By Ulla Kelly  (Photos: Ulla Kelly & Sue Charlton)

The Magic of Pegasus are:
S: Sean la Bang
G: Graeme Newlove

They’re also fun, quirky, oddly sexy (hey I’m a lesbian!) and incredibly alive and intense on stage. They’re the kind of band you just know it’s going to be a laugh to interview. They call their music theatrical, homo-electro - and they’re right.

The day after seeing your gig at Joburg Pride, I read your interview in SL magazine and it raised one vital question - how’s the lawsuit against Barbie going? Tell us about that.
G: Well, as most people will already know, the villainous, child exploiters over at Mattel Inc. (i.e. the Barbie Company), in 2005, used our name for their movie, “Barbie and The Magic of Pegasus”. Our legal team’s dealing with it. On the front foot, I hear.
S: - As a settlement agreement they’ve offered to change the name of their movie to “The Celestial Unicorn” and bring Ken out the closet to our song “Get your Glitter on!” in the sequel… We’re considering.

Which of your songs would you recommend people listen to first, and why?
G: “Flex (Sex Extravaganza)” - it’s fun, sexy and good to dance to.
S: - mmm…. I’d say “Sweetest Peach on the Dance Floor”. It’s what inspired the magic …
And it’s pretty XXX.

You’re about to die (sorry) and you can only listen to one song - what do you choose? Why?
G: Crikey, that’s morbid. Maybe something by Simply Red. At least that way, when the skull crushing death blow comes, escaping Simply Red will feel good.
S: I’d be happy with Tonight Tonight by Smashing Pumpkins - + Billy Corgan is gorgeous… or wait Purple Rain - by Prince

If you choose a) one band to support and b) one band to open for you, who would they be?
G: a) David Bowie b) Jeffrey Star
S: a) Prince a couple of years ago.. that guy has magic…. b) Depeche Mode

You’ve been compared to Boo - pardon me for sounding like Oprah, but how does that make you feel?
G: The egotistical artist in me immediately feels something like, “hey, fuck you! We’re unlike anything anyone has ever seen!”, but it sits better with the calm, rational part of Graeme. They had a similar fun, dancey feel to their music and they were pushing boundaries at a time when the South African music scene seemed even flatter than it is now. Plus Chris Chameleon can be a real hottie in his way.
S: - Fantastic, as long as it gets me in with Chris Chameleon.

What influences your choice of nail polish colour on any given day?
G: I’m colour blind so I suppose I usually just I reach deep into Sean’s giant make up case (that probably takes up about as much space on tours as our instruments do) and grab what ever looks most expensive.
S: - Funny - Obviously my eye shadow and the colour of my tights…

When did you start wearing make-up and what kinds of reactions have you had to it?
G: In high school I was in a Rocky Horror themed cabaret (surprise!) which first gave me the excuse. I remember the awkwardness after the cabaret had ended, of going to my mom / step sisters and asking if I could use a touch of eye liner again. “What’s your excuse now pansy?!” No, they were amused but supportive. I got my own make up bag from them for my next birthday. Every now and then we’ll get scary responses, usually accompanied by the nauseating, stale stench of beer, unwashed homophobe and sexual frustration. It comes with the territory though; just one of the precious little joys of being The Magic of Pegasus.
S: From about the age of 3… Mothers High Heels, a onion sack on my head - a little rouge and a live rendition of Baby Make the Blue Jeans Talk … Mixed reactions… Mother’s queer now…

Someone gives you a million bucks each - how do you spend it?
G: fat free milk, tertiary education, sex and music gear.
S: - Therapy …

Are you guys queer?
G & S: We’re wherever the magic’s at!
S adds: Just a beautiful heart…

Do you think celebrities should be open about their sexuality?
G: Sure, every role model out there helps. Plus when you’re caught at your local glory hole at least the media won’t be surprised, you can just be like: “what? I already told you silly!” On the other hand, I can understand people wanting to keep their private life out of the public eye. As long as it’s not a case of hiding who you are out of shame, I think that’s also okay.
S - Of course… Be your sexy self!

What’s your fan base like, in terms of age, gender, sexual orientation?
G: We’re quite accessible so it’s very diverse. It also depends where in the country we’re talking. I like to think the Joburg gay scene is starting to discover us, in Durban our following mostly seems to be made up of: young – straight - sexy. And Cape Town is just a complete, crazy mix, from super cool fashion fiends to the completely unexpected. I’m often surprised and excited about the kinds of people who come to our shows.
S: - Wow - it’s really a mixed vrugte slaai

Groupies! Got any? If so, what do they send you or throw at you?
G: Pft, sh’ya! We’ve had roses, perfumed 3 ply pocket tissues with lipstick marks and phone numbers. On the wrong side of the wrong city – tampons, death threats…
S: I wouldn’t say groupies but we get some pretty extra extraordinary crowd participation and Facebook messages.

What did you think of Joburg Pride?
G: Really cool. Got some high quality mingling in and met some super sexy people!
S: AWESOME… Beautiful, colourful, fabulous people. Fearless expression and individualism! Wish everybody would do it all the time.

Had you been to any pride marches before?
G: No, somehow every time Cape Town Pride comes around I’m out of town.
S: - Of course - & jehovah’s witness conventions… You got to try everything once..

Future plans? Where can we see and hear you next?
G: Plans are being made for a hectic summer season, but most of it is still being confirmed. We have a dress up and dance Halloween party coming up at Evol in Cape Town at the end of the month, another Joburg tour at the beginning of December. Our management has been badgering us about releasing our long overdue EP, so hopefully we’ll finish production of that sometime early next year. Charl (manager number one) wants us in Europe. I want to write a Pegasus dance musical. Sean wants to penetrate some of the lonelier parts of the country. Etc etc. Join our facebook group to stay up to date! Just facebook search “The Magic of Pegasus”.
S: - We’ll just keep the magic flowing. Be our friend on the Facebook Group. we’ll keep you updated there..