November 13 [8:00 EDT] -- One-time Minutemen and fIREHOSE bassist Mike Watt is still forging new ground with his second solo album, the self-described "punk-rock opera," [article id="1451645"]"Contemplating The Engine Room" [500k QuickTime][/article]

The 15 songs on "Engine Room" track 24 hours in the lives of three men in the belly of a naval vessel. Watt drew inspiration from 17-years of touring, as well as from his father's 20-year naval career.

[article id="1451647"]"What I was trying to imagine was him, 19 years old, coming into Singapore, this guy from a farm town, right? Red Bluff. And all the neon in his eye, you know, nickel shots, the liquor, another town... just all the wonder, which was a total parallel for me, D. Boone, and [ex-Minutemen] Georgie, you know? on our first tours learning the town" [1MB QuickTime].[/article]

Watt chats Thursday, November 13, at 8pm EDT in the America Online Arena, Keyword: MTV.