The Minutemen Appreciation Thread

The Owl · #1 08-14-2006, 08:20 AM

This thread is dedicated to Mike Watt, D Boon and George Hurley and ANYONE who has ever truly been Jamming Econo or embraced the DIY (Do It Yourself) ethic to the hilt!

Who here digs the Minutemen?

Favorite stories, tunes, recordings or rememberances of this ground-breaking threesome from San Pedro who wrote the book on Doing It Yourself from the ground up, and like in the song "History Lesson Pt 2", punk rock changed their lives!

Post away!

txbasschik · #2 08-14-2006, 10:54 AM

The Minutemen were among the first punk bands I was exposed to. "Double Nickels" was in that stack of vinyl brought home by a friend's older sibling.

When someone says that punk is nothing but simple 3-chord slamming, I play The Minutemen for them. Shuts 'em right up.

"Spillage" is a favorite of mine.

So is "Double Nickels".

Mike Watt is always exactly who he is, you know? Nothing put-on or fake about him. I love his attitude as much as I love his playing.

Cherie

Spencer! · #3 08-14-2006, 11:05 AM

"Viet Nam" and "King of the Hill" are my favorite Minutemen tunes. In terms of albums, it doesn't get any better than Double Nickels. I've got it on CD and vinyl!

The Owl · #4 08-14-2006, 12:47 PM

My first Minutemen exposure was "What Makes A Man Start Fires" and it's lead-off track "Bob Dylan Wrote Propoganda Songs".

Double Nickels on The Dime and PROJECT: MERSH are my favorites by far!

I was lucky enough to see them play in a club in North Hollywood CA (FM Station) a few months before D Boon died. They had the energy of ahydrogen bomb that night! One of the many things I loved about them was their complete lack of pretense and rock-star attitude, they were totally NOT about stardom but 100% about their art. Good 'ol Mike had his Franken-Caster bass back then.

EunosFD · #5 08-14-2006, 01:56 PM

A VERY underrated band no doubt. Double Nickles is a classic and has a really unique vibe to it. The songs are short, angular, and almost funky...in an early 80's post-punk manner. They weren't as harsh or angry in the way groups like Gang of Four were, but had the same punk rooted sensibilies and dancable underlying groove. A band I played bass for back in high school covered a few Minutemen songs and they're a blast to play. Great stuff!

inkslinger · #6 08-15-2006, 09:19 AM

Heard of them back in the day but never was exposed. Last couple years I have been picking up LPs at yard & estate sales and last month found 5 Minutemen Lps -including double nickel. I am very impressed w/ all of them. Funny how their political lyrics sound contemporary. Great passionate playing.