The Queers @ Fulton 55 in Fresno

About the artist

The Queers are a punk rock band formed in late 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King (aka Joe Queer) along with Scott Gildersleeve (aka Tulu), and Jack Hayes (aka Wimpy Rutherford). The band originally broke up in late 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1986. In 1990, 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 larger. , In 2006, after releasing six albums on Lookout!, the band rescinded their master rights from the label, citing breach of contract over unpaid royalties.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. The Queers' cover of "Wipe Out" was featured in the 2007 Columbia Pictures and ImageWorks Studios mockumentary film Surf's Up, produced by Sony Pictures Animation and National Geographic Films. 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 and guitar solos. They have been described as "The Ramones meets The Beach Boys". Ben Weasel of Screeching Weasel infrequently collaborates on songwriting with Joe Queer. The band is well known for the variety of cover versions they include on their records and during live performances. Bands/artists covered by The Queers include The Beach Boys, Ramones (including a complete re-recording of the Rocket to Russia album), Unnatural Axe, The Nobodys, Angry Samoans, The Mr. T Experience, Skeeter Davis, The Fantastic Baggys, The Who, The Undertones, The Hobos, Tommy James and The Shondells, Helen Love, The Catalogs (from Hawaii, featuring Les Hernandez of The Quintessentials), The Banana Splits and many more. Band members: Since its formation, the band has gone through a few lineup changes, with Joe Queer as the only constant member. The band currently consists of Joe Queer (Guitar/Vocals), Dangerous Dave (Bass), and Lurch Nobody (Drums).The Queers have had many people filling in on various albums and tours though they weren't actual members of the band. The first lineup was Joe Queer,Tulu and Wimpy Rutherford. The mid 80's lineup was Joe Queer,JJ Rassler,Hugh O'Neill with Kevin Kecy or Evan Shore. The best known lineup is from the 90's Lookout Records era:Joe Queer,Bface and Hugh O'Neill. After leaving Lookout Records Bface and Hugh O'neill left and Dangerous Dave joined-a constant member to this day. Chris Fields and Lurch Nobody are also still recording and touring with the band. Most of the other people just jumped in for tours or recording sessions. Current members Joe Queer (aka Joe King) - guitar, lead vocals (1981-1984, 1986, 1990-present), Dangerous Dave - bass, backing vocals (1998-2002, 2007-present), Chris Fields (aka Chip Fracture/Chris Cougar Concentration Camp) - bass, backing vocals (2013 touring), Lurch Nobody - drums, backing vocals (2000-2001, 2006-present), Former part-time and fill in members Tulu (aka Scott Gildersleeve) (bass/drums) (1981-1984), Wimpy Rutherford (aka Jack Hayes) (drums/lead vocals) (1981-1984), Keith Hages (bass) (1983-1984), Bobby Goodreau (lead vocals) (1986), Kevin Kecy (bass, backing vocals) (1986), Hugh O'Neill (drums, backing vocals) (1986-1993, 1995-1998) (deceased, 1/19/1999), J.J. Rassler (lead guitar, backing vocals) (1987-1988), Evan Shore (bass, backing vocals) (1987-1988), Greg Urbaitis (bass) (1987-1988), Magoo Piranha (bass, backing vocals) (1987-1988), Jeebs Piranha (drums) (1987-1988), Young Sean Rowley (guitar) (1987-1988), B-Face (bass, backing vocals) (1990-1998), Jay (drums) (1993), Harlan (guitar) (1993), Dan Vapid (guitar, backing vocals) (1994, 2002), Danny Panic (drums) (1994), Metal Murf Cretin (guitar) (1995), Erick Coleman (guitar) (1995-1996), Hunter Oswald (drums) (1995), Kato Cretin (guitar) (1996), Geoff Useless (bass, backing vocals) (1998, 2006-2007), Rick Respectable (drums, backing vocals) (1998), Chris Cougar Concentration Camp (guitars, backing vocals) (1997-1999), Steve Stress (drums) (1998-2000), Isaac Lane (bass) (2001), Matt Drastic (drums) (2002-2003) (2007-2008), Phillip Hill (bass, backing vocals) (2002-2006, 2007), Dusty Watson (drums, backing vocals) (2004), Dave Trevino (drums) (2004-2006), Andrew Griswold (drums) (2005), Ben Vermin (bass) (2006, 2007), Ryan Kwon Doe (drums) (2006), Jeff Dewton (guitar) (2007), Jonathon Mackey (drums) (2010), Adam Woronoff (drums) (2007) (2009-2010), Bear Williams (drums) (2012), Josh Goldman (Rad Company/Raging Nathans)- bass, backing vocals (2013-present touring)