Middle-Aged Queers
Scene Point Blank: Tell me a bit about the band. Your name is blunt. You have a theme song. Is Middle-Aged Queers a "concept band"? What made the group evolve from concept to reality?
Shaun: It all started with a party at my house in 2018. Josh had mentioned to me an idea for a "Middle-Aged Queercore" band and I thought it was brilliant. Niki was also at the party and despite years of overlap in the local scene, Josh and Niki had never met until that party. I'd all but had forgotten the band idea until Josh posted on Facebook that he was looking for additional members for the band and Niki and I were two of the first to respond.
Scene Point Blank: Had any current members played together in the same band before?
Shaun: No, but now Fureigh and I both play in another band: The Homobiles!
Scene Point Blank: I think the theme is fairly self-evident by your name. But what is different with this band (compared to others you've played with) when on stage or backstage (or with the audience)? Does it feel different when performing with people who are all members of the LGBTQ community?
Josh: There is an open-ness with this band, that brings a larger freedom of expression for me that was missing in other punk bands. I haven't felt that since the ‘90s and my time with The Insaints.
Shaun: I have played in The Cost (Lookout Records) with other queer members, but we weren't a queer band. This band feels different in the sense that while we are on the road, we are more guarded and aware of our surroundings and each others' safety, a factor that wasn't necessarily on the forefront of everyone's mind when on tour in bands that weren't comprised of queer members. On stage, I try to feel like I'm a tad more confrontational with the audience. The LGBTQ crowd are in on the jokes and if I can get some cis-hets to squirm a little, great!
Scene Point Blank: What strikes you as a queer band in 2022 compared to when you started touring or playing music regularly? This is a big question, so answer as short or detailed as you'd like.
Shaun: "Queercore" has always been a rather nebulous term, even in the early days of Tribe 8 and Pansy Division. Now, it can mean just about anything. And finding queer musicians has never been easier. As a teen, I would purchase albums from OutPunk Records without knowing anything about the artists. Now, I just have to pull out my phone and bring up one of hundreds of playlists.
"We're also brewing up a pretty sweet little surprise for our set that people with an affinity for East Bay punk rock will enjoy."
Scene Point Blank: You seem to have an affinity for Motley Crue. Are you going to continue through their full catalog with your album covers/titles?
Shaun: I'm not sure! The next album is Shout at the Hetero. We've talked about continuing on with their catalog but we could go a different direction. Theatre of Pain was a pretty terrible Motley Crue album, in my opinion. Part of the reason for doing it was to get a cease and desist letter from Motley Crue but so far they haven't bothered.
Scene Point Blank: What other non-punk bands inspire/influence you?
Shaun: I would say that the lyrics of later Carcass is a big influence in how I write. The industrial group Babyland has also stayed in constant rotation throughout my life.
Josh: My playing is mostly influenced by The Stranglers, Joy Division, Wire, and all of the ‘90s hardcore and indie pop that I listen to.
Scene Point Blank: Does that influence carry into your live show?
Shaun: Both Babyland and Carcass. We use samples in our live set that were no doubt influenced by both bands. Babyland was also known for their use of fire and smoke, along with chaotic interactions with the audience, which I certainly do when we play.
Scene Point Blank: I have to ask...your name is similar to another punk band...have you crossed paths with them?
Shaun: Ya know, I didn't even think about them when we decided on our name. I was never really into that era of pop-punk so I get why I just didn’t think about it. When we played 2021 Punk Rock Bowling, I was certain we would cross paths with them. But they were playing the side stage and we were playing a club show. As far as I know, they're not even aware we exist. Maybe one day we'll get a cease and desist letter from Joe Queer?
Scene Point Blank: Are you touring to Fest?
Shaun: We've done so much in 2022, there really wasn't a way for us to take more time off to play more shows this year. We are playing that Friday in Holiday, FL (a suburb of Tampa) because it was cheaper for us to fly into Tampa than it was to fly into Gainesville. It's going to be at a new all-ages, DIY spot called The Vault. I'm hoping the Tampa younglings who couldn't make it to Fest can at least have that show as a consolation prize.
Scene Point Blank: As "middle-aged" musicians, how frequently can you tour? I imagine you have a tight schedule, be it family, career, or other competing priorities.
Shaun: It's difficult, for sure. I would love to tour more but it would need to be something really worth our while like Laura Jane Grace offering us an opening slot. (Laura, call us!)
Josh: I'm old, it hurts.
Scene Point Blank: Is this your first Fest with Middle-Aged Queers, or your first Fest overall?
Shaun: First Fest all around! I "retired" from punk rock in 2003, right as Fest was starting off.
Josh: I toured in Florida in the ‘90s when I was in Fang but, yeah, definitely my first Fest!
Scene Point Blank: Do you remember first hearing about Fest or what got you intrigued?
Shaun: I believe the first time I heard of it was when our friends in American Steel got back together. They came back talking about what a fun time they had. I would occasionally see flyers online, see the lineups and think "Woah, that looks fun!" but I could never make it.
Scene Point Blank: As attendees/fans, what are you looking forward to?
Shaun: Stoked to see City of Caterpillar and Terminal Bliss, for sure. I'm also excited to see Braceface. I have no idea how a band that good hasn't blown up yet.
Josh: I love to watch new bands (to me) and I am always excited about discovering new music, so I'm just looking forward to all of it.
Scene Point Blank: Members have been in several other bands. I imagine you've played Gainesville at some point. Any general thoughts about the community?
Shaun: I was telling an old bandmate that I was excited to finally play Gainesville and he informed me that I had in 2002. He specifically asked if I remembered crashing a party, getting naked and shooting Roman candles out of my asshole on their front lawn. I do not remember any of that. I quit drinking over 16 years ago soooo... there's a period of my life that is one big blackout. But if Gainesville is the type of city that let's drunken queer 22-year-olds crash their parties and get naked, I'm certain it is a very good place.
Scene Point Blank: As performers at Fest 20, what are you most excited about? (Have you studied the schedule, the bands playing before/after you, or your "competition" yet?)
Shaun: We are playing Boca Fiesta & Palomino on Sunday and it's all the homies: City Mouse, Bumsy and the Moochers, and Raging Nathans who we played with this year at Pouzza Fest in Montreal. I am super stoked we're on an all-day rager with some really excellent people. We're also brewing up a pretty sweet little surprise for our set that people with an affinity for East Bay punk rock will enjoy.
Scene Point Blank: After you conquer The Fest 20, what comes next?
Shaun: Rest! We hit 2022 pretty hard. We have played more shows this year than we have all our prior years combined. We're going into a brief hibernation before we pop out in 2023. If we don't see our shadows, we'll spring into action again!
Josh: Middle-Aged Queers has more planned, fer sure. More music, more fun is on the horizon.
