The Queers & The Ataris
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The Queers are a pop punk band from New Hampshire, formed in 1982. Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter Joe King has been the principal member of the group, with a vast number of musicians cycling in and out of the band over the years. Supposedly, the band name ‘Queers’ was used simply to poke fun at what he called the “Art Fag” community in NH. That same brand of humor and inanity has become a staple of The Queers music. While some punk rock bands attempt to use their music to impart a social or political message, King has made it clear that The Queers exist simply to play punk rock for the fun of it.
The Queers play a Ramones/The Beach Boys style of pop punk with songs about girls and beer. King has often collaborated with Ben Weasel, from Screeching Weasel. The band begun with a notoriety primarily in their own backyard, but with the release of Love Songs for the Retarded, recorded by legendary punk producer Mass Giorgini, their following grew to international proportions. They have collaborated with Mass Giorgini several times since.
Their latest release was 2010’s “Back to the Basement” on Asian Man Records. After many lineup changes, with King being the only constant, the band has found a lineup that has been together for the last five years and have no signs of slowing down.
