the ''minutemen'' were a band from ''san pedro'', california, u.s., formed in 1980 by childhood friends ''dennes d. boon'' (vocals, guitar) & ''mike watt'' (bass, vocals) following the break-up of their previous band, ''the reactionaries''. although technically considered a ''punk rock'' band, the group frequently added elements of ''funk'' & ''jazz'' into their songs & would also incorporate classic ''rock'' covers into their records & live sets, most notably covering ''steely dan'', ''van halen'', ''creedence clearwater revival'', & ''blue öyster cult''.
the band was known for the brevity of their songs, freeing them from solos, choruses, breakdowns, & fade-outs. also, ''d. boon'' was known for his very trebly guitar tone, believing in a ''democratic'' sound, in which all instruments would sound distinct & be equally represented.
''boon'' & ''watt'' had wanted to include ''reactionaries'' drummer ''george hurley'' when the ''minutemen'' formed, but he had immediately joined another band following the ''reactionaries'' demise, so instead they recruited a local welder named ''frank tonche'' to play drums.
the ''minutemen'' played their first show with ''black flag'' & the two bands would develop a close relationship.
''tonche'' quit after the group's second show, disliking the ''punk'' audiences that the band played for, & ''hurley'' opted to join the band (a collection of recordings with ''tonche'', called ''georgeless'', was released on 7" vinyl in 1993). while ''d. boon'' would sing the majority of the songs, all 3 members contributed to the songwriting.
the band was extremely prolific, issuing 4 official l.p.'s & 6 official e.p.'s in 5 years, & also appearing a numerous compilations. their 1984 double l.p., ''double nickels on the dimes'', is their most critically well-received release. most of their work was issued via black flag's ''s.s.t. records'' & the band's own label, ''new alliance records''.
the ''minutemen'' came to end on december 22, 1985, when ''d. boon'', at the age of 27, was killed in automobile accident in arizona. the following year, a collection of live recordings called ''ballot result'' was released by ''s.s.t.''. following boon's death, ''watt'' sold ''new alliance'' to ''s.s.t.'' in 1987.
a ''minutemen'' fan named ''ed crawford'' encouraged ''watt'' & ''hurley'' to form a new band. the band, ''firehose'', existed until 1994. since then, ''watt'' & ''hurely'' have played with various bands & sessions, & ''watt'' has also released several solo albums.
in 2005, ''watt'' & ''hurley'' (along with ''joe baiza'' of ''saccharine trust'', ''universal congress of.'' & ''october faction'') reunited again in an improve rock group called ''unknown instructors''.
a documentary on the ''minutemen'', called ''we jam econo'', was released in 2005 & featured interviews with ''watt'' & ''hurley'', along with a number of friends & ''contemporaries'', including ''chuck dukowski'', ''henry rollins'', ''ian mackaye'', ''john doe'', ''kira roessler'', & many others...
01. ''(white label)'' (white label, 7'' vinyl, date of release unknown)
link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?srjeoey79ro1hrn
