BackRoom Chats is a queer podcast about culture, community, and the stories that don’t always get passed down.
Hosted by Darren and Gordon, partners since 2002 and founders of Backroom Gear, this is a space for honest conversations about gay nightlife, bear culture, leather, kink, Pride, and the history behind it all.
Some of it’s funny. Some of it’s personal. Some of it matters more than people realise.
From stories in bars and backrooms to the parts of queer life that are slowly disappearing, this is about keeping those conversations going.
New episodes weekly.
This week on BackRoom Chats, we're talking movies.
Darren and Gordon have recently watched He-Man and Pillion, and despite having absolutely no qualifications as film critics, we have plenty of opinions about both.
First up, He-Man.
We've talked about He-Man before and the memories we have of watching it growing up. Now we've seen the latest movie, it's time to find out whether it lived up to those memories.
Then we move onto the very different world of Pillion.
Gay men, leather, kink, relationships and a biker. There was absolutely no chance we were going to watch this movie and not talk about it on the podcast.
We get into what we loved, what didn't quite work for us, the moments that stood out and, naturally, wander off on a few completely unrelated tangents along the way.
And this week we're also bringing back an old favourite...
Kink of the Week is back.
No serious film criticism. No star ratings. Just our obviously gay opinions from the couch.
Grab a drink and join us.
New episodes of BackRoom Chats every two weeks.
BackRoomGear.store
It's time to wrap up our review of Madonna's Confessions 2.
In Part 2, Darren and Gordon continue working through the second half of the album, sharing the songs that surprised us, the tracks we've had on repeat, and our overall thoughts after spending plenty of time listening.
By the end of the episode, we reveal our favourite songs and answer the big question...
Where does Confessions 2 sit amongst Madonna's incredible catalogue?
If you love Madonna, enjoy talking music, or simply like listening to two mates chatting on the couch, this one's for you.
26 Jul 2026
Madonna's Confessions 2 is finally here, and there was no way we were going to squeeze our thoughts into a single episode.
Madonna's Confessions 2 is finally here, and there was no way we were going to squeeze our thoughts into a single episode.
In Part 1 of this special two-part review, Darren and Gordon sit down to discuss the first half of the album track by track, sharing our first impressions, favourite songs, unexpected highlights and the moments that instantly stood out.
We've both spent decades listening to Madonna, so this isn't a technical review or a critic's breakdown. It's two fans talking honestly about an artist who's been part of our lives for years.
Expect a few disagreements, plenty of laughs, random stories and the usual BackRoom Chats tangents along the way.
If you've been listening to Confessions 2, come and compare your thoughts with ours.
Part 2 releases next week, where we'll finish the album, talk about the remaining tracks and give our overall verdict.
9 Jul 2026
Episode 9: Madonna, Every Album & Why She Still Matters
Madonna has spent more than four decades reinventing herself, challenging expectations and creating the soundtrack to millions of lives.
For many gay men, her music was more than just pop. It represented confidence, freedom, self-expression and finding people who understood you.
With Confessions 2 releasing just days before we sat down to record, we decided to dedicate an entire episode to looking back at Madonna's incredible catalogue.
From Madonna through to Confessions 2, we revisit every studio album, share our favourite moments, talk about the eras that defined our lives, and discuss why Madonna continues to have such a lasting impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
Rather than reviewing Confessions 2, we decided to give it room to breathe and come back with a dedicated episode after spending more time with the album.
So this episode is all about the journey.
The music.
The memories.
And one artist who helped shape generations.
Before you go...
What's your favourite Madonna album?
And what's the one Madonna song you'll never skip?
We'd love to hear your answers.
21 May 2026
Rubber | How Darren Fell In Love With It & The Mistakes We Made | BackRoom Chats Ep 8
Some interests appear out of nowhere.
Others have been there a lot longer than you realise.
In this episode of BackRoom Chats, we talk about rubber.
From early memories and first impressions through to seeing it properly for the first time and falling hard for it.
We talk about rushed purchases before events, figuring things out as we went, and the first time being shined and understanding why people love it.
Then came the upgrades.
New gear, better products, lessons learned, and finding out what worked for us.
We also talk about looking after rubber, repairing mistakes, and how your relationship with gear changes over time.
This episode isn’t about doing things properly.
It’s about how we actually did it.
Real stories, a few mistakes, and a lot of reflection.
BackRoom Chats is about queer culture, the scene, and conversations the way they actually happen.
BackRoomGear.store
🎧 New episodes weekly
8 May 2026
Back Rooms, Saunas & SOPVs | What We Expected vs Reality | BackRoom Chats Ep 7
The first time you walk into one of these places, you really don’t know what you’re walking into.
In this episode of BackRoom Chats, we talk about Sex On Premises Venues in Australia. Back rooms, saunas, dedicated venues, and some of the unofficial spaces we came across over the years.
We get into our first experiences, what surprised us, awkward moments, and the different kinds of energy these places can have once you’re actually inside them.
Some were social, some were intimidating, and some were completely different to what we expected.
This isn’t a guide or a lesson. Just real stories and observations from our own experiences.
This week’s Kink of the Week is voyeurism. We talk about where it shows up, why people enjoy it, and how common it actually is once you start noticing it.
BackRoom Chats is about queer culture, the scene, and real conversations, the way they actually happen.
Check out BackRoomGear.store
🎧 New episodes weekly
30 Apr 2026
TV, Hidden Codes & Growing Up Different | From He-Man to Drag Race | BackRoom Chats Ep 6
There was a lot we were watching growing up that didn’t quite make sense at the time.
Certain characters, certain looks, certain moments that stuck with you even if you didn’t know why.
In this episode of BackRoom Chats, we talk about how TV and music from the 70s, 80s and 90s shaped how we saw ourselves before we had the words for it.
From British comedies and camp characters to cartoons like He-Man, there were always signs there. Looking back now, it’s a lot clearer what we were picking up on.
We also get into how things have changed, from early coded representation to shows like Queer As Folk and Drag Race, and what that shift has meant.
This episode goes a bit deeper in places. Some of those early influences weren’t just entertainment, they had an impact.
This week’s Kink of the Week is shoes, socks, and scent. We keep it light and talk about where it fits and why it shows up more than people expect.
BackRoom Chats is about queer culture, the scene, and real conversations, the way they actually happen.
Check out BackRoomGear.store
Full episodes at BackRoom Chats
🎧 New episodes weekly
23 Apr 2026
Leather | How It Found Us, Why We Wear It & Kink of the Week | BackRoom Chats Ep 5
Leather didn’t start the same way for both of us.
For Gordon, it was always part of life. Growing up around motorbikes, leather was practical, protective, just normal.
For Darren, it came from somewhere else. 80s TV, music, and that look that stuck long before it made sense.
In this episode of BackRoom Chats, we talk about how leather showed up in our lives and how it eventually became part of the scene for us.
From first pieces to favourite pieces, and how it feels to wear it out. The way it changes how you carry yourself, and why it keeps pulling people back in.
We also touch on where leather comes from. Military, bikers, cowboys. And how something practical shifted into something with a completely different meaning.
This week’s Kink of the Week is leather. We talk about pieces like collars, harnesses, hoods, and what we actually enjoy about it.
BackRoom Chats is about queer culture, the scene, and the stories that don’t always get said out loud. Just real conversations, the way they happen.
Check out BackRoomGear.store
Full episodes at BackRoom Chats
🎧 New episodes weekly
9 Apr 2026
Your First Kink Gear | Where to Start, Styles and Armpit Attraction | BackRoom Chats Ep 4
Thinking about getting your first piece of kink gear but not sure where to start?
In this episode of BackRoom Chats, we talk through the basics.
Boots, harnesses, jockstraps and pup hoods. What people usually start with, how different styles come together, and how your look can change over time.
Some people go classic with boots, leather and a jock. Others mix it up with runners, a harness and a hood. There is no single way to do it, but there is always a starting point.
We also touch on leather pieces like pants and jackets, and how kink gear tends to evolve the longer you are in the scene.
And this week’s Kink of the Week is armpit attraction.
We keep it light, talk about why people are into it, and how it fits into the broader mix of preferences and dynamics.
BackRoom Chats is about queer culture, community, and the stories that do not always get passed down. From first gear to finding your style, this is about making it easier to step in.
Check out BackRoom Gear
https://backroomgear.store (https://backroomgear.store)
Wear it out. Wear it layered. Let the right people notice.
🎧 New episodes weekly
1 Apr 2026
First Kink Club Night? What to Expect + Ball Stretchers | BackRoom Chats Ep 3
Thinking about going to your first kink club night but not sure what to expect?
In this episode of BackRoom Chats, we talk about what it’s actually like stepping into your first event.
What to wear. When to arrive. How people find these spaces in the first place. And what it feels like when you walk in for the first time.
It’s not about knowing everything. It’s about showing up and finding your place.
We also get into this week’s Kink of the Week.
This time, it’s ball stretchers. We keep it light, talk through what they are, why people are into them, and how they fit into different dynamics.
BackRoom Chats is about queer culture, community, and the stories that don’t always get passed down. This is about keeping those conversations going.
Shop BackRoomGear.store
🎧 New episodes weekly.
25 Mar 2026
Dating Before Grindr | Dial-Up, Gay.com, Pubs, Clubs and Chastity Cages | BackRoom Chats Ep 2
Before apps, before swiping, before everything lived on your phone, there was a different way of meeting people.
In this episode of BackRoom Chats, we talk about what dating looked like before Grindr.
Dial-up internet in the living room. Shared family computers. Logging into gay.com and hoping no one walked in. Then actually going out. Pubs, clubs, and the spaces where you met people face to face.
Yeah, it could be a bit awkward at times, but it definitely kept things interesting.
We share our own experiences from that time, how people connected, and what has changed, and what hasn’t.
We also get into this week’s Kink of the Week.
This time, it’s chastity. More specifically, cages. We keep it light, talk through what it is, why people are into it, and how it fits into control and power dynamics.
BackRoom Chats is about queer culture, community, and the stories that don’t always get passed down. From nightlife to early internet days, this is about keeping those conversations going.
Check out Backroom Gear
https://backroomgear.store (https://backroomgear.store)
Wear it out. Wear it layered. Let the right people notice.
🎧 New episodes weekly.
18 Mar 2026
Ep 1: Our Story: How Backroom Gear Started | Gay Culture, Brisbears, BootCo
In the very first episode of BackRoom Chats, we start where it all began.
We introduce ourselves, how we found our place in the gay community, and the path that eventually led to Backroom Gear.
We talk about our early days taking photos at Brisbears, stepping further into the community, and what it felt like walking into BootCo for the first time. It didn’t take long before it felt like home, even if our first night came with a few unexpected moments… including an older couple and their fine china collection.
We also introduce a new weekly segment, Kink of the Week.
This episode, we keep it light and a bit cheeky while talking about water sports, including a funny story about Darren’s first experience.
BackRoom Chats is about queer culture, community, and the stories that don’t always get passed down. From nightlife and leather spaces to the conversations that used to happen behind closed doors, this is about keeping those stories alive.
👉 Explore Backroom Gear:
https://backroomgear.store (https://backroomgear.store)
🎧 New episodes weekly.
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