If It's Too Loud...

Photo via Facebook For Halloween, The Queers have given a brand new song to the Punk Rock Halloween II compilation. "Down in the Shadows" is one of The Queers's more melodic songs. It's more pop than punk, and I mean that in the best possible way. It's not quite as melodic as their obviously inspired by The Beach Boys ones, but more inspired by the 80's output of the Ramones. Plus, something about it reminds me of The Munsters theme, which is never a bad thing. It's ridiculously fun, which is what we really want in a Halloween song. You can listen to "Down in the Shadows" below. Punk Rock Halloween II is available now via Bandcamp and also features songs by The Vandals, Reagan Youth, Johnny Thunders, The Virators, and more!  PUNK ROCK HALLOWEEN II - LOUDER, FASTER & SCARIER by The Queers

Even though I've been a fan of The Queers for over twenty years, I had only seen them once before, and that was opening for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at a recent Hometown Throwdown. I had yet to see their own show, which simply doesn't make sense for a (semi) local band that has been around seemingly forever. Once they announced a headlining show less than an hour from my house, in a venue with its own parking lot no less, I simply had to go. As I walked up the stairs into the upstairs area of Ralph's, I could hear one of the opening bands playing a cover of "In the Still of the Night." I'm a sucker for a punk rock cover of a classic oldie, so I was pretty happy. Turns out Dirty Walter and The Smelltones play nothing but covers of oldies. They also busted out versions of "Sherry" by Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, "Please Mr. Postman" by The Marvelettes, and "It's My Party" by Leslie Gore. They also crammed nuggets of...

The week between Christmas and New Year's is usually a pretty dull one, but it holds what has become one of my favorite holiday traditions: My now annual trip to the House of Blues to see the Mighty Mighty Bosstones for their Hometown Throwdown. This year they lessened the usual holiday theme and instead dedicated their entire three show run to The Rat, the legendary Boston punk club that used to be located across the Mass Pike from the House of Blue in Kenmore Square. For their openers, they chose bands they knew from their days of playing The Rat. For Sunday night, their openers were The Real Kids and The Queers. As I walked in, I noticed a list of set times posted at the door. The Real Kids had to drop out at the last minute due to John Felice being hospitalized. It was a huge disappointment, especially because I had never heard of their replacement, Unnatural Axe. Turns out Unnatural Axe are the  Boston punk originators, and started playing shows at The Rat in 1978. As th...