George Hurley
Encyclopedia
George Hurley is a drummer
noted for his work with The Minutemen
and fIREHOSE.
Even though he went to the same high school as D. Boon
and Mike Watt
he did not meet them until around 1978. That same year, Hurley formed The Reactionaries
with Boon, Watt, and Martin Tamburovich. After The Reactionaries split, George joined a Hollywood new wave band called Hey Taxi!. In 1980, Hey Taxi! disbanded at the same time the Minutemen's then drummer Frank Tonche left the band. Hurley reunited with his two former Reactionaries bandmates in the Minutemen.
Hurley is also known for his distinctive hairstyle that he sported in his later Minutemen and fIREHOSE days, a protruding clump of hair that he nicknamed "The Unit". Hurley explained in the 2005 Minutemen documentary We Jam Econo
that since his limbs were all busy when he played drums, he grew "The Unit" so that his head movements were more noticeable on stage.
Hurley has played with The Red Krayola and Tom Watson from Slovenly. He also plays with his surviving Minutemen cohort Mike Watt
on occasion, usually performing a set of Minutemen songs without a third person substituting for the late Minutemen leader D. Boon
under the name George Hurley and Mike Watt. In addition, he occasionally performs with improvisational group Unknown Instructors
with Watt and members of Saccharine Trust
and Pere Ubu
. Their first album, The Way Things Work
, was released in late September 2005 by Smog Veil Records
. In October 2005, they returned to the studio to record their second album, this time with Pere Ubu
's David Thomas
as an added participant. He has been married since 1997 and has a son Garrett who was born in July 2002.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
noted for his work with The Minutemen
Minutemen (band)
Minutemen were an American hardcore punk band formed in San Pedro, California in 1980. Composed of guitarist D. Boon, bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley, Minutemen recorded four albums and eight EPs before Boon's death in an automobile accident in December 1985...
and fIREHOSE.
Even though he went to the same high school as D. Boon
D. Boon
d. Boon born Dennes Dale Boon, was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. Active between 1978, when he joined The Reactionaries, and 1985, when he was killed in a van accident, Boon was best known as the guitarist and vocalist of the Californian punk rock trio Minutemen.-Youth:Dennes Boon...
and Mike Watt
Mike Watt
Michael David Watt is an American bassist, singer and songwriter.He is best known for co-founding the rock bands Minutemen, dos, and Firehose; , he is also the bassist for the reunited Stooges and a member of the art rock/jazz/punk/improv group Banyan as well as many other post-Minutemen...
he did not meet them until around 1978. That same year, Hurley formed The Reactionaries
The Reactionaries (band)
The Reactionaries were a punk rock band formed in San Pedro, California in 1978. The band's continual members were lead vocalist Martin Tamburovich, guitarist D. Boon, bassist Mike Watt, and drummer George Hurley. The Reactionaries existed for most of 1978 and 1979, practicing regularly but rarely...
with Boon, Watt, and Martin Tamburovich. After The Reactionaries split, George joined a Hollywood new wave band called Hey Taxi!. In 1980, Hey Taxi! disbanded at the same time the Minutemen's then drummer Frank Tonche left the band. Hurley reunited with his two former Reactionaries bandmates in the Minutemen.
Hurley is also known for his distinctive hairstyle that he sported in his later Minutemen and fIREHOSE days, a protruding clump of hair that he nicknamed "The Unit". Hurley explained in the 2005 Minutemen documentary We Jam Econo
We Jam Econo
We Jam Econo - The Story of the Minutemen, is a full-length documentary about the influential 1980s punk rock band Minutemen, created by director Tim Irwin and producer Keith Schieron in association with Rocket Fuel Films...
that since his limbs were all busy when he played drums, he grew "The Unit" so that his head movements were more noticeable on stage.
Hurley has played with The Red Krayola and Tom Watson from Slovenly. He also plays with his surviving Minutemen cohort Mike Watt
Mike Watt
Michael David Watt is an American bassist, singer and songwriter.He is best known for co-founding the rock bands Minutemen, dos, and Firehose; , he is also the bassist for the reunited Stooges and a member of the art rock/jazz/punk/improv group Banyan as well as many other post-Minutemen...
on occasion, usually performing a set of Minutemen songs without a third person substituting for the late Minutemen leader D. Boon
D. Boon
d. Boon born Dennes Dale Boon, was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. Active between 1978, when he joined The Reactionaries, and 1985, when he was killed in a van accident, Boon was best known as the guitarist and vocalist of the Californian punk rock trio Minutemen.-Youth:Dennes Boon...
under the name George Hurley and Mike Watt. In addition, he occasionally performs with improvisational group Unknown Instructors
Unknown Instructors
The Unknown Instructors are an all-star improvisational rock outfit that features the former rhythm section of The Minutemen and fIREHOSE, bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley; Saccharine Trust members, guitarist Joe Baiza and vocalist Jack Brewer; and vocalist/saxophonist Dan McGuire.Their...
with Watt and members of Saccharine Trust
Saccharine Trust
Saccharine Trust is a post-hardcore band from California that was started in 1980 by singer Jack Brewer and guitarist Joe Baiza.The band would frequently perform with SST labelmates Minutemen and Black Flag. Drummer Rob Holzman appeared on their 1981 debut Paganicons but left the band to play in...
and Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu (band)
Pere Ubu is an experimental rock music group formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1975. Despite many long-term band members, singer David Thomas is the only constant...
. Their first album, The Way Things Work
The Way Things Work (album)
The Way Things Work is the debut album by American improvisational band Unknown Instructors, featuring Mike Watt , George Hurley , Joe Baiza , Jack Brewer , and poet Dan McGuire.The album was created and recorded on the spot in one day in 2003...
, was released in late September 2005 by Smog Veil Records
Smog Veil Records
Smog Veil Records is a Chicago, IL based independent record label. In addition to standard CD, DVD, and vinyl distribution, Smog Veil all distributes its media via the digital channels, including Napster and iTunes.-Label Information:...
. In October 2005, they returned to the studio to record their second album, this time with Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu (band)
Pere Ubu is an experimental rock music group formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1975. Despite many long-term band members, singer David Thomas is the only constant...
's David Thomas
David Thomas (musician)
David Lynn Thomas is an American singer, songwriter, and musician.He was one of the founding members of the short-lived protopunkers Rocket From The Tombs , where he went by the name of Crocus Behemoth, and of punk group Pere Ubu . He has also released several solo albums...
as an added participant. He has been married since 1997 and has a son Garrett who was born in July 2002.