We Jam Econo

I may be the last one to hear about this, as I live in a freakin' box. I found this over at Master of Chooch. Forgive me if this is old news

The San Pedro Film Society in association with Rocket Fuel Films is proud to announcethe premiere of WE JAM ECONO - THE STORY OFTHE MINUTEMEN at 8PM on Friday, February 25,2005 at San Pedro's historic Warner GrandTheatre. Minutemen Mike Watt and GeorgeHurley along with Director Tim Irwin andProducer Keith Schieron will sit for aquestion and answer session with the audienceafter the screening.

WE JAM ECONO - THE STORY OF THE MINUTEMEN isa feature length documentary chronicling thisground breaking, early 80's punk rock bandfrom their humble beginnings in the harbortown of San Pedro, CA to their untimelydemise when lead singer and guitarist D. Boonwas killed in a van accident in December of 1985.

Told by those who were there, WE JAM ECONO -THE STORY OF THE MINUTEMEN weaves together footage from over fifty newly shot interviewswith archival interviews and live performancesto capture the dynamic energy anddo-it-yourself spirit of these punk rockpioneers. Newly shot interviews include Minutemen Mike Watt and George Hurley as well as Bill Morgan, Brendan Mullen, Brother Dale, Brother Matt, Byron Coley, Carla Bozulich,Carlos Guitarlos, Chris Morris, Colin Newman,Dave Markey, David Rees, Dez Cadena, Ed Crawford, Flea, Greg Ginn, Henry Rollins, IanMackaye, J Mascis, Jack Brewer, Jean Watt,Jello Biafra, Joe Baiza, Joe Carducci, John Doe, John Talley-jones, Keith Morris, Kevin Barrett, Kira Roessler, Kjehl Johansen, Kurt Schellenbach, Lisa Roeland, Martin Lyon,Michel C. Ford, Mike Martt, Milo Auckerman, Nannette Roeland, Nels Cline, Pat Hoed, RandyJahnson, Ray Farrell, Raymond Pettibon, Richard Bonney, Richard Derrick, RichardHell, Richard Meltzer, Bobby Holtzman, ScottBecker, Thurston Moore, Tom Watson, TonyPlaton and Vince Meghrouni.

All of the details are here. Suffice it to say that I'm eagerly looking forward to this DVD release (don't think I'm going to make it in person). I could try and write about the band but I doubt I could convey their importance both globally and personally. Anyhow, I'm in the mood for some 'propaganda songs'. Here are a couple of 'off the cuff' favorites:

Minutemen - Little Man with a Gun in His Hand.mp3
I wore out my tape of My First Bells primarily from rewinding to listen to this track. From 1983's What Makes a Man Start Fires 12"

Minutemen - Tour-spiel.mp3
the live version from 1986's Ballot Result LP. I had to include a song with 'We Jam Econo', and this version has some nice thud to it.

Minutemen - Bermuda.mp3
another live one from Ballot Result. Watt takes on Roky Erickson (and wins)

Minutemen - History Lesson Part II.mp3
The song that says it all. 'Our Band Could Be Your Life' - Boon and Watt always had the right turn of phrase, penning lyrics that still stick in my skull 15-20 years after first listen.

Stuff:

SST has reissued the Minutemen's catalog so many different ways I can't keep it straight. Why not take a look?

Mike Watt's Hoot Page

Corndog.Org - cool stuff

Minutemen.com

Photograph above from Glen Friedman