Introducing the Minutemen

Introducing the Minutemen is a retrospective and relatively comprehensive compilation of songs by influential punk/alternative trio the Minutemen, compiled by bassist and notable solo artist Mike Watt twelve years after the untimely demise of the band. The album is made up of tracks spanning the band's entire career, sampling tracks from all of their studio releases with the exception of the Tour-Spiel EP and the Black Flag-Minutemen collaboration Minuteflag. Due to the comprehensive and wide-spanning nature of the collection, it is generally perceived to be an effective introduction to The Minutemen and their music.

Introducing the Minutemen
Compilation album by
ReleasedJuly 28, 1998
Recorded1980–1985
GenreAlternative rock, hardcore punk, post-punk
Length57:07
LabelSST (363)
ProducerSpot
Minutemen chronology
Post-Mersh Vol. 3
(1989)
Introducing the Minutemen
(1998)
D. Boon and Friends
(2003)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic link

The band's landmark breakthrough Double Nickels on the Dime donates the most tracks, with seven. The three-song Joy EP and the rarities collection The Politics of Time both contribute a mere two tracks.

Track listing edit

All tracks are written by Mike Watt, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Original ReleaseLength
1."Definitions" 1980 ~ Paranoid Time1:12
2."Joe McCarthy's Ghost" 1980 ~ Paranoid Time0:59
3."Paranoid Chant" 1980 ~ Paranoid Time1:17
4."Search"1981 ~ The Punch Line0:51
5."The Punch Line" 1981 ~ The Punch Line0:40
6."Fanatics" 1981 ~ The Punch Line0:30
7."Straight Jacket"
  • Hurley
  • Watt
1981 ~ The Punch Line0:58
8."Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs" 1983 ~ What Makes A Man Start Fires?1:28
9."Fake Contest" 1983 ~ What Makes A Man Start Fires?1:43
10."The Anchor"
  • Hurley
  • Watt
1983 ~ What Makes A Man Start Fires?2:32
11."Split Red"1982 ~ Bean-Spill0:53
12."Life as a Rehearsal" 1983 ~ What Makes A Man Start Fires?1:35
13."Cut" 1983 ~ Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat2:02
14."Dream Told by Moto" 1983 ~ Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat1:47
15."I Felt Like a Gringo" 1983 ~ Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat1:57
16."Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing" 1984 ~ Double Nickels on the Dime1:30
17."Maybe Partying Will Help"
  • Boon
  • Watt
1984 ~ Double Nickels on the Dime1:56
18."Toadies" 1984 ~ Double Nickels on the Dime1:38
19."Corona"Boon1984 ~ Double Nickels on the Dime2:25
20."History Lesson – Part II" 1984 ~ Double Nickels on the Dime2:11
21."This Ain't No Picnic"Boon1984 ~ Double Nickels on the Dime1:57
22."King of the Hill"Boon1985 ~ Project Mersh3:22
23."Tour-Spiel" 1985 ~ Project Mersh2:47
24."The Price of Paradise"Boon1985 ~ 3-Way Tie (For Last)3:35
25."The Big Stick"Boon1985 ~ 3-Way Tie (For Last)2:31
26."Courage"Boon1985 ~ 3-Way Tie (For Last)2:32
27."Spoken Word Piece" 1985 ~ 3-Way Tie (For Last)1:07
28."Just Another Soldier"Boon1985 ~ 3-Way Tie (For Last)1:57
29."If Reagan Played Disco"Boon1982 ~ Bean-Spill1:17
30."Case Closed"Boon1982 ~ Bean-Spill1:28
31."Futurism Restated"
  • Boon
  • Watt
1982 ~ Bean-Spill0:56
32."Joy"
  • Hurley
  • Watt
1981 ~ Joy0:54
33."Black Sheep"
  • Hurley
  • Watt
1981 ~ Joy1:09
34."Badges" 1984 ~ The Politics of Time0:34
35."Party With Me Punker" 1984 ~ The Politics of Time0:55

Personnel edit

Minutemen
Technical