Regulator Watts

Last updated

Regulator Watts was a rock band from Washington, D.C. that was active from 1996 to 1998. [1] The group mixed elements of post-hardcore, emo, math rock, and dub reggae. Stereogum described them as "a driving and mathy power trio [that] didn't last long." [2]

Contents

Following an EP and a single, they released their only studio album, The Aesthetics of No-Drag, in 1997. [2]

Regulator Watts' music resembled that of guitarist/vocalist Alex Dunham's previous band, Hoover -- whose song "Regulator Watts" was also the source of the newer band's name -- but with an emphasis on taut, mechanical basslines and feedback-laden, spare guitar lines, as opposed to Hoover's fluid, jazzy basslines and contrasting guitar styles.

History

Following the break-up of Hoover, Dunham worked on new music and sought, without success initially, to start a new band. Dunham and Wilson were introduced by the musician and graphic designer, Jason Farrell (Swiz, Bluetip), and the pair briefly formed the band Mercurochrome with former Circus Lupus and Antimony drummer, Arika Casebolt. [3] [4] After writing "about six or seven songs," according to Dunham, Mercurochrome played a few concerts before disbanding when Casebolt moved away from Washington, D.C. [4]

Sless-Kitain moved to Washington, D.C. in 1995 to attend college and was soon introduced to Dunham and Wilson by the musician and producer Juan Carrera (of the Warmers and Slowdime Records), which led to the formation of Regulator Watts.

The group primarily released its recorded output through Slowdime and were described by The Washington City Paper as part of that label's "muscley rawk [sic] brigade, made up of hardcore vets flexing their artistic heads," along with labelmates Kerosene 454. [5]

Regulator Watts broke up by early 1998. [6] [1] Dunham subsequently formed the band, Abilene, while Sless-Kitain went on to play with Bluetip, Brokeback, Radio International, and the Eternals.

Members

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

References

  1. 1 2 Porter, Christopher (March 20, 1998). "Lungfish". Washington City Paper. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "DC Punks Regulator Watts Ready First New Music In 27 Years, 'Mercury' Reissue". Stereogum. April 8, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  3. ↑ vish (April 8, 2025). "Ep. #966: Regulator Watts". Kreative Kontrol. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Mullen, Tom (July 27, 2020). "Alex Dunham (Hoover)". Washed Up Emo (Podcast).
  5. ↑ Dugan, John (February 27, 1998). "Declaration of Independents". Washington City Paper. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ Davis, John (Summer 1998). "The Rumpus". Held Like Sound (3): 6.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.