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This limited edition comes in an oversized package with extra graphics and an 8-page "Pedro Speak" booklet, which is a glossary of Watt's lingo.
Personnel: Mike Watt (vocals, bass), Vince Meghrouni (vocals, tenor saxophone, drums, percussion), Coco Hayley Gordon Moore, Mario Caldato, Tiffany Anders (vocals), Keith McCaw (acoustic guitar), Zander Schloss, Butler, Todd Rigione (guitar), Spot (mandolin, viola), Tony Maxwell (cello), Ronda Rindone (bass clarinet), Tony Atherton (alto saxophone), Paul Roessler (piano), Michael Preussner, Bob Lee, Wayne Griffin, Brock Avery, John Molo, Richie West (drums), Danny Frankel (percussion).
Additional guest artists: Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, Pat Smear, Stephen Perkins, Mark Lanegan, Gary Lee Conner, Evan Dando, John Strohm, Kathleen Hanna, Henry Rollins, Cris Kirkwood, Curt Kirkwood, Bernie Worrell, Joe Baiza, Frank Black, Epic Soundtracks, Nels Cline, Carla Bozulich, Petra Haden, Anna Waronker, Rachel Haden.
Engineers: John Hanlon (tracks 1-13, 15-17); Rob Seifert (track 14).
Recorded at Cherokee, West Hollywood, California; Robert Land Studio, Seattle, Washington; Baby Monster, New York; The Clubhouse, Burbank, California; Aire LA, Glendale, California between May 29 and September 11, 1994.
All songs written or co-written by Mike Watt except "Big Train" (Tony Kinman/Chip Kinman), "Tuff Gnarl" (Sonic Youth) and "Maggot Brain" (George Clinton/Eddie Hazel).
Mike Watt was a key figure in the development of American independent music in the 1980s, and his solo debut is a gathering of musicians from different parts of the current "alternative" scene who were influenced or inspired by the bassist's past work with the Minutemen and fIREHOSE. Recorded over a four-month span at studios in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles, BALL-HOG OR TUGBOAT? has Watt keeping a low profile (by choice), while rotating line-ups of musicians take a crack at his compositions. Lemonhead Evan Dando's understated singing complements The Who-inspired "Piss-Bottle Man," and Beastie Boy Mike D spins a fluid rap on "E-Ticket Ride."
While his singular bass playing is present throughout, Watt sings only on the album's opening track, "Big Train," where he's backed by the Kirkwood brothers (Meat Puppets), Dave Grohl (Nirvana), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.)--how's that for a backing band? Still, the ultimate superstar grouping may be the trio of Watt, Mascis and keyboardist Bernie Worrell covering Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain," which includes Watt mouthing George Clinton's opening refrain and Mascis tearing the song up with some of his most emotive playing. This indescribable cover alone makes BALL-HOG OR TUGBOAT? well worth the price of admission.
