'I do have a not-so-fond memory of being violently sick in the club's bathroom.'
The London Drag Scene has seen many a bouffant wig come and go, many a high heel get lost in the gutter and many a nail get chipped and cracked along the way – it’s a ruthless and ever changing scene – not many queens remain relevant.
Someone who’s had absolutely zero problems with this is Tasty Tim who was one of the original club kids at the legendary Kinky Gerlinky and Taboo, who is behind the long running TrannyShack and who has just opened the already iconic BOMBSHELL!
Tasty will also be at our new favourite London Summer event – Summer Rites’ Out on the Dock. It’s on 28th July and basically every London club is going to be there – as should YOU! Plus tonight she will be at the Trannyshack Ball with Guest of Honour Lady Bunny who has jetted in from the US specially.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Royal Tunbridge Wells. She’s always been Royal, dear, always a Queen. But Royal Tunbridge Wells is the depths of boredom to a Gay teenager. I finally managed to escape at 17. I’d already started working in a record shop (remember those?) in London so finding the scene was easy, Miss Steve Strange was all over the mags and I knew exactly where I was headed.
What would you say to a 16 year old Tim Southgate?
Never grow up, I always remember my Mum saying to me ‘Life isn’t one big party, Timothy,’ but Mother, it is!!!
What are your favourite memories about Taboo?
When you say ‘memory’, what exactly do you mean? That club was wild, it saved me from slipping into the Ecstasy Explosion that came shortly afterwards. I first took Ecstasy at Taboo, when the early pills were laced with Heroin. I do have a not-so-fond memory of being violently sick in the club’s bathroom BUT she never touched it again.
Do you cherish Taboo as the ultimate night spot?
It’s one of them for sure but the ultimate is definitely Kinky Gerlinky. THE biggest Freak Show on Earth. From ’89 to ’92 moving from club to bigger club, culminating at the Empire, Leicester Square. Huge! I was the ‘door selector.’ EVERYBODY dressed up. It was insane!
How has your look changed over the years?
It’s actually come full circle. My fledgling years were mohawk and Westwood/BOY clothes then as you up the stakes, you evolve like a butterfly into a full on Dragoooooon. And now I dip between the two – Androgynous Punk Peacock and Pretty ‘Lady.’
Were you more creative with your look when you were starting out or does it keep evolving?
As long as I have the deep dark recesses of my mind it is never difficult to change….The creative process stays the same….retarded!
Does the gay scene still have an Underground?
It’s difficult for me to tell. I kind of know everything that is going on in the club scene, so to me it all seems normal and available but I guess if you’re a club or party that doesn’t advertise in the Gay Rags or have a presence online then you could be considered ‘underground.’ They do still exist…just!
Has the UK always been ahead of the US when it comes to drag?
Drag no. Club Kids yes…
What are your thoughts on how mainstream drag has become again?
I LOVE it. It’s like the 90s all over again. It will eventually dip underground, everything goes in cycles, but it will ALWAYS be there.
Did you work with Michael Alig in New York?
I worked with Michael in the early 90s at Disco 2000 when I lived in NY for a while. He was a cunt then, he’s a cunt now. Suicide should be his next option! JOKE. I don’t wish that on anyone, but really?? An ounce of remorse would be nice….
What’s going on in the world of Tasty right now?
Gurl, the diary is overflowing, she’s having a bit of a renaissance. Trannyshack is still my home from home every Wednesday at Madam JoJos. Can you believe we are in our 10th year? We now have our Trannyshack Ball, once a month at the Bloomsbury Ballroom too. V. Exciting! Oh, aaaand once a month Trannyshack parties at Eagle and Black Cap.
I have a new residency at Comptons too. Yes, Comptons! To be honest I hadn’t frequented Comptons since the 80’s, but I’m LOVING it all over again. An older more discerning crowd, they love their house music and not one single request for GaGa…refreshing!
KuBar is every Thursday, plenty of eye candy there, and that’s just the bar staff!!
Regular spots at Eastbloc, Shadow Lounge and Beyond too, it’s all looking good! Oooh and she just played the main floor at Heaven for the first time in 25 years…MAJOR!
PLUS and it’s a BIG plus I have my own new clubnite for the first time in God knows how long, BOMBSHELL! at TART Bar (yes really) in Farringdon. Every last Friday of the month (Payday, Gurl, so no excuses, plus it’s free in!!!) Me and the stunning Lady Lloyd put the BOMBSHELL! together because, well, because, we don’t have enough parties to go to! Join me on a dance floor near you!
