The Minutemen
Formed in 1980 in San Pedro, California, USA, and originally known as the Reactionaries. This influential hardcore trio initially comprised D. Boon (guitar/vocals), Mike Watt (bass) and Frank Tonche (drums), but the last named was replaced by George Hurley prior to recording. Although the trio donated tracks to several independent compilations, notably for the pivotal Radio Tokyo Tapes and the Posh Boy and New Alliance labels, their association with SST Records resulted in some of the genre's most impressive recordings. The unfettered rage of their early work was less apparent on BUZZ OR HOWL UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HEAT and PROJECT (MERSH), (Mersh is San Pedro slang for ‘commercial’), but DOUBLE NICKELS ON THE DIME and 3-WAY TIE (FOR LAST) showed an undeterred passion and commitment. The Minutemen came to a premature end in 1986 following the death of D. Boon. Watt and Hurley decided to drop the group's name, and in its place formed Firehose with guitarist Ed Crawford.