Cinco de Mike Watt May 5, 2012

Three Rooms Press presents the West Coast book launch for "Mike Watt: On and Off Bass" Photography, Reflections and Diary Excerpts by Mike Watt (Three Rooms Press, 2012) at Beyond Baroque, featuring live performances by Mike Watt & The Missingmen and The Lofty Canaanites (with Jack Brewer and S.A. Griffin), plus reading & signing by Mike Watt along with some very special guests. The new book, and Watt’s limited edition photographic prints (from Track 16 Gallery in Santa Monica) will be available for purchase at the event. Sat., May 5th, 2 p.m.

“Here is the last stand of the fruited earth and the ship-freighted sea. How lovely America was. God bless San Pedro and Mike Watt.” - Iggy Pop

“Mike Watt’s photos are the poetry of San Pedro...every time he goes out on that kayak he comes back with gold. These gorgeous images paired with the raw reflections of 3 decades on the road are sure to blow the minds of all who love punk rock and our beloved vision questing troubadour.” - Jack Black

“When you mix pirate, Pedro pix, music, d. boon forever, hard work, weird sincerity, good will, curiosity, love, and an adult moustache, what do you have? Poetry is the answer. Poetry poetry poetry. Watt Watt Watt!” - Richard Hell

Mike Watt is truly punk rock's renaissance man. He got his musical start thumping the bass with legendary San Pedro punk trio, The Minutemen in 1980 and he has been at it ever since. Over the years, he’s toured with Dos, fIREHOSE, his own The Black Gang, The Secondmen, The Missingmen, and others, and he has worked bass as a sideman for Porno for Pyros, J Mascis and the Fog, as well as punk godfathers The Stooges. Off the road, at his beloved San Pedro, CA home base, Watt developed a deep interest in photography. In Spring 2010, Track 16 Gallery in Santa Monica, CA hosted an exhibit of his photos: “Mike Watt: Eye-Gifts from Pedro.” In “Mike Watt: On and Off Bass,” photographs that appeared in his 2010 Track 16 gallery exhibit are punctuated by Watt's poetry and snippets selected from 10 years of his diaries. Watt’s writing is insightful, funny, intimate and honest, as he explores topics like John Coltrane, long hauls and overcoming performance fears.

Beyond Baroque is at 681 Venice Bl., Venice, CA, 90291, 1-310-822-3006. Admission: $10. Info/Reservations: info@threeroomspress.com.

Official Website: http://threeroomspress.com/?p=580