Sixty Watt Shaman - History

History

The band was formed in the mid 1990s by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Daniel Krzewick, lead guitarist Joe Selby, drummer Chuck Dukehart, and bassist Jim Forrester. All came together to form "the Shaman" out of two separate projects, Approach (Krzewik, Selby, Dukehart), and Supercreep (Selby, Dukehart, Forrester), which were both active during the time period of 1995 to 1996.

The band name derives from a split reference to Jim Morrison and an infamous amplifier once played by Jimi Hendrix; the band name was dubbed by lead singer Dan Krzewick in early September 1996 upon his return from European travel where he had visited the grave of Jim Morrison who is buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France. Jim Morrison was called the "electric shaman" by press and popular culture during his Doors years. The story behind the reference to "Sixty Watt" is that it refers to a now infamous amplifier that was built specifically for Jimi Hendrix by the pioneering amplifier manufacturer Jim Marshall; it was a special sixty watt amplifier which was used during live performances and on the famous Electric Ladyland album, but was alleged to have been stolen and never recovered after Hendrix's famous Isle of Wight performance.

The band released their first album, Ultra Electric, in 1998 on Game Two Records. In 1998 and 1999, the band had developed a friendship with members of fellow Maryland-based rock band Clutch, after playing shows with their side-project The Bakerton Group, whose drummer, Jean-Paul Gaster, would later be recruited to produce their next album Seed of Decades. In the late 90s the band worked tirelessly to play shows all along the East Coast, as well as embarking on nationwide tours with Nebula and Spirit Caravan during that time period. After playing several shows in New York City and developing buzz about the band, Sixty Watt landed a showcase for Spitfire Records President, Paul Bibeau, at the Continental in the late summer of 1999 whereupon Bibeau offered them a recording contract in the downstairs backstage room immediately after their performance.

Two weeks earlier, Sixty Watt had played a show at the Continental where Frank Kozik (of Man's Ruin Records fame, as well as fame for his album-cover art, concert flyer art, and directing music videos for Soundgarden and Mint Condition) had been in the audience. Kozik offered the band an album deal that night after the show... but, with the approach by Bibeau only weeks later with a more extensive offer and the opportunity for greater exposure and tour support, Sixty Watt Shaman opted to go with Spitfire Records.

With one release behind them, in 1999 the band were signed by Spitfire Records and released Seed of Decades in 2000. Seed of Decades has been compared to the 70s hard rock sound of Aerosmith and Grand Funk Railroad "with a more modern harder edge". The band toured with label-mates Black Label Society and Crowbar in support of the album in the summer of 2000, and then later with Clutch and Corrosion of Conformity.

For their 2002 release, Reason to Live, Dukehart was replaced by drummer Pete Campbell. Former Kyuss bassist, Scott Reeder, was recruited to work on production for this album. It was recorded at Phase Studios in College Park, MD. The album reveals the strong influence of the heavy music and the musicians that Sixty Watt had been on tours with over the previous two years. Reason to Live features many standout tracks including "All Things Come to Pass" which features Sixty Watt Shaman and guest performers Scott Reeder (Kyuss, The Obsessed) and Scott "Wino" Weinrich (The Obsessed, Saint Vitus) who were brought together again after having played together years earlier in The Obsessed for this live jam performance.

After the release of "Reason to Live", Sixty Watt Shaman toured Europe with Karma to Burn and a final US tour with Alabama Thunderpussy. After the last US tour, lead singer Dan Krzewick, also known by this time as Dan Soren, moved to the mid-west and worked on other projects including The Mighty Nimbus with Pete Campbell. Jim Forrester worked on other projects including The Devil You Know and Angels of Meth. Upon his return to Maryland from Oklahoma, Dan Soren rejoined Joe Selby in Stillhouse.

Sixty Watt Shaman are widely considered pioneers of the "Sixty Watt" sound and have inspired much imitation and replication. Band members have continued to work both separately and together on various projects since Sixty Watt Shaman was last working together consistently. All of the remaining members of Sixty Watt Shaman have discussed possible future work together on new Sixty Watt Shaman material and performances.