Cocaine, menstrual cycles and ugly Americans.
Dallas bad-boy Jack E. Jett interrogates former boss, Belinda Carlisle

I've known punk rocker, turned pop princess Belinda Carlisle for more than 20 years. Prior to co-creating The Go-Go's, Carlisle was briefly known as Dottie Danger, the drummer of The Germs, a '70s punk band from Los Angeles.

However, due to a nasty case of mononucleosis, her career with The Germs was cut short. After recovering, Carlisle was fired from Baskin-Robbins for cash register embezzlement, so she moved into a home that became known as Disgraceland.

During this phase in Los Angeles, people were either known as punks or poseurs. The GoGo's struck a balance between the two. And Carlisle looked just as good in a trash bag cinched with a belt as she did in a poodle hoop skirt.

In 1982, I went on tour with The Go-Go's as Carlisle's personal assistant (Read: always have joint and glass of red wine waiting for her off stage). On the tour bus, I was the only one with an attached penis. And I came to fully understand the affects of PMS.

After achieving superstar status, Carlisle left The Go-Go's in 1985 and embarked on a solo career. Shortly thereafter, she married Morgan Mason, who was Ronald Reagan's chief of protocol. Today, the Mason-Carlisle basement houses boxes of Reagan memorabilia. But it was Morgan who helped Carlisle make a conscious decision to reinvent herself as a new wave Ann Margaret.

In 1991, Carlisle and Morgan moved to the South of France and in 1992, they became parents.

These days, Madam Carlisle stays busy as the secretary of her local French Alcoholics Anonymous chapter. And last year, Carlisle recorded "Voila," a collection of classic French songs and pop music from the '40s, '50s and '60s in which every song is sung in French.

The Go-Go's are still touring: On Tuesday, they perform in Dallas at House of Blues. I recently caught up Carlisle to pound her with questions to see if the sophisticated chanteuse's punk-rock heart has still got the beat.


Was Dottie Danger a punk or a poseur? Dottie Danger thought she was a punk. She was my alter ego in the early punk rock days in Los Angeles. I was Donna Rhea before that.

Were all five members of The Go-Go's on the rag at the same time? Our cycles seemed to coincide with each other after a while. There were always at least two or three of us in sync.

How many Go-Go's have gone to rehab or Alcoholics Anonymous? Well, I can only say that most of us could have used a stay.

Which Go-Go was the most messed up of all? I can only speak for myself. But I ranked among the top two.

Porn publisher Al Goldstein sold a film that he billed as The Go-Go's sex film, which it really isn't. But at one point, you gals try to get some guy, who's coked out of his mind to masturbate. How did this film come to be? I think we can attribute that to the lethal combination of Quaaludes, cocaine and boredom.

People loved it when you transformed from cute-and-pudgy Belinda Carlisle to the slim and beautiful diva. But were your punk fans disappointed that you sold out? Well, people couldn't believe the transition I made. It was dieting and not partying. People assumed, of course, that the weight loss was due to plastic surgery or drugs. I felt great about myself, of course. But the pressure came to maintain that image which wasn't fun.

Around the release of "Runaway Horses," I was a mess trying to live with the pressure of maintaining this glamorous front. It was really difficult and not healthy. I guess it was a double-edged sword.

On looks alone, you were born to be a star. But you've turn down a lot of TV and film offers. How come? Back in the "Mad About You" days, I got offered a deal by Disney. They were going to put me under contract like the old days in Hollywood. They sent me to acting school and spent a fortune on me. They hired the director, Randa Haines, of "Children of a Lesser God" fame, to direct my screen test.

As they were filming the screen test, I could tell I was bad really bad. A disaster. I never knew it was so difficult to walk and talk at the same time. After that day, I never heard from Disney again. I still get offers, but I am smart enough to know my limits.

Your house in France has a basement filled with Ronald Reagan memorabilia. Why? How? What? My husband worked for Ronald Reagan during his first term in the White House as special assistant to the president. He loved Reagan. We always laugh because during the time he was working in the White House, I had green hair and piercings, and I was hanging out at the punk rock club, The Masque, doing acid every weekend.

Do Europeans hate Americans as much as we think they do? I've only gotten attitude a few times. Most Europeans despise Bush and realize that it's not the people themselves who are to blame for the mess that's been created. Although, I do have to say that I have a favorite Arabic restaurant that I used to love to go to that I would get attitude from and be made to feel uncomfortable because I was American no question about it. And this was before 9/11. I wouldn't dare go now.

When I travel to Morocco, I don't advertise where I'm from. No talking on the mobile phone loudly, etc. I have to be careful depending on where I go.


GOGO'S GIG
All five original bandmates Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock and Kathy Valentine have reunited.
The Go-Go's perform at House of Blues, 2200 N Lamar St. Feb 5. Doors at 7 p.m. $25


ELECTROCLASH FEMINIST IN DENTON
Lesbian-fave rapper Nicky Click, pictured, has an empowering message for women. It's a lo-fi ditty called "Fuck Machine."
Irresistibly catchy, witty and graphic, Click's songs are tailored for the blog generation. She's like Peaches and Lady Sovereign before they cashed in their underground cred.

Click is touring supporting her excellent new album, "I'm On My Cell Phone." On Friday, she plays Denton immediately following her Austin gig, where she performed at the frisky S/M pub The Chain Drive.
Daniel Kusner

Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio, 411 E Sycamore St. Denton, Texas. Feb. 1 at 10 p.m. $5. 940-387-7781.



KRISTINE W RAISES THE ROOF AT S4
On the dance charts, there's no denying what queer fave Kristine Weitz brings to the game. Performing as Kristine W, pictured, the former Miss America contestant has banked nine consecutive number-one dance hits beating out the seven consecutive chartings from both Janet Jackson and Madonna.

Patti LaBelle performed versions of her favorite songs for the "Classic Moments" album, and Kristine W's "Land of the Living" made the cut, with Weitz herself singing on the track. The Las Vegas-based chanteuse returns to Dallas on Saturday for a Mardi Gras-themed gig at Station 4 that benefits the Resource Center of Dallas.
D.A.K.

Station 4. 3911 Cedar Springs Rd. Cover $10 ($6 between 9 p.m.-10:30 p.m.) 214-559-0650.


This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition February 1, 2008