March is upon us, and we are finally starting to see some hints of spring! When the weather shifts, it is time to escape the house. This month I went out and about to catch up with my old friend Charles S. McVey, a musician who plays in the Lawrence and Kansas City area. McVey has most recently been involved in the indie rock duo Ponyboy. (the band’s name includes the period), with McVey on bass and vocals and David Zey on drums.
McVey also writes music, and he has made a canvas of his body through body modification. McVey is an intelligent and witty man whom I am proud to call a friend.
1. How long have you been making music?
Well, I’ve been performing in one capacity or another most of my life. My grandfather was very pro-active starting me in my youth as a singer and bought me my first piano as well. In high school, I started experimenting with sound-on-sound type compositions and eventually started performing in coffeehouses. I started my first band in the mid-’90s, and ever since, I’ve had my hand in some sort of project.
2. How would you describe the music you make with Ponyboy., and how does it differ from what you’ve done previously?
Ponyboy. initially started as an attempt to fuse the sludge of Athens, Georgia’s Harvey Milk with the over-the-top depressive observations of Xiu Xiu. I’m not sure if that’s what it is today, but that was my original idea. I had become frustrated with the “Gay Suicide Epidemic of 2010,” and what I found to be a semi-contrived message in the “It Gets Better” movement. I decided to reach out to outsider youth with an empathic, yet non-comforting response to the same feelings. That’s sort of the gist of most Ponyboy. lyrics. Our music sounds quite different from the solo recordings on piano I made the years before, but I think there has been some level of confrontation in most of the projects I’ve worked with. The sound may change, but the attitude is usually the same or similar.
3. Ponyboy. has scored some music for Buck Angel (Buck Angel is a transmasculine porn star who is hot! hot! hot!). How on earth did that come about?
I met Buck and his wife at a Fetish Ball in Dallas, Texas, in 2010. We became friends, and I sent him some of the early “Dick Trilogy” demos. He said he was working on a new film and would like to use some of our music in the background. Most of our songs were fairly short at the time, so I proposed we write lengthier instrumental tracks to accompany the project. Most of the music for Sexing the Transman XXX was assembled from recording jam sessions and then editing them into actual compositions. The editing process was sort of my 21st-century take on the late ’60s improvisational jazz recordings made by Miles Davis. His band would just track, and then the recordings were edited down to make more stable compositions. I actually like this process, and it’s the same method we used in the composition of Ponyboy.’s 2012 release, Pussy Killer.
4. Where can our readers see Ponyboy. perform?
Currently, nowhere. I’m in the middle of working on some new ideas. I usually just tell people, “I’m thinking about things.”
5. Are you working on anything outside of Ponyboy.?
I dabble a bit with the idea of expanding into some other artistic areas but haven’t gotten anything put together. I’ve focused most of my creative energy on Ponyboy. in the past three years, which has allowed me to tap into other artistic parts of my brain via video production, album art, and performance. In 2012, we shot a remake of the viral video “1 Lunatic 1 Ice Pick” to accompany the “Pussy Killer” project and received a lot of criticism and some hate mail, a first for me. Last year, we started work on a remake of a classic pop-art film. However the project has been shelved due to concerns over possible litigation. Most recently, I started working on a performance art piece only to find that some of the fundamental staples of the piece are illegal to do in a public setting in Kansas, so I’m considering doing a video version instead. Art is hard.
6. Do you feel as though you use your music as a form of advocacy?
Quite honestly, it’s the only form of advocacy I’ve really felt comfortable in participating in. I still have too much of a soul left to focus on political circles and organizations.
7. You’ve been working with music for quite some time and have a number of CDs out. Any plans to leave Lawrence to work on “making it big”?
Actually, I am leaving Lawrence for an undetermined amount of time, but plan to continue in some fashion. There might be another Ponyboy. record in the future, and there might not. It’s really up in the air. As far as “making it big,” I gave up on that long ago. I prefer having an outsider posture. Financial stability and outside support sometimes leads good artists into making contrived work in order to support themselves or maintain a lifestyle they have grown accustomed to. I’d rather just say what I want to say and not have to answer to anyone else. I like pissing people off too much to “sell out” and be nice.
8. Now anyone who knows you or has seen pictures knows that you have some gorgeous body art. Which is your favorite tattoo, and what inspired it?
It is really hard for me to have a favorite anything, and I love getting tattooed. On my left arm, a moon from a bigger image interplays with two numbers due to the placement. It creates this sort of sequence of moon-2-3 on my wrist, and I think it looks kind of like a spell. Also, I recently got a design with a buck and goat head with a pentagram between them on my lower abdomen. I think those are probably my favorites.
9. Any new ink coming in the future?
Oh yeah. Big plans.
10. And we can’t forget your piercings (I know you have quite a few, many below the belt)! How do you find inspiration for your body art?
I was rather gun-shy about piercing at first, but after I learned more, I started experimenting (or being experimented on) with piercing. At this point in my life, I really enjoy body modification and feel like I’ve been able to use it to enhance my appearance rather than detract from it. Many people outside the Body Mod community can only see the pain or the permanence involved, but it is more of an involved experience than that. I’ve found being on a serious weightlifting and diet regimen is far more painful and taxing than any piercing or tattoo. Most of my tattoos relate to one of three things: experiences, specific people, and religious or spiritual concepts, but I bet that’s the answer you’d get from most people.
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.