Fresno Famous

Here's a show we should all be talking more about: The Firehose reunion, tomorrow night at Fulton 55.

This is one of several gigs the band is doing, including sets at both Coachella weekends.

For those who don't know Firehose (which I am careful not to miss-type as Firehouse believe me), this is the band formed by Mike Watt and George Hurley after the demise of The Minutemen, which for those who don't know, was an influencial band in the 1980s southern California hardcore scene. They played a crazy mix of jazz/progressive/punk stuff.

Those interested should watch the documentary "We Jam Econo."

Point of note: In certain circles, Watt is a big deal. He played bass with Iggy Pop in the reformed Stooges and should be in the ranks with Henry Rollins, Jello Biafra and the like.

I saw him perform on some side stage at a Lollapalooza festival in the late 1990s with whatever band he had together at the time. I was young and had no clue who Mike Watt was and was shocked, when this dude who I thought was a roadie, who was dressed like an old farmer, started rockin' the f' out. He subsiquently completely destoryed his bass and had to borrow one from whatever band was playing next and it was THE memory I have of that concert.