A transatlantic collaboration between the Go! Team guitarist Sam Dook and Mike Watt of Minutemen, Stooges and fIREHOSE fame, Cuz first met by chance back in 2006 and after striking sparks off one another, began creating a record via email, Skype sessions and sporadic studio visits. Now, nearly a decade later, the album “Tamatekbako” is here. TAG’s Jimmy Volts caught up with the enigmatic Mr. Watt at his home in Pedro, California (post kayaking session) to attempt an understanding of this unique “prodge”, as he calls it…
Watt is a cult legend of the punk world who, despite approaching his sixties, is still hell-bent on the importance of the creative process. His latest efforts with Sam Dook are off-kilter to say the least, a pseudo-psychedelic undertaking where punk-folk meets beat poetry.
It’s progressive stuff, even for a man of his pedigree.
“The idea of CUZ is trippy! It’s a byproduct of the opportunities technology can offer. In the old days, you had to get in a room with a dude to be in a band (which we did). But ultimately, I liked the idea of working with samples – that’s what piqued my interest. And brother Sam knows his editing software!
To some, sampling just sounds like stealin’, but there’s another side of it that’s very creative. And of course, the name is slang for “Because”. Why does a dog lick his balls? ‘Cuz he can! Why are we doing this prodge (project)? ‘Cuz we can! That’s what CUZ is all about – human curiosity. Trying something out!”
Indeed, experimentation is at the heart of the Dook/Watt collaboration. It’s a broad fusion of elements that shouldn’t work, yet somehow does. A dazzling collage which evades your grasp just when you thought you were “getting it”. CUZ was originally intended solely as a studio project, with no intention of ever stepping onto the touring circuit. Watt’s curiosity however, got the better of him after some tantalising enquiries from here in the UK.
“The touring thing came about because when we released the record back in May, DJs in your land who played it – Marc Riley, John Kennedy – asked us to come play this stuff live at their stations. I just thought, if we can bring it that far, why don’t we do a fuckin’ tour?! I was curious as to how we’re gonna realise this thing live though, because we’d never even done it before! We made a fuckin’ tour gig in one week’s worth of rehearsals!” he laughs.
Watts’ body language reveals genuine excitement at the prospect, fully realising how
preposterous the situation is,
yet embracing it with
fevered curiosity.
But of course, one of his most endearing characteristics is
his complete dedication to
creative endeavours, even
if he comes off playing the
fool. He attempts to sum up
his work ethic for us:
“I think sometimes you gotta forget what other people say and just try it. And if it happens, it happens. I gotta put myself in these classrooms, even though they’re “pant shitters”. And I
sincerely believe in giving
gig-goers the best you’ve got man. Y’know, they’re working’ all week and you’re up there suckin’?… No way! You gotta not take them for granted though. Push ’em a little.
Give em something they
don’t expect. Fuck man,
something I don’t expect….
Let’s roll the dice!” (Laughs).”
One listen to “Tametekbako” (named after an ancient origami box that collapses if more than one side is opened) and you’ll understand Watt’s reservations at pulling it all off live with a power trio. But, whoever said something worth having came easy? If anything, it just makes the prospect all the more enticing.
You can follow Cuz at the following web link bleedingheartrecordings.com
