Name; Joe Queer
Age; 49
Bands (Played in when); Falling Spikes and The Bugs circa 1978-1979 then The
Queers from 1981-present.
Role in Band; Leader.
How did it all begin? We worshipped The Ramones and decided we had to start
a band and here we are years later.
Who were your original influences?
Ramones-Beach Boys-Lesley Gore-Del Shannon-Black Flag. I loved the 60's
bubblegum stuff so punk was a natural progression for me.
Who are your current influences?
Jesus and Mary Chain-Helen Love-other than that I still listen to old shit.
What is your proudest moment as a musician? When Joey Ramone told me
he liked my songs and said he wanted to record Love Love Love-that was huge to
me!
What is your most embarrassing moment as a musician?
Eh maybe just playing too long at the first show we opened for The Ramones in
1986 in Hartford Connecticut. We had never played in front of 400 people much
less the 4000 that were there. Joey told me when we opened for other bands to
just play the best 22 minutes of stuff we had and get offstage-great advice.
What do you think would have been your path through life if you had
never gotten involved with music? I owned a restaurant and was happy doing
it so I would have probably stayed doing that.
Tell us something about you that few people are aware of. I have the social
life of a 92 year old man when I am not on tour and I like to cook at home haha.
When you look back on your musical path to this point, what are your
deepest regrets? Taking years to get off drugs and booze.
If you had the opportunity to start over, what would you change?
I'd start using Rogaine.
Who has been the most influential person in your life? Maybe Joey Ramone
cause even though I didn't know him that well he encouraged me to play good
music when I didn't believe in myself. Corny I know but that is how it was for me.
Please summarize the highlights & lowlights of your musical career.
Drugs and alcoholism were the lowlights and having Joey Ramone ask me to help
him write songs on his solo album was one of the greatest moments I think.
What are your thoughts on the current "Punk" scene? How much has it
changed or stayed the same since you got into it? Eh money changed
everything. There is no integrity in the scene nowadays. It seems The Warped
Tour is the height of success now when it used to be about writing great songs.
What are your plans musically in the future?
Hmm-just going to do a new album and maybe an unplugged pop style tour where
we do nothing but pop songs on tour-no hard stuff.
