exploring san francisco's vibrant gay disco era

san francisco, still echoing with the spirit of its transformative counterculture movement, quickly emerged as a beacon for gay men seeking to break free from restrictive small-town existences and embrace a more liberated lifestyle.

this period saw a significant migration, fueled by the era's progressive social attitudes and the availability of affordable housing, as many long-time san francisco residents began moving to suburban areas.

iconic neighborhoods like the castro, polk gulch, and south of market became hubs of gay culture, characterized by a bold, open atmosphere and the glow of neon signage.

the prevailing aesthetic of the time was a distinctly masculine, working-class image, often associated with denim and a rugged charm. this look evolved over time, shedding some of its raw, countercultural edge for a sleeker, more polished appearance reminiscent of the iconic freddie mercury.

deconstructing the 'menergy' mythos

as with any deep dive into cultural phenomena, the book "menergy" offers a critical examination of some of the prevailing utopian narratives surrounding this era.

while the "clone" look might have initially served as a powerful rejection of effeminate stereotypes often imposed upon gay men, it also fostered a degree of conformity that could sideline alternative expressions of gender and identity.

the role of music and the pursuit of ecstasy

the book also casts an unflinching light on the intense nightlife and social scene.

one interviewee, identified as a "clone," recounts experiences with mda, commonly known as ecstasy, highlighting the significant role of recreational drugs in the era's gatherings. the author, a professor at the university of nevada in reno, initially explored this subject through his extensive research into film and television music, with his previous work focusing on the history of the bbc radiophonic workshop and its contributions to early electronic music.

this exploration of electronic soundscapes naturally led him to the vibrant world of san francisco disco and its pioneers like sylvester and patrick cowley.

the process of documenting this history involved extensive interviews with individuals who lived through that time, a race against the clock as some of the subjects passed away during the writing of the book.

the enduring legacy of san francisco disco

the music and lyrics that resonated with people during this period offer profound insights into the era's zeitgeist and the desire for communal celebration on the dance floor.

beyond the chart-topping hits, the soundtracks to adult films also played a significant role. patrick cowley, despite his prolific output, was known for his playful, mischievous sense of humor, with his music often featuring provocative lyrics.

cowley himself was tragically one of the first to succumb to aids in 1982, at the young age of 32.

his death occurred early in the pandemic, before the disease had been officially named.

preserving the sonic heritage

mark hopkins, the founder of the san francisco disco preservation society, has undertaken the monumental task of digitizing and sharing hundreds of reel-to-reel tapes, cassette recordings, and vhs tapes of dj sets online.

these salvaged recordings are rescued from forgotten corners like basements, garages, and storage units across the united states, ensuring their survival for future generations.

hopkins' journey into djing began at the tender age of 13 in 1977, after experiencing the magic of a disco in roseland, california.

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  • he persuaded his father to purchase him a dj setup, consisting of two turntables and a mixer, from a local radio shack.

    in 2009, driven by a wave of nostalgia, hopkins acquired a reel-to-reel machine and sought out blank tapes online. recognizing a potential avenue for his passion, he established an arrangement to keep the tapes after converting them, allowing him to upload the digitized mixes.

    the first of these was a set by dj lee from bones bar.

    this initiative laid the foundation for the disco preservation society. initially launched as a facebook page, it rapidly gained traction and evolved into a comprehensive website. the project faces challenges such as the sheer length of some dj sets, which could span six to nine hours, the inconsistent volume levels of older recordings, and the sheer volume of submissions from DJs who are often looking to declutter as they relocate to warmer climes like palm springs or florida.

    the fusion of organic and electronic sound

    there's a growing appreciation among both younger and more seasoned dancers for the rich, layered sound of music produced in professional studios, often featuring full orchestras, combined with the electrifying energy of electronic elements.

    this synthesis creates a sound that feels profoundly human. serendipitously, this search led to the discovery of previously unreleased recordings by patrick cowley.

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  • hopkins recognized their historical significance and the urgent need to share them with the world.

    similarly, cheon has been engaged in a race against time. george horn, a pivotal engineer at fantasy studios who mastered thousands of records, including those by patrick cowley and dark entries, sadly passed away from covid-19.

    honey, however, was not the only force revitalizing the "menergy" movement. the monthly event "go bang!" also played a crucial role.

    heartbreakingly, many other influential figures have been lost to the pandemic. yet, the good news is that a sufficient number of vibrant individuals remain, ensuring that the scene continues to be dynamic and engaging.

    at its zenith, the san francisco gay scene boasted over 100 establishments, including bars, bathhouses, sex clubs, cabarets, and discos. today, that number has dwindled to approximately 25.

    the "menergy" narrative highlights the resilience of individuals who fought to keep the music alive during a devastating period when DJs, club owners, record label executives, and party promoters were disproportionately affected.

    a curated selection of queer cinema and documentaries

    this collection offers a glimpse into the diverse landscape of queer storytelling, encompassing a wide range of topics and genres:

    • beginners (min.)
    • bent (min.)
    • b: the big gay sketch show, seasons (min.)
    • black womyn (90 min.)
    • b53: the blank point: what is transsexualism?
    • the brandon teena story (88 min.)
    • f35: breaking the code (90 min.)
    • t8: b74: brother outsider (83 min.)
    • ekstrom vhs: e: r93: b73: bullied (38 min.)
    • butley (min.)
    • r33: b82: celluloid closet (min.)
    • h55: c45: chasing amy (min.)
    • children's hour (min.)
    • c: cho revolution (85 min.)
    • c65: c56: claire of the moon
    • color of fear 3: four little beds (43 min.)
    • coming of age (60 min.)
    • c65: coming out under fire (71 min.)
    • ekstrom vhs: d: conformist (min.)
    • crimes of hate: a video in 3 segments (30 min.)
    • h3: c7: daddy and papa (57 min.)
    • u6: d33: the darker side of black (59 min.)
    • d36: d: death in venice (min.)
    • desert hearts (91 min.)
    • do you speak american?
    • d6: edward ii (91 min.)
    • a1: e65: o fantasma (90 min.)
    • f: female trouble (98 min.)
    • fire (min.)
    • flesh and paper (26 min.)
    • n: z: for the bible tells me so (98 min.)
    • h67: f67: f74: friends in high places (88 min.)
    • n37: f74: h64: f87: gay and gray in new york city (22 min.)
    • u62: n: gods and monsters (min.)
    • g: h: hedwig and the angry inch (91 min.)
    • higher learning (min.)
    • how do i look (70 min.)
    • u52: n: i shall not be removed: the life of marlon riggs (58 min.)
    • r55: i85: if these walls could talk 2 (96 min.)
    • i: c48: in the best interest of the children (96 min.)
    • i52: it's elementary: talking about gay issues in school (77 min.)
    • i87: j: karmen gei (83 min.)
    • k37: keep not silent (54 min.)
    • h65: k: kissing jessica stein (97 min.)
    • laramie project (96 min.)
    • l: latter days (min.)
    • l38: lesbian rights: towards a 21st century strategy (10 min.)
    • u5: l47: licensed to kill (77 min.)
    • h66: l53: looking for langston (45 min.)
    • u: z: longtime companion (min.)
    • m: midnight dancers (min.)
    • milk (min.)
    • my beautiful laundrette (ca.)
    • orchids: my intersex adventure (60 min.)
    • h37: o73: my own private idaho (ca.)
    • next year in jerusalem (53 min.)
    • n39: nico and dani (91 min.)
    • n: night listener (81 min.)
    • no se lo digas a nadie (min.)
    • n62: not just passing through (51 min.)
    • u5: n6: notorious c.
    • c65: n68: normal (min.)
    • h3: o35: off the straight and narrow (63 min.)
    • h64: o33: o35: oscar wilde: spendthrift of genius (60 min.)
    • o83: out at work (57 min.)
    • s47: o98: out in suburbia (28 min.)
    • u5: o87: out in the heartland (19 min.)
    • out of the past (70 min.)
    • u5: o: paragraph (81 min.)
    • ekstrom dvd: d: g38: p37: paris is burning (77 min.)
    • u52: n56: percy adlon's salmonberries (95 min.)
    • philadelphia (min.)
    • pink triangles (34 min.)
    • u5: p4: playing unfair: the media image of the female athlete (30 min.)
    • p55: pride divide (57 min.)
    • u6: p75: the question of equality: gay and lesbian struggle since stonewall (min.)
    • u5: q48: q56: reporter zero (25 min.)
    • s: r47: rent (ca.)
    • ruthie and connie (55 min.)
    • r: sex and money: dr.

      john money on sexual identity (50 min.)

    • s47: sex and selfhood (85 min.)
    • s49x