Pedro Rocks

We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen is a lot of things: a manual for upstart bands, a chance to see old punks in their living rooms, and a stern reminder that punk is a way to live and not a haircut. (Damn it!) But mostly the film features bassist Mike Watt setting people straight about his band, which combined quick songs, a proletarian attitude, and the desire to screw with everything it touched.

Martin Lyon

The Minutemen do their thing.

Details

Plays Wednesday and Thursday, July 27-28, at 7 and 9 p.m.

Admission is $5-8

978-2787

www.ybca.org

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Screening Room, 700 Howard (at Third Street), S.F.

Related Content

• Aerosmith vs. Sammy Hagar: One embodies arena-rock greatness, the other taints it
  July 21, 2010
• Jello Biafra's 'Ultimate Third Rail': Why the Outspoken SF Punk Rocker Abandoned Plans to Play in Israel
  November 28, 2011
• Catching Up with Mike Watt, Former Minuteman and Writer of Punk Operas
  April 27, 2011
• Is This the Coachella 2012 Lineup?
  November 29, 2011
• Five EDM Tours that Paved the Way for Identity Festival
  September 2, 2011

More About

• Mike Watt
• D. Boon
• Ian MacKaye
• Jello Biafra
• San Pedro

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Events Newsletter: What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Econo starts with Watt visiting the very tree 13-year-old D. Boon jumped from onto Watt's head, changing the course of history. Watt then motors us around his sacred San Pedro in a van, pointing out landmarks such as windows and driving really slowly. Storytelling follows, using a mix of current and archival footage: Watt will start a tale in a 1985 interview, pick it up from behind the wheel, hand it off to Flea or Ian MacKaye or Jello Biafra from their respective homes, and then a live music clip will prove everyone right. Conclusions achieved: a) Precious few understood the Minutemen, b) D. Boon jumped around a lot for a big guy, and c) it mightily sucks when you're trying to sing and 30 people spit in your mouth.

There are also revelations: Double Nickels on the Dime was named after Sammy Hagar's inability to drive 55, and D. Boon's mom cajoled Watt into playing bass. But it's really a treat see how the fellows are getting on -- MacKaye looks and sounds like Moby; John Doe is as dapper as ever -- as well as how they're living. Some, such as Flea, reside in Pottery Barn punk, but plenty retain the shit-everywhere chic of '85. You are expected to believe, and indeed should, that the Minutemen were the little geniuses of the era, confounding fans and peers alike. But the most unexpected take-away? D. Boon had a very cool mom.