We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen (2005)

A feature-length documentary chronicling early 80's punk rock band the Minutemen, from their beginnings in San Pedro, California, to their demise after the death of singer D. Boon in 1985.

Director:

Tim Irwin

Stars:

Milo Aukerman, Joe Baiza, Kevin Barrett

Cast

Credited cast:
Milo Aukerman	...	Himself (as Milo Auckerman)
Joe Baiza	...	Himself - Saccharine Trust
Kevin Barrett	...	Himself - Urinals / 100 Flowers
Scott Becker	...	Himself - Option Magazine
Jello Biafra	...	Himself
Richard Bonney	...	Himself
D. Boon	...	Himself (archive footage)
Jack Brewer	...	Himself - Saccharine Trust
Dez Cadena	...	Himself
Joe Carducci	...	Himself
Joe Carducci	...	Himself - SST Records
Nels Cline	...	Himself - Guitarist
Byron Coley	...	Himself - Archivist
Ed Crawford	...	Himself - Firehose
Brother Dale	...	Himself

Storyline

The Minutemen were a rock band from San Pedro, California. Through interviews with members Mike Watt (bass) and George Hurley (drums), the band's story is revealed. Commentary from other performers such as Flea, Greg Ginn, and Henry Rollins illuminates the band's place in the Southern California music scene and their contribution to music. Concert footage and old interview footage show Watt, Hurley, and departed singer/guitarist D. Boon, who died in an automobile accident in 1985.

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Plot Keywords:

california | san pedro california | interview | punk rock | southern california | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 2005 (USA)

Filming Locations:

San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rocket Fuel Films, The San Pedro Film Society

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Color:

Black and White Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References X: The Unheard Music (1986)

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Soundtracks

Corona
Written by D. Boon
Performed by the Minutemen
Published by D. Boon's Tunes (BMI)
Administered by Bug

User Reviews

Has there ever been a better band documentary?

Although a lot of the footage is of poor quality, the way the movie is edited taps into the enthusiasm the band garnered during it's live performances. After a screening at the Rice University Media Center in Houston, several attendees mentioned the urge they felt to get up and applaud 20yr old concert footage. The filmmakers did an excellent job of breaking up current interviews with footage they shoot throughout the band's early years. Surviving members of the band and other music contemporaries reminisce about why the Minutemen stood out and were so important. These ideas are then highlighted by concert footage or an archived interview with the band shortly before the death of D. Boon. For example, seeing Mike Watt today talk about growing up in San Pedro and the aggravations of trying to start a band in a small town is accentuated with comments he makes twenty years prior as the band is starting to taste national exposure. Whether you are a fan of the Minuteman, or alternative rock in general, shouldn't matter in choosing this film. The story resonates around the childhood friendship between D. Boon and Mike Watt and how it produced a sound that was one of the most creative in the history of rock n' roll. Imagine a twenty-year class reunion but only the people you liked are going to attend. That's the feeling I walked away with.