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Jake Shears

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Jake Shears
Shears performing in March 2011
Shears performing in March 2011
Background information
Birth nameJason F. Sellards
Born (1978-10-03) October 3, 1978 (age 46)
Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • actor
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • flute
Years active1999–2013, 2017–present
Member ofScissor Sisters

Jason Sellards (born October 3, 1978), known professionally by the stage name Jake Shears, is an American musician. He is best known as the co-lead vocalist of New York City pop-rock band Scissor Sisters, who achieved considerable chart success in the 2000s before their indefinite hiatus in 2012. Since 2017, Shears has pursued a solo career; he released his debut solo studio album, Jake Shears, in August 2018 and his second album Last Man Dancing on June 2, 2023. In addition to his solo career, Shears has collaborated with several artists and made his Broadway debut in Kinky Boots in 2018.

Early life

Shears was born in Mesa, Arizona,[1] the son of an entrepreneur father and a Baptist mother (Freida Sellards). He grew up on San Juan Island, Washington, where he attended school at Friday Harbor High School and was bullied.[2] His "first real concert was Siouxsie and the Banshees".[3] At the age of 18, he moved into a dorm at the Northwest School in Seattle, Washington, to finish high school. Shears later attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. At the age of 19, he travelled to Lexington, Kentucky, to visit a classmate, who introduced him to Scott Hoffman.[citation needed] Shears and Hoffman hit it off immediately and moved to New York a year later.

Career

Early work

Shears attended New York's Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts,[citation needed] where he studied fiction writing and was a classmate of Travis Jeppesen.[citation needed] He also wrote pieces for the gay magazine HX.[citation needed] In 2000, he worked as a music reviewer for Paper magazine.[4]

Scissor Sisters

Shears performing with Scissor Sisters in Japan, 2010

Shears and Hoffman formed Scissor Sisters in 2001 as a performance art stunt, playing outrageous shows in clubs like Luxx, the heart of the electroclash scene in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where Shears lived. After a couple years struggling in New York (working with the record label A Touch of Class, who produced "Comfortably Numb" and "Filthy/Gorgeous"), Scissor Sisters finally found success in the United Kingdom and Ireland, ending 2004 with the biggest-selling album of the year in the UK. In concert, Shears is known for provocative dancing, flamboyant outfits, and near nudity. (During his early years while he was struggling to make it in New York, he would often earn extra money as a go-go dancer and male erotic dancer at male strip clubs.[5])

Shears' musical influences include The Bee Gees, Leo Sayer, ABBA, Blondie, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Roxy Music, The New York Dolls, Queen, Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, The Beatles, and Dolly Parton.[6] The Scissor Sisters video for Filthy/Gorgeous was directed by John Cameron Mitchell after Shears met him at a gathering of the Radical Faeries.[7] Shears attended Sir Elton John's "stag" party before John's civil partnership ceremony with David Furnish in 2005. John and Shears discussed each other in The Observer in 2006.[8]

Other work

Shears performed with Erasure's Andy Bell on "Thought It Was You", on Bell's 2005 album Electric Blue. He has also collaborated with Tiga on "Hot in Herre", "You Gonna Want Me", and "What You Need" from Tiga's album Ciao!. He also worked on Finnish house musician Luomo's "If I Can't". Together with Babydaddy, he co-wrote with Kylie Minogue on her hit single "I Believe in You" for her greatest hits compilation Ultimate Kylie. Shears and Minogue also co-wrote "Too Much" with Calvin Harris for Minogue's number one album Aphrodite. In 2011, Shears collaborated with John Garden to write the music for a musical version of the book Tales of the City.[9] The show is directed by Jason Moore. Shears was featured on the track "Metemya" of Amadou and Mariam's 2012 album Folila.[10] Shears also wrote the foreword to the award-winning '80s 7-inch vinyl cover art book Put the Needle on the Record. In 2013, he appeared on the Queens of the Stone Age album ...Like Clockwork, providing backing vocals on the song "Keep Your Eyes Peeled". He duetted with Cher on the track "Take it Like a Man" for her 2013 album Closer to the Truth.

Shears performing at The O2 in 2023

In October 2017, Shears released his first song as a solo artist, "Creep City".[11]

In January 2018, Shears made his Broadway debut starring as Charlie in Kinky Boots. He reprised the role at the Hollywood Bowl in July 2022.[12] In February 2018, Shears published his autobiography, Boys Keep Swinging.[3] Shears released his debut solo studio album, Jake Shears, on August 10, 2018, and received positive reviews. It peaked at N° 20 in the UK Charts.

In March 2019, Shears toured with Kylie Minogue as part of her Golden Tour.[13]

In October 2019, Shears appeared as a collaborator on The Desert Sessions Vols. 11 & 12, most prominently as lead singer on Something You Can't See and backing vocals for Crucifire.

In January 2020, he appeared as the "Unicorn" on ITV's The Masked Singer, finishing in 6th place.[citation needed] Shears released the single "Meltdown" in February 2020.[14]

On February 1, 2023, Shears released the single "Too Much Music".[15][16][17] On June 2, 2023, Shears released his second studio album, Last Man Dancing, which contains collaborations with Kylie Minogue, Amber Martin and cameos from Jane Fonda and Iggy Pop.[18][non-primary source needed][19] NME rated the album 4/5 stars.[20]

In September 2023, he starred as the Emcee in his West End debut in the revival of Cabaret. His final performance was on March 9, 2024.[21]

Personal life

Shears came out as gay to his parents at the age of 15 at the urging of Dan Savage, who later called his advice "the worst I've ever given" due to the negative reaction of Shears' parents.[22][23] In 2010, Shears participated in Savage's It Gets Better Project.[24] In 2012, Shears was interviewed about his experience. He spoke about his good friend Anderson Cooper and said he felt gay celebrities "at least have the responsibility to come out".[25] Shears was in a relationship with Chris Moukarbel from 2004 to 2015.[26][27] At Brighton Pride 2022, Shears announced live that he had received a five-year visa to live in the United Kingdom.

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Jake Shears
Year Awards Work Category Result Ref.
2007 Virgin Media Music Awards Himself Most Fanciable Male Nominated
2018 Best Art Vinyl Jake Shears Best Art Vinyl Nominated [28]
2019 Classic Pop Readers' Awards Boys Keep Swinging Book of the Year Nominated [29]
2022 Berlin Music Video Awards "All I Want" Best Director Nominated [30]

Discography

With Scissor Sisters

Main article: Scissor Sisters discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[31] 		UK
Ind.
[32]
Jake Shears
  • Released: August 10, 2018[33]
  • Label: Freida Jean
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
 20 4
Last Man Dancing
  • Released: June 2, 2023
  • Label: Mute
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
 18 4

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details
B-Sides
  • Released: October 18, 2019[34]
  • Label: Freida Jean Records
  • Formats: digital download, streaming

Singles

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Creep City"[35] 2018 Jake Shears
"Sad Song Backwards"[36]
"Big Bushy Mustache"[37]
"Meltdown"[38] 2020 Non-album single
"Do the Television"[39] 2021 Last Man Dancing
"Amazing"[40]
(Apple Music only) 		2022 Non-album single
"Too Much Music"[41] 2023 Last Man Dancing
"Devil Came Down the Dance Floor"
(with Amber Martin)[42]
"I Used to Be In Love"[43]
"Last Man Dancing"[44]
List of singles as a featured artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Disappearer"
(AVEC featuring Jake Shears)[45] 		2013 Non-album single
"The Other Boys"
(NERVO featuring Kylie Minogue, Jake Shears & Nile Rogers)[46] 		2015 Collateral
"Sensation"
(Bright Light Bright Light featuring Jake Shears)[47] 		2020 Fun City
"All I Want"
(Boys Noize featuring Jake Shears)[48] 		2021 Non-album single
"Neon Lights"
(Annie featuring Jake Shears)[49] 		Neon Lights
"Free Your Mind"
(Arielle Free featuring Jake Shears)[50] 		2023 Non-album single

Tours

Supporting act

See also

References

  1. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (2006). The Essential Rock Discography. Canongate. p. 945. ISBN 978-1-84195-860-6. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  2. ^ "It Gets Better – Jake Shears". October 6, 2010. Archived from the original on November 3, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2012 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ a b Shears, Jake (February 20, 2018). Boys Keep Swinging: A Memoir. Atria Books. ISBN 978-1-5011-4012-9.
  4. ^ "Entries tagged with 'Jake Shears'". Archived from the original on September 1, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  5. ^ Michael A. Knipp (October 13, 2006). "Scissor Sister's return". Southern Voice Atlanta. Archived from the original on January 11, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
  6. ^ Darren Murph (April 19, 2008). "Logo to simulcast Scissor Sisters: Live at the O2 Arena on MHD". EndGadgetHD. Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
  7. ^ Romano, Tricia (October 19, 2004). "Sex Slaves". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  8. ^ "When Elton met Jake". The Guardian. November 12, 2006. Archived from the original on September 26, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  9. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Musicalizing Tales of the City". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  10. ^ Tsioulcas, Anastasia (April 1, 2012). "First Listen: Amadou And Mariam, 'Folila'". NPR. Archived from the original on April 12, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
  11. ^ Crowley, Patrick (October 31, 2017). "Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears Releases 'Creep City,' Teases Upcoming Solo Record & Cryptic 'Labor Of Love'". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  12. ^ "Kinky Boots Welcomes Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears to the Company". TheaterMania. January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  13. ^ "Iconic Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue is touring Australia". 9Now. March 5, 2019. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  14. ^ Ferber, Lawrence (February 14, 2020). "Jake Shears' New Single Is a "Sinister" Tribute to Gay Disco Royalty". LOGO News. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  15. ^ "Jake Shears – Too Much Music". Spotify. February 1, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  16. ^ James, Alastair (February 1, 2023). "Jake Shears unveils new single 'Too Much Music' and upcoming album". Attitude. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  17. ^ Newstead, Al (February 6, 2023). "Jake Shears returns with disco-pop blockbuster 'Too Much Music'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  18. ^ "IT'S FINALLY HERE TODAY!! The album is officially out today, and I'm thrilled to imagine you all with it, clutching the vinyl with your paws. I hope you love the record as much as I do". June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "Jake Shears announces second solo album Last Man Dancing, releases lead track 'Too Much Music'". Retro Pop Magazine. February 1, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  20. ^ Ryan, Gary (June 2, 2023). "Jake Shears – Last Man Dancing review: Scissor Sister hosts the ultimate house party". NME. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  21. ^ Jake Shears and Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem Join London Cast of Cabaret Starting September 25
  22. ^ "The Worst Advice Dan Savage has Ever Given". Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  23. ^ OnTopMag.com. "Jake Shears glad he came out as a teen". Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  24. ^ "Jake Shears Reveals Teenage Harassment". The Advocate. October 8, 2003. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  25. ^ "Jake Shears talks candidly about his coming out". R U Coming Out. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  26. ^ Annabel Rivkin (May 11, 2012). "The Scissor Sisters are back and sharper than ever". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  27. ^ Schulman, Michael (February 17, 2018). "Jake Shears, of Scissor Sisters, Stages His Own Comeback". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  28. ^ "Best Art Vinyl Awards 2018 | ArtVinyl". Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  29. ^ "There's still time to vote in our 2018 Reader Awards!". January 2, 2019. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  30. ^ "2022 Nominees". Berlinmva.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  31. ^ "Jake Shears | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  32. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50: 17 August 2018 – 23 August 2018". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  33. ^ "Jake Shears by Jake Shears". iTunes Australia (Apple). Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  34. ^ "B-Sides by Jake Shears". Apple. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  35. ^ "Creep City (Single)". Apple Music. May 25, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  36. ^ "Sad Song Backwards – single". Apple Music. July 13, 2018. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  37. ^ "Big Bushy Mustache – single". Apple Music. August 2, 2018. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  38. ^ "Meltdown (Single)". Apple Music. February 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  39. ^ "Jake Shears Celebrates Pride on New Single 'Do the Television'". Rolling Stone. June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  40. ^ "George Michael's hits have been covered by LGBTQ+ artists for special Apple Music playlist". GayTimes. June 28, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  41. ^ "Jake Shears returns with disco-pop blockbuster 'Too Much Music'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. February 6, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  42. ^ "Jake Shears teams up with Amber Martin on Devil Came Down the Dance Floor, second single from upcoming solo album Last Man Dancing". Retropop Magazine. March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  43. ^ "Jake Shears unveils latest single I Used To Be In Love from Last Man Dancing". Retropop Magazine. April 21, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  44. ^ "Jake Shears Shares New Track 'Last Man Dancing'". Broadway World. May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  45. ^ "Disappearer – single". Apple Music. May 11, 2013. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  46. ^ "The Other Boys (Remixes) – EP". Apple Music. October 23, 2015. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  47. ^ "Bright Light Bright Light – Fun City (2020, Pink, Vinyl) - Discogs". Discogs.
  48. ^ "All I Want by Boys Noize feat. Jake Shears". Defected. May 7, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  49. ^ "Neon Lights (feat. Jake Shears) – Single by Annie". Apple Music. June 18, 2021. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  50. ^ "Arielle Free Launches 'Free Your Mind' & Catchy Single 'Technicolour Kenny' ft Jake Shears on Vocals". Clubbing TV. June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
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