 Watson worked in a factory job for a short while, and then sang and played lead guitar in a number of short-lived bands in the Peterborough area, including The Outcrowd, Sumac, Bacon Fat, Uncle Bobby’s Aerial ballet.He then joined the band Coyote, replacing guitarist Gary Comeau.Although Coyote was signed to Capitol Records at the time, the band didn't release any recordings after Watson joined.