By Nicholas Jason Lopez
With ex-members of DIY-Punk bands like Flipper, Fang, Saviours and The Insaints on board, Oakland, Calif. queercore outfit Middle-Aged Queers recently released their debut album ‘Too Fag For Love’ via their own label Outpunx Records, in collaboration with Sell The Heart Records, run by Tsunami Bomb’s Andy Pohl.
So far, the band has released two singles – “Gary’s Making Biscuits” and “Theme Song,” both of which give a glimpse into their loud, tongue-in-cheek and ever-so-queer ways.
The Music Bugle recently had the chance to catch up with lead singer Shaun Osburn about the new album and more.
Music Bugle – How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected the band?
Shaun Osburn – We had three mini-tours planned to support our new record ‘Too Fag For Love.’ All those shows have been cancelled. We’re supposed to be in Hawaii right now. Hawaii, dammit!
Music Bugle – Did you come across any difficulties while making the new record?
Shaun Osburn – It was a fairly smooth process. Bart Thurber was amazing and really streamlined the whole thing.
Music Bugle – If you had to describe the Bay Area “scene” to someone who has never been there before, what would you say?
Shaun Osburn – A lot of touring bands skip the Bay Area entirely, if that tells you anything.
Music Bugle – What would you call your proudest moment with the group?
Shaun Osburn – When members of original queercore bands give us shutouts or come to see us play. It’s sort of wild to get that kind of approval.
Music Bugle – Who are some of your musical influences?
Shaun Osburn – The B-52’s and early Motley Crue. We often get compared to bands like Adolescents or Descendants, which I don’t fully get. None of us are huge fans of bands like that. Lyrically, I am all over the map. I prefer to write about things that are recognizable and immediately accessible. I will occasionally toss in some wordplay, but our lyrics are never vague.
Music Bugle – Do you feel that your collective past experience in the DIY-scene gives you a sort of advantage?
Shaun Osburn – I’m not sure how much of an advantage we’re getting. We usually play poorly attended club shows on weeknights! I liked all our previous bands, especially the ones I wasn’t in, but it’s sometimes surprising when people mention our previous bands when talking about us. We don’t really sound like any of them.
Music Bugle – What are some of your future plans, as far as the rest of 2020?
Shaun Osburn – Not sure we’ll be playing any shows. We’ve been writing new music. Hopefully, we’ll get those songs recorded and out to the peoples before the end of the year.
Music Bugle – Did you have any material that didn’t make the cut for the new album?
Shaun Osburn – We didn’t even expect to have an album. We went in to record a demo and maybe pick a few songs for a 7’. Everything we managed to record in eight hours made it onto the record. We have several new songs, but they have yet to be recorded.
Music Bugle – Does social media make it easier or harder for a band to stand out these days?
Shaun Osburn – I haven’t played in a band since social media became a thing. I really like that it removes a layer of separation between me and people who might enjoy us.
Music Bugle – What has been your favorite onstage moment thus far?
Shaun Osburn – Having a crowd of people yelling, “We’re the fucking queers, go fuck yourself!” with us never gets old.
