North Hampton, New Hampshire's The Queers have been around for
twelve years now, although they seemed to thrive in relative
obscurity for the first part of their career. Their first EP, recorded and
released in 1982 sounds like it was recorded and released in 1977, and in
fact because of its rarity, led many people to believe that it was released
in 1977! The appearance of songs off of this on '70s punk compilations like
"Killed By Death" and "Feel Lucky, Punk?" only helped to confuse matters.
Under the helm of guitarist/singer Joe King, The Queers released another
classic 7" in '84 and then disappeared from sight. They re-appeared briefly
in the late '80s when Joe moved the band to Boston and released the "Grow
Up" LP on England's Shakin' Street records. A few years later, The Queers
are back in action (and back in North Hampton), due in part to Ben Weasel's
infatuation with the band. Lookout! put out their Weasel-produced "Love
Songs For The Retarded" in '93, and also re-issued the out-of-print "Grow
Up" LP. The Queers have also released a couple more 7" EPs and most
recently the super-fab "Beat Off" LP again produced by Mr. Weasel. Despite
the ever-changing line-up, leader Joe King perseveres to keep alive his
vision of cool, catchy punk rock that is played for fun, and meant to be
taken as fun. This short interview with Joe should let you in a bit more on
The Queers. Interview by Alan Wright.
10: So, when did The Queers first get together and why?
Joe King: In 1982, we got together to play Ramones type punk music. I
really think our first two 7" records we put out held up well against the
other shit at the time. Our "Kicked Out Of The Webelos" 7" from 1984 was
our answer to Black Flag's "TV Party" 7".
10: What was the reason behind the name?
JK: We wanted a name that people would remember and get pissed off about.
Nothing too deep, believe me.
10: You recorded that first EP in 1982, and you're singing on that, but by
your next EP from '84, you've got Wimpy switching from drums to singing and
added Tulu. Why all the shuffling around?
JK: Tulu was more like Tommy Ramone on drums and with Wimpy as the front
man, we were a four-piece a la The Ramones, who we loved. Also, Wimpy was
much funnier singing than me. We're contemplating getting him to do one
tour singing. He still helps us out from time to time, and he sings on our
latest 7", "Too Dumb To Quit." We made another 7" with him singing for
Selfless records called "Look Ma, No Flannel," and on our last tour, he
sang with us in El Paso and Albuquerque! He's rad!
10: Who was that William H. MacLaren guy who sang on the first EP?
JK: He was my next door neighbor's dad, kind of a drunken bum who was
supported by his son who was in the Navy. We needed one more tune for the
record, so I got him in the studio with some Thunderbird wine, and just
made up the song there. Someone had a T-shirt with the words "Beat me, whip
me, fuck me, etc.," on it, and he just said those and did it in one take.
It was the only thing he ever played in.
10: Was Tulu really a wimp?
JK: Totally!! Always late for rehearsal, or sick in the middle of summer.
He's still a big pussy. He got into crack and got all fucked up. I got him
into rehab about a year ago, but he left and he's hated me ever since. I
couldn't care less. he stole records from me and sold them for crack money.
What a fuck-up.
10: Did you guys break up or just do nothing in between those EPs and the
"Grow Up" LP from 1990?
JK: I mainly did nothing musical for a while. I traveled and lived briefly
in Hawaii and California. In the mid-80s we played around Boston, but
nothing happened. Boston's lame.
10: How did you like working with Ben Weasel, who produced your "comeback"
LP, the great "Love Songs For The Retarded" LP on Lookout! Ben's pretty
intense. He produced our latest album, "Beat Off" which came out in July.
We're really good friends, and so it's easy working with him. He also
remixed "Grow Up," which just got re-released on Lookout records.
10: Don't you have a Screeching Weasel member or two playing with you guys
sometimes, also?
JK: Yeah, Dan Vapid is on guitar and Dan Panic is on drums. Since
Screeching Weasel is no longer together as a band, hopefully Vapid and
Panic will stay with us!
10: You got Wimpy back to sing on your latest EP. What's he been doing all
this time between '82 and now?
JK: Well, he got married, and played in a couple of lame projects Tulu had
going - real pretentious type shit that sounded like a B-version of The
Velvet Underground. He's now going to school and living in Las Cruses, NM.
One of these days he'll come on tour with us, and the kids will love him.
He's funny as hell!
10: You guys were "bootlegged" on a couple of different compilations
("Killed By Death" and "Feel Lucky Punk?"). What did you think of that?
That's how I first heard of you guys, though!
JK: It sucked 'cause we didn't see any money, or even get any copies for
ourselves, but as you say, that's how you and a lot of other people heard
us. It actually helped us in Europe and overseas, though!
10: I was interested in some of the particulars of Queers leader Joe King.
Like, how old you are, a bit about your restaurant, stuff like that...
JK: I'm in my early 30's. I'm actually in the process of selling my half of
the restaurant to my partner. I really made no money at the restaurant, but
if I'm lucky I'll get a few grand. I just love playing punk rock, so it's
nice to see some recognition after all these years 'cause I always knew
that the Queers were a great band! We're having a blast these days touring
and shit!
10: You'll be doing a cover of an entire Ramones LP for the Selfless
Ramones LP covers/tribute series. Could you tell us a bit about that?
JK: I'm listening to it right now. It's okay, but I wasn't really into
doing it. I think it's pointless to do Ramones album over again, they're
usually perfect to begin with, so you can only fuck it up.
10: Have you heard The New Bomb Turks' version of "This Place Sucks" What
did you think of it?
JK: It was okay, but not any better than ours, I dont think. It was cool
that they did it, though. Actually, they played it live at a show with us,
and they were cool guys!
10: What's The Queers' basic philosophy behind the way to have a successful
and rewarding life?
JK: Play the lottery and pray that you win!