In keeping with overblown arena rock tradition, we recognize that all career-making live albums must have a sequel. Trouble is our 1994 Epic Records debut, Three Chords and a Cloud of Dust Live, wasn’t exactly career-making. In fact, it pretty much ruined us at Epic. Thirteen years and eight-hundred shows later, we’re giving ourselves a do over. And what we hope sets Three Chords II apart from classic sequels like KISS Alive II, Cheap Trick at Budokan II, and hell, even Frampton Comes Alive II, is that it wasn’t taped in a recording studio then overdubbed with fanatical crowd noise. This show actually happened. Bum notes, dropped beats, and all.

Three Chords II was recorded live in its entirety at The Newport Music Hall on November 17, 2006 in our hometown, Columbus, Ohio. The capital city was simmering in anticipation of the next day’s meeting between #1 Ohio State and #2 Michigan down the block at Ohio Stadium. Outside the Newport, High Street was ready to burst into a couch-burning, car-flipping riot. Inside, with the legendary Dead Schembechlers joining us on the bill, the sold-out crowd of 1,800 pushed against the security barrier, banging down 36-ounze Budweisers like sailors on leave.

Ready. Steady. Go. Our amps turned up and turned sideways. No set list. No effects. No laptop computers or in-ear monitors. Nothing pre-recorded or looped or click-tracked to submission. Just a rock band—a real rock band, the kind that plays Les Pauls and Marshalls, not Apple PowerBooks—working to somehow keep the train on the tracks.

Watershed is:
Colin Gawel – Guitar and Vocals
Joe Oestreich – Bass and Vocals
Dave Masica - Drums
Mark "Pooch" Borror – Guitar

The Ministry of Defense:
Mike “Biggie” McDermott – Minister of Tour Management
Ricki C. – Minister of Guitar Tuning
Mike Landolt – Minister of Live Sound

Management:
Thomas O’Keefe
thomas@watershedcentral.com

Recorded November 17, 2006 by Joe Viers at The Newport Music Hall, Columbus, Ohio
Mixed by Mike Landolt at Mike’s Curry House, Columbus, Ohio
Mastered by Brian Lucy at Magic Garden Mastering, Delaware, Ohio

Layout and Design by Bryan Huber
Photography by Greg Bartram, Ron Grabowski and Tom Linzell

Special Thanks to Dan Cochran, Devin Bobulski, Rick Kinsinger, Erv Karwelis, Joe Viers and John Schwab Recording, Dead Schembechlers, B.A. Baracus, Rob Braithwaite, Andyman, Brian Phillips and everyone at CD101, Tim Patalan, Lou Brutus, Mike Sammons, John Mathews, The Palestra, Stephanie O’Keefe, Merv & Max Roland (Dave's Designated Drivers)

Erin and Owen, Christy and Kaitlyn, Sarah, Mya and Charlie, Kate and everyone who bought us a beer on the Fifth of July tour.