis friends with Jayne and he's shared a few stories online (laughs).
Okay so, you mentionedthat sexuality and gender are completely unrelated. What exactly isyour sexual orientation? I mean, since "gay" and "straight"are usually determined by whatever gender you happen to be...
Well, as a guy I'mstraight, and as a girl I'm lesbian. It's a weird line to cross.That's an issue some gay people have with trans people. Some don'tlike the switching ability.
Would you be lesbian rightnow, or would that happen once the transition is complete?
I think of myself as alesbian right now, plus it makes sex hotter (laughs).
You're married, right?
June 1st, 2010 is the bigday. It's a Tuesday, because nothing is ever normal with me.
How did she take it? Wasthis something she's been aware of all along, or did you sorta springit on her?
She was amazing, itdoesn't hurt that she's bi. All of her family has been really niceabout it too. I will marry her as a guy, however, as there is no gaymarriage in Ohio (yet).
Ah, that brings up aninteresting point. Once you're married, and then you "officially"become a woman, can they sort of revoke the marriage? In a legalsense, I mean?
In Ohio, where I live, Ican't change my gender on my birth certificate, so my marriage willnot be voided. It's really sad, some people lose their marriage afteryears together.
Sounds complicated.
No kidding.
But you'll have a newsocial security number once you legally change your name, right?
(Very long pause) ...Ithink you win a prize for stumping me. I have no idea.
Yes! Free DROPGUN t-shirt?
(Laughs)
I'm serious.
Well, first we gotta make'em.
Oh, okay.
We're a lazy band.
Umm... MP3's emailed to methat aren't on Devil Music?
It's all up on MySpaceright now, even that Groovie Ghoulies cover we did.
Yeah, you can't downloadoff MySpace anymore.
MySpace pisses me off moreand more everyday, but I'm hooked.
I have "Alone"and "Black Whip". I downloaded those before all the changesto the player took effect...
I can't wait to get thisalbum out, it's going to shock people a little. We have five or sosongs being worked on right now. It's a real change from where theband started.
How so?
DROPGUN started off as acover band, mostly Oi! and hardcore stuff. Then came Shittin' n'Gettin', and that was very rock and very punk with hard yellingvocals, and then Devil Music added a ton of guitar solos and calmeddown a bit. The new one has a hint of surf in it, but in a rock n'roll kinda way. Sounds like nose bleeds and hooker spit.
Surf is rock 'n roll!
True.
And I don't think DevilMusic was very tame, by the way... Pretty hard rockin' stuff.
Yeah, those guys reallymade that one work.
What kinds of covers didyou guys play in the beginning?
Well, I wasn't in the bandthen, but it was a lot of early punk, hardcore, and Oi!. On any givennight you could have heard anything from "Crucified" to"Borstal Breakout". Now we stick to the Dead Boys, and morerock n' rollish punk.
Electric Frankenstein, NewBomb Turks, stuff like that...
Yeah, but no covers ofbands who are still around. Unless it's a special kinda deal, likethe Misfits for Halloween...
Well, if you play theGlenn-era stuff, that band definitely isn't still around!
Yeah, no kidding. I did gosee Danzig when he brought Doyle with him to do a classic Misfitsset, it was amazing.
Anything else in the worksfor DROPGUN besides the album?
Nope, we're just doingthat right now. Billy and Paul have been writing songs left andright. We just gotta get 'em recorded and fire 'em at ya.
Any last words for our 3or 4 readers?
Yes. If you arequestioning your gender or sexuality, contact your local PFLAG.Educate yourself. Also -Rock N' Roll.
- 4/26/2009 09:02:00 PMLabels:akron,dropgun,lgbt,lgbtq,news,ohio,punk,rachel bishop,rachel logic,rest in peace,rock and roll,trans,transgender,tribute Older PostsHomeSubscribe to:Posts (Atom)Table-of-Contents/Archive 2016(24) January(16) March(8)EDITORIALColumns | JONNY BIPOLAR: 3 of the Strangest Bands ...Columns | Night of the Living Dead: Human Nature a...Columns | What is Your Conceptual Continuity?News | Parma Mayoral Candidate Warns About Refugee...Columns | Cellar Dwellers of the Underground, an I...Reviews | Brutality and Bloodshed for All: The Roc...News | Rachel Logic (Uncommon Logic, First Offense...More in this issue:News | Rachel Logic (Uncommon Logic, First Offense, Dropgun): R.I.P. 1979-2016Columns | SNACK REVIEWSSee all:how tosarticlescolumnseditorialfoodlistsmusicnewsopinionphotosrantsreviewssatiretop 40
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