One of the most anxiously awaited bands of the day was Semi Precious Weapons. Created by the Chicago born gay/ambisexual singer/songwriter Justin Tranter the band has been a large influence in bringing hardcore glam rock back into the mainstream.

Known for their over the top performances and extreme fashion sense Semi Precious Weapons have created the kind of music that is meant to push emotional buttons and cause controversy. Since 2004 the band has slowly been on the rise doing things their own way. Creating their own label, Precious Records, the group has been allowed to take chances early in their career that many wouldn’t even dare.

The entire second album was funded by Tranter’s successful jewelry business. Sold in places like Barney’s and Hot Topic Tranter has found a way to merge his love of fashion and his passion for music together into a single enterprise. The band has the business sense and the musical passion to truly explode into popular culture. Although still relatively new on the scene by musical standards the band is making quite a name for itself.

Lumino got the chance to sit down with Tranter and the rest of the band at Lollapalooza. Here is the result of that encounter.

This is your first time playing Lolla what do you think of the fest so far?

Tranter: It’s fucking fantastic! It’s hot, there’s free food, free booze it’s fantastic to be here.

Lolla is a music lovers Mecca what bands are you really hoping to see or meet while you’re here?

Tranter: Soundgarden

Whittle: Soundgarden

Tranter: Soundgarden, Lady Gaga, Foxy Shazam…there are just so many good bands here.

Justin, you have a booming jewelry business tell me more about that?

Tranter: It started as band merch and we started making money off of that when no one thought we would. It’s started to take off so I sold it to a bunch of places like Barney’s and Urban Outfitters and we spend all the money on rock n’ roll.

What future plans do you have for the business?

Tranter: I wanna go to like Target. Well first I want to go really high and then I want to go really low end, so all the kids can afford it. Rock n’ roll is for the kids goddamn it. [Playfully laughs]

Crean: And poor people [laughs].

I know your band has a love affair with Lady Gaga’s music, any plans to collaborate with her during the fest this year?

Tranter: We’re not. But we will be watching her from the stage and enjoying her.

In a recent interview Justin you mention that your new album is made to fuck to, how have the listeners responded to that? Would you say you were right?

Tranter: The reaction has been great…just what we wanted.

Crean: The population of the world has gone up quite a bit.

That just means you’re dong your job right.

What’s next for the band?

Tranter: In the next year we’ll become the most loved and most hated band in the whole world.

Why the most hated?

Tranter: Because all features of rock n’ roll are polarized.

All right man I like your philosophy.

* Photos from their performance at Rockit in Chicago on 08/06/10

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