Bassist Mike Watt debuts 'Eye-Gifts From Pedro'

Tonight the Track 16 Gallery in Santa Monica hosts an opening reception for an exhibit called "Eye-Gifts from Pedro." It's a collection of photographs by punk bassist Mike Watt. Click above to listen to an extended interview with KPCC's Alex Cohen and Mike Watt at the Track 16 Gallery in Santa Monica.

When Watt was a young boy, his family moved to San Pedro. There, he became good friends with a guy called D. Boon. They formed a seminal punk band called the Minutemen. In the decades since, Watt has played bass in a number of groups including fIREHOSE and dos. This month, he’ll go on tour with Iggy and the Stooges.

A longtime resident of San Pedro, Watt began photographing the Port of Los Angeles in 2002. Often shot while he was kayaking or biking, Watt’s images offer a vibrant portrait of a working harbor. He contrasts natural elements such as water, birds and sunsets with man-made elements like cargo ships and lighthouses.

Pelicans in Pedro 091102, Courtesy of Mike Watt and Track 16

Here's what Mike Watt has to say about his photography:

“I started taking digital shots when Columbia records gave me a primitive Mavecia (used floppy discs!) in 1997. I really didn’t get into it though with the bike riding in the early morning (I started pedaling in 1996 after like 22 years of not riding a bicycle cuz I got a car at 16) ‘till around 2002. I was in love with early morning but never thought of taking pictures. You know, Pedro faces east – much different than the other So Cal water towns and that’s what we got: sunrises and not really sunsets."

Sunrise in Pedro 070608, Courtesy of Mike Watt and Track 16

Why does Mike Watt love San Pedro so much?

"I love her geography," he says. "All my music history’s here. This is where I met d. boon ... his ma put me on bass. I was a changed man!"

Mike Watt at Track 16, Photo by Alex Cohen