The Queers
The Queers are a punk band formed in 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King (aka Joe Queer) along with Scott Gildersleeve (aka Tulu), and John Hayes (aka Wimpy Rutherford). The band originally broke up in 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1986. In 1990, the band signed with Shakin' Street Records and released their first album Grow Up. The album earned the band notoriety within New England, but with the release of their next album 1993's Love Songs for the Retarded, on Lookout! Records, their following grew larger.[1]
In 2006, after releasing six albums on Lookout!, the band rescinded their master rights from the label, citing breach of contract over unpaid royalties. Later that year they signed with Asian Man Records.
The Queers' cover of "Wipe Out" was featured in the 2007 Columbia Pictures and ImageWorks Studios mockumentary film Surf's Up, produced by Sony Pictures Animation and National Geographic Films.[2][3]
Music
The Queers play a Ramones-derived style of pop punk. Much like the Ramones, common lyrical themes are girls, drugs, alcohol and having fun. Musically the band deviates slightly from the driving rhythm guitar sound of the Ramones and augments their songs with harmony vocals, handclaps, keyboards and guitar solos. They have been described as "The Ramones meets The Beach Boys". Ben Weasel of Screeching Weasel frequently collaborates with Joe Queer to write their songs. The band is well known for the variety of cover versions they include on their records and during live performances. Bands/artists covered by The Queers include The Beach Boys, The Ramones (including a complete re-recording of the Rocket to Russia album), The Nobodys, Angry Samoans, The Mr T Experience, Skeeter Davis, The Fantastic Baggys, The Who, The Undertones, The Hobos, Tommy James and The Shondells, Helen Love, The Catalogs (from Hawaii, featuring Les Hernandez of The Quintessentials), Unnatural Axe, and many more.
Band members
Since its formation, the band has gone through many line-up changes, with Joe Queer as the only constant member. The band currently consists of Joe Queer (Guitar/Vocals), Dangerous Dave (Bass), and Lurch Nobody (Drums).
- Current members
- Joe Queer (aka Joe King) - guitar, lead vocals (1981–1984, 1986, 1990–present)
- Dangerous Dave - bass, backing vocals (1998–2002, 2007–present)
- Lurch Nobody - drums, backing vocals (2000–2001, 2006–present)
- Former members
- Tulu (aka Scott Gildersleeve) (bass/drums) (1981–1984)
- Wimpy Rutherford (aka John Hayes) (drums/lead vocals) (1981–1984)
- Keith Hages (bass) (1983–1984)
- Bobby Goodreau (lead vocals) (1986)
- Kevin Kecy (bass, backing vocals) (1986)
- Hugh O'Neill (drums, backing vocals) (1986–1993, 1995–1998) (deceased, 1/19/1999)
- J.J. Rassler (lead guitar, backing vocals) (1987–1988)
- Evan Shore (bass, backing vocals) (1987–1988)
- Greg Urbaitis (bass) (1987–1988)
- Magoo Pirhana (bass, backing vocals) (1987–1988)
- Jeebs Pirhana (drums) (1987–1988)
- Young Sean Rowley (guitar) (1987–1988)
- B-Face (bass, backing vocals) (1990–1998)
- Jay (drums) (1993)
- Harlan (guitar) (1993)
- Dan Vapid (guitar, backing vocals) (1994, 2002)
- Danny Panic (drums) (1994)
- Metal Murf Cretin (guitar) (1995)
- Erick Coleman (guitar) (1995–1996)
- Hunter Oswald (drums) (1995)
- Geoff Useless (bass, backing vocals) (1998, 2006–2007)
- Rick Respectable (drums, backing vocals) (1998)
- Chris Cougar Concentration Camp (guitars, backing vocals) (1997–1999)
- Steve Stress (drums) (1998–2000)
- Isaac Lane (bass) (2001)
- Matt Drastic (drums) (2002–2003) (2007–2008)
- Phillip Hill (bass, backing vocals) (2002–2006, 2007)
- Dusty Watson (drums, backing vocals) (2004)
- Dave Trevino (drums) (2004–2006)
- Andrew Griswold (drums) (2005)
- Ben Vermin (bass) (2006, 2007)
- Ryan Kwon Doe (drums) (2006)
- Jeff Dewton (guitar) (2007)
- Jonathon Mackey (drums) (2010)
- Adam Woronoff (drums) (2007) (2009–2010)
Discography
Studio albums
- Grow Up 1990, Shakin' Street (UK) / reissue 1994, Lookout! Records / reissue 2007, Asian Man Records
- Love Songs for the Retarded 1993, Lookout! / reissue 2006, Asian Man Records / reissue 2009, Gonna Puke Records Italy
- Beat Off 1994, Lookout! / reissue 2007, Asian Man Records
- Rocket to Russia 1994, Selfless Records
- Move Back Home 1995, Lookout! / reissue March 2007, Asian Man Records
- Don't Back Down 1996, Lookout! / reissue 2007, Asian Man Records
- Punk Rock Confidential 1998, Hopeless
- Beyond The Valley... 2000, Hopeless
- Pleasant Screams 2002, Lookout! / reissue July 2007, Asian Man Records
- Munki Brain 2007, Asian Man Records
- Back to the Basement 2010, Asian Man Records
EPs
- Love Me 7", 1982, Doheny Records
- Webelos 7", 1984, Doheny Records
- A Proud Tradition (reissue of the first two 7") 2x7", 1992, Doheny Records, 2x7", 1993, Selfless Records Reissue
- Too Dumb To Quit! (featuring Wimpy on guest vocals) - 7", 1993, Doheny Records, 7", 1994, Selfless Records Reissue
- My Old Man's a Fatso (featuring Wimpy on guest vocals) - 7", 1994, Wound Up Records
- Look Ma No Flannel (featuring Wimpy on guest vocals) - 7", 1995, Clearview Records
- Surf Goddess 7"/CD, 1995, Lookout! Records
- Bubblegum Dreams 7"/CD, 1996, Lookout! Records
- Everything's OK CD, 1998, Hopeless Records
- Today CD, 2001, Lookout!
Compilations
Split albums
- Live At Some Prick's House (split album with the Pink Lincolns) 1994, Just Add Water Records
- Love Aint Punk (split 7" with Sinkhole) 1995, Ringing Ear Records
- Right On Target (split album with 88 Fingers Louie) 2004, Stiffen Records
- Acid Beaters (split album with the Manges) 2003, Stardumb Records
- Split Disc from Japan and USA (split album with the Disgusteens) 2004, Stiffen Records
- Three Way Split (split album with Consider the Meek and the Vickers) 2006, Leek Records
- untitled (split 7" with The Hotlines) 2008, Devil's Jukebox Records
- untitled (split 7" with the Atom Age) 2009, Asian Man Records
- untitled (split 7" with Killtime) 2011, Gonna Puke Records
Live albums
- Shout At The Queers 1994, Selfless Records
- Suck This 1995, Clearview Records
- Live In West Hollywood 2001, Hopeless Records
- Weekend at Bernie's 2006, Doheny Records
- CBGB OMFUG Masters: Live February 3, 2003 2008
- The Queers Alive In Hollyweird 2009, Punk Rock Social
References
External links