Philzone.org Discussion Board: Archive 2004: Non-PF/Dead Show Reviews Archive 2004: Mike Watt and The Secondmen - 7th St.Entry - Mpls,MN

What a killer show by famed punk rock icon and co-founder of The Minutemen and firehose,Mr.Mike Watt and his new band,The Secondmen. Kinda like a punk rock Martin,Medeski,and Wood;Watt and his bandmates plowed through his complete new album in its entirety during the first set highlighting Watt's versatile bass playing and some great singing and jamming from his new keyboard player.The band ranged in tone from some sick Emerson,Lake,and Palmer style intricacies to more wide open compositions that reminded me of Wizard,A True Star era Todd Rundgren and Utopia.After a short break,Watt and crew returned for a blazing set of Minutemen and firehose originals with some choice covers like Red and The Black by Blue Oyster Cult,and the shows high point for me;a riveting cover of It's Alright Ma,I'm Only Bleeding by Dylan. The song brought out the best in the keyboard player who threw his all into both the singing and his playing that reminded me of Blue Cheer's version of Summertime Blues of all things.To top it off,the keyboard player had a huge Skullfuck sticker right in the middle of his Leslie cabinet - pretty cool.While I was there I ran into some old music scene friends including Lori Barbiero the drummer for Minneapolis' famed Babes In Toyland who told me that her and Kat Bjelland have mended fences and are rehearsing again and may officially reunite for a tour and an album next winter(all you old school fans like Damon13) Anyways it was a great show and warmup for Thursday when I'm going to see the reunited Zombies and Love at the main nightclub in the 1st Avenue- 7th St Entry complex made famous in Purple Rain.

Nice review, Cray! I think you just got me to go see them here in the burgh (hopefully I didn't miss it yet).

I never got to see firehose, but flyin the flannel is easily one of my all time favorites.

Babes in Toyland coming back. I would check that out too! Saw them open for White Zombie (along with Rev. Horton Heat) and they kicked ass. That song "House" of theirs is still a rocker. I'de say the Babes could take L7 and The Donnas at the same time . Speaking of which, Cray did you ever hear Crunt featuring Kat and her husband the the drummer from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion? A great but underrated band (I think they only had one album).

Nice review!

Thanks Damon - I never saw that band but I did see her band Katastrophy Wife with her second husband!! See, the Zone isn't the only music scene with its own sense of drama!! Kat is a wild child but Lori is the nicest!!! person in the Minneapolis scene bar none - a total sweetheart and goodwill ambassador. Here on the 21st they are having a benefit for Karl Mueller from Soul Asylum with Paul Westerberg,Bob Mould,The Gear Daddies having a reunion show,Golden Smog,of Course Soul Asylum;and special guests!! Yowsah the creme de la creme of the MPls punk rock glory years.Can't wait - it should be awesome - Thanks for the nice words - go see Watt you won't be disappointed by the man in the van with the bass in his hands!!Peace

Thanks for the review. I have been fortunate enough to see Watt a time or two and I actually met him once. The best way I can describe it is Coltrane playing punk. He talked very eloquently about how influenced he is by Coltrane and how he hopes he plays with as much passion and love for the music as 'Trane. Watt is coming back to Nashville in the next 2 weeks so i'm really looking forward to hearing his new album being performed live.

Luke - hope that you enjoy the show in Nashville!!
Always fun to read Watt's Tour Diaries on his website- gives a real insight to the real work and travel and boredom that permeates a long tour by a band and the toll(s)it takes on band members and their families.Do you get many great non-country shows there in Nashville? A buddy of mine is an engineer for a country studio and wants me to come down for a visit and I want to check it out before I come - Peace

thanks cray~mike watt~whatta flashback

Thanks for the review Cray. I've seen Watt quite a few times and also saw Minutemem and fIREHOSE as well. He is a true blue-collar musician, a true punk. Missed him this time round, but it's good to hear he's still wrestlin' the thunder broom.