Scissor Sisters

Scissor Sisters are an American pop rock and dance-rock group from New York, formed in 2001 and active since then. The group’s core line-up centres on Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis, with Ana Matronic and Paddy Boom also part of the band, and Randy Real listed among the members.

Style and name

The band’s music combines pop rock, dance-rock, glam rock, nu-disco, electroclash and indie pop. Their name comes from a slang term referring to tribadism.

Early attention and debut success

Scissor Sisters first draw wider attention with a disco-oriented cover of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb”, which becomes popular in dance clubs and charts in the United Kingdom. Early releases also include “Electrobix”. They then sign to Polydor Records.

Their self-titled debut album reaches number one on the UK Albums Chart in 2004 and becomes the best-selling album in the UK that year. It later receives nine-times platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry. The album yields several UK top 20 singles, including “Take Your Mama”, “Laura”, “Mary” and “Filthy/Gorgeous”; the last of these also reaches number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In the United States, the album is less commercially successful.

Further albums and chart success

The second album, Ta-Dah (2006), also reaches number one in the UK and includes “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’”, which becomes the group’s first UK number one single and their most commercially successful track. Their third album, Night Work (2010), uses a more club-focused sound, reaches number two in the UK and number one on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart. The fourth album, Magic Hour (2012), continues in a dance-pop direction and reaches the top 10 in several countries.

Performances, collaborations and later activity

Scissor Sisters become known for theatrical and often provocative live performances. They also collaborate with artists including Elton John and Kylie Minogue, and take part in charitable and environmental initiatives. They tour extensively after the success of Scissor Sisters and Ta-Dah, and appear at major festivals and events.

After earlier material for a third album is abandoned, they release Night Work. In 2012 they release Magic Hour and begin a world tour. Later that year they announce an indefinite hiatus, although they do not formally disband.

In 2017 they release the charity single “Swerlk”. In 2024 they announce a reunion for a series of performances in 2025 to mark the twentieth anniversary of their debut album. The reunited line-up includes Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis, without Ana Matronic or Paddy Boom, and they perform live again, including at Glastonbury in 2025.