San Francisco, CA by Jon Ginoli of Pansy Division

pansydivisionfullbandsPansy Division has been around since 1991 championing both rock music to the gay community and homosexuality to the music community.  As the voice for Pansy Division (and the rhythm guitar), Jon Ginoli lives and loves in San Francisco, California, where his band is prepping their new album That’s So Gay and DVD Pansy Division: Life In A Gay Rock Band for a March 31st release through Alternative Tentacles.  Jon’s book Deflowered: My Life In Pansy Division comes out on March 2nd.

1. What’s your town’s nickname?
The City. That may sound presumptuous, but once I moved here it made perfect sense.
2. Why do you live there?
It’s flaming liberal central, flaming queer central, and amazingly beautiful–both the natural landscape, and the architecture.
3. What is your favorite local attraction (monument, park, etc)?
Glen Canyon Park.
4. What is your favorite local event/festival?
Folsom Street Fair. Out come the freaks!
5. What is the best time of year to be there?
Any time except December/early January (that’s the only time it’s cold).
6. Who is your favorite local celebrity/personality?
Peaches Christ.
7. Where is the best place to drink and what’s their specialty or happy hour?
The Eagle. Cheap and STRONG drinks.
8. What is your favorite place to see live music and what was your favorite show there?pansydivisiongreatamericanmusichall
The Great American Music Hall. Best show: the reunion tour of Radio Birdman. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen.
9. What is your favorite diner or restaurant and what is their best dish?
A deep dish pie at Little Star Pizza. Also, too many great taquerias to pick just one.
10. What is your favorite record store and what was your best find there?
Amoeba Music. I find all kinds of great stuff there cause it’s where I work.
11. What is your favorite local shop?pansydivisionbirite
Bi-Rite. It’s a specialty grocery where everything is organic and local, which in California is possible here year round. Sometimes pricey, but unparalled high quality. Runner up: Rainbow Grocery, a lefty grocery that closes for Gay Pride Day.
12. What is your favorite local publication (alternative weekly, zine, website or blog)?
The SF Bay Guardian, a weekly. It’s the liberal left-wing conscience of San Francisco.