Text: Dai Man

Gossip is a middle-American punk band. Or they were. Music for Men is the group’s fourth album, but first effort by the record company to propel them into the mainstream, and for many of us it’s the first time we’ve heard about Gossip. But, as is so often the case, we’re all going to here a lot more about them in the coming years due to the explosive and adorable personality of lead singer Beth Ditto. The music is not so much punk any more but rather punk tinged dancefloor power pop, and Music For Men is consistently good from start to finish. But it’s Beth Ditto that the world has fallen in love with. Fat, gay and fabulous, Ditto is self-aware, proud as hell and deliciously flamboyant, with music bible NME describing her as “The coolest woman in rock.” Having completely taken over the spotlight from her skinnier sisters, Ditto is now front cover darling, often naked! Fat and front cover, defying the norm, she is now front row A-lister at this year’s Paris fashion shows, cavorting with leading designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, known for his love of skinny bitches but joining the throng watching Ditto stripping down to her bra and panties to perform at Fendi’s exclusive after party. But apart from all the fashion buzz, Gossip the band are a credible outfit; their music standing on its own in spite of all the hubbub around their lead singer, which is why Music For Men(the title is a feminist joke) should be doing the rounds for the foreseeable future.