Mean To Your Queenie

The song Mean To Your Queenie by Point Blank from their 1979 album Airplay is a gritty Southern rock anthem that resonates with the free-spirited vibe of The Zoo Crew and their Zoo Freaks audience. According to a 2015 interview with lead singer John O’Daniel posted on the fan-run Point Blank Fans Facebook group, the song was inspired by a real-life fallout between a band member and his partner, capturing the raw emotion of betrayal and regret. O’Daniel shared that the lyrics, like “You been mean to your queenie, ya didn’t show her no respect,” were written in a single night after a heated band discussion about relationships gone sour. The song’s driving rhythm and bluesy guitar riffs, as noted in a 1980 Billboard review shared on Point Blank’s official website, made it a staple on AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) radio stations like THE ZOO during its release.

Another piece of trivia comes from a 2018 post on the Point Blank Instagram, where guitarist Rusty Burns revealed that the band recorded Mean To Your Queenie in a marathon 12-hour session at Ardent Studios in Memphis. Burns mentioned they were fueled by “cheap coffee and cheaper whiskey,” which gave the track its raw, unpolished edge. Fans on the Point Blank Boogie fan forum have speculated that the song’s narrative reflects the band’s own struggles with the music industry, with “Queenie” symbolizing their loyalty to their craft despite external pressures. While the band hasn’t confirmed this interpretation, the song’s enduring appeal lies in its universal theme of accountability, perfect for the Zoo Freaks’ love of authentic, storytelling rock.

Point Blank, hailing from Texas, formed in the early 1970s when a group of musicians bonded over their shared love for Southern rock, blues, and boogie. According to their bio on their official website, the band started as a bar act in Fort Worth, playing covers of ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd before writing original material. John O’Daniel and Rusty Burns, the core members, met at a local jam session in 1974, and their chemistry led to the formation of Point Blank. By 1976, they signed with Arista Records after a scout saw them open for Aerosmith, as recounted in a 2010 post on their Facebook page. Their self-titled debut album established their reputation for hard-hitting riffs and soulful vocals, setting the stage for later works like Airplay.

The band’s journey wasn’t without challenges. A 2019 tweet from their X account reflected on how they navigated the shifting music scene of the 1980s, sticking to their Southern rock roots despite the rise of new wave and pop. Point Blank’s commitment to their sound earned them a loyal fanbase, evident in communities like the Point Blank Fans Facebook group and the Point Blank Boogie fan forum. These platforms keep the band’s legacy alive with discussions, rare photos, and concert memories. Fans can stay connected through Point Blank’s official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X, where the band occasionally shares updates about re-releases and reunion gigs.