Post-Mersh, Vol. 2

Originally issued as 2 separate releases: the BUZZ OR HOWL UNDER INFLUENCE OF HEAT EP and the PROJECT MERSH LP.
Personnel: D. Boon (vocals, guitar); Mike Watt (vocals, acoustic guitar); Crane (trumpet, background vocals); Ethan James (synthesizer, background vocals); George Hurley (drums, wood block).
Recording information: Radio Tokyo, Venice, CA (01/1983-02/1985); Total Access Studios, Redondo Beach, CA (01/1983-02/1985).
Photographer: Naomi Peterson.
Unknown Contributor Role: Ethan James.
The Minutemen came a long way in their all-too-brief career. Initially a hardcore punk outfit, they soon began to carve out a signature sound that incorporated funk rhythms and political lyrics. Their stock in trade was the extremely concise song. On the first few releases, they stayed true to their name, unleashing a flurry of songs that lasted a minute or less. Eventually, they began to explore new directions, adding sonic elements like horns and acoustic guitar, and writing songs of a more traditional length.
This compilation showcases two very different sides of the Minutemen. The 1983 EP BUZZ OR HOWL is a rocking collection that typifies their wildest early work. PROJECT MERSH (1985) is the other side of the coin. Although the group might not have liked the term, it is a more "mature" work, one that demonstrates a growing sophistication in songwriting, arrangement and production. It also contains "King of the Hill," one of the finest distillations of what the Minutemen did best (and also one of the few songs for which they made a video).