It was time for another triple header, another full night to make some more holiday-punk memories. Swinging back around for another visit within a year, The Queers were here to cause some chaos at Foufounes Electriques.
Local band Capable was added to the bill at the last minute. Leaning more towards a faster skate-pop-punk pace, they had the crowd warmed up in no time. With almost ten years on the scene, opening up for big shows on this very stage before – and veterans of our famed Pouzza Fest.
The band’s musicianship was solid tonight. A good-sized crowd stayed for most of the set. Demonstrating that language has no barriers with music, as their set was mostly in French. It was a fun time that garnered them some attention.
Celebrating over twenty years as a band, The Koffin Kats made what they do look easy. They attracted a completely different crowd specifically for their set. Ready to rock, rumble, and roll, their fans started a circle pit as soon they heard the signature booming sound of the upright bass. They were ecstatic to see the band back in town.
Feeding off the explosive amount of energy, they played their hearts out, smiling the entire time. Their signature moves involved a balancing act, carefully standing up on the bass, and hoping not to faceplant. They thanked the crowd and Montreal at every chance they got between songs for just being generally awesome and hospitable.
As a pre-show ritual, I re-listened to some of their tunes and heard a great psychobilly cover of Maneater by Daryl Hall and John Oates. To my surprise, they played it—and it was the highlight of the set. Fans loved it and were singing along to this one.
A band that needs no introduction – has the best tagline: Because they are the best band ever, The Mother-F#cking Queers! That’s how they started the night. With over forty years in the scene, I think it’s well deserved.
Introducing the beast on drums, Martin (a.k.a. Hoglog Rehab), and younger protege Ginger Fanculo on bass, they ran through some of their best songs, ” Tamara is a Punk” and “Granola Head,” to name a few.
I was guilty of singing along, but a simple three-chord punk song would always win me over and get me moving. With covers from some of their biggest influences: The Ramones – “Sheena is a Punk Rocker,” and “My Old Man’s a Fatso” by Angry Samoans. A nice bonus was some Screeching Weasel “Like a Parasite,” since Joe collaborates infrequently with singer Ben Weasel.
There was seriously no time to take a bathroom break as they launched into a block of my favourites off their enormous catalogue: “See You Later F#ckface,” “Your Shipping,” “I Hate Everything,” and “Monster Zero.” Fitting over twenty songs in plus so many extras, it was still over way too fast. Seemed almost too short this time around. The usual ‘Ole, Ole’ chant brought them back out for a few bonus songs.
Having Joe Queer as the only original founding member and with a band name as such today, there will always be controversy surrounding them. Shows boycotted and cancelled, labels dropping them, conceived at a time when ‘queer’ had a completely different meaning. As things may be more accepting now – the word didn’t age well. Adding to the conflict and many rearrangements, there’s one thing that has lasted that I witnessed this evening. Joe and fellow bandmates’ punk attitude of not taking things so seriously. Persevering to bring all misfits and queers together for another solid night of music.
Review (and The Koffin Kats + Capable photos) – Sam Morris
The Queers Photos – Kieron Yates
