Watt explained in a message posted on his site that the tour’s name is a reference to him taking on a lead role after playing bass for former Dinosaur Jr. frontman Mascis during U.S. and European tours in recent months.

“I believe it's very healthy and a necessary duty to mouse from time to time,” Watt wrote, “but other moments call for some straight up cattin'. … It was excellent and quite an opportunity to play w/ Mr. J Mascis and [drummer] Mr. George Berz since last October and I both learned and experienced much but now it's time to kick out some thuds from my perspective.”

Watt’s European run with Mascis was scheduled to wrap up in late June, but was cut short when the musicians’ tour van crashed in Sweden on June 17. Published reports at the time indicated that Mascis suffered two broken vertebrae in the accident. Mascis claims that he is currently "up to 65 percent and feelin' good,” according to a spokesperson, who added that the musician is “up and about and mending nicely.”

Prior to the Sept. 11 launch of his Time to Cat and Not Mouse tour, Watt has a handful of California dates planned with several of his various side projects, including three dates with Banyan, a group spearheaded by Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins, with whom Watt worked in Porno for Pyros.

Watt’s most recent release is 1997’s “Contemplating the Engine Room” (Columbia).