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Unisex Salon: Almost FamousIt’s every unsigned band’s dream to have its name plastered over the media. This year, local new wave act Unisex Salon found its dream coming true. The band and especially its leggy blond cofounder, Gina Lee, were mentioned in hundreds of outlets— everything from the New York Post to Star to Jewish World Review. Unfortunately, it had nothing to do with their music and everything to do with the fact that Lee was briefly involved with actor David Schwimmer, better known as Ross from Friends. Be careful what you wish for. It’s about time the band garnered press for what really matters—their boppy, feel-good music and the livewire energy of their shows, which are half neo-wave antics, half Vegas striptease (though singer and cofounder Kenyon Phillips no longer de-pants, he still doffs the shirt, flexes his tats, and shakes his ass at the audience). While their retro-style has lately evolved into something more Urban Outfitters than Purple Passion, it’s still heavily influenced by synth bands like The Cars and Talking Heads—with an updated flair. “It’s not genre ghetto,” says guitarist Tom Haslow. Rounding out the band are bass player Jonathan Levine, and drummer Shambo Pfaff. Ross wasn’t the band’s first brush with fame. Four years ago, an unknown producer and Gramercy Park neighbor named Gordon Raphael brought Kenyon and Gina (then living together) into his studio and offered to help them form a band. Shortly thereafter, he produced another local act called The Strokes. Raphael – in town for the third Strokes record -- will produce the Unisex’s upcoming effort. Much of the band’s output features satirical ditties with lyrics just as likely to crack you up as make you sing along: Slap your ass and steal a kiss Since December, when Gina and Kenyon parted ways romantically, the band’s tongue has dislodged slightly from cheek— even producing an earnest breakup song called “I’m Sorry.” “It’s about being an asshole and realizing it,” laughs Kenyon. Fleetwood Mac-like, the former sweeties write songs about each other with each other. Old lyrics can hit awkwardly close to home these days: It’s like we’re already through Most post-break-up couples have the luxury of some down time, but Gina and Kenyon only took two weeks off rehearsals and each other before plowing forward, a la No Doubt. “It’s been painful and hard, but inspirational,” says Kenyon, crediting the split for setting them on a new creative path. Cue Behind the Music theme. But much of the playful sexual energy between the two during their live shows has morphed into something…. different. “There was some weird, dark tension onstage for awhile,” says Tom. The darkness doubtless had something to do with the fact that, post-breakup, Gina almost immediately began dating a bonafide celebrity. “It was kind of surreal,” she says of all the attention, good and bad, that came along with those four months (Gina and Schwimmer are no longer an item). After the New York Post ran a blurb outing Gina as Ross’s new girlfriend, paparazzi began circling. One tabloid type even disguised himself as a fan at a gig and tried to dig up dirt. “It was blown out of proportion to a huge degree. He was never my boyfriend. It was never anything serious; I just hung out with him a few times,” says Gina. “But all these people I hadn’t seen or spoken to in many years came out of the woodwork.” Philadelphia Weekly, Gina’s hometown rag, quoted Penn grads as saying their fellow alum was renowned for throwing “sex parties” at her sorority. It went on to take potshots at her new beau: Lee now presumably has sex with Schwimmer. Eww. But the sour taste of the underbelly of fame hasn’t dampened the band’s desire to become rock stars. “If you want to get somewhere, you need fame,” says Kenyon. It doesn’t seem far off. Besides playing more high profile gigs at venues like Plaid, Knitting Factory, and Pianos, Kenyon is currently featured and sings in a Virgin Mobile cell phone commercial that ran twice during the MTV Video Music Awards. And a moneyed bigwig (who prefers to remain nameless) attended a recent gig at The Delancey and was so impressed he’s now financing a documentary on the band. Upcoming gigs at www.unisexsalonband.com. Catch them while you can still get in.
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