The Vicious Jane is a burlesque dancer, performer, musician, and artist. This week Mutilated Mohawk Media had the chance to catch up with this absolute badass. Her stage show absolutely enchants audiences and her off stage shenanigans make for legendary tales. From her performances with the Madame Monster troupe at the Mad Monster Horror conventions to her delves into the mystical worlds of music and mayhem. Jane is a friend of the Mutilated Crew and we are absolutely excited to present this interview.
What got you into burlesque dancing, and other stage show activities?
Well, I’ve pretty much been around entertainment in some form my whole life. From my mom taking little ol’ me to my cousin’s band practice to being a choir kid throughout my youth. So for the longest I actually wanted to get into the music industry! I ended up discovering what burlesque was when I was about 16. I was obsessed with the retro pin up style and through that I ending up finding out about Dita Von Tease. Discovering her initially sparked my interest. It was a very “Oooo shiny! What is THIS??” moment. Not long after I turned 18 I seen my first burlesque performance by Mona Loverly at a local drag show. I was in absolute awe and I’ve had the fortune of befriending her and working with her so many times since! I was later invited by a friend to a local burlesque show they were a stagehand(or what we call Kittens) for. It was a Grease themed Holiday show produced by Purrrlesque at The Blind Tiger in Greensboro. I remember that night like it was yesterday. That same friend that was a kitten later joined the troupe. I then had the honor of becoming a kitten myself. Setting up props, picking up costuming, taking tips, slinging merch etc. A Burly Roadie if you will. After about a year of doing that I was invited to join the troupe as well. The troupe later changed hands, I eventually left to take time for my mental health and go solo for a bit. I later started Riot Kittens with my best friend/fellow performer Claudia Vainglory. Now here I am, a decade later and still going!.
When rehearsing a routine, or developing a new routine, what things are important to you? (For example: shock value, awe, the art, pushing yourself, etc…)
I literally have an entire playlist I will add/remove songs to. I listen to it regularly and brainstorm different concepts for each one as I listen. When developing something I look into the lyrics, what the song is portraying, any emotions I am feeling at the time and how the song itself makes me feel. Sometimes it’s heartache, sometimes I want to feel strong and empowered, sometimes I just want to be sexy and/or funny! There has always been a rhyme and reason for every detail any anything I’ve done.
What piece of media or artists is your biggest creative influence? Where do you get the most inspired?
My biggest media influence comes from music. Mainly anything on the Rock n Roll spectrum. From the blues roots with Muddy Waters to punk/goth/metal. First and foremost I have a HUGE love of The Cramps. I have literally watched video after video of live sets just studying Lux and Ivy’s stage antics and presence. They have made a huge impact on me as an artist in general. The played music because they absolutely loved music! I perform and create art because it is what I love!! It is also to note that I take inspiration from a well known Carolina ghoul, Wednesday 13. Something about having someone come out of your homestate just go out into the music world, grab it by the balls, and TWIST! I wish I could be just half as badass!
When doing live shows what is your biggest fears? How do you handle that?
My biggest fears are having a pastie fall/fly off at the end of an act and also falling mid act. Luckily I have never, as we say in the industry “popped a pastie.” If that were to ever happen I’d just cover my tit with one hand and keep on trucking.I have fallen a few times but I just kinda went into improv floor work and worked my way back into my choreography. The important part of performance is to just keep going and act like it was all part of the plan haha!
Tell us a little about the Madame Monsters. How did you get involved with them?
Waaay back in 2015 & 2016 I was lucky enough to be chosen to compete in the Miss Scarolina pageant. Both times I had an absolute blast! Over the years I assume Mad Monster decided to change the pageant over into an actual show and I got to check out Madame Monster Showcase in Charlotte August 2021. There I ended up meeting and networking with Janie Slash. So having been to Mad Monster multiple times before I was beyond hype when I had the chance to perform earlier this year. I would absolutely love to be part of it again in the future.Mad Monster has always been a kickass time for me and it was definitely great to see old faces and make a ton of new friends!
What do you think it is about the horror genre that draws you, and similar acts, to it. Do you think the horror genre provides anything different than other genres?
The rush of adrenaline. When you watch horror you feel the rush at the jump scares, the shock for the first victim in the slasher, the rush of watching final girl survive, the heart racing soundtracks, the suspense, the gnarly special effects, the crazy endings with a twist. It all just gets your blood flowing! Sure you can feel that stuff with other genre but I don’t think anything can capture the thrills as intense as horror can.
Imagine it’s the day of the show. Take us on a walkthrough of what you do to get ready and how the actual show would end up going. What are things that you do to make sure you are ready for the show?
It depends on the day and what I’m doing. I personally love performing rather than producing because I’m a constant ball of stress on days of production! Ideally I pack up the night before gigs so I don’t forget anything in a rush. Sometimes there are a lot of burlesque performers who are guilty (including myself) of working on costuming up until the day of. There are literally memes out there about our tendencies procrastinate! If I’m co-producing I usually spend the day checking on the cast, making sure we have all our tech notes in order, handling any last minute curveballs. I pack up, get to the gig. I would sometimes meet Claudia early and we would go over stuff and unwind a bit. The calm before the storm! Once call time hits we hit the ground running. Most of the work is done before show day but once it comes it’s FUCKING GO TIME! You pretty much run around like a chicken with your head cut off to ensure the ship sails smoothly. Hence why I love performing more. Less stress and on days I don’t have to work before a gig I try to do some self care. Long hot shower, face mask, the works.
If you have a wild party story that you can share, please do that here.
I have way too many to count and they all kind of blend together after a while ha! I’d have to say one of my favorite times was one year at an event in Winston-Salem. If ya know, ya know!!! It was always a weekend of punk/rockabilly/psychobilly music at one spot. There would be 3 days of bands almost constantly on multiple stages, a few vendors, food, booze, burlesque shows, a car show and mud wrestling outdoors. So much packed into a weekend. Almost everyone stayed at some hotels nearby. It was always a whole lot of fun! ANYWHO, after the last band’s set, usually around midnight was when the real fun started. In the after hours there would be at various room parties and pool parties. The pool party was the best. Some people in swimsuits, some topless, some fully nude(i.e. me) whatever was the most comfortable for someone. There was a game called the Naked Chariot Race some of us did. The premise was you would have 2 teams comprised of 2 naked people. You start on opposite ends of the pool with a semi wet floor. One person on their back, hands around their head(gotta protect the noggin!) with their legs in the air. The other pushing them around the pool by their feet. You do one lap and switch positions then another lap and finish off pushing whoever is the “chariot” into the pool. Whichever team is ab to finish the second lap first wins! Met a lot of fantastic people at that event. Ahhhh yes, good times.
What advice would you give to people starting out in performing live? What tips could you give beginners?
To those starting out performing I would definitely suggest some of these tips!
• Don’t be an asshole. No one likes an asshole!
• Don’t let someone try to shove you into a box. To me artists are meant to experiment in various forms/styles and think outside of the box. Your art is YOUR art.
• Remember to take breaks and rest. If you start to feel burnt out it can and will effect your art. Trust me I speak from experience. Sometimes it’s better to set something down for a bit and come back to it later with a fresh mind.
• The world of entertainment on all forms is a business. Stay professional and don’t take show rejections too personally. It happens to the best of us.
• Always be open to learning new things
• Most of all HAVE FUCKING FUN! The crowd is there to have fun so if you’re having a blast chances are they will too!
What’s the hardest part of being a live performer? What do you think most people don’t understand about being a live performer that you wish they would?
The sheer amount of blood, sweat, and tears that go into this figuratively and sometimes literally. While you might see a 3 minute routine or a 45 minute set A LOT of work goes into that performance that you don’t see.
What are your next moves with your art? What is your gameplan for the next year or so?
I will definitely be working on a few new burlesque acts and as usual go-go dancing with an Atlanta based band Elzig. Yes, imagine the offspring of Elvis and Danzig singing your favorite RnR tunes! My hopes in the next year are to bring some sideshow into my burlesque performances, vend some markets with my art business Vicious Visionz and start recording an EP. Stay spooky and Hail Satan!