"That's Kunt"

Justin Tranter of Semi Precious Weapons and DIY jewelry artist extraordinaire.

Magnetic since birth and ready for his close-up, a star was born in the suburbs of Chicago. “Kunt is my mother’s favorite word,” Justin Tranter said, clarifying the self-proclaimed catch phrase, “always has been since I was a babe.” I got up close and personal with the front man of new New York glam band, Semi Precious Weapons at Lucky 13 Saloon -- a skuzzy punk rock dive in Park Slope, Brooklyn — no doubt a fitting locale for the interview. Tranter loved me as much as he loves you (and himself) and reveals that “Magnetic Baby”, the single from the band’s debut album We Love You (Razor & Tie) is about more than just being fabulous. “If you’re a magnetic person you get all the benefits, both positive and negative.” And much like bitchin’ and phat, Tranter also found the good in kunt.

Between coordinating a taping of MTV series, Made, with an album set to drop Oct. 30, and an extensive tour in the works, how does the 28-year-old ever find the time to incorporate a jewelry business into the mix? “Its been pretty much an 18 hour a day job,” Tranter explained. The budding rock star has kept himself busy building a ton of hype for his bands’ debut, alongside a jewelry empire coined Fetty — a hybrid of ‘fucked-up’ and ‘pretty’. What’s unique about Tranter’s lucky charms, aside from being the perfect merch for his gigs and selling like hotcakes at Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic, is that he started this biz before he reached fame. Tranter has personally touched over a hundred thousand pieces in the last year alone, with a little help from his friends of course. “Too many celebrities and rock stars start putting their names on things after they get famous, just to make more money,” he said. “I’ve done it all myself”. Fetty and new line Fame paid for his record deal and even caught the eye of Kate Moss and accomplice, Princess Beatrice.

The high-end collection of diamond Braille bangles and pendants can be found at Barneys. The Princess waltzed into the 5th Ave shop in New York and asked for Fetty, as per the request of her supermodel friend. Tranter’s buzz also grabbed the attention of famed producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie and T. Rex) and publicist turned DJ, BP Fallon (Death of Disco Parties). The legends took the rocker and his band under their wing. Even Perez Hilton wants a piece of the Weapons — he’s asked them to join his upcoming CMJ music showcase.

More Velvet Goldmine than Hedgewig and the Angry Inch — the gender-bender boasts a high energy balls-to-the wall show and can carry a shrilling F-sharp soprano better than any other man. Yet even with heavy black eye-makeup and four-inch stillettos, he won’t identify as trans. Sure, Tranter digs on cock rock like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, but as a kid of the ‘90s he can’t help but succomb to sultry lyrical gangsta rap like ‘Lil Kim. “The shit she says is so ridiculous,” he laughs, “like how she compares herself to 9/11 — she has such big balls!” FYI, Tranter’s also got a case of Rihanna-mania.

His friends call him “Precious”, and MySpace fans are already stopping him in the street. Plus, they love him in Canada. Watch out for this star-bangled bender and his dazzling chest of treasures. After all, everyone needs a little more love in their lives. “There’s no heartbreak in jewelry,” Tranter revealed. Now that’s what I call, kunt.