About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 17, 2011)
Still Having Fun, Still Not Giving a Shit omehow, punk-rock icons The Queers have sidestepped playing in Athens throughout their entire career. "I always wondered why we didn't," says Joe Queer (whose Christian name is Joe King), the band's founder, guitarist and lead vocalist. Fortunately for Athenian punk fans, King will soon wonder no more. Formed in 1981 in New Hampshire, The Queers gained notoriety during the 1990s punk boom that gave rise to bands like Green Day and The Offspring. King names the Ramones, Black Flag and The Beach Boys—three drasti cally different bands—as his primary influ ences. Presumably, the inspiration from this diverse set of bands contributes to The Queers' ability to marry a characteristically crude punk sound with a natural pop sensibility. That's not to say that the band always seamlessly combines pop and punk. "I was really into the poppy punk thing for a few years around Don't Back Down (1996) and Punk Rock Confidential (1998)," says King. "So, for the last one (Back to the Basement, 2010), we wanted to go back to the early style of sound we had." The Queers were more than happy to return to a sound that was "more up the Black Flag alley," as King says, but the reaction from fans was not all positive. Some were disappointed that the band took a break fiom "poppy shit," but King shrugs off the disapproval. "I don't care," he says. "We do what we want to do and try not to pay attention to shit people say about us. Next album we might go back to the poppy songs—I'm not sure. I have a bunch of stuff ready that's more like Black Flag, so I don't know what the fuck we'll do." The band has been touring steadily and internationally since they signed with Lookout! Records in the early '90s, and according to King, they don't plan on slowing down anytime soon. "We just have so much fun still on tour and have so many friends around the world; we don't feel right unless we see them once a year," he says. "It's great to go to Italy or South America or Japan and feel at home and have a lot of friends." Since becoming a punk-rock mainstay, The Queers have shared stages with several nota ble punk-rock acts, including the Ramones. King didn't merely get to tour alongside the band that gets first billing on his list of influ ences—he and Queers bassist Dangerous Dave once "toured with Marky [Ramone] as part of his band in Europe and China." King modestly describes that honorary endeavor as "pretty fun stuff." Before Ramones vocalist Joey Ramone died in 2001, King also had the honor of being asked by the singer himself to help with songs on his solo album. Again, King offers concise commentary on that momentous collaboration, saying merely that he "never forgot that." It must have been comparably humbling for Athens punk-rock locals Karbomb when King produced their latest studio album, Nose Before Toes, slated for a Sept. 22 release. King calls Karbomb a "great fucking band," adding that it was "kind of fun to work with a band that can play their instruments." Rumors abound about the "Queers" moni ker, many suggesting that the name was origi nally intended to make some sort of social statement. According to King, however, the reasoning is much simpler than that: "We just wanted a name people would remember. To be honest, we didn't really think we'd be together this long. But it's worked out for us." Queers songs may largely consist of silly and irreverent subject matter, but they none theless provide comfort and reassurance to a large audience. "One girl was stuck in her house with her family when those huge wildfires were raging out of control," King recalls. "They were too late to get out, and they thought they were certainly going to die. The girl went in her room and just listened to The Queers nonstop and she said it got her through that horrible experience. Thank God they all made it, but she said our music made her feel things would be OK. Kind of cool." King has never intended to inspire or inform people through his songs, but he's certainly glad that he has. All-in-all, it seems that The Queers just want to play their music (which, according to King, is "played a lot harder these days"), keep traveling and con tinue to write. "I always hated bands who got onstage and started telling the fans which hand to wipe their ass with and who to vote for," he says. "Kind of conceited to look down on your audience like that." King's closing, sarcasm- soaked words serve as the counterweight to his demonstrated modesty: "I'm a genius. You can quote me on that." Kevin Craig ( A WHO: The Queers, The Independents, Karbomb, Los Meesfits WHERE: Caledonia Lounge WHEN: Monday, Aug. 22,8 p.m. HOW MUCH: $10 (all ages!) V J . i peach ma Apple Specialist BACK TO SCHOOL l§ ~ tlNSTANT: REBATE* Buy a new Mac with Apple education pricing from PeachMac and get a $100 instant rebate. The* rebate is good towards any item(s) purchased on the same invoice as the Mac, such as AppleCare, softwares accessories, printers and more. Offer good thru Sept 20, 2011/ MacBook Air The ultimate everyday notebook. 1li(- new M,i< Book Air, and M»i< minis .im now in Moc k and peifelt ha f k to vhool *omput**r. I /p»*n**n**• thr new, IIi.ti*». mom adv.un »*tl Mat Book An and M«u mini at yoni loial l'«*ac,1 iM.i* today r. mac ipss^ ipads • macs •. ipods • software • service 1850 Epps Bridge Pkwy (across from Lowe's) • Athens peachmac.com • 706-208-9990 •The rebate cannot be used on the Mac itself, iPad. iPod or Apple TV products. Mac models that qualify for this program are the MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iMac. You must qualify for Apple s Educational purchase program to be eligible for this rebate. This includes college students, parents buying for college students, or teach ers. administrators and staff at all grade levels. If the qualifying Mac is returned, the $100 rebate will be reversed. This offer may not be combined with our $100 printer rebate program, although we still offer a $40 mail-in rebate on a wireless. AirPrint capable, HP printer/copier/scanner. Quantities limited. Limited time offer. Quantity limits apply. Other restrictions apply. Please see store for details. AUGUST 17. 2011 • FLAGPOLE.COM 23
