Live Review: Mike Watt & The Missingmen.

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.

Andrew Cushin (Tom Hill)

Newcastle’s Andrew Cushin Is Waiting For The Rain

The north-east’s next breaking star Andrew Cushin has dropped  his eagerly anticipated debut album Waiting For The...
Herkedal (Press)

Herkedal Shares Wild Raspberries & Plum Trees EP

Herkedal is a young artist with a veteran soul. His songs are rich with evocative nostalgia and timeless musicianship,...
Karen Harding (Press)

Karen Harding Drops Debut LP Take Me Somewhere

Karen Harding has released her debut album Take Me Somewhere via Ultra Records today. Marking the release Karen has...
Shawn Colvin @ Union Chapel (Kalpesh Patel)

Shawn Colvin Charms At Union Chapel

Shawn Colvin has been to the UK many times. In fact, she regales us with tales of how her early days of playing and...
ØXN (Megan Doherty)

ØXN Drop Nine Minute Cruel Mother Ahead Of Album Release

ØXN, the experimental doom folk band comprising Radie Peat, Katie Kim, John ‘Spud’ Murphy and Eleanor Myler, have...
Jamie Miller (Press Photo)

Jamie Miller Leaves Nothing Unsaid In Empty Room

Having come from humble beginnings in working class Wales, L.A.-based artist Jamie Miller has become a breakthrough...
Sisters Of Mercy @ Roundhouse (Adrian Hextall)

The Sisters Of Mercy Kick Off UK & European Tour In Tumultuous Style

This was the first of two shows The Sisters Of Mercy were playing at Camden's famous Roundhouse venue at the start of...
Dexys (Sandra Vijandi)

Oh Geno! Dexys Divide The Crowd At The London Palladium

With the promise of a full performance of their first album in seven years, it’s easy to see why the long-standing...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing