The Black Gang
Encyclopedia
The Black Gang was the trio Mike Watt
formed in 1997 to record and tour behind his second solo album, Contemplating The Engine Room
(Columbia Records
, 1997). Of all of the "project" (semi-temporary) bands that he has formed since the disbanding of fIREHOSE
in 1994, The Black Gang (named after Navy
slang
for sailors who work on a boat
's or submarine
's engine room
) has gone through the most permutations of any of Watt's backing groups.
For the recording of the album in May 1997, Watt tapped guitarist Nels Cline
(whom he had recorded and toured with on his previous solo album, Ball-Hog or Tugboat?
) and sometime Tom Waits
drummer Stephen Hodges
. Commitments with the Geraldine Fibbers
kept Cline from touring with Watt for most of the tour, forcing Watt to hire former Saccharine Trust
guitarist Joe Baiza
to replace him. Watt's longtime soundman since fIREHOSE, Steve Reed, was officially added to the touring lineup as well, singing backing vocals from behind the mixing board and playing sound effects for some of the songs (via a CD-R through the board) on cue in addition to his normal sound reinforement duties.
Hodges left the band for other commitments, and was replaced by Bob Lee
in 1998, starting with a spring European tour. Joe Baiza then departed The Black Gang after some work-related conflicts with Watt; Nels Cline was by then able to rejoin the band for one last tour leg behind the album. To mark the occasion, Cline composed a new song, "This Is A Prayer", which was debuted during his tour stint, and later immortalized on a 7" EP released on the Kill Rock Stars
label.
After retiring the piece, Watt continued to play some gigs with the Cline/Lee Black Gang lineup. An intention by Watt to record a new album with this lineup was derailed by a near-fatal illness Watt suffered in January 2000, which would inspire his next solo album, The Secondman's Middle Stand
.
Watt and Cline frequently play together as members of the improvisational jazz/punk ensemble Banyan
, in between Cline's commitments with Wilco
and as a solo artist, and Watt's own schedule with Iggy Pop & The Stooges
and as a solo act.
Recently, Watt stated his intention to reform the Nels Cline/Bob Lee version of The Black Gang for new recordings, possibly in 2008 after completing current commitments with The Missingmen
and Iggy Pop & The Stooges
.
Mike Watt
Michael David Watt is an American bassist, singer and songwriter.He is best known for co-founding the rock bands Minutemen, dos, and Firehose; , he is also the bassist for the reunited Stooges and a member of the art rock/jazz/punk/improv group Banyan as well as many other post-Minutemen...
formed in 1997 to record and tour behind his second solo album, Contemplating The Engine Room
Contemplating the Engine Room
Contemplating the Engine Room is a punk rock opera by Minutemen veteran Mike Watt.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Mike Watt#"In The Engine Room"#"Red Bluff"#"The Bluejackets' Manual"#"Pedro Bound!"#"The Boilerman"#"Black Gang Coffee"...
(Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, 1997). Of all of the "project" (semi-temporary) bands that he has formed since the disbanding of fIREHOSE
FIREHOSE
Firehose was an alternative rock band consisting of Mike Watt , Ed Crawford , and George Hurley .-History:...
in 1994, The Black Gang (named after Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
slang
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
for sailors who work on a boat
Boat
A boat is a watercraft of any size designed to float or plane, to provide passage across water. Usually this water will be inland or in protected coastal areas. However, boats such as the whaleboat were designed to be operated from a ship in an offshore environment. In naval terms, a boat is a...
's or submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
's engine room
Engine room
On a ship, the engine room, or ER, commonly refers to the machinery spaces of a vessel. To increase the safety and damage survivability of a vessel, the machinery necessary for operations may be segregated into various spaces, the engine room is one of these spaces, and is generally the largest...
) has gone through the most permutations of any of Watt's backing groups.
For the recording of the album in May 1997, Watt tapped guitarist Nels Cline
Nels Cline
Nels Cline is an American guitarist and composer, currently the lead guitarist of alternative rock band Wilco. David Carr of the New York Times describes Cline as "one of the best guitarists in any genre."-Career:...
(whom he had recorded and toured with on his previous solo album, Ball-Hog or Tugboat?
Ball-Hog or Tugboat?
Ball-Hog or Tugboat? is the debut solo album by former Minutemen and fIREHOSE bassist, songwriter and vocalist Mike Watt. It was recorded in 1994, and came at a personal and professional career crossroads for Watt...
) and sometime Tom Waits
Tom Waits
Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
drummer Stephen Hodges
Stephen Hodges (musician)
Stephen Hodges is an American percussionist and composer. He is best known for his work with Tom Waits, Mike Watt, T Bone Burnett, and film director David Lynch.- Discography :*Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones...
. Commitments with the Geraldine Fibbers
Geraldine Fibbers
The Geraldine Fibbers were an alt-country band founded in 1994 by Carla Bozulich. Initially, band members included Bozulich, Daniel Keenan, Julie Fowells, William Tutton and Kevin Fitzgerald...
kept Cline from touring with Watt for most of the tour, forcing Watt to hire former Saccharine Trust
Saccharine Trust
Saccharine Trust is a post-hardcore band from California that was started in 1980 by singer Jack Brewer and guitarist Joe Baiza.The band would frequently perform with SST labelmates Minutemen and Black Flag. Drummer Rob Holzman appeared on their 1981 debut Paganicons but left the band to play in...
guitarist Joe Baiza
Joe Baiza
Joe Baiza is a punk rock and jazz guitarist whom Eugene Chadbourne cites as one of the most noteworthy guitarists to emerge from the Southern California punk rock milieu. Baiza is a founding member of the bands Saccharine Trust, Universal Congress Of, and The Mecolodiacs...
to replace him. Watt's longtime soundman since fIREHOSE, Steve Reed, was officially added to the touring lineup as well, singing backing vocals from behind the mixing board and playing sound effects for some of the songs (via a CD-R through the board) on cue in addition to his normal sound reinforement duties.
Hodges left the band for other commitments, and was replaced by Bob Lee
Bob Lee
Bob Lee may refer to:*Bob Lee , see List of California district attorneys*Bob Lee , former professional baseball pitcher*Bob Lee , former professional American football player...
in 1998, starting with a spring European tour. Joe Baiza then departed The Black Gang after some work-related conflicts with Watt; Nels Cline was by then able to rejoin the band for one last tour leg behind the album. To mark the occasion, Cline composed a new song, "This Is A Prayer", which was debuted during his tour stint, and later immortalized on a 7" EP released on the Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
label.
After retiring the piece, Watt continued to play some gigs with the Cline/Lee Black Gang lineup. An intention by Watt to record a new album with this lineup was derailed by a near-fatal illness Watt suffered in January 2000, which would inspire his next solo album, The Secondman's Middle Stand
The Secondman's Middle Stand
The Secondman's Middle Stand was Mike Watt's third solo album and the first full-length recording that he had made under his own name since the release of Contemplating The Engine Room in 1997....
.
Watt and Cline frequently play together as members of the improvisational jazz/punk ensemble Banyan
Banyan
A banyan is a fig that starts its life as an epiphyte when its seeds germinate in the cracks and crevices on a host tree...
, in between Cline's commitments with Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
and as a solo artist, and Watt's own schedule with Iggy Pop & The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
and as a solo act.
Recently, Watt stated his intention to reform the Nels Cline/Bob Lee version of The Black Gang for new recordings, possibly in 2008 after completing current commitments with The Missingmen
The Missingmen
The Missingmen are a punk rock trio fronted by Minutemen/fIREHOSE/Stooges bassist Mike Watt. The band features Watt, guitarist Tom Watson , and drummer Raul Morales .The band's name is a humorous reference to the fact that during a 2005 European tour behind Watt's album...
and Iggy Pop & The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
.