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The Queers

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The Queers

The Queers are an American pop punk band formed in 1982 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King (A.K.A. Joe Queer). Supposedly, the name 'Queers' was used simply to poke fun at what he called the "Art Fag" community in New Hampshire. The band originally broke up in 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1990. That year, 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 to larger proportions.[1]

In 2006 after releasing 6 albums on Lookout!, the band rescinded their master rights from the label, citing breach of contract over unpaid royalties.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.

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 are well known for the variety of cover versions they include on their records and in live appearances. Bands/artists covered by The Queers include The Beach Boys, The Ramones (including a complete re-recording of the Rocket To Russia album), The Mr T Experience, Skeeter Davis, The Fantastic Baggys, The Who, The Undertones, Tommy James and The Shondells, Helen Love and many more.

Members

Since its formation, the band has gone through many line-up changes with Queer as the only constant member. The band currently consists of Joe Queer (Guitar/Vocals), Dangerous Dave (Guitar), Ben Vermin (Bass), and Matt Drastic (Drums).

The full list of band members includes:

  • Joe Queer (Vocals/Guitar) (1982-1984, 1990-Present)
  • Tulu (Bass/Drums) (1982-1984)
  • Wimpy (Drums/Vocals) (1982-1984)
  • Wade Ashley (1982-1984)
  • Keith Hages (Bass) (1984)
  • Hugh O'Neill (Drums/Vocals) (1990-1993, 1995) (deceased)
  • Sean Rowley (Guitar) (1990-?)
  • Greg Urbatis (Bass) (1990-?)
  • B-Face (Bass/Vocals) (1993-?)
  • Jay (Drums) (1993)
  • Dan Vapid (Guitar/Vocals) (1994)
  • Danny Panic (Drums) (1994)
  • Erick Coleman (guitar) (1995-1996)
  • Metal Murf Cretin (guitar) (1996)
  • Hunter Oswald (drums) (1996)
  • Geoff Useless (Bass/Vocals) (1998, 2006-2007)
  • Rick Respectable (Drums/Vocals) (1998)
  • Dangerous Dave (Guitar/Vocals/Keyboards) (1998-2002, 2006-Present)
  • Chris Cougar Concentration Camp (Bass/Vocals) (1998-1999)
  • Steve Stress (Drums) (1998-?)
  • Lurch Nobody (Drums/Vocals) (2000-2001)
  • Isaac Lane (Bass) (2001)
  • Matt Drastic (Drums) (2002) (2007-Present)
  • Dave 'Salsaman' Trevino (Drums) (2003-2006)
  • Phillip Hill (Bass/Vocals) (2002-2006)
  • Dusty Watson (Drums, Vocals) (2004)
  • Ben Vermin (Bass) (2006,2007-Present)
  • Ryan Kwon Doe (Drums) (2006)
  • Jeff Dewton (Guitar) (2007)
  • Adam Woronoff (Drums) (2007)

Partial discography

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