Wish Granters - San Pedro, CA + Swansea, UK
While in London with his Italian band, Il Sogno del Marinaio, Mike Watt asked Jamie Morrison if he had songs and suggested that they do a “proj.’” They talked about drummers, and Jamie suggested Jimmy (AKA Mike Felix) from Toys That Kill. Watt responded, “Oh yeah, Jimmy’s great. He’s got that one beat.” Watt mentioned Vince Meghrouni, an old friend of his who he wanted to include on saxophone. When it came to writing, Reza Mireshan (Pale Angels) and Jamie hashed out five new ideas one evening in their hometown of Swansea, a coastal city in Wales. iPhone recordings would become the demos to send to the participants in the new group Watt christened, Wish Granters.
“I wasn’t sure where there would be room for Saxophone as the demos with Reza and I sounded more like the Ramones. Once I got to the states, Jimmy and I went through the songs a few times so he could get familiar with Reza’s ideas and work in his own. Next up was a rehearsal with Vince at his home in Echo Park, CA which is more like a music/art museum. He had already written his parts on the sax and harmonica for all the songs. I was blown away by this guy. He added so much depth to my simple ideas and really transformed the feel of it all. What a character, what a musician! Thank you Vince! We spent a weekend at Casa Hanzo studio in San Pedro, CA in February 2018 with Pete Mazich at the helm. This was the first time the four of us had gotten together to go over the music. We restructured some parts to compliment the new dynamics. Getting this far without a bass line for Jimmy to follow caused some rhythmic adjustments, once Watt started cooking up his parts. Another huge addition to the depth of what once sounded and seemed like simple songs to me, back in Swansea. Knowing Watt’s former band, the Minutemen’s adoration of CCR, I thought that a cover of “Long as I Can See the Light” would be fitting and a perfect opportunity for Vince to rip a sax solo, so I’d know for sure he’d have a moment to shine. This track will be included on the download.” —Jamie Morrison (Pale Angels), 2019
Artist and musician, Jamie Morrison resides in Swansea, Wales. The Wish Granters songs reference poet and writer, Dylan Thomas, also of Swansea. Themes of heartbreak, loss, a concept of only dog heaven and keeping “sin” a secret from (the idea of a) “god.” Six anthems to help you rage, against the dying of the light.
Members
Jamie Morrison – guitar / vocals
Mike Watt – bass
Vince Meghrouni – sax / harmonica
Mike Felix - drums
Web - https://recessrecords.bandcamp.com/album/s-t
Contact - jamiearteries@gmail.com