terri williams talks to mike watt

Speaking of Pedro - Mike Watt

There was one breakfast I knew I needed to have... When we first started putting Pointe Break together, I asked Mike Watt to meet me because I wanted to ask if he would do us the honor of being part of it. But I also wanted his opinion. I was about to dedicate a huge part of my life to this project, and it meant a lot to me to know what he thought. During breakfast, he said yes. When we finished eating, Mike wiped his mouth, stood up, and I assumed he was headed to the restroom. Nope. He was simply... done. No announcement. No drawn-out goodbye. The conversation was over, breakfast was over, and he was on his way. I just remember thinking, Perfect Mike.

Terri: A few months ago we met for breakfast so I could ask if you'd play Pointe Break. What made you want to be part of bringing original music back to Pt. Fermin Park?

Mike: It was always a dream for us in the Minutemen to get to play in our hometown, but it was very difficult to do. D. Boon, in the early '80s, did put on some gigs at the Star Theatre (now gone-it was on Pacific Ave. at Santa Cruz), which he would rename The Union for the event. Actually, when we were the Reactionaries, we played with Black Flag in 1979 at a teen post near there (now apartments) on Mesa, but it was very difficult. Some gigs, like in the early '80s at the Fisherman's Fiesta down at the San Pedro Slip or Croatian Hall on Ninth, had us being scissored after only a couple of tunes. Closed minds closed us down, but still we wanted to play, and I still feel that way. I'm so grateful for Toddski moving here and getting the 'Dine happening on Pacific at Eleventh. Starting in the '90s, I also got to play for Dave at both his Sacred Grounds coffeehouses and lots of Harold's Place gigs. Point Fermin was always elusive, though Brother Matt got me and my Secondmen in there ten years ago via some kind of side door... it's always been a dream for me to get to play on that stage. I've played the Forum in Inglewood. I've played Glastonbury in England. I've played all kinds of places, but I've always wanted to be part of a gig on that stage. My prac pad is just north of the Korean Bell. I've had it for forty years. Anyway, you can imagine how happy I was to get invited by you! My Secondmen, Pete and Jer - both ILWU Local 13 longshoremen - were happy too when I told them.

Terri: So many musicians, young and old, look up to you. Did you ever imagine you'd become part of San Pedro's musical story in that way? What do you think San Pedro gets right that other music communities don't?

Mike: I got into music to be with D. Boon. That was the first reason. Roy Mendez-Lopez taught both me and D. Boon, though D. Boon learned much more from him. Roy taught him flamenco and Vivaldi. Roy made his own instruments - a hand-built mandolin and violin. Amazing cat. He was living in his car when we first met him. I shit thee not. It was the early '70s. He had a big influence on us and was always telling us, "Practice, practice, practice!" I'm telling you this because, for me, music is about people. I can't really speak for other communities because I haven't lived there. I can only tell you about Pedro. I remember when the Minutemen were getting started and people were telling us we should move to Hollywood because that's where it was happening. But when we discussed it, D. Boon asked me, "If we move to Hollywood, what would we write songs about?" I thought about it and answered, "Hollywood?" He replied, "That's right. So let's stay here, and then play up there when there's a gig." I thought that made a lot of sense.

Terri: Is there something about San Pedro that people who didn't grow up here never really understand?

Mike: Like I said, I haven't lived much in other places, but I have been all over. What I like about Pedro is we've got a lot of different stuff. I give people who don't know here tours that take three hours, and still there's stuff I miss showing them! Crimony. I really like our town. I'm even a member of the San Pedro Bay Historical Society. I'm still learning about stuff regarding Pedro!

Terri: Finish this sentence: "Speaking of Pedro..."

Mike: I think it was Sly Stone who said, "It's not where you're from, it's where you're at." I like that because you might not have much to do with that first part, but maybe you might have some choice in the matter with the latter. I live here because I dig it.


Terri: On August 29 at 1:15 pm, Mike Watt will take the stage at Pt. Fermin Park with the Secondmen-free, in his beloved Pedro.

I'm Terri Williams and these are the stories that make San Pedro home.