first "...engine room" u.s. tour, 1997: joe baizaon guitar stephen hodgeson drums mike watton bass + spiel
(hodges dubbed this version "the black gang crew")
second "...engine room" u.s. tour, 1998: joe baizaon guitar bob leeon drums mike watton bass + spiel
starting on cinco de mayo in 1997, I spent the next three weeks recording my first punk rock opera "contemplating the engine room" w/ nels cline on guitar and stephen hodges on drums that used my pop's life w/the navy as a metaphor for the story of the minutemen.
it was released in september of that year and I put together a band to tour it, known as "the black gang" (it's old navy slang for those who work in the engine room) and over the next fourteen months I did four tours w/three different lineups. I ended up w/the cline-lee-watt version and we recorded a 7" ep w/ wayne peet for kill rock stars in 1999 besides doing non-opera gigs after the last "...engine room" tour (all the songs uploaded to this page are from the final black gang). I really dug this band so when I get time, I have a album written for nels and bob that I wanna record really bad, maybe I can do it in 2008.
I have much respect for joe baiza, stephen hodges, nels cline and bob lee for helping me out like they did, pouring much heart into my piece to help make it come alive plus steve reed, who was my beloved soundman on all four "...engine room" tours. like I say at near the end of my opera: "I'm a lucky man" - ain't that the fucking truth.
mike watt + the black gang's Friend Space (Top 19)
And thanks for adding me here, too!! I really like "Engine Room". It's a very powerful tune! You can really feel the the sweat rolling down your nose!!! The Has Bin Jeff
No one ever says old man!!!! I'ma gonna say that song is too good. I'd be lying out the back of my hat if I said I wasn't envious of that sound!!! Much many more much X normal
Mike, I know you're down with Richard McKenna...so I wanted to show you a sketch I made of MM1 Jake Holman...maybe someday I'll turn this into a more formal piece of art. Anyways. Love your music. Love your radio show.
May you have fair winds and following seas in all your endeavors...
I was working at the Garage on Santa Monica and Vermont when the first tour played a kick-off show there. Joe Baiza came to the door and my boss, the promoter, actually had to ask him which band he was there to play with.
But it was pretty cool to see the kickoff at the Garage and the wind-down at Linda's Doll Hut (with Knapsack!).
My head is my only is in my head so often these days. Whenever i feel that things are getting ontop or if i'm extra happy on a sunshine day that sound sings through. It sounds slightly pathetic but I think it pays to thank people for these things.
Bigshitthanks and a happy fart tits,
XNormal
