Rediscovering the Soundtracks of an Erased Gay Music Scene

A new collection of music by the late composer and guitarist Taylor, known as Spider, has been released under the title *Surge Studio Music*. This compilation features electronic pieces he created for gay porn films during the 1980s. The project is spearheaded by Josh Cheon, who operates Dark Entries, a San Francisco-based record label dedicated to reviving the works of overlooked gay artists, many of whom succumbed to AIDS-related illnesses. Cheon emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of these artists, stating, “What about gay? Where’s the gay voice in all of this? It’s all been erased, forgotten, lost to Aids or thrown out.”

‘One moment it was a little blip. The next, our friends are dying’: the gay porn soundtrack composers lost to the Aids crisis

The AIDS crisis profoundly affected the gay community and its artistic expressions. Ely, Taylor's partner, recalls the vibrant underground music scene they were part of before the epidemic struck. “One moment it was a little blip... the next thing friends of friends are dying,” he reflects. This traumatic experience led them to relocate to Arizona, seeking a fresh start away from the memories of lost friends. The emotional toll of the crisis was significant, as Ely notes, “We lost so many friends, and it did something to us.”

‘One moment it was a little blip. The next, our friends are dying’: the gay porn soundtrack composers lost to the Aids crisis

Cheon collaborates with queer film historian Elizabeth Purchell to uncover old films and scores, revealing a wealth of previously unrecognized talent. He humorously recounts how many composers received minimal compensation for their work, with Man Parrish recalling, “I think I got $50 and a blowjob,” which he humorously noted he spent on drugs. Cheon’s efforts have led to the release of various compilations, including *Deep Entries: Gay Electronic Excursions 1979-1985*, showcasing obscure queer synth music.

‘One moment it was a little blip. The next, our friends are dying’: the gay porn soundtrack composers lost to the Aids crisis

Taylor's contributions to gay porn soundtracks were born at Basic Plumbing, a Los Angeles glory hole club, where he collaborated with Al Parker and Steve Scott, founders of Surge Studios. Their innovative approach included manipulating existing tracks, a practice that resonates with contemporary remix culture. Despite his work in film music, Taylor was primarily celebrated for his guitar skills, with Eddie Van Halen reportedly calling him the greatest guitarist he had ever heard.

‘One moment it was a little blip. The next, our friends are dying’: the gay porn soundtrack composers lost to the Aids crisis

While the revival of these soundtracks is celebrated, some critics may argue that focusing on gay porn music could overshadow other significant contributions from the LGBTQ+ community. However, Cheon maintains that there is a rich history worth exploring, stating, “There is so much amazing stuff out there.”

‘One moment it was a little blip. The next, our friends are dying’: the gay porn soundtrack composers lost to the Aids crisis

• “There were all these compilations of people doing rare Australian synth pop or Japanese new wave but I’m like: ‘What about gay? Where’s the gay voice in all of this? It’s all been erased, forgotten, lost to Aids or thrown out.’ So I’ve literally been working on this for 16 years trying to amplify this underground gay music scene.” — Josh Cheon, Dark Entries

‘One moment it was a little blip. The next, our friends are dying’: the gay porn soundtrack composers lost to the Aids crisis

• “We lost so many friends, and it did something to us,” — Ely, Partner of Taylor

‘One moment it was a little blip. The next, our friends are dying’: the gay porn soundtrack composers lost to the Aids crisis

• “Man Parrish was like: oh, I think I got $50 and a blowjob,” — Man Parrish, Composer

‘One moment it was a little blip. The next, our friends are dying’: the gay porn soundtrack composers lost to the Aids crisis

The resurgence of interest in gay porn soundtracks not only highlights the artistic contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals but also serves as a poignant reminder of the community's resilience in the face of adversity.

‘One moment it was a little blip. The next, our friends are dying’: the gay porn soundtrack composers lost to the Aids crisis