Genres Punk rockpop punk | Years active 1981–19841986–present | |
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Associated acts The Drunken CholosThe JabbersScreeching WeaselGG Allin Origin Portsmouth, United Kingdom (1981) Members Joe Queer, Dan Vapid, Wimpy Rutherford, B-Face, Lurch Nobody, Scott Gildersleeve, Hugh O'Neill Albums Love Songs for the Retar, Beat Off, Don't Back Down, Move Back Home, Grow Up Profiles |
The queers grow up 1990 full album
The Queers are an American punk rock band, formed in 1981 by the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, native Joe King (a.k.a. Joe Queer), along with Scott Gildersleeve (a.k.a. Tulu), and Jack Hayes (a.k.a. Wimpy Rutherford). With the addition of Keith Hages in 1982 the band started playing their first live shows. The band originally broke up in late 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 notability 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.
Contents
- The queers grow up 1990 full album
- The queers move back home 1995 full album
- Music
- Political views
- Band members
- Studio albums
- EPs
- Compilations
- Split albums
- Live albums
- Songs
- References
In 2006, after releasing six albums on Lookout!, the band rescinded their master rights from the label, citing breach of contract over unpaid royalties.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.
The queers move back home 1995 full album
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 and guitar solos. They have been described as "The Ramones meets The Beach Boys". Ben Weasel of Screeching Weasel infrequently collaborates on songwriting with Joe Queer. 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, Ramones (including a complete re-recording of the Rocket to Russia album), Unnatural Axe, 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), The Banana Splits and many more.
Political views
In a 2014 open letter, Joe Steinhardt of Don Giovanni Records called on Asian Man Records and Recess Records to drop The Queers after Joe Queer made public statements in support of Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. Artist Mitch Clem, who had previously done work for the band, publicly broke ties as well. Steinhardt later apologized for the open letter, stating "I remain personally appalled by Joe Queer's defense of Darren Wilson, his use of the term Obongo regarding the president...at the same time, I recognize that a better way to go about this would be more thoughtful discussion directly with the people involved." Joe Queer later called Steinhardt a 'gutless wimp' and asked for a face to face debate to be filmed and put online. Steinhardt has yet to respond.
Band members
Since its formation, the band has gone through a few 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).The Queers have had many people filling in on various albums and tours though they were not actual members of the band. The first line-up was Joe Queer, Tulu, Keith Hages and Wimpy Rutherford. The mid-1980s line-up was Joe Queer, JJ Rassler, Hugh O'Neill with Kevin Kecy or Evan Shore. The best known line-up is from the 1990s Lookout Records era : Joe Queer, B-Face and Hugh O'Neill. After leaving Lookout Records, B-Face and Hugh O'Neill left and Dangerous Dave joined. The Queers continue to actively tour and a new record is in the works.
Studio albums
EPs
Compilations
Split albums
Live albums
Songs
Punk Rock GirlsDon't Back Down · 1996
Granola-HeadLove Songs for the Retarded · 1993
Ursula Finally Has TitsLove Songs for the Retarded · 1993