Upclose with A Village Person
Alex Briley is the original military guy in the original manufactured boy band – the Village People. Briley and the Villagers come to Hong Kong next week along with Gloria Gaynor and Kool & the Gang for the “Disco World Fever Tour.” Alexandra Carroll heard his views on nostalgia, Boy Scouts and the war in Iraq.
HK Magazine: So how long have you known Gloria Gaynor?
Alex Briley: We’ve known her since the start of the disco era. But when we actually met... I’m not sure, probably back in the 70s. It was all a bit of blur, but usually if we all sit down together one of the six of us should remember.
HK: Do you guys ever get tired of singing the same songs?
AB: No – I’m just grateful that these songs have such longevity. I mean you can’t go to a ball game, office party or bar mitzvah without hearing “YMCA.” And we’re amazed that our audience gets younger.
HK: How much of your stage character is you?
AB: It’s just a costume – you put on the character and head out on stage. I’m the military rep – I usually wear a marine or army costume.
HK: Which is your favorite military costume: soldier or sailor?
AB: I like them all. They represent our country’s armed forces that have many of our young men and women, dedicating their lives to our country. I know that those really wearing the costumes are the ones making the most of their lives. We salute them.
HK: Do you worry about the American troops in Iraq?
AB: It’s an unfortunate thing that they are all so young. I would love to get all of them home right now because there are just too many families suffering and there have been too many casualties. But when an individual has made up his or her mind to serve their country you have to admire them – but I want them home.
HK: Have you ever caught any flack for wearing the uniform without earning your stripes?
AB: Not really. Sometimes people will make corrections and tell me that I’m wearing a pin on the wrong side or something. But other than that, I generally get a very positive response from everyone. It’s just a character and it’s meant to be fun. When you see that uniform dancing up on stage how can you get mad?