The Queers
The Rocks
Richmond, VA
June 2008
text & pixs by Jillian Abbene
(SugarBuzz USA)
SugarBuzz Magazine
Busting out 22 songs in one sitting, The Queers are hailed as the lyrical raging snots of punk. Giving license to speak their mind with an aura of pop, hissy fits spurting out of melodic instruments all taking over and successfully making a big noise. They serve their purpose.
Further, it is those brattifying lyrics in adolescent sneer from lead vocalist, Joe Queer, that launches, ‘See You Later Fuck Face,’ off of their 2007 release of, “Pleasant Screams.” Sarcastically humorous, identifiable Ramones’ style chords and back-ups are harmonious with a sense of simplicity. Anchoring a sing-a-long participation for all 22-25 year olds to hold up the “Fuck You,” card proudly, the old school searing guitar between verses adds flavor to the pop-sarcasm. The fast beats in the live M8 ends with claps. It’s a running start.
One of their memorable songs, ‘Hi Mom, It’s Me,’ is faster, picking up the momentum with its strangely energizing but catchy tune. I can’t resist a smirk at the “loser-mode,” chorus as the kids are climbing all over each other in the front row.
Stepping to the microphone exclaiming, “I Don’t Wanna Be A Granola Head!” was actually the title of the song. The first chords drive in heavier beats with more pronounced nasal vocals with nice harmonies that are clearly influenced by such bands as, The Ramones, Buzzcocks and well, The Beach Boys. Bands like Offspring and Blink 182 only emulate what already has been done—just years later. Beer is splashing about from one side of the pit to the other as a happy drunken melee, coupled with a nice echo chorus from Dangerous Dave runs till the end.
Again, Joe introes on the microphone exclaiming, “I made it through the Cub Scouts, but was Kicked Out Of The Webelos,” before the chords hit in a faster trollop with Dangerous Dave adding back-ups on additional vocals before it ends. The crowd is now shouting out songs to play next. It’s a free for-all.
On, ‘I Want Cunt,’ searing guitar opens before the drums take over. Monotone vocals have Joe revving up – holding the guitar up to the crowd in rock n roll style.
The kids are hard slammin’ now with the “burn-yourself-to-the-ground,” mentality as the honorable mentions are as follows: ‘Love, Love Love, and, ‘Like a Parasite (dedicated to all the girls),—which is proven to be a great bruiser of a song with its faster slammin’ chords and a synonymous bass-in-drum solo finish.
It doesn’t stop here.
‘Pet Cemetary,’ has passionate angsty participation as the set crests with the crowd churning in fury. Kepi, the lead vocalist for The Groovy Ghoulies, jumps up on stage and joins Joe in vocals on, ‘I Believe in Miracles,’ He’s into it. On the very last song, ‘Smoke On The Water,’ The Deep Purple rendition, has Kepi jumping around igniting that extra spark that flames the crowd for that one more go ‘round before the inevitable smash of body and sound…all charred in blazon glory.
