Carole Pope, a Canadian, is the former lead singer of the band Rough Trade. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the bands provocative blend of hard-edged New Wave rock with explicit homoerotic and BDSM-themed lyrics made her one of the first openly lesbian pop stars in the world. Pope recently sat down with GayCalgary & Edmonton magazine to talk about being out in entertainment, life after Rough Trade and music today.

"I’ve been pursuing a solo career since Rough Trade split up. I’m still making music, my latest album I have out is called Transcend," Pope said from her home in California where she has resided since 1989. Rough Trade’s 1983 release Weapons has just been digitally remastered and reissued.

The band’s biggest hit was the song High School Confidential off their 1980 Avoid Freud album. The controversial lesbian themed song made the group into stars. They continued to push the envelope with sexual and political themes, both in their music and their live performances, which often featured Pope in bondage gear.

"There really wasn’t much of a backlash because there was such a hunger for something different. We found an audience that flocked to us. Most bands that played in bars played top 40 stuff. We were doing very sexual and political stuff but we had a tongue and cheek sense of humor about it," she said. "I really didn’t give a fuck, and Rough Trade did it for the joy of making music and were surprised at our success. I was kind of a voice because we were dealing with sexuality, politics and sexual ambiguity. There was such a market for that and a strong androgynous scary chick that people related to."

It seems even today it is hard for anyone in the entertainment industry to be out. It truly was groundbreaking for Pope to have success almost three decades ago as an openly gay performer.

"The thing about Rough Trade and me is we were ahead of our time and that was a bit of a drag. I don’t think people really give a flying fuck about sexuality right now. There are so many out bands; lesbo bands are all trendy. It is pretty sad how media pushes sexuality. I assume most people don’t care I give them the benefit of the doubt, and it’s the media that tears these things up."

It is because of this influence that Rough Trade will be inducted into the Indie Music Hall of Fame in Toronto on March 7th as part of Canadian Music Week. Pope will also be performing.

"They finally figured out that we were innovative and we are going to be inducted. It is very flattering and validates us as a groundbreaking band."

"It is so funny because I have a myspace [page] and these 15-year-old gay boys want to be my friend and it is because of that song. I have songs featured on The L Word as well. The producer of the soundtrack album approached me and they asked me to redo it. I am not crazy about house music I must admit, but the track worked." Pope was proud to see the song find an audience again as many of those who heard the original version weren’t even aware of what it was about. "The straighties didn’t get it, that is for sure. They were just like ‘ohh I like that song its about High School!’ Gay people on the other hand go ‘I came out to that song!’ ...It is very gratifying."

Pope also released her autobiography Anti-Diva in 2000.

"It is the story of my life, Rough Trade and the Canadian music and arts scene. I talk about losing my brother to AIDS and being on the road, a lot of stuff that people really seem to relate to. People have no idea what an amazing scene the music scene in Canada was, everybody was supportive of each other. In the 70’s and 80’s it was such a great time, we got too do tons of drugs and whore around and then AIDS happened and it was a giant disaster. So many of my friends died and I think there is still a backlash creatively. I am really not impressed with a lot of what’s going on because it’s all rehashed. We have lost so many creative amazing people because of AIDS."

The conversation took a serious tone when Pope opened up on the loss of her brother Howard to AIDS in 1996. The pain is still evident in her voice as she discussed his death.

"He was allergic to all his meds and felt guilty because he was still alive and all of his friends were dead. He was an amazing man and musician and much more clever then me. It was horrible. Because he was my younger brother it was like losing a brother and a kid, it was devastating."

Having seen firsthand in her brother and many friends the effect of the disease, Pope sent a heartfelt message to the current generation of the Gay community, some of whom aren’t taking the disease as seriously in light of current medical advances that make the disease seem manageable.

"That is so insane! What if you are allergic to the meds? It’s stupid just put on a fucking condom! If some of these people who are having unsafe sex every actually saw someone die of AIDS they would be practicing safe sex. I have had so many friends die, they started dropping like flies when it first started and it was called ‘the gay plague.’ There was one really close friend of mine who was sick in New York and no one would touch him. The doctors treated him like he was contaminated and radioactive. I had to hold him because nobody would touch him. He got dementia and it was just horrific. You would hear someone was sick and they would be dead a week later. You would go to call the person and they would be dead. I don’t know about these kids, it’s really stupid. I’d just like to pound people over the head, you know?"

On a lighter note, Pope’s music has gone through several different formats. From Vinyl to tapes to CD’s to the current age of downloading and webspace.

"I still love vinyl because it sounds better than anything. I like myspace and having a website, because people from all over the world can find you and buy your music. Yeah! Thank god for iTunes. Especially as an independent artist, the industry is completely screwed up and people don’t believe in developing bands anymore. Someone gets a record deal and if they don’t have an immediate hit they are out. It is just sad because it shouldn’t be like that, artists should be nurtured and allowed to grow. So yay for the internet, even though there is a lot of bad stuff to pick through."

It’s an entirely different world in music today with so many female artists selling their body above music.

"It is this weird cult of celebrity and no talent people that are rammed down your throat. Especially in America, you talk about the dumbing down of America and that is what is going on. Someone like Paris Hilton is just a piece of trash. The first time I saw her at a party for Soiuxsie Soiux, there was Debbie Harry (of Blondie) and Nina Hagen and Liz Phair. Paris started yakking on her cell phone and Soiuxsie goes ‘Who the hell is that’ and tells her to shut up. I loved that."

Carole Pope is an artist that has seen it all: changes in the music industry, changes in the world, and changes in the LGBT community. She frequently appears at Pride events and continues to be an active part of the GLBT community. Her final words were of support, and the never ending fight for equality.

"Be strong and be political and vigilant, don’t take anything for granted and watch out for those damn straighties. Most of them are ok but the Prime Minister isn’t exactly pro gay. How the hell did that happen?"