Introduce yourself…
Joe Queer guitar player of The Queers.
How did the band start?
After high school all we would do is drink beer and go to Ramones' shows. And listen to Black Flag. Figured we might as well start a band. Kind of out of boredom I guess.
How did you come up with the name?
Just a name to piss people off in Portsouth,NH. We didn't think we'd be playing long to be honest.
Who would you say are your influences?
Black Flag, Flipper, DK's, Ramones and Beach Boys.
What was the punk scene like in 1982?
Pretty lame in NH at least. We had to go to Boston to see any good shows unless the Ramones came. But Boston was pretty fun for the most part.
How do you feel it has changed?
Money is the biggest thing. Warped Tour came along and all the punk bands wanted to act like rock stars and the mindless idiots bought into it. So the whole scene is a bunch of blowhards for the most part. Only place where you find great punk is under the radar screen. The hippy punk crowd-Bomb the Music Industry-Andrew Jackson Jihad-Defiance,Ohio-they're doing really well now. I see a lot of no name bands open up for us and they're just doing it for the love of music which is really refreshing. A lot of kids just do it to make money in the punk scene but these kids don't think like that-they're doing it cause they love it.
Describe the song writing process…
Drive down street to get coffee. See some asshole that pisses me off. Come up with song title. Go home write it. They're all variations off this theme.
Your first release was the ‘Love Me’ EP, tell us about the EP…
Had a blast doing it. I was the singer then. Wimpy was on drums. Our ex neighbor Pappy came in to the studio with some Thunderbird wine and we stuck him in front of a microphone and hit record and Love Me came out. One take-totally improvised. No rehearsal. I call that punk motherfucker.
How do you feel the ‘Webelos’ EP differed?
Wimpy sang on it for starters. Tulu drummed. Tulu was a better drummer and Wimpy was a great singer. Plus Wimpy and I had written all the songs ahead of time and we were well rehearsed.
Why do you feel the band broke up in 1984?
Eh we were never really together. Tulu was going to college in NYC so he went back there eventually. Me and Wimpy still did shit together tho. I met guys in Boston and played down there as The Queers in the late 80's. Then met Bface and Hugh and we formed that lineup and got on Lookout Records.
Why did you guys reform in 1990?
We just wanted to do one great album and quit. I owned a restaurant and was going to open another one. Then Lookout called-we did one tour with Screeching Weasel and one with Rancid and I said fuck the restaurant shit-I'm going to play music and here I am years later.
In 1990, you guys returned with the release of your first album ‘Grow Up’, tell us about the album…
It wasn't recorded as an album per se-it's 3 or 4 different recording sessions thrown on an album. Came out pretty good though the sound quality is different on a few songs.
How do you feel ‘Love Songs for the Retarded’ and ‘Beat off’ differed?
Better song writing on Love Songs. Beat Off we didn't have Hugh our drummer there and should have waited 6 months to do it. Didn't come out as good as it could have.
In 1994, you guys released your own version of the Ramones ‘Rocket to Russia’ album, tell us about the album…
Eh we only did that cause we needed stuff to sell on tour. I thought it was a stupid idea-you can't top the Ramones. Did it in one day-no big deal. I wouldn't do it again.
You followed that up with the very popular ‘Move Back Home’ Album, tell us about the album…
Move Back Home wasn't a very good album. I don't care for it. Had a few quirky tunes that were ok but I don't care for it and rarely play anything off it. We were all fucked up on booze and drugs at the time. I wasn't at the top of my game at all.
How do you feel ‘Don’t Back Down’ differed?
We'd done Beat Off and Move Back Home and they were just ok I guess. We knew we were capable of way better stuff so we revved up the engines and did it. That Beach Boys meets The Ramones thing really worked on that album.
You guys then released two albums with Hopeless Records ‘Punk Rock Confidential’ and ‘Beyond the Valley’, tell us about the albums…
PRC was a good album. By Beyond The Valley I realized we weren't getting paid from Hopeless so I just threw that album together and did rude songs and shit to piss them off. I didn't want to give them anything good cause we were leaving afterwards.Fucking ripoff label.
What was it like working with Hopeless Records?
Fucking bullshit. Stole tons of our money. I have to get a lawyer to audit them and try to get my money. I hate those fuckers.
Your last album with Lookout Records was ‘Pleasant Screams’, tell us about the album…
Great fucking album. Lookout was on it's last legs and they didn't even push the album. So we bailed after that. They were too busy pushing The Donnas who weren't even on Lookout at the time. Eh they lost everything.
Why do you feel you guys left Lookout Records?
Hugh got cancer. Bface and I were fighting so I wanted to get a new lineup and do my own thing without listening to those two question every move I made. So I wanted to get on a new label.
Your currently working with Asian Man Records, what is it like working with them?
Awesome. Best label we've been on.. Early days at Lookout were great though when Larry was there.
Your current album is ‘Back From the Basement’, tell us about the album…
Return to the Love Songs/Beat Off/Wimpy era style songs. Had a blast doing it and it came out great. Just how we wanted it.
Tell us about the current lineup…
Me and Dangerous Dave and Lurch. Dave's been there since Punk Rock Confidential off and on. Lurch does the tours he can. We just did a solid 3 months around the world. Had a blast.
Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
From GBH to the Muffs to The Ramones to you name it.
Do you prefer to do shows at large venues or small clubs?
Small clubs. Love the energy of the crowd right up front. It's punk to me.
Where have you toured?
South America-Asia-Europe-Russia-China-fuck I don't know. A lot of places.
Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
The Independents we love touring with. The Manges from Italy also.
Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
Small sweaty punk clubs.
What do you see is the future of the Queers?
Eh we don't know. Didn't think we'd do it this long. We'll record another album soon and see what's around the bend in the river. You never know playing music... I just try to take care of today and let tomorrow take care of itself.
How can people contact the band?
Thru Asian Man Records.
great interview
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