Double Nickels on the Dime is a massive album comprised of 45 songs. Yes, you read that correctly. And as you’d expect with such a prolific output it covers a wide range of influences from hardcore punk to jazz to funk. The best way I can describe them to people unfamiliar with their material is they sound like a young Red Hot Chili Peppers pre Blood Sugar Sex Magik, working out their songs in a garage and having a couple of beers along the way. It’s raw and rough around the edges in a way that feels authentically organic. It’s a feature, not a bug.
Considered one of the pioneering forces in early alternative rock, and cited as a considerable influence for all the bands that followed, Double Nickels on The Dime was recorded in a way every single Minutemen album was recorded— with ultimate efficiency. Being self-professed “jamming econo” practitioners, Minutemen were intentional with song lengths, religiously rehearsed their songs ahead of the recording process, booked studio time after midnight to get better rates, and recorded on previously used tape to cut down on costs. The album only cost $1,100 in total to record, all the while holding down day jobs to make ends meet. That frugality and DIY aesthetic has been a hallmark for hardcore punk bands for decades, and Double Nickels on the Dime is a big reason as to why. Frankly the dad in me is proud of them for that.
Another interesting fact about this album is that, being a double album, there were four sides to the vinyl record that were available to be filled. Choosing how to sequence a 45 song album is no simple feat so the band elected to have each member “own” a side, and drew straws to choose the order in which each member would be able to pick their favorite songs. Being a three-piece and having four sides available, the band called the last side “Side Chaff”, a subtle nod to the fact that the wheat had already been culled from the material. And yes, for all you millennials out there, that guitar lick that kicks off “Corona” is the iconic sound from Jackass. And yes it also gave me a tinge of nostalgia hearing it.
The legacy of Double Nickels on the Dime is undeniable. From its subject matter that emphasized tolerance towards racial, cultural and sexual differences (a stance that was ahead of its time but has aged like a fine wine) to its championing of the working class, this is an album for the people by the people. It’s an essential listen for anyone with a remote interest in the history of American hardcore punk rock.
Standout Songs: “Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing”, “Viet Nam”, “History Lesson Part 2”, “Corona”, “Take 5, D.”, “The Big Foist”
