Mike Watt Interview and Bass Lesson. PlayThisRiff.com

[@angelocatapang6054]

double nickels on the dime by the minutemen is one of those classic recordings ever.i still listen to them.always will til my death.

[@drewper73]

Watt is the man. Love his style on the bass. I got to meet him when fIREHOSE were on a break from a show at The Ivory Tusk in Tuscaloosa, AL, circa Spring 1992. He was sitting at the bar. I had already talked to one of my all-time drumming idols, George Hurley, then I saw Watt at the bar pretty much alone. Having read the liner notes for Flyin' The Flannel and another cd or two, I knew that he and Flea were good friends. So I walked up to him and said, "So, when's the last time you talked to Flea?" Without any hesitation whatsoever, he turned towards me and said, "Oh, a couple of weeks ago. He said he was gonna teach me how to play tuba." I think I just kinda patted him on the back and wished him a great 2nd set. I walked away thinking, "Man, I just touched the badass bass circle. For just a second." Then I headed towards Ed Crawford. HA! Great night!

[@zplapplap]

Love reading about these experiences. Thanks for sharing.

[@drewper73]

No problem! I love telling my fIREHOSE story. I still love listening to those 5 LP's and that 1 EP just like I did when they were new! I wish they had released more. When I saw them at The Ivory Tusk I had never heard their first two albums, "Ragin' Full On," and "If'n." It didn't matter much though. I still had a great time!!

[@DrFalken100]

He played in my town. A friend had been talking to him on line, long story short, he crashed at her house. She asked me if I wanted to hang out with them and grab a bite. I said “No, I have to get to bed early for work.” Duh 🙄. Same thing I said about the front row Bestie Boys tickets back in 1997. I’m a corn dog as D. Boone said.

[@sigit666]

I'd really like to have that Germs sticker on my bass too

[@Ben_Mdws]

Mike Watt giving guitar lessons stoned. Excellent.

[@JohnDoe-yr4wc]

I could listen to Mike talk all day, what a champ.

[@mradamcooley]

One of the best bassists ever, up there with various members of beefheart's magic band, and peter hook.

[@BennyTygohome]

Mike is such a great orchestrator and he's a perfectionist with arrangements. But he's also very casual and great teacher with great explanations. He loves to spiel too 😃. NOBODY can play like watt

[@portcherish]

Definitely. My friend has a Wayne Shorter sticker on his pickguard and I find it really boosts 500k quite nicely.

[@angelocatapang6054]

mike watt?i mean c'mon anything everything about him reeks greatness with this man.all of his artistic musical works are phenomenal. from minutemen,firehose,solo career,dos and of course the stooges among others for sure.

[@skottkoonz]

Mike is awesome! The best bass player bar none! true punk rocker!

[@TryNSave]

Met Mr. Watt in 2012 during the Hyphenated-man tour, autographed my copy. A genuinely nice, down to earth guy with a unique virtuosity and style.

[@MrPERPS]

My personal favourite bass player of all time

[@videostan]

I really love his discussion here...Im trying to start...and it takes time .. and space, as he says.

[@FelixWheatfield]

Mike Watt is such a cool dude. It really is awesome to know that people who made such an impact on you and many many other people walk/walked (RIP D. Boon) the earth at the same time as you do.

[@jeff7764]

I seen Watt driving through Pedro last week.

[@1upliftmofopartyplan]

Mike Watt seems like your cool stoned uncle whose house is full of cool shit.

[@EyeTunz]

Absolute legend

[@FrightNFight]

they are really jazzed about the fact that they got shaun white to say their website huh

[@playstationskate345]

lmfao. shaun white out of everybody too, didn't even get a guitarist or anything

[@smutasnymenel]

baked

[@tornmask1]

this presentation is absolutely fantastic & i love mike watt bass playing with his famous gibson eb-3 classic bass guitar! thanks so much for the upload, cheers!

[@PrinceOpana]

FACT: Watt will always be cooler than your favorite rockstar.

[@FelixWheatfield]

Mike Watt is cooler than Mike Watt?

[@sydbarrett5]

I got to meet him a couple of months ago. One of the nicest dudes you'll ever meet.

[@Stevieraylittlewing]

Such a joy. Thank you so much Mike!

[@fumanchu000]

Actually it was. The Casbah is right next to the airport in San Diego.

[@FromBeyond99]

@martyman5000 Yes, thats the Casbah in San Diego right in the approach path to San Diego international.

[@vezqor0]

the really cool thing about the minutemen is by daytime they looked like normal dudes but when playing they totally rock

[@Steelyking6725]

I just love hearing him talk. He has a subtle way way about him, but he is very fucking intelligent.

[@shaho3125]

Is that a Chairman Mao sticker on his pickguard?

[@VivaSepulchre]

I believe so. Good spot

[@skapunkteddybear]

I love that he has a Germs logo on his bass

[@kevinr2261]

Yeah...we're the grout!

[@puliciclone66]

...but the Germs (GI) sticker it's a must... We Love you Mike!!!

[@Juicesta691]

Mike watt is the fucking man!

[@bradwillard3152]

He jams Econo....dropping some Bass Wisdom here.

[@Ben_Mdws]

Watt is so cool.

[@hojima]

@markthemassacre he has an eden pre amp and power amp. get one of those and a passive humbucker bass and you can probably get close. look up his site, he has a gear list on it

[@tidepoolbay]

Mike is cool! Woof!!

[@Vampiracho]

The dilemma of the thumb.

[@SuperBuzz71]

Killer lesson! That jet noise you hear must mean it was recorded at RICK'S RECORDERS the FINEST SOUND IN THE GREATER LAX AREA!

[@EsotericBreakfastBuffet]

Watt is the coolest guy that ever lived

[@GetUpTheMountains]

Great prac video for new players. Watt is a legend.

[@Peepholecircus]

Mike man, you're awesome : )

[@rosskcmo]

It's definitely The Casbah in San Diego. At about 3:13 you can hear a plane fly over.

[@mootbooxle]

Yo, Mike's nice, and it goes without saying that his bass playing has been a major influence on a lot of cats...but this barely qualifies as a bass lesson! I kinda just enjoyed listening to stoned Mike talk.

[@chrisbrown7175]

I love that Mike Watt looks like such a dad, but like a cool dad; also his bass looks awesome, I dont see many people with SG basses. I have an SG bass and I want to customize mine like Mike Watt's. Also can anybody tell me what the blue circle is for? I am unfimiliar and am trying to get more into punk

[@codyhansonbass]

Logo for The Germs

[@zzzd4n131zzz]

Yeah you might be right. Its important to have the right picture of jazz saxophonists on your pickguard for the right sound.

[@simulatorcky]

Nice Germs sticker Mike! Sounds like an airplane rolls thru at 3:12ish..

[@aupsychobilly]

Looks like the Casbah in San Diego

[@markthemassacre]

is it just me or does that his set up sound amazing? that is one of the richest tones I've ever heard. what is he playing here?

[@zzzd4n131zzz]

is that a picture of charlie parker on his pickguard?

[@RocketFistband]

is that a picture of John Coltrane on his bass?

[@seanfagan4996]

That Freddie mercury mustache screams radio gaga

[@m3ntalcollid3r]

I think Mike watt took Coltrane out of context, John ment that he did listen to the bass because he was only listening for the Rhythm Changes, but dont me wrong all bassists have incredible chops to solo and Coltrane might've copped some licks from the bass during his solos. But in the right context he listened to the bass for the chord changes so he would know where to go. Peace

[@PrinceOpana]

Wanna know why? because Watt can do whatever the hell he wants. he reached that status decades ago.

[@ConspireToConspire]

I'm a grout player too.

[@brianmadmaxsy]

what gadget is he using? Anyone... I'm looking for a gadget that produces very deep sounds in bass.. May you guys help me or advice me what gadget to buy... It will mean alot to me. thanks

[@olflatop]

Helpful. Thanks.

[@NickHarman]

Why is my little finger so short? I can practice all day but it still wont reach over the neck the way Mike's does.

[@Thomas.harding]

@MrMeddled amen

[@quieterrps]

Joy!

[@edwardssistershands]

The thumbnail perspective was all off. I thought all those tufted spots were speaker cones. Very disappointed.

[@PrinceOpana]

abso-motherfuckin-lutely.

[@1bIgFaTsOnOfAbItCh]

@MrMeddled Bassist make the best dads... Just as my kids.... LOL!!

[@Domenic182]

i was just thinking this haha

[@viciouskiller9725]

@endthedrugwarvision ah. Thankyou.

[@kylegraywolf]

@betweenthespleen Mike Watt speaks econo, apparently.

[@GodWeenSatan]

Was that carrot top at the start? lol!

[@iElephantsRebecca]

This is my sub's brother.

[@PrinceOpana]

Wow, you must have some time on your hands! haha, Watt is a wordy dude.

[@mattbass6945]

was this filmed next to a runway?

[@gregrocks90046]

Yep. That's where my bass was stolen too. Montreal.

[@Deddboy]

i think its John Coltrane.

[@averyetvspecial1487]

Watt opens every episode of his podcast with a Coltrane track.

[@johnnykaka66]

hahaha he is BAAAAAKED

[@friendlywalrus6971]

He has a germs burn on his guitar!

[@SWVIDS01]

what model is that bass?

[@catring_]

SG bass

[@Jud30]

That mustache is pro o.O

[@whitingpete]

Thats a Coltrane sticker.

[@manicbabyshambles123]

Tashes don't half add some years, he looks like a history teacher....charming though.

[@exit747steve1]

i wanna hang w Mr Watt

[@skeenj]

#mypunkrockfather

[@equusMenagerie]

mike uses it best though :)

[@markthemassacre]

@markthemassacre clearly its a gibson so wow i cant afford it im sure haha

[@gary2892]

@betweenthespleen Yeah, that wouldn't be pretentious at all... /s

[@equusMenagerie]

>> chris white - zombies >> jermaine jackson > pete quaife - kinks .. wyman used one, greg lake, trevor bolder (bowie), etc.......

[@viciouskiller9725]

Who the hell is Sean White?

[@christianeflentie1228]

Seriously?

[@viciouskiller9725]

@@christianeflentie1228 This was from 9 years ago. Also, I still don't know who Sean White is.

[@christianeflentie1228]

@@viciouskiller9725 Olympic snowboarder. The Flying Tomato. He created tricks that had never been seen before. A fantastic athlete. I just checked out this vid for old times sake when it popped up cuz I been a fan of Watt for 30 some years, plus he lives close to me. Sorry if it came out of left field. 😁

[@Nigelxman]

I realize you wrote this 3 years ago but there must be a ton of bass players you have never listened to to make a statement like that.

[@shlomo42]

CASBAH...

[@EaterOfBirds]

watts bass... drool.

[@LowtechArmy]

God he looks old. Now I feel old.

[@wolfey4138]

and this is from 10 years ago!

[@InfiniteRhombus]

what the fuck does shaun white have anything to do with bass or music?

[@TheRockstargossip]

'there's always a big 'Mass'De-Bate' wheter you should 'Finger?' or should u just use 'Slide into 'it' and just 'Pick tha ? and 'Pluck' that thang??. hmmm seams so confusing!! "fingering is better'/?" unless yr playin a green day song???(or 'Broke and can't afford ;Picks!!"

[@MrSomename89]

you know its really hard to recognize him with his facial hair changing all the time hahahaha the only way you know its him is by hearing the bass.

[@PacosTacosLA]

haha

[@joelsdelone]

baked watt = frustrated video editor

[@siturner6937]

Stoned mike?

[@Muppio]

Someone stole the Stooges bass? Who wants to go hunting?

[@DADGUITARD]

the germs sticker :)