Loved fIREHOSE. I missed the chance to see them on tour when I was a college freshman because is was underage to get in and they didn’t tour my town again.
One of the best ime. I got to see them on orange county at the Green Door after From Ohio came out. There was maybe 20 people there but they played their hearts out and it was an amazing show.
Such an incredibly talented band, one of the greatest bands of the 80's and 90's. I also truly think that Mike Watt is one of the greatest bassists in rock history, Ed fROMOHIO is no slouch on guitar either
I am right there with you. There is just something about Watt's bass playing. As a bass player myself, ive listened to so many amazingly bassed albums. Ranging from the chili peppers, primus, mudvayne, yes, the who, all the funk masters....Graham, Collins, Verdine white, all the Jazz masters like Jaco, Wooten, Miller. Nobody's playing hits me deep like Watt's (Except Sandman). I'll even go on record to say that Flying the Flannel is the greatest album for bass melody of all time. I would say that the 2 greatest bass players in regards to pure sound and feel are Watt and Sandman from Morphine.
Great job talkin' about the albums. I grew up hearing Minutemen from my older brother's record collection. By the late 80's I had been on a roller coaster of music taste and had forgotten about the Minutemen as I was into thrash metal and then slowly put the brakes on that genre to get back into SST stuff as well as Touch and Go, Restless and Rough Trade. I was also heavy into skateboarding, so I saw Santa Cruz's Streets On Fire video and during the Natas Kaupas segment they had Brave Captain playing in the soundtrack. It sounded familiar, yet I couldn't place the vocals. Of course I found out it was fIREHOSE and I was back into Watt and Hurley (bass and drum heroes!) with Ed fROMOHIO (I'm also from Ohio so it made it that much more excellent). I eventually saw them on the Live Totem Pole tour in '91 and then caught a Watt solo show in '95. I miss D. Boon and always wonder what would've been. I also miss Hurley and wish he'd tour with Watt. At least we still have lots of great Watt solo stuff. I particularly love the stuff he's done with Il Sogno del Marinaio.
I love this band and I appreciate this review of the band's catalog. Thank you! Well done. I had never listened to Minutemen, but discovered fIREHOSE when they opened for Jerry Lee Lewis and X in 1987. I was mesmerized. Went to a whole lot of shows between 87 and 91, receiving their post cards in the mail. They played everywhere and anywhere around SoCal. Seemingly like everyone, I've chatted with Mike Watt a few times (McCabe's guitar shop around 1990 and the Blake Babies gig in 1989 I think, plus Glendale College in 1988). I have never heard another human being praise the melodic bass line in Locked In, but you did it justice. It's musical genius. Ragin' is a great album and it's a good choice for "best" but I have to go with "if'n" as my favorite. My last fIREHOSE concert was the North Hollywood (summer of 91) gig where they recorded the Totem Pole EP. Yes, it was a great concert. I can be heard doing a quick scream on "What Gets Heard" as the pit swirled. I met my future wife a couple months later and the "punk rock" gigs ended.
He was a drumming influence for me. He played things I never would have thought to come up with. I met him once and he was incredibly nice and friendly.
My favorite band behind Minutemen. I just transitioned over. One of the best live bands that ever played. This episode was great, despite me being a year late. Thanks for shining a light.
Nice tribute to the band. I was a big fan back in the 90s. While so many other folks seemed to be obsessed with grunge music at the time, I was listening to firehose and other stuff that was similarly off the beaten track...
I am absolutely stunned that I had never heard of this band! Thank you for introducing them to me. Now I have more music to add to my playlist. Once again, you have a great channel. Keep up the terrific work!
I was always left mind blown at the song flyin the flannel and the way the verses had Ed's vocals and bitchen chords and George's drums. No bass. It gave it a cool sound. Love this band to this day!
In 1986 I had just joined WJUL FM UMass Lowell and Ragin Full On was out! Every song I heard just Clicked 100% and in 2023 still sounds amazing. 'If'n' ditto. Saw firehose many times, a Free show at NE University and then a paid gig at The Paradise that night.
Thanks a lot, Cody! I totally feel the same way--and I actually go back and forth between wanting everyone to know how great they are, and enjoying being one of the few who understand the "secret handshake" that is fIREHOSE.
This was really a great piece on the band. I really like the way that you presented it in a way that is pretty accurate to their albums and I think how most fans feel about them. I have to agree with almost every single thing you said about where these albums rank. It’s almost as if the first three album standalone. I think my favorite part of this video and some thing I was hoping to hear and didn’t think I would was the story behind the song for the singer of R.E.M. and oh my God I would do anything to hear R.E.M. perform that
Thanks a lot, Marc. I'm so glad you enjoyed the episode, and that we are in sync when it comes to this amazing band. And I am SO with you on wishing Michael Stipe had sung For the Singer of REM. I would kill to find footage of this happening, and believe me, I've looked! Hope you enjoy my other videos, and welcome to the channel!
I'll admit I never found Minutemen listenable. but 'ragin full on' is one of my all time favorite albums. I forget about it for years, but it's never far from my heart, and had a HUGE influence on my development as a musician.
My initial reaction to the Minutemen wasn't positive, until a friend played Double Nickles for me. Shortly after, I heard Ragin' and became a Watt bass disciple. Try Double Nickles. Early Minutemen, Mike said they didn't even know how to properly tune.
If’n is my favorite record from the band. It’s my go-to mood booster LP. One of my top 5 favorite bands along with REM, Meat Puppets, Hüsker Dü (and by extension Bob Mould’s solo career), and The Chameleons.
Nice. I walked out of a job to travel up to Manchester to see fIREHOSE live in '89. No regrets - cracking gig. The version of 'Under the Influence of Meat Puppets' was bonkers. Anyone who name-checks Zappa and Mission of Burma on the same channel is definitely worth a closer look. Much obliged.
Ha! What a great story. I'd totally ditch a job for a fIREHOSE gig too. Sounds like a great gig, and given the three LPs they had out by then it was a perfect time to see them. I really appreciate the kind words. Thanks for taking the time to comment, and welcome to the channel!
Mike Watt does NOT have an engineering degree. By all accounts, he never went to college. If he did briefly go to college (and I can find no record of that), there's no way he could have put in the work to get an engineering degree. Engineers pass calculus 3, differential equations, and ungodly physics. Mike is a smart guy, but he did not have the time to incessantly play music and pass crazy difficult math classes. NO.
Hollis, I always enjoy your show, but this fIREHOSE breakdown... well, I just didn't see it coming. My favorite PCG episode yet! I saw that band live more than any other in the day bc of my love for them bc of their constant touring as you mentioned. I agree that tho the albums were great, playing out is where they excelled. Mike Watt is not just the best bass player that yr average person has never heard of, but is a genuine human being who while you asked him questions about his music he'd ask you about your life. He always made time for fans. Got my fIREHOSE telephone pole, "Kinko's" poster from an 80s show framed in my living room. Two things I'd like to mention. Play "Down with the Bass", and "Toys in the Attic" back to back. Also, I'm sure u have it, Hollis, but for those who dont but love the bass, try and find a copy of "Big Bottom Pow Wow" cd which features Watt, Claypool, Flea and Kirkwood talking about the bass... (the big bottom referring to the tap tune with 4 bass players, of course). Thanks again, Hollis.
Hey Greg! So glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, Mike's humanistic qualities are legendary. It's so rare that anyone that talented is that unassuming, especially a legendary figure in an ego-driven business such as the music business. You're right about Big Bottom Pow Wow, such a wonderful time capsule--and it's fun hearing Watt actually seeming agitated talking about "the kids today."
That was a GREAT video! I popped some of your suggested favorites into my spotify and will give them a listen. (the only album I'm actually familiar with is Ragin')
Great deep dive on this seriously underappreciated band. Is there a better bassist than Mike Watt? Not for my money. And he's got a clever way with language that I envy. Thx for this video. Now for some Ragin' Full On!
Thanks, Eric. This one was a labor of love--that's probably why it was such a tough one! You're so right about Watt; he's pretty much got his own vernacular (Pedro-bonics?), and it's always a treat to hear him speak. Happy Ragin'!
My first exposure to them was Flyin’ the Flannel and Mr, Machinery Operator.. Love those guys. J Mascis and Mike Watt made a great combo later with the legendary Ron Asheton..
i don't think I had ever heard the origin story of Firehose. That's cool, it's basically how I met the guy that got me into punk rock. We were in college together and I had just jumped into his car and said, "you're going to drive me to the bookstore". His eyes got as big as dinner plates and he responded, "I am?".... he did. On the way there I spotted a Shonen Knife cassette (who I had recently discovered) and we started talking about music. Hear that kids? Just barge into someone's property, only good things can come of it!
Haha, way to make things happen! Your story reminds me of Kathleen Hanna's story in The Punk Singer. She was a fan of this fanzine writer, so she basically announced to her that they were gonna be best friends. Like you, Kathleen doesn't take no for an answer. What I love about your story is that it proves a truism I've always felt. Two people liking Sabbath or Steely Dan or Zeppelin isn't unique enough to bond over. But Shonen Knife? Or the Vaselines? Or Beat Happening? Now you're taking about bonding!
@@PopCultureGraveyard Especially back in those days when you were still considered a weirdo for liking anything that wasn't Top40. And yea, it was a common personality quirk to want to break all conventions and social norms. ...and ya' know, the shit you can get away with when you're 17.
'member? I 'member fIREHOSE. I never got to see them live, but I did once see George Hurley playing electronic drum pads with Mayo Thompson's Red Krayola in 2000. the lineup also included David Grubbs (Gastr del Sol) on guitar, and my old art school teacher Stephen Prina on keyboards and...triangle?
Do not say anything negative about the fIREHOSE dude. Everything they do is a gift to rock and roll. Do not critique fIREHOSE. It’s like trying to find something wrong with Jesus. fIREHOSE is perfect rock and roll. The are the underground undercurrent of music. They remain econo and solid as fuck
You clearly didn't watch the episode; I have nothing but good things to say about this amazing band. But why am I even responding to someone who hasn't watched the episode?
Loved fIREHOSE. I missed the chance to see them on tour when I was a college freshman because is was underage to get in and they didn’t tour my town again.
The band really never got the recognition that they deserved. This band was criminally underrated.
Flyin the Flannel is one the best albums of the 1990’s IMO 100% desert island album for me
Firehose will have its day! Best band i ever got to see live, hands down!
One of the best ime. I got to see them on orange county at the Green Door after From Ohio came out. There was maybe 20 people there but they played their hearts out and it was an amazing show.
Such an incredibly talented band, one of the greatest bands of the 80's and 90's. I also truly think that Mike Watt is one of the greatest bassists in rock history, Ed fROMOHIO is no slouch on guitar either
I am right there with you. There is just something about Watt's bass playing. As a bass player myself, ive listened to so many amazingly bassed albums. Ranging from the chili peppers, primus, mudvayne, yes, the who, all the funk masters....Graham, Collins, Verdine white, all the Jazz masters like Jaco, Wooten, Miller. Nobody's playing hits me deep like Watt's (Except Sandman). I'll even go on record to say that Flying the Flannel is the greatest album for bass melody of all time.
I would say that the 2 greatest bass players in regards to pure sound and feel are Watt and Sandman from Morphine.
Great job talkin' about the albums. I grew up hearing Minutemen from my older brother's record collection. By the late 80's I had been on a roller coaster of music taste and had forgotten about the Minutemen as I was into thrash metal and then slowly put the brakes on that genre to get back into SST stuff as well as Touch and Go, Restless and Rough Trade. I was also heavy into skateboarding, so I saw Santa Cruz's Streets On Fire video and during the Natas Kaupas segment they had Brave Captain playing in the soundtrack. It sounded familiar, yet I couldn't place the vocals. Of course I found out it was fIREHOSE and I was back into Watt and Hurley (bass and drum heroes!) with Ed fROMOHIO (I'm also from Ohio so it made it that much more excellent). I eventually saw them on the Live Totem Pole tour in '91 and then caught a Watt solo show in '95. I miss D. Boon and always wonder what would've been. I also miss Hurley and wish he'd tour with Watt. At least we still have lots of great Watt solo stuff. I particularly love the stuff he's done with Il Sogno del Marinaio.
I love this band and I appreciate this review of the band's catalog. Thank you! Well done. I had never listened to Minutemen, but discovered fIREHOSE when they opened for Jerry Lee Lewis and X in 1987. I was mesmerized. Went to a whole lot of shows between 87 and 91, receiving their post cards in the mail. They played everywhere and anywhere around SoCal. Seemingly like everyone, I've chatted with Mike Watt a few times (McCabe's guitar shop around 1990 and the Blake Babies gig in 1989 I think, plus Glendale College in 1988).
I have never heard another human being praise the melodic bass line in Locked In, but you did it justice. It's musical genius. Ragin' is a great album and it's a good choice for "best" but I have to go with "if'n" as my favorite. My last fIREHOSE concert was the North Hollywood (summer of 91) gig where they recorded the Totem Pole EP. Yes, it was a great concert. I can be heard doing a quick scream on "What Gets Heard" as the pit swirled. I met my future wife a couple months later and the "punk rock" gigs ended.
I’m surprised so little attention is paid to George. He was the best drummer in the history of punk rock!
He was a drumming influence for me. He played things I never would have thought to come up with. I met him once and he was incredibly nice and friendly.
My favorite band behind Minutemen. I just transitioned over. One of the best live bands that ever played. This episode was great, despite me being a year late. Thanks for shining a light.
Nice tribute to the band. I was a big fan back in the 90s. While so many other folks seemed to be obsessed with grunge music at the time, I was listening to firehose and other stuff that was similarly off the beaten track...
I am absolutely stunned that I had never heard of this band! Thank you for introducing them to me. Now I have more music to add to my playlist. Once again, you have a great channel. Keep up the terrific work!
Thank you! So glad I could bring you two together! Enjoy the great music!
Never heard? Of firehose must be living under a rock !
Ragin full-on is one of my favorite records
I was always left mind blown at the song flyin the flannel and the way the verses had Ed's vocals and bitchen chords and George's drums. No bass. It gave it a cool sound. Love this band to this day!
Great video! If’n is my fave
Thanks, Brandon! Great album!
I loved if'n. From Ohio was my favorite.
The Minutemen & firehose were to short lived for me. Both great bands that I love! WooF!!🐶🐶
In 1986 I had just joined WJUL FM UMass Lowell and Ragin Full On was out!
Every song I heard just Clicked 100% and in 2023 still sounds amazing. 'If'n' ditto.
Saw firehose many times, a Free show at NE University and then a paid gig at The Paradise that night.
Great video! Love these guys and wish they received more credit amongst alternative rock critics/fans.
Thanks a lot, Cody! I totally feel the same way--and I actually go back and forth between wanting everyone to know how great they are, and enjoying being one of the few who understand the "secret handshake" that is fIREHOSE.
i fucken love firehose
Nice Work! WooF!!🐶🐶
This was really a great piece on the band. I really like the way that you presented it in a way that is pretty accurate to their albums and I think how most fans feel about them. I have to agree with almost every single thing you said about where these albums rank. It’s almost as if the first three album standalone. I think my favorite part of this video and some thing I was hoping to hear and didn’t think I would was the story behind the song for the singer of R.E.M. and oh my God I would do anything to hear R.E.M. perform that
Thanks a lot, Marc. I'm so glad you enjoyed the episode, and that we are in sync when it comes to this amazing band. And I am SO with you on wishing Michael Stipe had sung For the Singer of REM. I would kill to find footage of this happening, and believe me, I've looked! Hope you enjoy my other videos, and welcome to the channel!
I'll admit I never found Minutemen listenable. but 'ragin full on' is one of my all time favorite albums. I forget about it for years, but it's never far from my heart, and had a HUGE influence on my development as a musician.
That's so cool! I'm sure that album has influenced countless musicians who wanted to coalesce all their influences and find their own sound.
My initial reaction to the Minutemen wasn't positive, until a friend played Double Nickles for me. Shortly after, I heard Ragin' and became a Watt bass disciple. Try Double Nickles. Early Minutemen, Mike said they didn't even know how to properly tune.
Minutemen were great live in Chicago in the late 70s
If’n is my favorite record from the band. It’s my go-to mood booster LP. One of my top 5 favorite bands along with REM, Meat Puppets, Hüsker Dü (and by extension Bob Mould’s solo career), and The Chameleons.
Nice. I walked out of a job to travel up to Manchester to see fIREHOSE live in '89. No regrets - cracking gig. The version of 'Under the Influence of Meat Puppets' was bonkers. Anyone who name-checks Zappa and Mission of Burma on the same channel is definitely worth a closer look. Much obliged.
Ha! What a great story. I'd totally ditch a job for a fIREHOSE gig too. Sounds like a great gig, and given the three LPs they had out by then it was a perfect time to see them. I really appreciate the kind words. Thanks for taking the time to comment, and welcome to the channel!
I met mike watt a couple times in the 80s and 90s, saw minutemen and firhose. he actually has an engineering degree..
Mike Watt does NOT have an engineering degree. By all accounts, he never went to college. If he did briefly go to college (and I can find no record of that), there's no way he could have put in the work to get an engineering degree. Engineers pass calculus 3, differential equations, and ungodly physics. Mike is a smart guy, but he did not have the time to incessantly play music and pass crazy difficult math classes. NO.
I love that album.
The cover of If'n actually features a picture of the Minutemen (not fIREHOSE) alongside 'cover models' Husker Du.
Hollis, I always enjoy your show, but this fIREHOSE breakdown... well, I just didn't see it coming. My favorite PCG episode yet!
I saw that band live more than any other in the day bc of my love for them bc of their constant touring as you mentioned. I agree that tho the albums were great, playing out is where they excelled. Mike Watt is not just the best bass player that yr average person has never heard of, but is a genuine human being who while you asked him questions about his music he'd ask you about your life. He always made time for fans. Got my fIREHOSE telephone pole, "Kinko's" poster from an 80s show framed in my living room.
Two things I'd like to mention. Play "Down with the Bass", and "Toys in the Attic" back to back. Also, I'm sure u have it, Hollis, but for those who dont but love the bass, try and find a copy of "Big Bottom Pow Wow" cd which features Watt, Claypool, Flea and Kirkwood talking about the bass... (the big bottom referring to the tap tune with 4 bass players, of course).
Thanks again, Hollis.
Hey Greg! So glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, Mike's humanistic qualities are legendary. It's so rare that anyone that talented is that unassuming, especially a legendary figure in an ego-driven business such as the music business. You're right about Big Bottom Pow Wow, such a wonderful time capsule--and it's fun hearing Watt actually seeming agitated talking about "the kids today."
I've seen firehose and watt more than any other band. Once in Austin, Gibby Haynes grabbed the mic for the Revolution "Gary Shandling" spiel.
My one and only chance to see fIREHOSE my car broke down half way to Atlanta from Athens.
My greatest musical regret.
Saw them in 1993 or 1992 with DOS “From Ohio” tour. Lots of cool swag.
In Atlanta
That was a GREAT video! I popped some of your suggested favorites into my spotify and will give them a listen. (the only album I'm actually familiar with is Ragin')
Thank you, my friend! So glad I could help get you deeper into fIREHOSE. Hope you enjoyed the tracks!
Like Can’t Believe, Toolin’ is another great melodic and carefree track to check out.
Great deep dive on this seriously underappreciated band. Is there a better bassist than Mike Watt? Not for my money. And he's got a clever way with language that I envy. Thx for this video. Now for some Ragin' Full On!
Thanks, Eric. This one was a labor of love--that's probably why it was such a tough one! You're so right about Watt; he's pretty much got his own vernacular (Pedro-bonics?), and it's always a treat to hear him speak. Happy Ragin'!
My first exposure to them was Flyin’ the Flannel and Mr, Machinery Operator.. Love those guys. J Mascis and Mike Watt made a great combo later with the legendary Ron Asheton..
Yes, J, Mike and Ron were magical together. Sheesh, that's gotta be 20 years ago now. Crazy.
Nice vid. Btw, Chemical Wire is about drug addiction and its toll on you. "Grinding on till you're tired, when you'll break down beside her."
Yea bro nailed it got to see the band 2 times Morgantown WV and Columbus Ohio
My introduction to firehose was Streets on Fire.
Our skate gangs fav band next to say JFA way back then...
i don't think I had ever heard the origin story of Firehose. That's cool, it's basically how I met the guy that got me into punk rock. We were in college together and I had just jumped into his car and said, "you're going to drive me to the bookstore". His eyes got as big as dinner plates and he responded, "I am?".... he did. On the way there I spotted a Shonen Knife cassette (who I had recently discovered) and we started talking about music. Hear that kids? Just barge into someone's property, only good things can come of it!
Haha, way to make things happen! Your story reminds me of Kathleen Hanna's story in The Punk Singer. She was a fan of this fanzine writer, so she basically announced to her that they were gonna be best friends. Like you, Kathleen doesn't take no for an answer. What I love about your story is that it proves a truism I've always felt. Two people liking Sabbath or Steely Dan or Zeppelin isn't unique enough to bond over. But Shonen Knife? Or the Vaselines? Or Beat Happening? Now you're taking about bonding!
@@PopCultureGraveyard Especially back in those days when you were still considered a weirdo for liking anything that wasn't Top40. And yea, it was a common personality quirk to want to break all conventions and social norms. ...and ya' know, the shit you can get away with when you're 17.
'member? I 'member fIREHOSE. I never got to see them live, but I did once see George Hurley playing electronic drum pads with Mayo Thompson's Red Krayola in 2000. the lineup also included David Grubbs (Gastr del Sol) on guitar, and my old art school teacher Stephen Prina on keyboards and...triangle?
Very cool! Sounds like one hell of a show-and a cool art teacher too
Spiel with a SCH at the beginning and Pettibon with a BONE at the end
Can you do a deep dive on Wire (best band ever, post-punk or otherwise)?
Great suggestion, Victor! What an amazing, peerless catalog they have.
Amazing breakdown my friend.
Much appreciated! This one was a labor of love
friendsfromOHIO
Know them from the get go
hey, there, thanks for doing this. i heard chili peppers give homage to firehose. now i know why. a question: were the minutemen a racist punk band?
Do not say anything negative about the fIREHOSE dude. Everything they do is a gift to rock and roll. Do not critique fIREHOSE. It’s like trying to find something wrong with Jesus. fIREHOSE is perfect rock and roll. The are the underground undercurrent of music. They remain econo and solid as fuck
You clearly didn't watch the episode; I have nothing but good things to say about this amazing band. But why am I even responding to someone who hasn't watched the episode?
I don’t think Vaughn was directing his comment at you, just speaking rhetorically.
Real fIREHOSE only 3 first albums. Did you mention FOOD ?
Dont use capital F fIREHOSE aint step of anything its just a thought of ED ....
Are you real fun of f . Your best song is cover of PE come on who cares