TASTY TIM (London, England)
Years as a drag queen: 37.
Facebook: facebook.com/tastytim
Tell us how you started your career as a drag queen. What inspired you?
It all started way back in the early 80s in London. There was a very small club scene movement called ‘The New Romantics.’ It was after ‘punk.’ It was less aggressive and more about dressing up and wearing a lot of makeup and going out to party. Even though it was a small scene it did spawn a lot of talented bands and designers like Visage, Duran Duran, and, of course Culture Club. I threw myself into the scene with gay abandon. I lived for it. The scene was very mixed. Gays, straights…all shapes and sizes! Most people grew out of it, but I, on the other hand, grew into it in a BIG way!
From what I know, you don’t do drag performances?
I’m not what you’d call a drag performer as such (or, in my case, poor-former). I’m a DJ by profession who happens to have a passion for makeup and glamour! So yes in that case it has become a full-time career. I’ve been DJing for 35 years and never once without makeup…or wig!
Tasty Tim
Do you get to travel a lot for work?
Yes, I travel quite a lot. I’ve been lucky enough to travel most of the globe. I’ve played the big clubs in Ibiza, the Life Ball in Vienna, huge stadiums in Japan, as well as some really cool clubs in New York and LA. It’s been a long career, so I’ve pretty much been everywhere!
What was your most memorable DJ gig?
I think DJing at the RED RAW party in Melbourne, Australia has to be an all-time buzz. It was a party in a huge football stadium. I’ve never seen anything like it; playing to a crowd that big was amazing.
Doesn’t traveling eventually take a toll on you as a DJ?
Yes, thank goodness I could do it when I was younger. As I get older, airports hold a particular horror for me. It’s funny really. I love being in crowded nightclubs full of people…but airports, no thank you! I used to travel from London to San Diego to DJ every month for a couple of years and without fail I got stopped at customs EVERY TIME. It became a bit of running joke…Oooh let’s see what’s in the suitcase this time…Ooh what are you wearing tonight? Customs and I got to know each other quite well after a while! They were very sweet.
What do you believe are the biggest impacts you made with your DJ drag career?
I hope I’ve made people dance and have a great night out at some point in their life. If they can wake up in the morning and think wow, last night was fantastic then I will have made an impact that created a good memory.
What is the hardest thing about being in drag?
Shaving! End of!
How did you pick your drag name?
I didn’t. Someone picked it for me. Way back in the 80s someone asked a friend of mine: Who is the tasty girl behind the DJ decks? My friend said: It’s not a tasty girl, it’s Tasty Tim. She’s a he! My friend thought all this gender confusion was hilarious and the name stuck!
For someone who always travels, what are some general gay travel tips you can offer to other drag queens?
Always put your fake boobs at the top of your luggage. If you get stopped at customs they will be so horrified they will move you right along! An old trick from the late, great Divine.
What, in your opinion, is the main difference between old-school drag queens and new-school drag queens?
The new school has more energy! Us oldsters prefer a lower heel and a bar stool to perch on!
What can we expect from you in the near future?
I run a very successful club here in London every Wednesday called Bombshell! For drag queens and Ts/Tv’s, it’s really, really fun. Another few years of that would be amazing, and, of course, I will continue to travel the globe…have wig will travel!
GLACE CHASE (New York, New York)
Years as a drag queen: “A lady never reveals her age…”
Blog/website: www.dreamqueentours.com
Tell us how you started your career as a drag queen. What inspired you?
Pilfering in my mothers closet when I was eight. Trying on her dresses when she was out. I left a tissue with lipstick accidentally on her dresser, and then we had to have a talk. I still blush when I think about it. Truth is, I always wanted to be a weather girl. And I thought that I couldn’t. It took a long time to realize I can be a weather girl. By then I wanted to be a morning TV host. That is more difficult.
How often are you performing?
I have anywhere between two to five gigs a week. Which is anywhere between two to five gigs too many. Every morning when I wake up I ask myself Why? Just why? Why, life, why?
Do you travel often?
I travel anywhere I can get a drink ticket. Anywhere. I even once traveled overseas to this strange place called Staten Island. It was exhausting. I had planned to trek to Queens but there’s a limit… Actually one of my more fun trips was performing at Austin Drag Festival. I met a lot of great queens, and we partied hard. I remember nothing. It was a total highlight.
What trip was the most memorable to you and why?
Edinburgh during the fringe festival is one of the most exhilarating experiences a performer can have. Followed by a week in London. I met a doctor. After that week I was very sore. It was magical.
You have a huge following in NYC, right?
Oh God yes. I run around the West Village brandishing a stiletto on a stick so I’m quite visible. Loads of people are always saying hi Glace everywhere I go – I have no idea who they are, but I’m friendly so it works. Also my crazy high-perm hair is a bit of a giveaway. And the running makeup. People are always comforting me while I cry so it’s nice to be supported.
What do you believe are the biggest impacts you made with your drag career?
I’ve changed the world! One top at a time! Seriously that’s a very serious question…impact? Well I’d like to think that fun, crazy, comedy, and kindness are good things to put into the world. Hopefully I achieve at least one of them.
Who are some top drag queens you’ve worked with and what was that like?
I keep running into Lady Bunny on the street and that’s scary for both of us. I’m very close with Drag Race–star Sasha Velour. It’s been a treat coming up together and watching her explode onto the mainstream. And Linda Simpson is my drag big sister. We’ve had too much fun together, and a few memorable hangovers!
What are your thoughts on Drag Race?
Necessary evil? Nah. Drag Race is a great ambassador for drag. But it’s certainly made it harder to come up in any other way, which is a pity because there are more ways to do drag than the Drag Race way.
What are some recognitions/awards you have received?
I won the Best Ass competition at Sydney’s Stonewall Hotel in 2009! It was a career highlight! Regularly selling out my walking tour [in New York City] is pretty cool too. Particularly for my bank balance.
Glase Chase
What are some general gay travel tips you can offer our readers if you travel as a drag queen?
Pack your PrEP! You never know what’ll happen in another country! And by god get out among it. If you’re very young, hot, and budget conscious do what I did: when you land, find the nearest, cheapest hostel, lock up your bag in a locker, then head to the gay club. Find a hot man and go home with him. The next day you can both pick up your bag, go back to his place and then you’re set for accommodation until the next city. And then repeat. It’s how I traveled around Europe and the USA! I took a photo of each of them. They all look the same: black hair, high middle-management types with nice cars. Well played, Glace.
What is the one thing you always pack and why?
As long as you have a spare $20 in your back pocket and a winning personality, you’ll be fine.
What, in your opinion, is the main difference between old-school drag queens and new-school drag queens?
In truth, very young queens seem okay with themselves and their “art.” Sheesh, the shit we all used to get for being queens. Ten years ago you were still a pariah. Now straight guys talk about padding to you. UGH. So, kids have so much confidence. I fucking hate them. I never had that (laughing).
What can we expect from you in the near future?
Totally determined to snag myself a Wall Street finance type and retire from this overrated life and volunteer for a school charity! Dreams…Actually I’m about to launch a food tour: “3 A.M. at 5 P.M.” —my guide to NYC post-party eating! That’ll launch pretty soon. And I’m putting together a solo show. And doing a lot of stand-up in straight comedy clubs, which is terrifying but exhilarating. I love throwing myself into danger. I’d love to trek into Middle America and find the most redneck bar and perform there. I do my best work when I fear for my life.
Any tips you can offer readers who want to become a drag queen?
Don’t do it! But if you have to, find a rich hubby. Drag is effing expensive. Oh and get a therapist. And please try try try to develop a personality. The world really can do without another ‘Yessss queen’ queen…
