Live Review: Mike Watt & The Missingmen.

by | Apr 21, 2014

Mike Watt & The Missingmen ended their 56 date European tour in London at The Lexington. Exhausted? Maybe, but their performance refused to show that this was anything but a tight, energetic and entertaining act.

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Watt’s influential early 80s band Minutemen may be a big part of his attraction to the crowd of very varied ages (with the show selling out well in advance), but his eclectic Missingmen era work is heartily embraced and enjoyed tonight.

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Taking to the stage, he introduces what he describes as “a 45 minute song” – his third punk opera ‘Hyphenated-Man’. The work has 30 short parts, which you might frame as songs, but the band play straight through without a breather.

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

With tones of Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart in the jagged rhythm changes, twisted lyrics and moments of humour, the audience react warmly, with smatterings of laughter and applause, even though there are no breaks for the band to absorb and respond to the appreciation.

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Watt and bandmates Tom Watson (on guitar) and Raul Morales (on drums) return for a short encore of treats from Minutemen’s ‘Double Nickels On The Dime’ album. Watt moves across the stage to squeeze himself in between his fellow musicians and lets Watson take over vocals.

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Mike Watt & The Missingmen at The Lexington in London on 19 April 2014 (Imelda Michalczyk)

Watt departs by thanking us for giving up one of our 52 Saturdays in the year just to experience his music. I sense the crowd feel it was more of an honour than a favour to be present. Watt promises to hang around to talk to anyone who wants to after the show…a former Minutemen who has more than a minute for everyone.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000W_yEvtklyjo” g_name=”Mike-Watt” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Mike Watt & The Missingmen by Imelda Michalczyk. Imelda’s website here as Rebeladelica

The Lexington. 19 April 2014. Exclusive interview with Mike Watt coming soon.

Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew performing on stage at the O2 Indigo London

Jerry Harrison And Adrian Belew: All Psycho Killer, No Filler At O2 Indigo

There are two places to see a band at London’s O2. The 20,000 capacity O2 Arena is the one everyone knows about....
Kalandra @ Southampton Papillon (Rebecca Cairns)

Kalandra Bring Modern Fantasy Folk Rock Alchemy To Southampton

There are two places to see a band at London’s O2. The 20,000 capacity O2 Arena is the one everyone knows about....
Fanny Lumsden (Darcy Bly)

Fanny Lumsden Reimagines Gotye Classic With Glorious New Cover & Gears Up For Massive UK Tour

Award-winning Australian country star Fanny Lumsden is back with her first release since her critically acclaimed 2023 album Hey Dawn, and it’s a bold, beautiful surprise: a radiant reimagining of Gotye’s global smash Somebody That I Used To Know, featuring Kimbra.

Iona Zajac (Carys Huws)

Iona Zajac Unleashes Liberated New Single ‘Bang’ & Confirms Pogues US Tour Dates

Rising Scottish talent Iona Zajac has released her second single of the year, the irresistibly raw and celebratory...
Jenny Beth (Johnny Hostile)

Jehnny Beth Unleashes Explosive New Track ‘Obsession’ Ahead Of Upcoming Album & European Tour

French artist and sonic provocateur Jehnny Beth returns with a vengeance this week, releasing the blistering new...
Nashville In Concert @ Hammersmith Apollo (Kalpesh Patel)

Nashville Stars Saddle Up Again for 2026 UK “Encore Tour”

They’re back! The beloved cast of the hit TV series Nashville have announced their return to UK stages for the Nashville In Concert – Encore Tour, riding into major cities across the country in February 2026.

All Points East 2023

Sault, Cleo Sol And Chronixx Set To Headline The First All Points East Show of 2025

The opening show of All Points East 2025 has been unveiled as Provenance - a unique show consisting of a headline set...
Billy Idol (David Raccuglia)

Billy Idol To Headline OVO Arena Wembley With New Model Army This Month!

Get ready to raise your fists and shout Rebel Yell once more—Billy Idol is coming home. The punk rock icon will bring...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing