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

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

Did You Know?

Connections

References Over-Exposed (1956)

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Soundtracks

Joe McCarthy's Ghost
Written by Mike Watt
Performed by the Minutemen
Published by tHUNDERsPIELS (BMI)
Administered by Bug

User Reviews

Interesting at times, but also disorganized

I love The Minuteman, so it would be very hard for me to dislike this documentary. Still, I thought it had some pretty serious structural problems. The backbone of the film is Mike Watt telling the story of the band in chronological order, using primarily clips from two lengthy interviews. This part of the film tells a compelling story. It is inter cut with performance footage and snippets of interviews with dozens of other major and minor figures in the band's story. This talking head footage has a tendency to undermine the film at time. The director obviously collected so much interview footage that he seems compelled to use it, but what's being said is often repetitive and not pertinent to the point that Watt's story has reached. It gives the film a disorganized, scatter shot feel that really undermines its effectiveness at times.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen

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