Underground burlesque superstar Go-Go Harder has been spotted performing truly comedic and surreal routines at the 92nd Y’s “Meet The Lady” film series, one of which had him impersonating character actress Beth Grant to vocal samples from the horror film Donnie Darko.
But things are taking a slightly more X-rated turn for this nightlife personality: now hosting the Harder-Wood Revue shows at HeadQuarters Gentlemen’s Club and “shorter (but equally thick)” shows on Thursdays at Therapy Lounge in Hell’s Kitchen (11pm, hosted by Bianca Del Rio), this bawdy boylesque star was also just signed to Cocky Boys.
Hey Go-Go, we know you mostly as a burlesque performer and we were wondering how your previous experiences have influenced your work at Cocky Boys.
To sum it up, I’m definitely more confident in “being” sexy on stage and playing with the more raw, sexual energy of stripping. My earlier Boylesque work tended to be more theatrical and story-oriented and now after signing with Cocky Boys my numbers are becoming more “in your face” sexual.
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Who are your biggest influences as a performer and artist?
I’ll always be the love child of Tom of Finland and Liberace, the former for his portrayal of brute though tender masculinity and the latter for being the ultimate show queen. I’m also really influenced by female performance and burlesque artists like Julie Atlas Muz and legendary women like Gypsy Rose Lee who is the perfect example of a performer that balanced the humorous with the sexual. And the film “Pink Narcissus” is forever cemented in my mind as an example of erotic, lavish performance.
Can you give us an evaluation of some trends in the burlesque world right now?
Boylesque is definitely starting to become its own “thing” with just as many styles and bodies represented onstage. I think, ultimately, performers have deconstructed “classic” burlesque to include everything from nerd themed shows to full theatrical productions and also the use of more than unconventional props, like angle grinding in a metal g-string.
How did you originally get involved in burlesque?
A complete accident! I was go-go dancing for a party and randomly met these beautiful, generous burlesque gals, including The World Famous *BOB* who took me under her bosom and introduced me to the more (glittery) naked side of night life. That’s really how I’ve always preferred things. I like a little glitter with my grit and plenty of dick with my champagne.
How did you end up getting signed to Cocky Boys?
I applied online! I agonized over whether or not to do porn for over a year and suddenly one day I literally thought, “Fuck it. If I don’t do it now I’ll regret it later.” I had a friend snap some pics and didn’t look back.
Do you consider pornography art?
I think it all depends on the performer, and in the case of porn, the director too. There’s a huge range in the quality of performance “art” right now just as there’s an equally girthy span of studios and films. Getting fucked on camera shouldn’t exclude someone from being an artist, just like sprinkling glitter on stage shouldn’t automatically prescribe someone the title of “artist.” I think at the end of the day when the clothes are off and the money shot has been spilled, it’s simply important to focus on putting out the best possible product one can, no matter the medium.
Do you have any other projects in the works right now?
For my next trick I’d like to perform a fully nude, completely erect fire show. Seriously. I also want to start a queer rock ‘n roll go-go night that’s just good ol’ fashioned garage and punk and dick on the bar.
And the real question on everyone’s mind: Are you single?
Yes! And damn happy that way. I like to play but I don’t have serious time to devote to the men folk right now.
You can catch Go-Go’s next show on August 4 at HeadQuarters (doors open at 8:30), where he will be performing with fellow Cocky Boy Levi Karter and drag queen “SEX-sation” Sherry Vine. As if the show won’t be enough: all audience members receive a free copy of Get Karter, featuring Levi Karter, compliments of Cocky Boys and the first 20 guys at the door receive a free pair of Baskit Wear underwear, with a chance at more raffle prizes from Boy Butter Lubricants, The Pleasure Chest, The Museum of Sex, and Therapy Lounge NYC later in the night.
Check out more of Go-Go’s events on his website harderwoodrevue.gogoharder.com or follow him on Twitter @gogoharder.
QJ201
“Getting fucked on camera…”
well now we know what role he’ll be performing in porn
Walker
This is just tremendously disappointing to me on multiple levels. Harder practically created boylesque in NYC, and the whole POINT of it, the on;y thing that made it INTERESTING, was that it told a story and had artistry, and, not for nothing, didn’t depend on the practitioners all being pretty boys. So Harder is now focusing on in your face sexuality. Well, good for him for doing something that you can find at pretty much any gay club with skank dancers. Probably easier than actually coming up with an interesting routine, especially since he’ll have less time now that he’s in porn. “If I don’t do it now I’ll regret it later.” Seriously? I’m not sure if it’s just plain old narcissism or just being slutty, but either way it’s sad.