THE LORDS’ PRAYERS

Ruth McCardle, aka Lady Galore, considers herself to be healthy, not perverted. The lead singer of Belgium’s Lords of Acid writes off folks to the west of the Atlantic as being “too hung up about sex. Americans don’t teach children about sex. They forbid teenagers to have sex. It’s bollocks, really. Everybody’s going to do it. It’s natural. How would we progress as a species? It’s vital.”

Clearly, Lords of Acid (bassist Frank “Lord T. Byron” Vloeberghs, guitarist Erhan, keyboardist/programmer Shai De La Luna, drummer/percussionist Kurt “McGuinnes” Liekens and England-born McCardle, the only non-Belgian in the group) are doing their best to ensure that celibacy doesn’t spell the end for the human race. In fact, one glance at a Lords CD cover might prompt a PMRC mom to put in an emergency call to Tipper Gore. Lust, released on the Caroline label in 1991, pictures a leather-and-fishnet-clad blonde, while last year’s American Recordings disc, Voodoo U, features illustrations of nude she-devils in blatantly compromising positions.

Far from being apologetic about these graphics, McCardle is proud that her band has not shied away from scandalous material. “And if there are any complaints,” she says gleefully, “take them to Belgium to any male person with a very long willy.”

As that comment implies, McCardle is not exactly demure–but she reveals that she had to be nudged into the spotlight by the other Lords. The combo’s original frontwoman was Nathalie Delaet. But, McCardle remembers, “She used to just get wasted and go on stage. I was doing background vocals at the time, and sometimes it was like, `Where’s Nathalie?’ `She’s not here. You’re gonna have to go on stage.’ `Well, I don’t know the words.’ `Just do it.’ So that’s how it started.”

Even though Delaet’s eventual departure shook the Lords, the music on Lust and Voodoo U is quite consistent. The Lords’ material consists of high-speed, dance-oriented techno produced mainly by machines; however, McGuinnes performs some of the rhythms live in order to give the numbers a human feel. The band also receives studio (and spiritual) assistance from the talented likes of guitarist Luc Van Acker, vocalist Jade 4 U and producer/arranger Praga Khan.

When asked about this odd assemblage, McCardle replies, “We can’t be a normal guitar band–it’s impossible. There are more layers and things going on. Our live shows are incredible. You’ve got to see it to believe it, honey.”

The lyrics McCardle delivers are just as provocative as the Lords’ appearances. On songs such as “Rough Sex” and “I Must Increase My Bust,” from Lust, the titles tell the story. Even more explicit is the early club hit “I Sit on Acid,” which kicks off with an abrupt opening taunt: “Darling, come here and fuck me up the…” The tune parodies dance and industrial stereotypes. By contrast, Lust’s “Take Control” is a relatively tame cut that too closely resembles the work of the KLF.

Voodoo U broadens the Lords’ scope, but not by much. For example, the typical ode “Marijuana in Your Brain” offers a thumbs-up to pot. As you might expect from the name of her band, McCardle also endorses other illegal drugs: “Alcohol and tobacco kill more people than LSD or heroin,” she suggests.

Sex is the predominant theme on the rest of the new offering. “The Crab Louse” concerns a woman shamelessly glorifying the hoochies, while “She and Mr. Jones” sports lines such as “Work your body/Make you sweat.” McCardle declares that the tune is about “boys on bottom, girls on top. Girls in power. Boys seem to like that.” Emasculation also comes into play on “Mister Machoman,” which is rumored to have been inspired by two unnamed Hollywood film producers. And politics is at the root of “Dirty Willy,” about Bill Clinton. “He’s quite liberal,” McCardle notes. “But his wife’s got more leadership ability. Hillary’s far more intelligent. She’s probably telling him what to do.”

Lately, McCardle claims, she and the other Lords have been approaching their careers with more seriousness. The reason? The musicians are enjoying surprising success in spite of eschewing the mainstream. Still, she acknowledges that the Lords might be even better known if they would produce toned-down radio singles or videos that could be aired in major markets.

“We did the music first,” McCardle says. “We covered that aspect. The reason we got so famous, then, is from everyone wanting to know who we were. That’s why we decided, okay, maybe it’s time to come out and do our job–be a band and come on tour. As a band, we’re not very outgoing.” She pauses before adding, “Well, our music is.”

Lords of Acid, with Dink. 8 p.m. Sunday, February 26, Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax Avenue, $10, 830-2525 or 444-