Don't call him Micah. In L.A., the once Toronto-based Micah Barnes is now simply known as Barnes.

After his move to la-la land several years ago, the former teenage cabaret prodigy, soulful pop-star-in-waiting and part-time Nylon has shaved his head, bulked up and recast himself as an aggressive, in-yer-face queer rocker.

"What faggot doesn't eventually shave his head and go to the gym?" laughs Barnes down the phone from his new home in Venice Beach.

One-time T.O. favourite Micah Barnes has changed his look and his sound.

"I've always been an entertainer of sorts, but the death of my lover (choreographer Rene Highway) forced me to create from my guts."

Micah's -- sorry, Barnes's -- first solo CD, the impressive Loudboy Radio, was nominated for several GLAAD awards and was featured on the coming-out episode of Party Of Five.

To promote the recording, he put together a band of seasoned alterna-rockers and is bringing his Loudboy combo to Toronto for the first time for headlining gigs on the Pride Stage and at the Cameron the following night.

The band is currently recording a new CD with L.A. punk producer Geza X (Germs, Dead Kennedys, Sonic Youth). Barnes calls the outfit "L.A. damage at its finest."

Several years ago, his then manager put the kibosh on Barnes's plans to play the Pride fest.

"He didn't want me identified as a gay man!" laughs Barnes incredulously. "I now understand how the fop or dandy who entertains and challenges with his wit is a perennial thing. But back then I was terrified of being limited by a homosexual stereotype.

"My shift away from the 'nice gay guy with the big pipes' image came about after being out and politically active all my career. Here I was in the international spotlight in a mostly queer group (the Nylons) that never talked about sexuality."

Songs like Boy With A Secret have direct, Alanis-like lyrics about sexual abuse, while I Will Follow -- written for Highway -- reveals a tenderness and heartbreak that will reduce heard-everything cynics to tears.

"Now that I have the opportunity to speak as a solo artist, it feels right to unleash the devil," Barnes says. "I'm even back at the piano with a hipster jazz combo called Blue Radio that gigs regularly at Hollywood lounges. All things come full circle."