Club behemoth XXL celebrates its 15th birthday this weekend, so scene editor James Egan had a quick catch up with Mark Ames about rugby, hookers and bears (of course).
Hey Mark. We’d like to wish XXL a happy birthday! What did you wish for?
A bigger bolder bear of course … Oh and birthday cake.
What celebrations can we expect?
Fun, fur and frenzied frolicking. Chunky cheekiness and a few big bangs.
It’s the rugby world cup soon! Who’s your fave hot rugby player?
My man, James.
Would you say you’re a hooker?
I’ve been called worse, lol.
“Fun, fur and frenzied frolicking. Chunky cheekiness and a few big bangs”
Why do you think there is such a connection between bears and rugby?
I guess you need to look at the body type for a basic connection. It’s changed recently but rugby players on the whole are large and portly, plus bears are rugged and handsome. You don’t often see twinks playing rugby, unless it’s the varsity matches. Plus it’s a bit pre-porn; loads of young gay men of my age with big legs and shirts being ripped off on the TV. When I was a kid seeing furry hunks once made me stop kissing a girl on the couch…inception of the fact I like big Bears I guess!
Who’s your favourite famous bear? (Rupert, Paddington etc.)
I don’t do favourites; it’s all about everyone being important and loved. Treat others as you would yourself, I say. So here, eat some cake mmmm that makes everyone more huggable, even grizzlies. But Rupert with his dashing outfits beats Paddington. I’m not saying anything about dowdy old parkas and hats or those that loaf off others, hehe
What are XXL’s grand plans for the future, at the ripe old age of 15?
Like any teenager we are out to party like never before. Just you try to keep up – we bears like it big and bouncy.
• You can join the celebrations this Saturday 19th September at Pulse (1 Invicta Plaza, Blackfriars Bridge, SE1 9UF). 10pm – 7am. Tickets £15, £8 for members.
