Localized Appreesh is our weekly thank-you column to the musicians that make the Bay. To be considered, contact emilysavage@sfbg.com.
More than just a band, and beyond a tribute act, self-described local “cover cult” First Church of the Sacred Silversexual takes early David Bowie relics and shoots them out of a glitter-packed cannon. Essentially, they provide flamboyant DIY musical theater in an ode to the Thin White Duke and the shiny space cadet in us all.
Led by The Reverent Father Lysol Tony-Romeo, the sacrilegious Bowie church includes sermons and campy sing-along musical performances with choirs of freaky chanters performing cuts from the classic Space Oddity, along with Ziggy Stardustian tracks and far beyond, deep into the catalogue. For San Francisco, it’s part of a long and storied tradition of theatrical antics, performance art, and metaphoric drag. Oh no love, you’re not alone.
Year and location of origin: 2010, Suffragette City Transfer Station, Mission District.
Band name origin: The advanced enlightened state of attraction that transcends gender and centers upon sparkle alone.
Band motto: Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am!
Description of sound in 10 words or less: 12-person worship band delivering blasphemous sermons exalting David Bowie.
Instrumentation: Father Lysol Tony-Romeo (Lysol Tony-Romeo): vocals; Major Tom (Michael Carney): vocals; Uncle Sally (Jillian Dahhling): vocals; Fancy Nancy (Aoife Davis): vocals; Careless Cadence (Bryn Laux): vocals; Alabaster Superior (Alison Niedbalksi): keys, vocals; Hazy Deranged (Adam Dragland): guitar, vocals; Akimbo Botswani (Jason Yeatman): guitar; Lloyd (Ben Chambers): bass; Raymond T. Gunn (Greg Maximov): drums; Foxy Frankie Scandal (Teddy Raven): saxophone
Most recent release: Bowie on Broadway! The First Church talks Fame.
Best part about life as a Bay Area band: All the young dudes.
Worst part about life as a Bay Area band: All the young dudes.
First album ever purchased: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Most recent album purchased/downloaded: Ha.
Favorite local eatery and dish: The band only ingests cocaine, milk and white peppers, so anywhere that serves that
First Church of the Sacred Silversexual
Fri/29, 8pm, $10
Broadway Studios
435 Broadway, SF
Fecbook: Bowie On Broadway