John Quale's life story is a fascinating tale of artistic expression and dedication. From a young age, he had a passion for singing, and by the time he was 11, he had already landed his first professional gig at the prestigious Kennedy Center with the Washington Opera Children's Choir.
This early start set the stage for a lifelong journey of musical exploration and development. Quale's diverse influences, ranging from David Bowie and Depeche Mode to opera, madrigals, and Gilbert and Sullivan, inspired him to write and record his own music as a teenager.
In college, he became the lead singer and songwriter for the Chicago-based synth pop band Endora, and later, after moving to Los Angeles, he released his solo debut album, Worldview, available on iTunes.
Quale's talent didn't go unnoticed, as he won critical acclaim for his role in the smash musical "The Beastly Bombing," which won the LA Weekly Theater Award for Best Musical and enjoyed two short off-Broadway runs in New York City. He also wrote the civil rights anthem "Rise Up and Shout" for a documentary about emerging gay Los Angeles artists, which premiered on the Sundance Channel.
In 2006, Quale created the character of Prince Poppycock, a charismatic operatic dandy with a persona and repertoire that drew on his varied influences as a performer and musician. Described by style maven Rose Apodaca as "a rock star in Rococo France," Poppycock's look and sound combined elements of glam rock, light opera, synth pop, and Western art music in a way that was fresh, sometimes startling, and always entertaining.
The glittering reign of Prince Poppycock began when Quale was invited to perform the Figaro aria, "Largo al Factotum," at a friend's club, with the stipulation that he must wear a wig. Quale's towering powdered confection highlighted the song's theme of being a fabulous hairdresser, and Poppycock's royal presence was instantly in demand.
As Prince Poppycock, Quale has opened for bands like the Dresden Dolls and The Sounds, sung at extravagant special events like New York's Dances of Vice, and opened for performance art legend Ann Magnuson at downtown LA's prestigious Redcat Theater. He was also a contestant on NBC's "America's Got Talent" in 2010, finishing in fourth place.
Today, Quale continues to work actively on both Prince Poppycock and his solo projects as a singer and songwriter. He is currently partnering with songwriter and keyboardist Kristian Hoffman on the debut album for Prince Poppycock.
