Canadian band Lesbians on Ecstasy are headlining The Dirty Red Ball 2007 on Saturday 31 March. Describing themselves as a plunder music project, the girls get their inspiration from the lesbian back catalogue and then re-write lesbian history for the dance floor.

As their website states, they’re “making electronic music of the lesbian variety. It's k.d. lang but it's different somehow. Lesbo folk songs, rebel songs and beats for the modern lesbian.”

We caught up with the band to find out more.

You’re headlining the Dirty Red Ball. Are you exited about glamming up and entertaining hundreds of London lesbians?
Oh, god no! Okay, okay - just kidding. Yes, of course we’re thrilled and we’ve been working on special dance moves just for the occasion.

I know a lot of people have been preparing their outfits for the ball for months. Will you all be wearing something extra special?
We’re only hoping that our outfits don’t get confiscated at the border. I’m not sure if that kind of thing is legal in England.

So, what can the crowd expect from Lesbians on Ecstasy?
A lot of dancing around, possibly some hopping (sorta bunny style), a big loud bass and with any luck some glo-sticks. It will be fun times. Very powerful.

I take it you all are lesbians? Whether you’re on ecstasy is a rather different matter!
[Laughs] I know! I’m actually on crack right now, but don’t tell anyone....

Do you mind being labelled as a queer band?
Most certainly not. There would be no other way to label us I must say.

There’s a lot of humour in your music and also in the band’s concept. Do you think people always get that?
Oh, wouldn’t we wish! I really don’t think so. Some people are so terribly serious about lesbianism that it’s a bit of an uphill battle at moments. But we try, we do try.

You’ve covered songs by lesbians like Melissa Etheridge and k.d. lang. What is it about their music that inspired you?
Every song is different - they’re like snowflakes without the melty bit. There’s always some little thing that jumps out at us - a word or a riff or something. Some of the songs kind of anti-inspire us which leads to much more agro results.

Talking of Melissa and k.d., why do you think lesbians love female singer-songwriters so much?
Now that’s a million dollar question. I’m not totally sure - perhaps because they’re so ‘real’ or something like that? Something seems so honest about that style of music. But, we think you can still get real with synths and samplers and I’m sure some lesbians out there would agree.

Why isn’t there more lesbian dance music out there?
I think in general that women are afraid of technology and there’s something about dance music that’s a bit too man-machine for a lot of ladies. That being said, I also think its a bit of a falsehood, or a habit perhaps.

I think there’s a way to make dance music that isn’t alienating to lesbians -  we’re doing our very best to perfect the formula and once its done we’ll post it on the internet!

You’re obviously very open with your sexuality; do you see yourselves as queer pioneers?
Ahh, you’re sweet. Nah, I really wouldn’t say pioneers as there are so many awesome queer artists that have paved the way for us to come up through. But maybe something in the electronic aspect of what we’re doing is kind of new for people. That’s exciting.

Has your out and proud name ever caused any controversy when you’ve played?
The ‘Ecstasy’ causes way more problems than the ‘Lesbian.’ The ‘On’ has passed without notice.

Do you think it’s important for the gay community to see itself represented by out artists?
I do. I think in general that people should see themselves represented by their cultural creators - music, film, print, the whole lot. The window’s getting smaller and smaller; more and more big companies are selecting fewer and fewer artists and controlling who we get to see and hear which results in less cultural diversity.

I really want to see more women taking active roles as producers in various fields so we can make the shift from being just consumers to creators. I think that’s a vital part of participating in the world.

You were named as the Advocate’s 'Album of the Year'. How did that make you feel?
Surprised. Like dead surprised. And flattered of course.

So how would you describe yourself in a personals ad?
Perky, rarely in town, disgustingly early riser, jaded, loves to cycle.

What’s the theme tune of your life?
‘Take it on the Run’ by REO Speedwagon.

And the worst song ever written?
We play this game when we’re on tour where you get to erase one band from musical history and I always pick Phish. Ewww. Icky.

And finally, what's next for Lesbians on Ecstasy?
There’s this whole album thing coming out which is exciting. Its called We Know You Know and its out 20 April in the UK. Then I suppose we’ll tour around a bit and take in the sights. General party starting. That’s what we’re here for.

Find out more at www.lezziesonx.com. Their latest album We Know You Know, is released on 23 April 2007.

Dirty Red Ball 2007: Saturday 31 March 2007
The Bloomsbury Ballroom, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1, 9pm-2.30am, www.thedirtyredball.com.

Read our interview with Anabel Fielding from The Dirty Red Ball 2007.

We Know You Know, by Lesbians on Ecstasy
Studio: Alien8
Released: 23 April 2007
ASIN: B000O3C574

Get the We Know You Know by Lesbians on Ecstasy. Buy the CD online and save money.

Want more? Then get their albums Giggles in the Dark and Lesbians on Ecstasy.