If you happen to watch the Style Network, there’s a chance you might have caught an episode of the reality show “Split Ends.” The show’s premise is that two hair stylists with opposite aesthetics do a salon switcheroo for a week. On one episode, Seth Bogart, owner of Down at Lulu’s—an Oakland salon and vintage store—is sent to the affluent Florida town of Cocoa Beach, a place crawling with vapid people and conspicuous consumption. Meanwhile, a flamboyant Latin homo named Martin Ormaza is forced to exist amongst Oakland hipsters. The episode, while silly, is excellent watching due to Bogart’s fun persona. To the horror of the snooty Florida salon staff, Bogart shows up looking freaky in clown bows and gold lamé. I won’t spoil the rest of the show in case you want to watch.When he’s not parading crazy ensembles around on national television, Bogart—stage name Hunx—is a member of the Kill Rock Stars-backed electropop group Gravy Train!!!! and lead singer and keyboard player for Oakland-based Hunx and His Punx (now Punkettes). On Wednesday the band will perform on an excellent bill at the Launchpad with Girls (if Ritchie Valens sang like Elvis Costello on a Fraggle Rock space station) and Smith Westerns (jangly, teeny garage pop from Chicago). Hunx, who re-releases his Gay Singles on True Panther Sounds next month (it was previously released by Burger Records on cassette), answered a handful of our e-questions. How would you describe your music to people who haven’t heard it? Gay bubblegum. Where are The Punx? Who are The Punkettes? Punkettes are Shannon from Shannon and the Clams; fashion designer Erin Emslie; Amy Blaustein from Higher Color; and Heather Fedewa, a teenage guitar magician. The Punx were always changing, kinda like Menudo—when they got too old or acted up I kicked them out! What was it like being on "Split Ends"? It was hilarious and I LOVED having my own PA, my own suite at the Hilton, lots of $$$ and total attention! I think I could get used to the Hollywood life; I would just like to be on a better show. What’s your favorite pastime? Cruising, eating, shopping. Why do you think some people don’t like rock ’n’ roll? Sometimes any shitty dude with a guitar thinks it’s OK to make music. Maybe that’s why some people don’t like it. I love all kinds of music, actually … I’m kinda a new waver. What’s your favorite style of dress? Hmmm, this is a hard question but some of my fave designers are: Norma Kamali, Quick Emslie, Peggy Noland, Ari Fish, Fredrick’s of Hollywood, Necessary Objects. I love fashion and think that it’s almost as or is more important than music. How do you juggle work and touring? Anyone can do anything they want to do if they set their minds to it and stop being lazy fucks.
Hunx + The Punketteswith Girls and Smith Westerns Wednesday, Jan. 27, 9:30 p.m. Launchpad618 Central SW$10
