Belly in Select March 1995
The Fit Parade
Tanya Donelly
Belly's wholesome centrepiece on the idea of being a sex symbol
People either think I'm sexy or cute, and they're both bad in different ways. When people think I'm sexy I tend to be afraid of them, and when people think I'm cute I tend to be angry with them... maybe being viewed as 'interesting' is better! It is flattering to be included in the 50 Most Fanciable People list, because the 16-year old in me still feels like a piece of shit.
There's this weird adolescent validation but the older I get the less important that attention becomes, the more I try to avoid myself as a sexual being. It seems to trivialise something important... but at the same time it's funny, I mean sex is hysterically funny.
I feel very sexy when we play because I put my body and heart into it and that's a very sexy feeling. It's not necessarily because people are watching me, though there is an element of exhibitionism that's undeniable, it's more feeling cool than feels sexy.
I saw a video of Elastica a few days ago and I think Justine's very sexy, she said something about finding the idea of young boys masturbating over her appealing. I think youthful masturbation is a really healthy thing, so I don't mind boys doing that, it's serving a kinda purpose, but I don't think I'm in any way a hot enough item without the music. I don't think just having my picture in a magazine would mean anything.
No fan has ever hit on me ever, that would be absurd, and I've never hit on a fan... no way. It's not the kind of situation where you'd develop any kind of personal rapport, I can't imagine anything stranger than sleeping with a groupie. I don't think I'd necessarily be upset if I wasn't considered a sex symbol, it's not something I think about often, so I don't have many philosophies about it, but in the past year I've become more aware of not showing so much skin because I was so sick of dealing with the body crap.
The celebration of my sexuality happens at home now, not onstage. I used to feel like I needed that kind of attention more than I do now, but I went through all that, I got that kind of attention, now I can move on. It's difficult to maintain a balance though, the worst thing I've been asked to do was pose for photos in a bikini, which I didn't do, but at the same time I think rock 'n' roll should be glamorous and beautiful and sexy. As a person though, I have to figure out what that means without being personally exposed.
Gail Greenwood
Belly's hirstute, head-banging bass babe
Do you consider yourself fanciable?
No. I've been described as 'having a face that makes Keith Richards look like a newborn' not to mention the hairy ass.
List five people of whom you'd wish to have carnal knowledge.
Billy Mungo whom I havn't seen since first grade, because he was playing back then.
Sid Abruzzi of Middletow - 'cos he talked me out of rollerblading and into snowboarding; plus he's nicknamed 'The Package'.
Camilla - us single gals gotta stick together.
Neil Diamond - is that his name, or what he does?
My friend's pastor - because he's not my pastor.
Who would you not touch with a bargepole?
My pastor - he gives a very dry reading of the Scriptures.
If a Select reader wanted to have their way with you how would they succeed?
By offering to teach me to read, or giving me a circus peanut or any of the gummy sweets from Woolies.
Which adjectives best describe your performance, and how do you 'rate'?
[ Words selected from list a la Star Test ] Emotional, romantic, transcendental, American... If it weren't for all the hair I suppose I'd be an eight.
What's your chat up line?
Hi, could you teach me to read? Also would you like a circus peanut?
( Thanks to Paul and Spencer! )