The Columbus, Ohio-based Watershed are no strangers to the Detroit scene, as they have played the city numerous times throughout their long music career. Watershed first made their name known here when their song "How Do You Feel" was featured on the Midwest compilation "Fist Full of Chaos" produced by local label Static (formerly Chaos) Records back in 1991.
Six years since their last studio effort, Watershed are back with a new album, "Brick & Mortar," which Curry House Records released on June 5, 2012. The eleven new tracks on "Brick & Mortar" were recorded in the summer of 2011 with Mike Landolt (Maroon 5, O.A.R.) producing.
In their long career Watershed have done damn near everything there is to do in rock and roll. After dropping out of college, they signed with Epic Records and sipped champagne in limousines. Then they stuffed themselves into a Ford Econoline, and they’ve been living off beer and beef jerky ever since. They humped their amps through the doors at CBGB ten times. They’ve shared the stage with Wilco, Ben Folds, Tommy Stinson, Cheap Trick, The Smithereens, Insane Clown Posse and a long list of has-beens and wannabes. Their catchy, three-minute rock gems have been featured on Gene Simmons Family Jewels and on MTV’s Laguna Beach, Date My Mom, and Made, and they’ve been in rotation on radio stations from South Carolina to Seattle.
The June record release coincides with the publication of bassist Joe Oestreich’s memoir, Hitless Wonder: A Life in Minor League Rock and Roll (Lyons Press), which tells the story of Watershed’s twenty-plus year haul through the music biz bush leagues.
Joe will be reading from the book and playing some tunes earlier that evening at The Lido Gallery as part of their ongoing "Poetry & Music Series" sponsored by the Lido Gallery and Springfed Arts and hosted by songwriter John D. Lamb. The reading starts at 7 pm and is Free and open to the public. The Lido Gallery is located at 33535 Woodward Ave. in Birmingham, phone number is 248-792-6248 or check out www.springfed.org for more info.
Small's Bar is located at 10339 Conant in Hamtramck - (313) 873-1117, www.smallsbardetroit.com. Patrons 21 & over, cover $6; under 21 cover is $10. The new CD and book will be available for purchase at the show.
For information on Watershed, check out the website: www.watershedcentral.com
(Fun Fact: The photo above was taken at the show that opens the book's narrative. See the whole set here.)