The band’s latest bombshell
Kate Pierson of the B-52’s reveals she’s ‘wild and bisexual’ just before her band’s upcoming New England appearances

by Tony Giampetruzzi - associate editor



BOSTON — I have a confession to make. Even though I have been a diehard B-52’s fan for 15 years, one member of the band has always been the ultimate object of my affection.

It began innocently enough when I was a teenager and the red-headed Kate Pierson was starring in such hit videos as “Girl from Ipanema Goes To Greenland” and “Song for a Future Generation.”

It was the latter that featured the Pierson solo that cinched my love for the unwitting diva: “I’m Kate and I am a Taurus. I love tomatoes and black-capped chickadees.”

So did I! Was it a match made in heaven?

Not exactly. Pierson and the band went on to great fame with such classics as “Love Shack” and “Roam” — and I went on to date guys.

The years have been good to Pierson, however, and I should know — I’m one of those just-short-of-fanatical fans who will attend any B-52’s show that swings through New England. And the B’s continue to oblige — nothing can slow this band that also includes Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider and Keith Strickland, both of whom are openly gay.

Well, it appears that Strickland and Schneider are no longer alone. In an exclusive interview, Pierson told in newsweekly that, like her male band members, she’s swinging the other way; she’s been dating a woman for almost a year now, her first same-sex relationship, and she giggles when she says that she supposes that makes her a lesbian.

What’s more, she recently opened Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel in Woodstock, N.Y. (www.lazymeadow.com), a resort that looks like something right out of one of the band’s video. If you’re a B’s aficionado, you know that in addition to her dazzling voice, Pierson was blessed with a green thumb, and Lazy Meadows is known for its lush gardens.

But here’s the kicker: in addition to coming out, establishing a retro motel, buying a new house, touring with a group called the Chanteuse Club, writing and recording a solo album due out anytime, and getting ready to launch a dance single, Pierson confirms, once and for all, that a new B-52’s album is on the way.

It’s been 13 years, but it appears that manna for the ears and juice for some vertical expression will finally be on its way next summer. In fact, says Pierson, it’s about half in the can.

Spending time with her girlfriend and glaring at the massive pit in her new front lawn (“It was supposed to be a pool,” moans Pierson. “I can’t start a garden here until I figure out what to do with THAT!”), Pierson took some time to discuss politics, her coincidental appearance in Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11,” and why she feels Bozo the Clown would make a better president than George W. Bush.

in newsweekly: Well, the first thing that I’d like to mention is how thrilled I am that you figured so prominently in “Fahrenheit 9/11.” (Pierson lent her voice to REM’s “Shiny Happy People” which provided some of the background music for Moore’s film.)

Pierson: Ohhhh! I’ve seen it twice already! I had a huge contingent of friends with me and they jumped up and screamed when they heard it! Of course this area, Woodstock, N.Y., is so liberal, anyway. ... Anytime someone is “down with George Bush,” everyone stands up and applauds, so the theater staff had to tell people not to make any comments during the film because no one would be able to hear the movie. But, when that [song] came on everyone jumped up anyway and screamed, “Oh my god, you’re in it, you’re in the movie!”

in: Did you know t0he song would be featured?

Pierson: No.

in: What are your thoughts on the movie?

Pierson: I loved it. Michael Moore is my hero. I’ve seen all his movies, of course, but this one was just very cathartic. And, yet, enraging. I just hope everyone sees it. I hope a lot of Republicans see it.

in: It’s supposed to be released on DVD by September.

Pierson: Fantastic.

in: You’ve always been very political anyway. What are your thoughts on the upcoming election?

Pierson: Well, I think no matter who is running against Bush, ... if Bozo the Clown was running against Bush I would vote for Bozo. (Laughs) I think it’s totally, absolutely necessary to vote Bush out [of office] right now because of the situation with the Supreme Court justices. People’s civil rights are being violated. It’s just across the board, but, if for nothing else, then the environment and civil rights and the war. Ugh. There are a million reasons to vote him out. I’m so afraid of the long-term affects on the environment. You know, sometimes you can just ride out these things, hunker down like a jack ass in a rainstorm and get through it, but I’ve never heard so many people say, “I’m moving to New Zealand” or somewhere if he gets reelected. I don’t think “Fahrenheit 9/11” is radical, because it’s showing how everyday Americans are being hoodwinked and brainwashed. I think that the average American can make good decisions, but they’re not given the right information right now to do it.

in: One of the biggest political issues is obviously the issue of marriage rights for gays. Where do you fall on that one?

Pierson: I’m totally in favor of gay marriage. I mean, I’m in a relationship right now with a woman for the first time.

in: Oh, really?

Pierson: Even before that I felt very strongly about it. Of course, half the band is gay and I’ve seen so many of their relationships be better [than my straight friends’ relationships], and most of my friends who are in gay relationships have had longer long-term relationships than straight people. The quality and nature of their relationships have been so much better.

in: Hold on — let’s back up. Are you identifying as a lesbian?

Pierson: Well (pause) I guess! (Laughs) My friend John Taylor always says I’m wild and bisexual.

in: So, we’ve confirmed that you’re definitely not single. But, professionally you’ve done a lot of solo work. Are you doing anything currently?

Pierson: Yes, I’m writing a solo record and I’ve been recording. I’m going to release a dance single very shortly, an EP. I do have an album ready, but I’ve been working on the motel and the B-52’s have been touring constantly, so I’ve been on the road an awful lot. During the breaks I’ve been touring and doing my solo material with the Chanteuse Club, a group of women singing with just a piano and a guitar.

in: The gossip on the street is that the B’s have some new tracks set to go. Any truth to that?

Pierson: Yes, it’s true. I’d say we’ve written about half the album.

in: Of course, the perennial question is, when can we expect the new album?

Pierson: Well, we’re shooting for next summer.

in: It must be hard to juggle all these projects. Do you ever tire of touring? It seems like you’re always out on the road. Every summer, you’re right back out there.

Pierson: I think I’m the only one in the band who has actually come out and said that I enjoy touring. Actually, I think Keith [Strickland] enjoys it, but we’ve been doing it differently the last couple years, we’ve been flying. So, once every couple weeks we fly somewhere and do a few gigs, which means when I’m home, I’m only here for a short amount of time — it segments my life a lot. I’d rather just go out on a bus and go for a certain amount of time and then just be home. What I’m really tired of is doing the same songs, so I can’t wait to sing the new stuff.

in: Amen! And some of my friends and I have always asked why you don’t do some of your more obscure stuff like “Big Bird,” “Cake,” “Butterbean?”

Pierson: That’s a good question. We’ve been doing “Junebug” and “Bushfire” and we were just talking about doing “Cake.”

in: I asked Fred Schneider last year during an interview why you don’t do “Cake.” He said you’ll never do “Cake.”

Pierson: Well, that’s Fred.

in: What’s your favorite song?

Pierson: Of all the B-52’s songs? That’s just too large a question.

in: OK, if you were put in front of an audience right now and you could only sing one song, what would it be?

Pierson: I think “Deadbeat Club.” But I still crazily enough enjoy “Rock Lobster” because of the guitar riffs. The riffs are so cool, I could dance to it over and over again.

holy crap, this interview is old.

Anxiety said:

So, any day now?

i love deadbeats club...

and will this be the first album with both girls since Cosmic Thing?

they are like Fleetwood Mac...without all the members, something is lost....

i love deadbeats club...

and will this be the first album with both girls since Cosmic Thing?

sosgemini said:

The first full album. Cindy was with the band when they recorded the two new tracks ("Debbie" and "Hallucinating Pluto") for their best of CD a few years ago.