‘Idol’ champ Clarkson plays with punk veteran

Mike Watt, co-founder of fIREHOSE, performed on six songs

Billboard

updated 8:42 p.m. ET Jan. 7, 2007

NEW YORK - Kelly Clarkson’s next album will boast some punk rock flavor.

The inaugural “American Idol” champ secured the services of bassist Mike Watt, who co-founded ’70s punk band Minutemen, ’80s combo fIREHOSE, and is now working with Iggy Pop and the reunited Stooges.

“I ended up playing on six of the songs. I had no idea what it was going to be like, but it ended up being pretty interesting,” Watt said of the sessions for Clarkson’s third RCA studio album.

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Watt said he was a bit skeptical about working on the project, since he knew hardly anything about “American Idol” or Clarkson herself.

“I heard that Kelly won some game show, but I was really impressed how she sang her ass off. It was intense. I’m really glad I had the experience -- it was trippy and everyone gave me much respect.”

The album is being produced by David Kahne, who previously worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett and Stevie Nicks.

“(Kahne) let me try all kinds of stuff like fuzz bass, fills and solos besides just making things fatter,” Watt said.

Watt also found an admirer in Clarkson guitarist/songwriter Jimmy Messer, who “was very enthusiastic and helped me much --he was a skater when he was younger and knew all about my music.”

The Stooges, meanwhile will release “The Weirdness,” March 20 via Virgin. Watt is expected to be on the road with the group in the spring.