“A Louis XIV confection or occasional Nancy Sinatra-esque chanteur/chanteuse in gold glitter boots with world-class vocal talent. No lip-syncing for Mr. Quale, who is a true artist and transforms himself Klaus Nomi style once he graces the stage. Nina Hagen would be proud, as would Diamanda Galas.” - Roy Rogers Oldenkamp for WeHoNews.com
I’m surprised to have wated taken this long to mention the luminous Prince Poppycock. I’ve been amused, enamored and confused by this marvelous creature ever since the pleasure of sharing the stage with him last spring in La Belle Époque.
Part randy dandy, part rock star, part drunken courtesan, Poppycock instantly owns the audience with but a glance and a wiggle of bedazzled pantaloons, and that’s just the beginning. His operatic prowess, glamourous costumes and ostentatious prose leave not a heart unstirred. A masterpiece of self-transformation, the Prince is also recording artist John Quale, but I’m secretly hoping Poppycock will take over completely one day, to reign supreme in a glittery victory of feathers and gold spandex.
- Official Myspace of His Royal Fanciness
- Buy Prince Poppycock merch
- Prince in Paper Mag
- Watch the Prince in action as he opens for the Dresden Dolls
January 18th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I never heard of him… off to check him out… but I must say, I want that tricorn!! :D
And, er, Roy Rogers Oldenkamp should check his history, heh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_IV_of_France
January 18th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Met the royal Prince a couple years back at a DD show and was totally blown away by his enormous stage presence and that VOICE. Man, those are some golden pipes. The whole PP package is delicious, of course, but I imagine vocal abilities like that are exceedingly rare to achieve and difficult to maintain in conjunction with the frippery, fabulousness and somewhat-hard-livin’ club shenanigans. Klaus Nomi would indeed be proud.
January 18th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Mer: Ha - I thought the same thing but thought I’d keep it faithful to the quote, at first. But you know, I think the Prince would apreciate us being historically correct, so I canged it to “Louis XIV” - I think we can all be certain that’s who Oldenkamp meant!
Uhm, our Mer: His voice is incredible, yes! It’s about time I saw another one of his performances - truly a superb entertainer.
January 18th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
my friend jesse has been trying to introduce me to this gentleman for a while - i believe at one point he appeared in the role of Jesus in The Beastly Bombing? Though, i could very well be wrong.
January 18th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
q gauti, you are correct! That was him. Amazing look, amazing voice.
I’m surprised he’s not more well-known!
January 19th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Given my insatiable fetish for all things 18th century, I must know: where/when can I see this guy perform???
January 19th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Io - Mister P’s performing next here in LA at El Cid on September 17th - I’ll probably be there!
January 19th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
heh, nadya, jesse was the president in that production :) I narrowly avoided the crotch-thrusts.
January 20th, 2008 at 8:44 am
I must draw this man!
January 21st, 2008 at 11:05 am
I first heard of Poppycock when he performed as part of Anne Magnuson’s show at RedCat toward the end of 2006. He was phenomenal. Not surprising that Poppycock’d end up playing with Kristian Hoffman (Magnuson’s co-writer and band leader) as Hoffman wrote many of Klaus Nomi’s songs.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
This is a terrific clip of him being his awesome self: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJW-GovwIw