S8E436 - The Pretenders 'Learning To Crawl with Shelley Novak aka Tommy Strangie
One of our favorite returning guests, Miami drag icon Shelley Novak (aka Tommy Strangie), joins us to once again explore his life-long obsession with all things Chrissie Hynde as we discuss The Pretenders and their third studio album, 1984s 'Learning To Crawl'.
"Now come on, baby
Get in the road..."
Songs discussed in this episode: Absent Minded Me - Chrissie Hynde; Tommy Strangie - The Boas; Cuban Slide, Middle Of The Road - The Pretenders; Long Long Time - Linda Ronstadt; Back On The Chain Gang - The Pretenders; Working In The Coal Mine - Lee Dorsey; Mystery Achievement, Time The Avenger, Watching The Clothes, Show Me - The Pretenders; Vicar In A Tutu - The Smiths; Thumbelina - The Pretenders; Life In A Northern Town - The Dream Academy; Smalltown Boy - Bronski Beat; My City Was Gone - The Pretenders; Thin Line Between Love And Hate - The Persuaders; Tempted - Squeeze; Thin Line Between Love And Hate, I Hurt You - The Pretenders; Tell Laura I Love Her - Ray Peterson; Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, 2000 Miles - The Pretenders; Tommy Strangie - The Boas; Back On The Chain Gang (Pretenders cover) - Morrissey
Like what you hear? Consider becoming a Patron
tommy strangie AKA shelley novak
executive transvestite
Where did you grow up? In a little town called Saugus, which is just south of Boston. I think the name is Native-American for “I have to move the fuck out of here.” But it was the perfect Currier-and-Ives-type childhood. How long have you lived in South Florida? Since 1992. Why did you move here? After my first long-term relationship broke up, I had to reinvent myself. All of my friends from home had moved to South Beach, and they told me that if I had to start all over, that Miami Beach was the place to do it. When I first moved here, we all ended up living in the same building, and we joked that it was our very own little Melrose Place. New England is a great place to be a kid, but Miami is a great place to be an adult. What part of South Florida do you live in? South Beach—I’ve always lived in South Beach. What do you like most about living here? I love being immersed in the diverse culture, and I love the weather. I also love the gay community in South Beach. It’s really just a small town, since it’s only a few blocks long. We all have each other’s backs. What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? Well, I’ve watched them all come and go. Off the top of my head, it would have to be Crobar. I worked at the door there for the run of the club; it was seven years. Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why? when I want some down and “me” time, I sneak away to Twist. What’s something that’s unique about South Florida? I’ve lived in LA and Boston, and Miami, to me, has the perfect balance. It has the weather, interesting people, the be… Read More