Buck Fast is a Glaswegian “boylesque” performer, witnessed by FQ performing at a Dr Sketchy’s life-drawing class. Miss Scarlet tracked him down . . .
Miss Scarlet: How would you describe your act?
Buck Fast: Uncoordinated, full of silly faces, with a touch of rockabilly and a sprinkling of boyish charm.
MS: How long have you been doing “boylesque” and what do you think of that term? How did you get into it?
BF: I have been performing boylesque for a grand total of three months now, although I have been going to shows for a number of years. The term “boylesque” doesn’t bother me, I’m happy being introduced as a boylesque performer, but I do have “Burlesque Performer” on my business cards. I suppose boylesque is like a sub-division of burlesque, like gorelesque in a way.
I basically got into performing the same way the most men start to do anything—a pretty girl told me I should. I’m a sucker for a pretty girl. It was one of my oldest friends who also performs under the name Miss Ruby Jubilee, we were talking one day about burlesque, and she suggested I take to the stage as “There is not enough pretty boys doing it, maybe you can fill in until they arrive”. At the time though my (now ex) fiancée was not, shall we say, supportive of the idea of me taking my clothes off on stage. After some thought, she decided we probably shouldn’t be together anymore, I was phoned about three weeks later asking if I fancied doing a double act for Ministry of Burlesque’s Movers and Shakers at the Britannia Panopticon. I agreed as I hate turning down the chance for a good story.
The confidence boost I got as soon as I took to the stage was amazing and even better was the cheer as I took off my outfit: I was hooked in those three minutes. The next three months were a bit 
crazy and I was sort of thrown in at the deep end, but I’ve performed with loads of amazing people and travelled Britain a wee bit too.
MS: Is there a history of male burlesque?
BF: In my family? I’m fairly sure my dad and his dad kept their clothes on in public. I’m not so sure that men doing burlesque as a strip tease has so much of a history, but then again I’m no historian. I do know though that cabaret shows have always had men involved.
MS: What’s the first thing people say when you tell them what you do?
BF: It varies from “what’s one of them then?” to “I don’t believe you” and the final “Can you do a hen/stag do?”
MS: What sort of audiences do you get? And are you straight/gay/other - do people tend to assume you are a certain sexuality?
BF: I get sexy audiences, although I don’t usually go around doing a census on their sexual preferences. I can say although cabaret and burlesque is commonly seen as a girl and gay man’s world, straight men are becoming a lot more common in audiences, in fact I would say they outnumber gay men.
I love this question, I get asked it all the time. People tend to assume I am bisexual, I think it may have something to do with the fact that I’ll flirt with anyone for a bit of banter, that and the fact Dusty Limits and I plan on getting married in Vegas, but I honestly don’t see what the big deal is with everyone and sexuality. If I’m honest I don’t care if you sleep with different sex, same sex or a different species, as long as your love live is consensual and you’re not hurting any one. I myself have only ever had relations with women, but who knows maybe I’ve just not met the right man/animal/alien yet.
MS: Why do you think male strippers are so rare?
BF: I have no idea, I always thought male strippers were 10 a penny; male burlesque performers—now I know they are a rare breed, I can count on both my hands all the male performers that I know of in Britain. I actually think its more an issue with the men themselves, we can have body issues too, girls. Up until two years ago there was no way I would have done this, I weighed two stone less and was all ribs.
MS: Do you try to subvert the idea of what is a sexy man in your performances?
BF: I don’t think so, I know I’m definitely not a stripper, nor do I try to be. Those boys have some moves and are very well built. But the idea of what is sexy differs from person to person, if you ask me confidence is the sexiest thing ever. If you ooze confidence people take notice, people notice other people taking notice: all of a sudden that’s sexy. How many modern-day pin-ups can you think of who were shrinking violets or Hollywood hunks that shy away in the public light?
So in a way I think I am re-enforcing what is sexy in people by having the confidence to get up in front of people and try to entertain them.
MS: Why do you think the burlesque scene has become so widespread and popular? Do you think it will be a fad that fades away, or something lasting?
BF: Because it is a reasonably priced night’s entertainment where not just the entertainers are dressed up. Long before I started to perform I loved going to burlesque nights just for the excuse to dress up. I’m fairly sure that the excuse to dress up and feel glamorous and sexy is the main reason that the audiences are mainly women.
Not only that, you can’t go to a burlesque night without making at least one new friend, everyone is just so damn friendly. I love Glasgow especially as everyone knows everyone else. It’s just like a big family, sure that family takes their clothes off in front of each other to music but the best sorts of families are the fucked-up ones.
MS: What advice would you give any guys out there who want to give boylesque a try?
BF: Remember to ensure you do not weigh your boxer shorts down with too much fruit as the results can be slightly embarrassing.
Stalk Buck Fast here and here.
Photo 1 credit: http://www.andreaheins.com; Photo 2, 3 credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iolair/
Dammit; I have to see this guy.