Minutemen and Firehose front man Mike Watt and Papa M (David Pajo) have released their new split 7" single. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
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On the new release, Mike covers Long May You Burn from Papa M's 2003 EP Four, and Papa M covers Fireman Hurley from Mike’s 1997 punk rock opera Contemplating The Engine Room.
This is the second 7" in Mike’s "one-for-one" series for which he invites a long-time friend to cover one of his songs, and vice-versa.
The first one in the series featured Mike covering Big Boys classic We Got Soul, and Tim Kerr (Big Boys) covering Mike’s History Lesson - Part II.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Mike: I'm a bass player, I was/am a Minutemen, I am the son of a sailor and live in Pedro.
David: I’m a guitarist/bassist/drummer from Louisville, Kentucky. I have two awesome kids that thankfully aren’t as crazy as I was when I was their age. I just finished recording and mixing a solo record at home, sans computer, playing all the instruments.
How would you describe your music?
Mike: Descriptive of my state of mind.
David: Antiseptic Jazz or Psychedelic Ragtime . . . ?
Who are your musical inspirations?
Mike: D. Boon, John Coltrane, James Jamerson.
David: Too many to name but currently I’d say Steve Cropper, Andy Gill, Billy Gibbons, Michael Rother.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Mike: T-Rex at the Long Beach Auditorium in 1973, with Boon (his pop took us), we were fifteen.
David: This is embarrassing, I usually say it was Bad Company in 1974 but actually my Mom wouldn’t take me. It was Triumph on their Allied Forces tour. Not a great band or show but it was an excuse to be a delinquent with friends!
What was the first record you ever bought?
Mike: American Woman by The Guess Who on 45 at the Thrifty Drug Store here in Pedro.
David: The first full length album I paid for with my own money was Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Mike: I Don't Need No Doctor by Humble Pie.
David: Anything off Harmonia Live 1974.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Mike: Another World by Richard Hell and the Voidoids.
David: I always liked Tomorrow Is A Long Time lyrics: "I can’t see my reflection in the water, I can’t speak the sounds that show no pain, I can’t hear the echo of my footsteps. Or remember the sound of my own name."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mike: Roky Erickson’s Sweet Honey Pie. Here's my version w/my Missingmen.
David: Steve Reich’s Music For 18 Musicians. I hear something I never noticed before with every listen.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Mike: My website.
David: Instagram: @cestcadavidpajo and here.
Alan Corr
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