Mike Watt (Bass, The Stooges, Minutemen, Solo, more)
SPB: How have the Stooges shows gone? Is it difficult to step into a group where the other members have an existing relationship and you’re the new guy?
Watt: I have served 125 months with The Stooges. Of course I owe them my best notes and total focus when helping them - we wouldn't have a punk scene without them! I feel incredible debt. It's helped me become much better bassman.
As for the second question, those cats hadn't talked much in over twenty years before that "skull-ring" stuff they did together but, yes, I am from a different generation but music is a fabric that can bridge gaps like that, I believe. Remember, too, I help them out and ain't really a Stooge. I'm a minuteman. I'm talking about D. Boon's bass player.
The Stooges gigs are incredible mindblows for me, I love them. Incredible responsibility for me to be there for them also. I give them all I got and feel I very much have to. I love Stooges.