As long rock n rollers have been sex symbols there have also been those who go against that convention and have embraced the bizarre, the unfamiliar and the macabre in the name of entertainment. Our favorite musicians are those who aren't afraid to get in costume and put on a show. Here are some of our favorite videos of entertainers taking it to the limit. Up the freaks!
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, “She Said”
Jon looks to be a very Rocky Horror vampire (or is it a werewolf) in drag in those sexy stockings. I loved this video when I first saw it.
Bauhaus, “Mask”
Bauhaus destroy their own glamour by making themselves look like monsters in this one! I love how low-budget yet scare-the-hell-out-of-yr-parents this video is!
Peter Gabriel, “Shock the Monkey“
What's with the freaky business suit and tribal face paint combo? Bizarre and striking!
Embedding disabled, click picture to watch on YouTube
The Cure, “Lullaby“
This video scared me when I first saw it as a teenager, but then the music was so infectious that I eventually fell in love with this band! Robert and Co. have never been shy about wearing make-up, but they gave themselves some particularly gruesome makeovers in this one!
David Bowie, “Life on Mars”
Daivd Bowie without eyebrows but plenty of nose hair… and still sexy as hell! Bowie knows no boundaries. A true performer with undeniable talent!
Smashing Pumpkins, “Ava Adore”
Billy in Nosferatu mode. When they started out they were lumped in with grunge, albeit on the more psychedelic end of the spectrum, and later graduated to simply being a pop band that could appeal to young freaks everywhere by being so…well, freaky! Not afraid to be frightening. And what great videos they made!
Duran Duran, “Hungry Like the Wolf”
The lads get a tribal makeover (and some bloody scratches) in this huge MTV hit filmed on location in Sri Lanka. Okay, so their sex appeal isn't diminished at all, but for huge-popstars-to-be it felt edgy at the time.
Michael Jackson, “Thriller”
And the obvious choice not to be left out: Thriller! MJ as the good guy and the monster. Epic!
Catch Dreamers of the Ghetto at Shea Stadium on December 7 and Mercury Lounge December 8.
