Radical Expression and Queer Liberation in Klovis Gaynor’s “MYSOPHILIAC”
Klovis Gaynor is a radical force, using music as his revolution and his voice as his weapon. Armed with a deadly, sharpened First Amendment right, he speaks in the name of the repressed, the suppressed, and the disregarded. Is “MYSOPHILIAC” obscene? Perhaps it is so, and with a purpose. The real obscenity lies in the discrimination and mistreatment the Queer community has endured for generations. Klovis Gaynor and his band, The Urinal Cakes, are here to make sure no one looks away.
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Equal parts glam pop and punk (but never pop-punk), Klovis Gaynor’s sound is undoubtedly charismatic and mesmerizing, but it is also charged with an angsty, edgy energy that is well-earned and full of true grit. In “MYSOPHILIAC,” Klovis Gaynor continues making his long march across the collective psyche with an iconoclastic, savage anthem of decadence with his most significatively personal statement yet, saying: “’MYSOPHILIAC’ is my manifesto and my most important exclamation of freedom and love to date. Deriving its name from the ancient Greek prefix ‘myso’ meaning ‘filth’ + ‘philia’ meaning ‘love’, the song celebrates those who are sexually aroused by filth. From piss, shit, sweat, and vomit to soiled clothing, soiled places, and unwashed people. The list of paraphilia deemed mysophilia is rather lengthy. I am a mysophiliac for many reasons. Perhaps you, my friend, are a mysophiliac too?”
Inspired by life in a Brooklyn basement, Klovis Gaynor intertwines raw human desire with a celebration of the unconventional. The title invites listeners to embrace their complexities and desires without shame.
In a world rife with hate and bigotry, “MYSOPHILIAC” serves as a rallying cry for the queer and punk communities, urging individuals to confront their shadows and redefine their moral compasses. Klovis Gaynor emphasizes the transformative power of acceptance found in shared experiences, reminding us that embracing our true selves can lead to collective empowerment.
As part of the upcoming album “SAVE ME 4 THE SPANK BANK,” set for release on March 14, 2025, “MYSOPHILIAC” stands as a testament to the beauty of vulnerability. With its provocative themes and unapologetic energy, the song encourages us to dive into the filth of existence and emerge renewed, wiser, and more authentic.
