Formed in the mid-1970s, The Minutemen are seen as one of the most influential punk bands of all-time, pioneering the genre with their eclectic sound incorporating the genre with the likes of free jazz, politically infused lyricism and funk creating an incredibly interesting back catalogue which continues to stand the test of time.
Frontman and guitarist D. Boon and bassist Mike Watt met in high school and began performing covers of '70s rock standards. They discovered punk rock upon graduating and forming their first band, The Reactionaries, in 1980, alongside drummer Frank Tonche and a second guitarist. The group only survived a couple of months before the guitarist dropped out, and thus The Minutemen were formed (named after the length of the majority of their songs). Drummer Tonche lasted for one single before being replaced with George Hurley and completing the now-classic lineup. The band signed to SST Records and released first EP 'Paranoid Time' in 1981 followed by debut album 'The Punch Line' the same year.
With a gruelling touring schedule and a number of releases on independent labels cementing themselves at the heart of a DIY punk scene which was prominent across the USA, they released second album 'What Makes a Man Start Fires?' in 1983. This saw the three-piece receive critical acclaim from the underground press, with their reputation beginning to break them into mainstream consciousness. With 1984 double album 'Double Nickels On the Dime', the band showcased an additional depth and this is largely seen to be their masterpiece, with Rolling Stone ranking it at number seven on their 40 Greatest Punk Albums of All Time, ahead of contemporaries like Hüsker Dü and Black Flag, the latter of which the band collaborated with on split EP 'Minuteflag' (1986).
1985 album '3-Way Tie (For Last)' proved to be their last, as frontman D. Boon was killed in a car crash along with his girlfriend. The remaining members joined forces with Minutemen fan and guitarist Ed Crawford and formed fIREHOSE, while the Minutemen legacy continues to live on.