english translation of bass magazine (from japan) article on watt


bass magazine - april 2001 issue, page 30





the first translation
(by Atsuo Honda):


interview

Mike Watt


It is not fearing my opinion of existence.


How much are those who know the name of Mike Watt in Japan? And He is also the pioneer-existence of present age Alternative Rock. In Japan, Mike Watt still known hardly participated in the Japan tour of best friend J Mascis (& The Fog) as a support member, and announced and charmed the passion risked on us at his music. And he greatly told his existence as Bassist also at the interview.


December 22, 1967, the U.S. Wisconsin birth. He is begun to play Bass early in the 70s. [note from watt: I was born in portsmouth, virginia on december 20, 1957 actually]

---------------------------------

Bassist shines by cheering up other men.

BM: Although it was the Japan tour performed on the other day (13-17th February), how was the live in Japan?

MW: It is wonderful! In fact, I came to Japan for the first time this time. For 22 years performed musical activities, and although I was the tour this is moreover the 42nd time of mine, I had not yet come to Japan. But tour was wonderful. Japanese audience are seem to very concentrates. American audience are bored immediately and begins to drink with a bar.

BM: I having been surprised for me looking at the live is were able to hear your solo work. Why was your solo work incorporated in the set list this time?

MW: That's the idea of J Mascis(Vo,g). He said to me, " needed to you perform with a pick", and told "I want you to connect and perform Bass to Marshall Amp" to others. I had not performed by Marshall Amp until now.

BM: The musical piece of Black Flag or Stooges was also included in the set list. Why were these musical pieces chosen?

MW: I was likely to suffer from heavy illness and was likely to die last year. I was sent to hospital half a year, and the emergency operation was also undergone. Since it was as severe a situation as my life finishes truly, I was very fearful. Muscles contract and I had become impossible to perform it after that, since I was in the hospital, although recovery was carried out. I all lost the capability to perform. At such time, I carried out to NY and did J and the live about 3 times. Music was all Stooges. It is very simple, and the music of Stooges does not have a code change and is the music of feeling serious consideration. It became my rehabilitation to perform Stooges. J thought of the idea which plays their music by such a circumstances.

BM: My having been more surprised, although the present talk's was also surprised is that Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth appeared. Did you carry out or and did you plan the happening of cod roe?

MW: Thurston is a friend from ancient times. When D Boon(ex.Minitmen) passed away, He helped me many things. I am performing by "EVOL" of Sonic Youth to it. Thurston and ancient times to relations of J are good. J thought of the idea which features Thurston by "More Light."

BM: How do you consider the role of Bassist within a band?

MW: If Bass is always compared on another musical instrument and baseball, although it will be caught like a right fielder, I do not think so. When we Bassists cheer up other men, they also shine. If the best performance of member can be pulled out, it means that it had been successful with my performance. Bass is felt rather than it hears it. It is important for a bass to not only a technique, what phrase is performed. A physical law controls a performance and shines. Sound becomes smaller as there are many notes. Therefore, if only a suitable note is chosen and performed, sound can be heard thickly.

BM: How have you caught the role of Bass in his band, when working as a band member of J Mascis?

MW: I am going to become the existence always like a jump stand. A diver carries out a splendid jump to a pool from a diving board(laugh) I am going to make the firm foundation to which other musicians can fly. Bass is in a strange position. The element of drums or guitar are also contained in Bass. Although it is fundamentally close to Kick Drun, when flipping a high note, it becomes the existence near a guitar. And this band begins from the idea of J fundamentally. So I often hear his talk and am made to put it into execution. It is important for performing in a band to often hear the sound of one's surroundings. It can say the thing with every same band.

---------------------------------

It is important to consider and hear just Bassist.

BM: Was Bass which you were using this time EB-III of Gibson?

MW: YES, I had this Bass six or seven years before, but, I had seldom played. I was using Thunderbird and Telecaster Bass till then. But,I also grow older and a wrist came to ache. The ache is serious and operation of a car also became impossible for me. I continue wanting to perform Bass throughout life. So I played EB-III by play. Although possibly it was effeminately audible when such things were said, since the ache was completely lost by performing Bass of a short scale, it had been rescued. But, right hand is shortly serious if it is a short scale. 'cause there is no space between strings not much. But, playing with a pick, it is satisfactory.

BM: Woodly MAMMOTH of Z.VEX for which you are also using the live is the effector of fuzz system. Rather than a sound with power which riots, the sound effect that there is a settlement like which is a synthesizer is the feature. Is it in the reason as which you who want to pursue low-pitched sound dared have chosen that?

MW: It is also the idea of J. As for him, the texture of that sound is pleased. I feared using an effector from ancient times in fact. 'cause low-pass is cut by the effector. Rectangle wave hollows the frequency in every other one, a low end becomes weak. If the cycle in every other one is cut the more since each cycle becomes large very the more frequency is low, low-pass will disappear. J gave the confidence which tries an effector on me. I enter and use for mind very now.

BM: Did you use amplifier other than Marshall on tour?

MW: I used SUN. Yes..and Marshall. I always use SUN 1200S in U.S.A. The cabinet of EDEN is also used for it. Although SUN lent in Japan the cabinet which is 15 inches, it was since '80 that I use 15 inches. I like the 10 inches speaker. I'm made to take out low-pass with box. I seem that I cannot bear the output if I am a 15 inches cabinet, although I like a setup with near string and pickup. Wire of a speaker might get hot and may have melted (laugh). An effector called Z.VEX Super Hard-On which I am using had two outputs, it had connected to both Marshall and SUN.

BM: I saw your homepage "Mike Watt HOOT Page". Do I seem that you have own much Basses although written also to HP?

MW: Yes, Basses of the neighborhood are not yet parted with(laugh). It is reasonable in having carried the photograph. I want to teach that the sound which may perform superannuated Bass of can be made to the young man who plays Bass. It is OK even if it does not independently have the same Bass as Bassist of Limp Bizkit.

BM: Is the sound become brave and carried out also in the roaring sound guitar maintained, and are there any tips to which the Bass sound which advertizes presence gradually is made to hear?

MW: It is important to maintain balance in ensemble. That is, it will usually become severe state, if I performed with the same volume as J are't you? (laugh) But,there is a space in the music of J, I enter there and performs. When a drummer strikes tom, it is predicted and fill is put in before it. If there is deployment with new music, fill will be put in also before it. Bass is played so that it may do so and may be "audible". It is not volume but composition.

BM: Do you work as a member of J Mascis+The Fog from now on?

MW: If he invites me at all, I continue wanting to do. Because, I like this band very much!!

BM: Is there any release schedule of your solo work?

MW: Do you know that I will do the unit? This is the only band which I am giving now. It is a band named "Doa." [note from watt - this should be _dos_, me and kira's two bass only band] this unit is doing for a long time and has constructed with Kira of the lady who was playing Bass by Black Flag. The 3 albums are released until now. The 4th work is due to be made soon. It is not due to know how much time remains until I die, and one year and a half are due to do much recordings after this(laugh).

BM: Finally I ask a message of a Japanese fan and Japanese Bass Magazine reader.

MW: What I spoke about at this interview is one of the messages. Although it does not know whether all of my utterances are transmitted(laugh). It is important to consider and hear just Bassist. The band is making you reliance. The level of a band goes up by Bassist. You should not necessarily do that it is only conspicuous. I want you to remember the talk of a jump stand about which I spoke while ago. I am pleasure about what thing young dudes which will appear from now on does by Bass. Sometimes simpleest bass line is most effective. Important one should carry out the performance suitable for music. It is claiming your existence and not fearing it. A man is the aggregate of having experienced until now. You have to express it!!

---------------------------------

CHECK THIS GUITAR!! J MASCIS + THE FOG feuturing MIKE WATT

The Japanese public performance of J Mascis+The Fog performed from 13th to 17th Feb, 2001.

On this page, excellent article "Gibson EB-III" which Mike Watt which was performing the bass as a support member was using is introduced.

Him who owns many basses including a Thunderbird. However, only for Gibson EB-III, it is that he used these lives.

His prejudice is stuffed over details.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike says: Bartolini Pre Amp is built in this bass. I feel that when still original, a sound is surely fishy and Low-pass was lacking. The bridge was changed into Badas. Although I still play this bass only half a year, I am very pleased. The tone knob was also converted. The switch which exists in the center of a control part is the peach of not the switch that chooses a pickup but which chooses the zone of a middle range. It can choose from 200,400,800Hz. Although the knob which is visible beside a control knob was the switch out of which rear P.U, front P.U, or both can be chosen from the first, I changed it to the balancer. If a knob is turned to the leftmost, P.U of neck slippage will be used, and it will be set to P.U of bridge slippage if it turns to the right. I always tune up with this knob and look for an exactly good sound. A control part is volume, bass, treble, and middle. This Bass had 20 times as many might as this from P.U of bridge slippage of P.U of neck slippage. Then, Bartolini pre-amp was put in and balance both of P.U was equalized. When playing with J, 60% is set as neck P.U, it sets 40% as bridge P.U, and it is playing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIVE REPORT

17th Feb, 2001(Sat) at: Akasaka Blitz reported by : H???????? S?????????

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"J Mascis will come Japan!!" After determining this Japan Tour, I was not able to settle down easily.

Dinosaur JR who has broken up suddenly though it. It is the central figure and pioneer-existence ofAlternative Rock J Mascis announced the album in the solo name in October of the last year. The impression which has played and toppled the degree guitar once involved again me to whom his overwhelming presence has overlooked the live in the Dinosaur JR time until there is nothing in the storm of Alternative Rock. Furthermore, there was a topic which one more should observe. Mike Watt which played an active part in Minitmen etc. by Bass&Vocal. Although the degree of cognition in Japan is low, he is Punk by nature and is the person who is not an overstatement even if it calls it the real parent of Alternative Sound. Information that he participates in the live as a support member of best friend J Mascis. A genre which a time flows and is called Alternative Rock is the present when it may be becoming the past inheritance. I was sure that the place which this live means is too large, and becomes what attracts attention very much.

The Number Girl that only the Tokyo performance worked the opening act among these performances. It is the Japanese band which develops the lock which leads to Alternative Rock too. It carried out skilled to this combination considerably even if not the fan. For in the hall, already is a heat rise by appearance of The Number Girl! The height of this tension when until it is a large success to the extent that it becomes anxious about whether it continues.

J Mascis and Mike Watt of a main act appear in the hall , the hall is rise up greatly further. For a set list, the musical piece of new work "More Light" and Dinosaur Jr time is a center. The excellent piece of music "Out There" and "The Wagon" of Dinosaur Jr showed this climax of No.1 today. Japanese fan that which continued waiting for this day. At "More Light", Mike sings in beautiful chorus in which Robret excelled. He raises voice forcibly with him truly appropriate for Punks. Furthermore, Mike sang in addition to the musical piece of Black Flag or Stooges,and recorded on the solo album of Mike Watt "Big Train" etc. there was also a precious scene that J Mascis played a guitar. Mike Watt which displayed the presence as Bassist which is equal also to the roaring sound guitar with which Mascis explodes to us. Furthermore, by the encore number "More Light" of this day, he participates in the solo album of Mike Watt, and with deep exchange of J Mascis Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth (g, Vo) appears suddenly. The smiling face "Big satisfaction" was full of the face of the audiences who were able to turn the light unexpectedly which may happen just because it is this band. For the audience who is also concentrating the one music one music also of the numbers of music called a total of 20 music including encore, it is too short. But, I can be said that the live was satisfied very much. The live which kept anew existence of two great artists called J Mascis and Mike Watt in our heart deeply strongly greeted the end in the applause without the end which asks for encore.















the second translation
(by Keiko):


It is not fearing one's opinion of existence, and it.

Are those who know the name of Mike.Watt in Japan? And it is hardly known still more here in Japan that he is the pioneer-existence of present age alternative-rock, either. Such Mike.Watt participated in the visit-to-Japan public performance of best friend J Mascis as a support member, and displayed the passion applied to music. And existence of himself as a bassist was greatly told also at the interview.

Profile partial decipherment is impossible.

A bassist is cheering up other men and it shines.

Although it was the Japan tour performed on the other day (2 / 13 - 2/17), how was the live in Japan?

It was wonderful. In fact, it came to Japan for the first time this time. For 22 years performed musical activities, and moreover, although it was the tour this [ whose ] is the 42nd time of mine, it had not yet come to Japan. But tour was wonderful. It concentrates very and a Japanese spectator is seen. An American spectator bored immediately and begins to drink with a bar. ? It was surprised that your solo work was able to be heard to see the live. Why was your work incorporated in the set list this time?

It is the idea of J Mascis (vo, g). He said, "Perform with a pick" and told "I want the amplifier of Marshall to perform through a bass" to others. There was (having performed through Marshall until now, etc. and) no I.

The musical piece of Black Flag and the musical piece of Stooges were also included in the set list. What is this song selection carried out?

I was likely to suffer from heavy illness and was likely to die last year. It was also sent to hospital half a year, and the emergency operation was also conducted. Since it was as uncanny a situation as life is finally likely to become truly. It was very fearful. Although recovery was carried out, since it was in the hospital, muscles have shrunk and become unable to perform it. At such time, it carried out to NY and the live was done about 3 times together with J. Music was all Stooges. It is very simple, and the music of Stooges does not have a code change and is the music of feeling serious consideration. It became my rehabilitation to perform Stooges. Since there was such a thing, I think that J thought of the idea of playing their music.

Although the present talk was also surprised, it was further surprised that Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth appeared to see the live. Possibly, did you plan this happening?

Thurston is a friend from ancient times. When D.Boon (g & vo of former Minutemen) passed away, I had many things helped. To it, I am performing by "EVOL" of Sonic Youth. Thurston and ancient times to relations of J are good. J thought of the idea which carries out the future of Thurston by "More Light."

How do you consider the role of the bassist within a band?

a bass -- always -- a shadow -- a musical instrument -- it is caught It is the light of the outfield when it says on baseball. However, I do not think so. When a bassist cheers up other men, he also shine. If the best performance of a member can be pulled out, it means that it had been successful with my performance. The sound of a bass is felt rather than it hears it. A bass is not only a technique and it is important what phrase is performed. The physical law is controlling the performance. Sound becomes smaller as there are many notes. Therefore, if only a suitable note is chosen and performed, sound can be heard thickly.

When working as a band member of J Mascis, how is the role of the bass in his band caught?

I am always going to become the existence like a jump stand. A diver will carry out a splendid jump to a pool from a diving board (smile). I am going to make the firm foundation to which other musicians can fly, and shine. A bass is in a strange position. The element of a drum is also contained in the bass and the element of a guitar is also contained in it. Although it is close to a bass drum, a fundamental place becomes the existence near a guitar, when flipping a high note. And this band begins from the idea of J fundamentally. Therefore, his talk is often heard and it is made to put it into execution. In giving a band, it is important to often hear a surrounding sound. It is the thing with every same band. It is important that just a bassist considers and hears it.

Was the bass which was being used by this live EB-II of GIBSON? [note from watt - it's actually a gibson eb-3]

That is right. This bass had seldom been performed, although had six - seven years before. Till then, "Thunder-Bird, telecaster bass" were performed. But I grow older and came to feel a pain [ wrist ]. The ache is serious and driving of a car of it also became impossible. I continue wanting to perform a bass. Therefore, EB-II was performed by play just for a moment. Although it may be effeminately audible when such a thing is said, since the ache disappeared completely, it had been rescued by performing the bass of a short scale. But when it is a short scale, a right hand is what very much shortly. It is because there is no space between bowstrings not much. But about performing with a pick, it is satisfactory.

Wodlly MAMMOTH of Z.VEX for which you are also using the live is fuzz system effector. Rather than the sound with the power which riots, the sound effect that there is a settlement [ like ] which is a synthesizer rather is the feature.

Are you who want to emphasize low-pitched sound in the reason for having dared have chosen that?

It is also the idea of J. He is pleased in the texture of that sound. In fact, I feared from the front a few things for which an effector is used. If it lets an effector pass, since low-pass will be cut. Since short form wave hollows the cycle in every other one, a low end becomes weak. If the cycle in every other one is cut the more since each cycle becomes large very the more frequency is low, low-pass will disappear. J gave the confidence which tries an effector on me. It enters and uses for mind very now.

What did amplifier use among tour in addition to Marshall?

Sun was used. They are right [ that ], it, and Marshall. In the United States, 1200S of Sun are always used. The cabinet of Eden is also used for it. In Japan, Sun lent the 15 inches cabinet. However, it was since [ 80 ] that I use 15 inches. I like the 10 inches speaker. It is made to take out low-pass with box vibration. I like a setup with them. [ a bowstring, an uncanny pickup, and ] [ near ] However, if it is a 15 inches cabinet, it is not likely to bear and go out to the output. The wire of a speaker gets hot and has melted (smile). Since two out puts were in an effector called Super Hard-ON of Z.VEX which I am using, it had tied to both Sun and Marshall.

Your HP "Mike Watt HOOT PAGE" was seen. Does it seem that you own many bases although introduced also by HP?

that is right. The base of the hit is not yet parted with (smile). It is reasonable in having carried the photograph. I want to teach that the sound which may perform a bass [ tatter ] can be made to the young man who performs a bass. Even if it does not independently have the same base as Limp Bizkit's bassist, it is that it is OK.

Is a firm sound maintained also in a roaring sound guitar, and are there any tips to which the bass sound which advertizes presence to us is made to hear?

It is important to maintain balance in ensemble. That is, if I performed with the same volume as J, since ? (smile) which will usually become confused also has a space in the music of J, it enters there and it is performed. When a drummer strikes Tamm, it is predicted and fill is put in before it. fill is put in also the time of music having new deployment, and before it. A bass is given so, and it performs so that it may be audible. It is not volume but composition.

From now on, does it work as J Mascis + the Fog?

If he uses at all, do you continue wanting to do? Since this band is favorite.

Is there any release schedule of your solo work etc.?

Did you know that I would do the unit? This is the only band which I am giving in fact. Although it is the band "Dos", it is only two bassists' band. This unit is done for a long time. It has constructed with Kira of the lady who was giving the bass by Black Flag. Until now, no less than three sheets have released the album, and it has become the schedule which makes the 4th sheet soon. I do not know how much time until it dies remains. One year and a half plan to do much recording after this (smile).

Finally, I ask a message of a Japanese fan and the reader of a base magazine.

All of having talked at this interview are one message. Although it does not know whether all my utterances appear (smile). It is important that just a bassist considers and hears it. The band is making you reliance. The level of a band goes up by the bassist. What is necessary is just not to do that it is conspicuous. I want you to remember the talk of a jump stand about which it spoke while ago. The fellows who will appear from now on are slack or pleasure about what thing with a bass. A bass line simple No. 1 is sometimes effective. It is important to carry out the performance suitable for music and to claim one's existence. And it is not fearing it. Although man experienced until now, he is an aggregate. It is not expressed and it does not become then.

The visit-to-Japan public performance of J Mascis+the Fog performed from February 13, 2001 to February 17. Here, I will introduce the excellent article and "GIBSON EB-II" which Mike Watt which was performing the bass by support was using. Although it is him who begins Thunder-bird and owns many basses, only GIBSON EB-II used it live. Details are covered and his prejudice was stuffed.

Mike: -- this bass contains the preamplifier of Bartolini When still original, the sound was too old and low-pitched sound was lacking. The bridge is changed to Padus. Although this bass is still performed only half a year, it is very pleased. A tone knob is also converted and shines. The switch which exists in the center of a control part is for choosing not the switch for choosing a pickup but the compass of a middle range. It can choose from [ of 200,400,800Hz ] three. Although the knob which appears like a control knob was a pickup of neck slippage, a pickup of bridge slippage, or the switch chosen by pattern called both from the first, I changed it to the balancer. When the knob was moved to the No.1 left, a pickup of neck slippage will be used, and if it moves to the right, it will become a pickup of bridge slippage. It always tunes up with this knob and an exactly good sound is looked for. Control parts are volume, a bass, a treble, and middle. This bass had 20 times as many might as this rather than the thing of bridge slippage of a pickup of neck slippage. Then, the preamplifier of Bartolini was put in and balance of a pickup was equalized. When doing with J, 60% is set as a pickup of the bridge slippage of remaining 40% to neck slippage.


LIVE REPORT Sat., February17, 2001 Akasaka BLITZ Reported by. ???

"-- J Mascis will come -- " I after determining this visit-to-Japan public performance was not able to settle down easily Dinosaur Jr dispersed suddenly lavishly. It is the central figure and pioneer-existence J Mascis of alternative-rock released the album in the solo name in October of the last year. The impression which has played and toppled the degree guitar once involved again me to whom the overwhelming presence has overlooked the live in the Dinosaur Jr time until there is nothing in the storm of alternative-rock. Furthermore, there was a topic which one more should observe this time. Mike Watt which played an active part in Minutemen or fIREHOUSE as bass & vocal. Although the degree of cognition in Japan is low, it is punks by nature and is the person who is not an overstatement even if it calls it the real parent of alternative-sound. Information that he participates in the live as a support member of best friend J Mascis. For a genre which it flows and is called alternative-rock, a time is the present which may be turning into the existence of a past inheritance. I was sure that the place which this live means is too large, and becomes what attracts attention very much.

It is NumberGirl that only the Tokyo public performance worked the front act among these public performances. It is the Japanese band which develops the rock which leads to alternative-rock too. It carried out skilled to this extravagant combination considerably even if not the fan. the inside of the hall -- an appearance of NumberGirl -- already -- heat rise this tension -- when -- until -- it is a large success to the extent that it becomes anxious with whether it continues If J Mascis and Mike Watt of a main act appear in [ such ] the hall, the hall will rise greatly further. For a set list, the musical piece of new work "More Light" and Dinosaur Jr time is a center. The excellent piece of music "Out there" of Dinosaur Jr time and "The Wagon" hit showed this climax of No.1. Is a fan having waited eagerly for this day however? In "More Light", Mike Watt sings the beautiful chorus which Robert Pollard (Guided by Voices) took charge of. Voice is forcibly raised truly appropriate for Punks. Furthermore, in addition to the music of Black Flag or Stooges, Mike sang "Big Train" etc. recorded on the solo album of Mike Watt, and there was also a precious scene that J Mascis played a guitar. Mike Watt who lost and was not inferior to the roaring sound guitar with which Mascis paragraph explodes, and displayed the existence as a bassist to us clearly. Furthermore, the appearance with sudden Thurston Moore (g, vo) of Sonic Youth where participate also in the solo work of Mike Watt and J Mascis of exchange is deep with the encore music "More Light" of this day. A guitar is established suddenly (it is not like [ of having done what ] in practice, either), and a flower is further attached to the live. The smiling face "large satisfaction" was full of a spectator's face which may happen since it is this band and to which the light was turned unexpectedly. The number of music called a total (including encore) of 23 music is also too short for the spectator who is concentrating on one music deployment of one music. But, it can be said that it was the live satisfied certainly. The live which engraved anew existence of two persons' great artist called J Mascis and Mike Watt deeply strongly at our heart greeted the end in the applause which does not stop in quest of encore.



* * * * * * * * * * *



another version of the q &a part
(by Keiko):


Q: How was playing in Japan

A: Great, Actually this is my first visit to Japan even though I've been playing for 22 years now and this is my 42nd tour, but I've never been to Japan before. Tour was great. Japanese audiences really concentrate on music, Americans get bored easily and end up drinking at the bar.


Q: I was surprised to see you play when I heard your solo stuff, Why put your stuff in set list?

A: That was J. Mascis' idea, also he asked me to play w/ a pick & Marshall Amp. I never played with a Marshall before.


Q: The set list included Black Flag & Stooges songs. Why?

A: Last year I got really really sick, been hospitalized such a long time made my muscles very weak, I couldn't play bass at all. Then I went to NY and played w/J 3 shows. All the songs we played were Stooges, Stooges is simple, there is no changing code its more feelings. Playing Stooges songs became my rehabilitation. That gave J an idea to play Stooges in the set.


Q: I was surprised the story you just told me. But I was also surprised to see Thurston Moore from SY showed up on stage. Did you plan that?

A: Thurston is my old friend, he helped me a lot when D. Boon died. I also played on their album "Evol". J's friends w/him for a long time too. J came up w/ featuring Thurston for "More Light"


Q: What do you think about the role of bassist in the band?

A: People think the bass player is in the shadow, like a right fielder in baseball, but I don't think so. We bassists will shine when we back up t let other players in the spotlight. When other members play good cause of my bass that’s success. Playing bass isn't technique, playing bass is very important. Too much notes makes sound too quiet so I just pick good appropriate notes and play, then the sound gets thicker.


Q: As a member of J's band what is you bass role in a band?

A: I always try to be like a jumping board, you see a diver does an amazing jump from board to pool, I try to be a stable jumping board for other musicians fly off. Bass is in a very weird place. Bass has parts like drums & guitars. The concept is close to the bass drum, when playing a high key it's become like a guitar. This band started with J's idea, originally, so I listen to him and try to do it. Very important thing about being in a band is listening to other sounds.


Q: You use a Gibson EB-II for this tour?

A: Yes I've have had this bass for 6-7 years now, but I never really play. I used to play a Thunderbird, Telecaster but my wrist gets hurt as I aged. The pain became very serious. I couldn't even drive a car. I wanted to play bass forever. So I play the EB-II just for fun. This sounds like a girl, but I was saved from playing a short scale bass then the pain was completely gone. But playing short scale makes my right hand in pain cause there isn't much space between strings, but playing with a pick is no problem.


Q: Zvex's Woolly Mammoth you use is an effector. That's like synthesizer sound than a powerful one. Why did you choose that effector even though you like to push a more low sound?

A: That's also J's idea, he likes the texture of the sound. To tell the truth I was a bit afraid of using the effector, it cuts low sound.


Q: Which amp did you use during this tour beside the Marshall?

A: I use Sun and Marshall. I always use Sun's 1200S in America. Also I use Eden's cabinet. In Japan Sun let me borrow a 15' cabinet but I haven't used a 15' since 1980. I prefer a 10' speaker. I like the strings & pickups closer, but 15' cabinet won't handle the power. One time the speakers wire melt down. The effector ZVEX Super Hard-On has two out pus so I could use for Sun & Marshall.


Q: I saw you web page "Mike Watt Hoot Page", you have lots of basses.

A: Yes, the basses you saw on my web site I still have. There is a reason that showing pictures of bass, I like to let young kids who play bass to know that old bass can play really good sound, you don't have to have the same bass that Limp Biskits bassist has.


Q: Is there any trick to appeal bass sound in loud guitar tone?

A: Its very important to keep balance in an ensemble, I mean if I play bass as loud as J. it could ruin normally but J's sound has room. I just play in rooms when drummer plays the tom, I notice and put fill before, so playing bass is you play and let hear, its not volume but composition.


Q: Are you going to play with J. & the Fog?

A: I like to play as long as he asked me to. I like this band.


Q: Are you gonna release you solo album?

A: Did you know I have a UNIT? Actually that is only band that I have now, its called "DOS" just 2 bassist. This unit I've been playing a long time with women Kira, she used to play bass in Black Flag. We released 3 albums, were planning a 4th one soon. I don't know how long I'm gonna live so I'll be recording a lot for about 1 ¸ years.


Q: Could you give a message to your Japanese readers of Bass Magazine?

A: The stuff that ’s told in this interview is a message, I think its important for bassists to think and listen to your band depend on you. The bands level will go up, depends on the bassist. So I don't think doing outrageous stuff is good. Just remember the jump board that I told ya about, I'm looking forward to seeing newcomers. Sometimes a very simple bass like will do best, important thing is you play along with the song. Don't be afraid to appeal your sound. A people make from all the experience you had in past to express that.








first page          second page          third page



loop back to mike watt's hoot page




this page created 8 aug 01