Queer For Astroboy
An alternative rock, post-punk power-pop band formed in upstate New York in 1995 by Brooklyn, NY refugees Charlie Sweeney and Christopher Hastings, Queer for Astroboy is rounded out by Albany natives and brothers Jamie and Arthur "Scott" Verner, on drums and bass respectively.
After the early departure of founding member Hastings, Q-FAB (the shortened moniker by which they became known after an early music press profile) found their stride as a trio, making an impression for live shows featuring three-part harmonies executed with laser precision over a clean-then-dirty guitar wash and a lock-step rythm section. Though the band drew A&R reps from Europe to California to sleepy upstate NY, little resulted for Q-FAB in the way of a deal despite the feeding frenzy that marked the 90s alt-rock craze.
The band's recorded output is thin, with a single official release on 'local' indie label, Paint Chip Records; 1996's "Disaffected," currently available online and in specialty shops. The effort featured a few memorable songs, including the radio-friendly "Bloodly Kisses," the alt-rock two-chord atmospheric "Adored," and a solo track, "Beautiful," featuring Sweeney accompanying himself on guitar in a heartbreak narrative with a soaring, goose-flesh raising finish.
Tracked in six days in a basement demo studio, "Disaffected" was produced by Paint Chip's honcho, Dominick Campana (The Wait, Bloom, Lughead, Dryer), and co-engineered by the band's bassist, "Scott" Verner. Though "Disaffected" stands as their official output, their relatively considerable catalogue still circulates on scattered demos and bootlegs-- releases of varying quality that reveal Sweeney's evolving songwriting skills as well as the band's musical growth from typical alt-pop-punk to a more distinct, moody, singular post-alt style. Employing alternate guitar tunings, shifty rythms and unique song structures, the later material still manages to retain melodic accessibility-- all of which suggested the potential of a career shortened by label and legal troubles, mostly centering on Sweeney's crippling heroin addiction, which culminated in a prison term that effectively ended the band's brief, productive period. Though ultimately the source of their demise, the turmoil served as compelling thematic material which Q-FAB explored from their earliest demos to their last recorded output.
Rare live shows, an occassional spin on college radio and a few indie-film soundtrack credits are all that remain from Q-FAB's too-short lifespan, marked by promise wasted on the usual rock-and-roll pitfalls, perhaps their only venture into typical rock cliche.
DISCOGRAPHY:
"Bump into Fate," Compilation, ('Irishman's Blues,' 'Disaffected') Paint Chip, 1995
"Disaffected," (full length) CD, Paint Chip, 1996
Charlie Sweeney (Solo)
"Sink Into Solo," ('Finish What You Started') Compilation, Paint Chip, 1998
"Shimmer," and "Disaffected," appear on the soundtrack to Talon Film's 1998 release, "Advising Michael"
BOOTLEGS, DEMOS, OUTTAKES
Q-FAB "One," (full length CD) deadstarlight music, 2001
Q-FAB "Two," (full length CD) deadstarlight music, 2001
"Disaffected," "Sink Into Solo," Bump Into Fate," are available online, at select specialty shops and through mail order from Paint Chip Records; Albany, New York.
Q-FAB "One," and Q-FAB "Two" remain rare, limited run releases, with only a combined 1000 copies believed to be in circulation.
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