Boys' Entrance

Chicago bandleader Tim Cain began playing with a four-piece backing ensemble in 1991 as an avenue to explore gay themes. An ad for queer musicians resulted in two respondents, including rhythm guitarist Mike Ferro. (Ferro and lover were also medal winners for bodybuilding in the 1994 Gay Games.) Cain was also reunited with an old high-school chum, Cie Fletcher, who took on lead guitar and co-production duties. Boys' Entrance debuted at Chicago's Gay Pride rally in June of 1994, playing to an audience of about 1,500 people. Two EPs and an album soon followed, though the band was plagued with interpersonal conflicts that led to Fletcher's firing.