http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/7834056/savage-gard … actions-interview
You’ve talked about being bullied while growing up. Are there any particular instances that stick out?
I grew up with a violent alcoholic father who was the first person to ever call me a f----t. That wasn’t the greatest start in life. At school my experience was that everyone else knew I was gay before I did. I was such an innocent and loving child. I lived in a dream world, I was obsessed with Star Wars, E.T, Michael Jackson and Madonna. I was big-hearted, emotional, and excitable.
By the time I hit high school and puberty -- I was still very young at heart. Children have a way of singling out those who are different and can be very cruel about it. I was called ‘f----t,’ ‘gay’ and all sorts of homophobic insults before I even knew what that meant. I realize now I threatened them. I shone very brightly, and they tried to dim that light.
Sometimes it worked. At the very worst, I had to sit through some classes with my head down while I was spat on, or had spitballs hurled at me. I was beaten up sometimes in school, sometimes after school. My junior years were honestly horrific. It didn’t let up until my senior year. The Neanderthals left and musical theater elevated me to the status of cool.
What about Madonna and Michael Jackson spoke to you?
Sad childhoods and a strict work ethic! Both artists came from families where the odds were stacked against them. Both artists worked with an obsessive dedication to their craft. Particularly with Michael, I identified with the relationship he had with his father. It was very similar to mine. I identified with how Michael seemed to be bullied by the media. He was mocked for his softness, his eccentricity, his image.
As a gay kid, I watched the “Bad” music video and it empowered me. It spoke to me in the way “Born This Way” spoke to Little Monsters. It showed me that it was okay if I didn’t fit in, because I didn’t want to be accepted by those people anyway. Michael’s image presented a fluid sexuality, as did Madonna’s -- which, for a confused kid from the suburbs of Brisbane, was hugely reassuring. Michael’s music and videos told me it was okay for a boy to dance, to wear makeup.
Michael’s biggest impact on my life was when I was 15 years old and I saw him live in concert. It was Brisbane, 1987 and by a crazy stroke of luck I ended up front row for ‘The Bad Tour’ and I witnessed him at the absolute Olympian peak of his prowess. He would move one finger and the entire arena would scream. I looked around that room and I knew I was going to do that some day. I wanted to life the energy of a room when I walked into it and I wanted to take people away from the sadness of life and into a dream world. That night, I stopped being a fan and I observed him as a student. He’s still my hero.