When the Minutemen were forced to split up in December of 1985 due to the untimely death of singer/guitarist D. Boon, the remaining members (bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley) were so devastated that they considered giving up music all together. Shortly afterwards though, a college student and major Minutemen fan, Ed Crawford, convinced the remaining members to soldier on. And soldier on they did, taking Crawford (known as "Ed fROMOHIO," due to his signature on a letter) as their new singer/guitarist, and dubbing the new outfit fIREHOSE, after the famous Bob Dylan song "Subterranean Homesick Blues." Their first album was issued less than a year after Boon's death, 1986's Ragin', Full On for SST, and surprisingly, the new band sounded completely different than it's predecessor (for example, Crawford had more of a real singing voice than Boon, the music was less unpredictable and more focused, etc.). Ex-Black Flag bassist Kira (and eventual wife of Watt) helped co-write several tracks: the hyper instrumental "Under the Influence of Meat Puppets," plus "It Matters," "Locked In," "Perfect Pairs," "Relatin' Dudes to Jazz," and "Things Could Turn Around." Other highlights included "Brave Captain," "Candle and the Flame," "Choose Any Memory," and "Caroms." While fIREHOSE would perfect their highly original sound on future albums (Flyin' the Flannel, Mr. Machinery Operator, etc.), Ragin', Full On still proved to be a worthwhile, interesting debut. ~ Greg Prato
Firehose: Ed Crawford (vocals, guitar), Mike Watt (bass), George Hurley (drums).
Personnel: Ed Crawford (vocals, guitar); George Hurley (drums).
Alternative Press (7/95, pp.85-86) - Ranked #38 in AP's list of the `Top 99 Of '85-'95' - "...Loss and ghosts haunt [this] record, much as they did on New Order's first outing without Ian Curtis, MOVEMENT..." CMJ (1/5/04, p.20) - Ranked #15 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1987"
ed CRAWfORD, mike watt, and george hurley! I bought this album when it first came out (being a fan of the minutemen), and I have had to replace it several times due to theft and wear. Maybe I'll make a copy and hide the original until it's time to make another copy. Submitted by catfishfernandez (ventura, CA, usa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
The album that defined an era This is a must have. Simply put. Submitted by Lee (Austin) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
good debut A small minority claims "If'n" to be better than this and as far as to say it's their best (Ha!) This is much better than "If'n" and "If'n" may be their worst according to me and another source. Submitted by a reviewer (florence alabama) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
ed CRAWfORD, mike watt, and george hurley!
The album that defined an era
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