Ask A Straight Guy: Statehood's Clark Sabine

Statehood play the Black Cat backstage tonight at 9.

Clark Sabine, vocalist for local band Statehood, should be really flattered. Two out of his 3 bandmates formerly played in revered DC outfit the Dismemberment Plan, but the pitchfork review of Statehood's new Lies and Rhetoric LP gives him so much love that he should probably buy the reviewer breakfast.

But music, shmusic. My never-ending love for prematurely gray men (expect a post sometime soon) is really what makes Sabine today's featured straight guy.

Full interview beneath the fold.

1. When did you first realize you were straight?

I had multiple gay experiences when I was young; many were with a very close friend, we'll call him Tim. We went out on a golf course, maybe I was ten or eleven, and we were going to ... yeah. And I stopped and said, I just don't think this is a very good idea. He actually turned out straight, too, very straight, actually. I think it was just the time when both of us realized that our childhood exploration of each other's sexuality had ended. Both of us went through a very homoerotic type situation ... we were young, very young. And I don't think in any way shape or form was it abnormal. We experimented, basically, that's what it was. So that day on the golf course, that's when it really hit home that I enjoyed vaginas. Actually I didn't know that I enjoyed vagina, I just saw one. I also found porn down in the trash can by the park, and remember being so fascinated by the vagina. Something inside me just said, I like women. That's just it, plain and simple.

2. What is your least favorite stereotype about straight people?

That for girls a straight guy friendship doesn't compare to a gay guy friendship. Gay guys get confided in, you have brunch, it's like a psuedo-boyfriend, going to give a girl the compassion, sensitivity that a straight guy won't be able to give. I mean, that's a stereotype ... but stereotypes exist because they're true.

3. What are the biggest challenges faced by a straight guy in DC?

I think some of the gay community automatically thinks that straight men are stupid. We automatically get deemed as boners and that we're not thoughtful of the gay community or their situations. We're not believed to be able to be liberal, artistic, creative ...

4. What are your favorite bars?

Honestly, the best bar is home.

5. Do you agree that 18th street is for straight people what 17th is for gays? How have you found suitable alternatives?

Yeah, they're both runways. And I like the Black Cat.

6. What obligations, if any, do you think you have to the gay community?

I have no preconceived notions of a gay person. My beliefs dictate my vote for the rights of the gay community. I owe that to myself, actually.

7. There's a picture floating around on Facebook of you performing in what looks like a gold speedo. Will this be making an appearance at your show tonight? I'm asking for purely scientific purposes.

You never know. Given the right circumstances ... I believe in the male body.

8. Why should people come out to see you play?

We are the best band in the world. We dominate, we rule, we set the standard. It's going to be a storm of positive vibes all over your face.