After a few decidedly lame opening bands, the renowned surf punk band The Queers took the stage at the Ottobar. Formed in 1982 in Portsmouth, N.H., The Queers are true veterans of the punk scene, as they've been playing shows before the majority of students on this campus were even born.
From their humble beginnings playing in small, poorly lit bars, to their current success playing in more highly reputable but equally small and poorly lit bars, The Queers have blazed a trail through the annals of punk music. The sparsely populated Ottobar was soon packed with a multitude of Queers lovers, many of whom were moshing with reckless abandon.
The Queers did not disappoint. They blasted through a fierce 90-minute set, playing rockers like "See Ya Later Fuckface," "Get A Life And Live It" and the superlative "Parasite." Of course, they played "Don't Back Down," the Beach Boys song that they have effectively made their own; the song that cemented their reputation as surf punks.
They paid homage to the legendary Ramones with an even more upbeat cover of "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker," and followed that with an unabashedly pop punk song by The Mr. T Experience.
But the real highlight of the show was when they let one of the guys from an opening band sing along with them on his favorite Queers song, "Kicked Out Of The Webelos" because it was his birthday. After the song, they presented him with gag gifts, like a sweet potato, and then proceeded to cover him in cake. Joe Queer, the charismatic front man, threw cake all over the audience. A stray piece landed on the sound technician's board, resulting in a slight delay and some tension, which Joe quickly smoothed over using conciliatory words.
As the show progressed, two things became evident. First, The Queers either can't or won't take anything seriously, and refuse to write lyrics that surpass the emotional maturity of adolescent jerks. Second, it doesn't matter in the slightest, since their songs are infinitely catchy without being cloying.
They are pop punk that you simply can't not like. Brian Wilson, an unconventional influence for a punk band, would be proud of the melody. They surely have accomplished a lot for a band whose songs have sophomoric titles like "I Can't Stop Farting" or "Journey To The Center Of Your Empty Fucking Skull."
Though their inane act would seem like a major turn-off, The Queers are just too good to hate, and the gestalt is much better than their high-school lyrics and simplistic licks. Despite their name, The Queers are neither gay nor gay-bashers, just a trio of grizzled punks who offend all and enjoy themselves to the fullest while doing so. They are also major fan favorites.
As their set ended, the crowd demanded more songs, so the Queers played a few more satisfying tunes before wandering off into the darkness. "It's really a privilege to see a band as awesome as The Queers in such an intimate setting," senior Josiah Drewien said. The crowd could not have agreed more, judging by their intense moshing and fist-pumping action.
For the interested, The Queers are going to release a new album, Munki Brain, in December on famed indie label Asian Man Records. They are also going to play with the equally awesome punk band Screeching Weasel and have promised to return to Baltimore in 2007. As Joe Queer is so fond of singing, "See you in the funny pages."
