---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===-- Note: The file below may have several references to old addresses for the //Skyway\\. The new, correct addresses are: ** Skyway listserver: majordomo@novia.net ** Skyway submissions, to write to Matt: skyway@novia.net --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==-- / // The \kyway \\ / Winter 1994 -- Issue #24 January 2nd, 1995 (c) 1995 Bastards of Young (BOY/BetaOmegaYamma) Productions --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==-- ** Subscriptions, comments, contributions, anything you want to read: ** --> skyway@phoenix.creighton.edu <-- ** Manager: ** i261%nemomus@academic.nemostate.edu (Matthew Tomich) --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==-- The manager of this list, Matthew Tomich, and the school's facilities that this list is produced from, Creighton University of Omaha, Nebraska, are not responsible for the contents of the following mailing except for that which they themselves have originally contributed. --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==-- ** To subscribe to the //Skyway\\: subscribe skyway ** To unsubscribe from the //Skyway\\: unsubscribe skyway * To get a listing of //Skyway\\ files available: index skyway * To get a description of available files: get skyway !readme * To get a file: get skyway SEND ALL COMMANDS IN THE BODY OF A LETTER TO: "lists@phoenix.creighton.edu" ---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===-- January 2nd, 1995 ----------------- * Intro: White and Lazy * New People: Bryan Shelly, Justin Woodruff, Eduardo Taboada! * Paul's (belated) B-Day * Gravel Pit comment * The Westerberg Rolling Stone Article (big thanks to ) * B-sides/Bash and Pop's "Situation" * Prime Time 'Mats Reply * Bash n' Pop on 90120! * The 'Mats on VH-1 (is there no end?) * Collecting the 'Mats (Part I) * "In Heaven There Is No Beer" bootleg * "We're The Replacements" by They Might Be Giants * "Shit Hits the Fans" search * Paul 'Pablo Louseorama' Westerberg * I Hate Music...at your local mall * Color Me Impressed chords...impress your friends! ---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===-- Comin' at yah: i261%nemomus@academic.nemostate.edu (Matthew Tomich) Huh?: January 2nd, 1995 WHITE AND LAZY Happy Holidaze...and it's been 366 days since we decided to add another number to that year tabulation thing, so we're gonna do it again! I hope you've recovered from either your New Year's night of partying or your New Year's night bout of sitting around to return to harmonious grind of school/work/temp life/sleep. And hopefully this year, we'll be graced with solo releases from all five of the people that marched under the bevolved Replacements banner, as well as tours, merchandise and other purchasable junk, videos, interviews, and chance run-in's with band members. I just checked the user count, and ironically (see above), we're at 366! Feel free to advertise the //Skyway\\ wherever you haunt n' surf...as well as write in. All it takes is one great story to make an issue. This issue of the //Skyway\\ has actually essentially been ready since mid-December, but I realized that most students were already out of school for the holidays...and some school's computer departments clear out e-mail mailboxes at the end of the semester/beginning of the year, so all the hardworkin' students who are off at home bumming food and free laundry (I'm speakin' from experience here) would miss the new issue. Thanks for everybody's patience...the past year, the //Skyway\\ has come out on a monthly basis more often than not. With school (both during the regular year and summer), along with people sending in subscribe n' unsubscribe requests, I've been putting them out as fast as I can. Thanks to everybody who participated in the Skyway Sekrit Santa thingie. If you still haven't received your tape, drop me a line and I'll contact the person that's supposed to be a-givin'. Also, write in and let me know if you got some good tuneage! Let me know if you get any mailings from this address with a bunch of "=20" or anything else non-fun at the end of each line. It just wouldn't be the Skyway unless there was some goofy technical quirk. HOLIDAY FUN CORNER! The Khristma$ season gave me a chance to practice my favorite game with mall merchants: the Persian Consumer game! Whenever buying anything, whether it's food, books, CD's, anything: BARTER AND BARGAIN! That's right...go right up to that counter and offer them your shoes, a dozen eggs, and two heads of oxen in exchange for that bag of merchandise. Or when they ring everything up and spiel "39.85...will that be cash or charge?", just assertively challenge with, "Hey, how about 32?!!" You can even throw in exotic clothes, an accent, a hot temper ("I no understand your country's backwards and anal-retentive ways!"), or a loud voice to add to your holiday fun. And remember, this game isn't only for the holidays. You can use it any time of year, because it seems like you always gotta buy shit. I should probably get a haircut while I'm home too. -- M@ (Mateo Tomato) HEY! READ THIS! ---- | \ / P.S. Here is the long-awaited Skyway file description thingie. Note that at this moment, I have just sent a letter to our fearless technical consultant Bob Fulkerson with an update of all the file listings and stuff, so give him a few days to update everything before trying this out and expecting it to all work. Here's what to do if you want files from the //Skyway\\ listserver. INSTRUCTIONS: What you need to do. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Send all commands to: "majordomo@novia.net" ** If you want a listing of the files available on the listserver, just send "majordomo@novia.net" this pick-up line: "index skyway-l" ** To a file from the Amazingly Automated //Skyway\\ listserver, send mail to "majordomo@novia.net" saying: "get skyway-l " Now you can grab what you want, print it out, and hang it on the fridge! BUT... If you're not happy with those newfangled listserver things... you can just write to the //Skyway\\ address and I'll be more than happy to manually send you anything you want! To send stuff/requests/letters/hate mail to the //Skyway\\, write to: "skyway@novia.net" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hey, so what are all these files?" "Where's the lyrics to STINK?" "How can I get back issues of the //Skyway\\?" "How do you say loser in Spanish?" Of the files that we have available... Some are ISSUES of the Skyway: ------------------------------ All numbered files are the month+date+year.txt of //Skyway\\ issues. Example: "#24jan0295.txt" signifies issue #24, mailed out on January 2nd, 1995. The frequency distribution of these issues is mainly dependent on if there's a new album out or somebody's on tour or if I have a girlfriend. We've also got LYRICS: ---------------------- Lyrics for all of the Replacements albums and some Replacements-related material is available, courtesy of hard-working (and probably now deaf) //Skyway\\ members. Here's what we got right now. Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash: "sorryma.txt" The Replacements Stink: "stink.txt" Hootennanny: "hoot.txt" Let It Be: "letitbe.txt" Tim: "tim.txt" Pleased to Meet Me: "ptmm.txt" Don't Tell a Soul: "donttell.txt" All Shook Down: "shook.txt" Paul Westerberg/14 Songs: "14songstxt" Chris Mars/Horseshoes and Hand Grenades: "horseshoe.txt" Miscellaneous Replacements and related side-project lyrics: "misclyrc.txt" And some other files of interest or WHATEVER: --------------------------------------------- ...A well-done list of frequently asked questions about the 'Mats: "faq.txt" ...For a compiled (but incomplete!) Replacements discography: "disco.txt" ...For some general information about the //Skyway\\: "skyway.info" ...For a listing of guitar chords to some Replacements songs: "songs.txt" ...For a copy of the //Skyway\\ survey (ver. 2.0): "survey.txt" ** There might be other junk in the directory from time to time, and you can download that and see what that is too. ALMOST DONE, JUST HOLD ON, PUNK: ...is there anything else you'd like to see? ...is there any corrections needed to any of these files? ...do you just have something to say? ...bored? discomplacent? agitated? drunk? Write Matt and/or the //Skyway\\ at: "skyway@novia.net" Adios y bueno suerte! -- M@ P.S. "perdedor" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 10 Dec 1994 02:47:18 -0500 (EST) From: Bryan Shelly First of all, this is my first letter to the Skyway. I'd like to thank the staff and everybody who writes in-seeing one of these in the ol' mailbox certainly brightens up my day. Excellent winter edition, btw. I especially enjoyed the Slim interview (big surprise). The part about why the 'Mats didn't make it commercially was really interesting to me. I'm a relatively new fan (year and a half, and the first Westerberg I bought was 14 Songs - but before I get lambasted, I've always been kind of embarassed by "Dyslexic Heart"). The history behind the 'Mats really fascinates me, in part because I'm so ignorant to it. Basically, I've kind of got a request. If you've got the time, please write to me and tell me what it was like back in the day. I'm especially interested in personal stories as they relate to what was going on with the 'Mats, the Minneapolis scene, rock and roll, and (why not) life in the '80's. Listening to the 'Mats now, I can't help feeling that I missed out on what had to be a great ride: one band souring and crashing, with middle finger gleefully extended. In short, I'd like some "wish you were there" type postcards. Throughout the last year and a half, I 've met three people who seem to feel the same about the 'Mats as I do. One's a beer-swilling fool, one I hardly know, and one I dated. Is that classic, or what? Anyway, having this newsgroup is like one big warm fuzzy session for me. Thanks. ----------------- B.S. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 23:53:02 +0800 (WST) From: Justin Woodruff Subject: When It Began Hi all, I'm a new subscriber to //S\\. I'm also a slightly obsessive 'Mats fan. Hmm..., I think I'm going to feel at home here. I only recently got around to learning about and getting access to all this net stuff. I'd like to offer a special and heart felt thanx to Kathy, who told me about this list. While I'm doing the thankyou's, Matt should get an extra big one - discovering this thing was like finding out that your imaginary friend was real. I live in Perth, Western Australia. So, I never got to see a 'Mats gig and have no charming stories about the band. By way of introduction, I'd like to tell you a story, set in May of last year. A friend and I where going to a Welcome Mat gig (more about this ace-truckin' band in a minute). We decided to stop at the pub first to play some pool and tank up on alcohol. My friend was getting into the pool and alcohol while I was getting impatient. The Wellies don't make it over to this side of the country often. There were a large group of us hanging out - many of whome I didn't know. Emma, on old friend, thanked me for the last compilation tape I had made her. She added that she really like "that Unsatisfied song". One of the girls standing next to me said something like "Oh, you like the Replacements". I was in love. To hell with the Welcome Mat, I had found someone who shared my passion for Minneapolis' finest. You see, for about two years I had been under the spell of the 'Mats. Yet I couldn't find anyone else who felt the same way. From a young age I was into music in a big way. I guess it was a vent for my pent-up teen angst. I s'pose I was looking for the answers to life in a three minute pop song. Anyway, like everyone else here I was pretty Anglophillic. The name Replacements was often name-checked by the bands I was getting into. For about a year they were on my mental list of bands to give a listen to. Then, one day while sorting through the second hand record bin at Dada's I found a copy of Let It Be. I decided to take a chance and buy it on spec. When I handed it over to the cashier, he smiled and told me it had been his copy (he recently bought the CD version). I could see in his eyes that he was reminiscing many a happy memory asosciated with this piece of vinyl. For a few minutes it looked like he wouldn't give it to me - he was like a father giving a child away for adoption. At that point I realized that this band was special. Needless to say, I was entranced by the album - and the other six I bought soon after. Yet I could find no-one to share this with. I knew almost nothing about the band. I've spent the last couple of days going over the back issues of //S\\. I was really struck by the sense of shared belonging, warmth, and community there is here. Susan's simple remark, "I'm home" seemed to sum up the whole thing. I really can't describe how happy I am to be a part of this. I wouldn't even try to articulate what it is about the 'Mats that I love. Anyway, on to a lighter note... Matt, I'm a history major also. I'm a postgrad student, doing research on my thesis. I sorta drifted into this after my honours degree. Never been very career-motivated (read as "White and Lazy") and really don't wanna get a God Damn Job. I'm also not much of a drinker. This is the only part of the 'Mats lyrics that I don't really relate to (for a while I was into more heavy-duty forms of substance abuse -heroin- Dope Shootin' Moron). Oh yeh, the Welcome Mat. They are a Sydney band who have put out about six records and are majorly influenced by the 'Mats. Here is a sample lyric from one of their songs. It's from Norm (from Cheers) - b-side to Play Me from the Gram album. It cracks me up for some reason. Used to like the Replacements and all that Midwest stuff Then it was the Boston thing, then the Boston thing started growing up What About Seatle grunge? ... We got into them for one whole year and then they started making hits You must have a Masters Degree in cool You must have ya bolted to that stool chorus: Try to be cool for all these years But you'll never be as cool as Norm from Cheers Try to win the Respect of All Your Peers But you'll never be as cool as Norm from Cheers....... Apparently, they play a lot of 'Mats covers live. Anyway, this letter is way bigger than I'd planned. So, I look forward to talking with you all in future. Enjoy your holidays. It's winter over there?!!! Stay well. later, justin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 30 Dec 94 19:27:24 EST From: Eduardo Taboada [true address below in signature] Hello everyone.... This is the first time I post something on this list as I am a recent addition to your family here at Skyway. I have gone back to all the stuff at the ftp site and only wish I would have known about this sooner. Thanks Matt and everyone else involved for putting this thing together... What compelled me to post something you ask ? Among the gifts I received this Christmas was a CD copy of Pleased to Meet Me. Although I have been a Mats fan ever since Tim came out, I could not bring myself to "replace" my old worn out tape of PTMM for sentimental reasons. Please allow me to explain : The first time I heard the Mats was through my sister, there was a couple of cuts from Tim in one of her tapes. When PTMM came out, I was living in Edmonton Alberta, in the canadian west. One of the great things about Edmonton, aside from the West Edmonton Mall (at the time the biggest one in the world...I know, how pathetic) and the Edmonton Oilers (those great hockey teams of the mid 80-s) was its extensive music section at the public library. They made a point of buying lots of new music. Among their ever growing collection was a a tape of PTMM, which I immediately loaned out. It so happens that I moved from Edmonton in the spring of 1987. Although I left behind my heart in Edmonton, I must confess that I took something in its place...You see, I never got around to returning the tape...I'm extremely sorry I did this, the guilt is overwhelming. At any rate, as part of my payback to society, I took it upon myself to spread the word of the Mats to whoever would listen. I can boast about enriching the lives of quite a number of present day rabid Mats fanatics through passing around that very tape. As a direct consequence of this, that tape is now old and tired (though the music is definitely not...). I know that this in no way excuses my actions but what the hell; the end may have been worth the means. Despite being a huge mats fan, I only got to see them live once, on their very last tour (Feb '91). It was such an spiritual experience for me that I can't even remember too much of the show, only that I was blown away by an unbelievable set. I did hovewer get to steal a set list, and got to take a drink from Paul's cup (I was very proud of the fact Paul had tea in that cup....) Despite the possible the possible cornyness of what I'm about to say, I can unequivocaly say that that whole night stands as one of the all time thrills for me; It was incredibly special and still sends shivers down my spine. I was sad to see the mats break up but I'm very happy to see just how talented everyone in the band has shown to be. I knew Paul was great but didn't know Chris, Tommy or Slim would put out such good stuff out. I hope they all keep it going. Sorry if I have rambled on...its just that I finally get to share these memories with a whole bunch of people who know exactly where I'm coming from. Anyhow, I hope you all take care and have a happy new year. Ed Taboada, (slave of the ...)Department of Biology University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. ed@bio01.bio.uottawa.ca ___________________________________________________________ | If you were a pill, I'd take a handful at my will | | and I'd knock you back with something sweet and strong... | | | | -Paul Westerberg | |___________________________________________________________| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 8 Dec 94 13:31:12 EST From: cford@VNET.IBM.COM Subject: Important date The 'Generation Next' issue of Rolling Stone lists Paul Westerberg's birthday as 12/31/59. I don't think I'd ever seen this info in print before. Looks like we have more to celebrate on New Years Eve... Charles Ford -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 9 Dec 1994 02:53:51 -0500 From: JFAnderson@aol.com Subject: gravel pit Hey Matt (and fellow Skyway-ers), Been reading through the latest issue and a lot of people (yourself included) are commenting on the Gravel Pit CD. I'd heard this was coming out some time ago, but didn't know it was out yet. I'm anxious to hear it myself because there's a better than even chance it's from my DAT (copies of which began circulating the day after the show). It was a fantastic show - easily the best performance of the five shows I saw on the tour (but not necessarily the best set...). Someone mentioned that the show fits in it's entirety on the CD but for two songs. I can't imagine that's possible since it just fits on a 100 min. tape. I'd love to trade copies from my master for shows/interviews/stuff that I need, so anyone interested, please get in touch and we'll work something out! Thanks, John -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 08 Dec 94 12:48 From: NAVARRET@mailgate.navsses.navy.mil Subject: The Paul Interview... Hi Matt! Well I managed to use my good ol' full page scanner at work to read in that Rolling Stone Article for you. Just a quick note about the article: As I've noticed time and time again, Paul speaks to us in ways even he doesn't realize. The next to the last answer could easily be referring to me. Anyway I hope you have a great holiday, and don't forget Paul's Birthday's coming up too! (12/31, I think) Diego Navarrete (Awash in the Christmas malaise) SIPPING GINGER ALE in a Minneapolis hotel bar, Paul Westerberg breaks the bad news: The Replacements have really broken up. Sure, it's already been four years since that highly influential band's last album (All Shook Down), and it's been more than a year since Westerberg, the group's singer/songwriter, released his solo debut (14 Songs). The post-punk poet laureate behind "Unsatisfied," "I Will Dare," "Can't Hardly Wait" and "Achin' to Be," Westerberg is now a sober, thoughtful 34-year-old. His band, which once made quite an art out of falling apart in public, is now truly history. "Just yesterday," Westerberg says, "my lawyer called me up and said that Tommy [Stinson] finally had his lawyer send a pink slip saying he is officially out of the band. So now, as of today, the Mats are officially broken up." Though he's taking a break from writing songs for his second solo album, he still seems very much in touch with some of the feelings from those not-so-good old days. "I was like 'You fucker, who said you could quit? You're fired!' " Rolling Stone: The Replacements eventually became a model for a lot of bands that followed. Did the Mats have a model when you started out? Paul Westerberg: Vaguely. It changed from month to month. There was a period when we'd want to be a cross be the Damned and Rockpile. We liked rockabilly, and we wanted to be sort of old-timey rock & roll, but the songs we were writing were kind of pop. And sonically we were pretty fast and loud - Bob [Stinson] loved the Damned and all the English punk bands. So we were a mixture of all that stuff. RS: What did you make of punk at first? PW: I loved it. I don't love it so much now. I can go back and still listen to the Pistols record, but I have a hard time listening to, say, the Damned or the Jam. RS: Did you respond to it musically or politically? PW: It wasn't the lyrics at all. RS: So you weren't pissed off at the queen? PW: Exactly. That stuff didn't mean anything to a lad who grew up in the Midwest. The truth is that the only politics any of us *ever* cared about was the politics of being cool. With punk, it was like Black Sabbath, but they weren't singing about iron, mystical, weird shit. It was "fuck you" and "fuck that," and we loved that. RS: Is it fair to say that the Replacements were alternative when alternative still meant something? PW: I think in our earnestness we were trying in our way to be commercial rather than being a band who was really talented and chose to play avant-garde. And I think that came across. There was sincerity there: We couldn't tune, we couldn't play, and we did not care. RS: So it's not like you were celebrating primitivism. PW: Exactly. We were trying to play as best we could. RS: Early on, people were talking about the Mats as part of the Minneapolis scene, comparing you with bands like Husker Du, the Suburbs and Soul Asylum. PW: Yeah. In fact, that was pretty much the scene right there. The Suburbs were there when we started, and to this day they can re-form and they're bigger stars. The first shot of punk - the Ramones and the Pistols - was on the wane when we started, so everything was either skinny ties with pop tunes or out-and-out art noise. RS: You mean to tell me the Replacements were actually trying to be the Romantics? PW: Probably we were, but our talents were rooted closer to the Slits [laughs]. But the scene was split between those two camps: pop or noise. We were in the middle. Husker Du leaned a little more toward the noise end of things. Soul Asylum came a little later. RS: How did you react to their success? PW: At the time it stung a little. But I'm glad for them because they slugged it out in the same alleys that we did, and they stayed around just long enough. RS: What about the other Minneapolis scene with Prince at the center? PW: I was influenced as much by that stuff as by the other side. I mean, that guy could write some songs. RS: Did you have much communication with him? PW: He would stick his head in on occasion. But Prince, I think, said two words to me in 10 years. One was hi, the other was life. RS: Life? PW: I asked him, "What's up?" RS: Did you always feel a little "Left of the Dial"? PW: Always. Even toward the end. If our music wasn't as ferocious as the next wave that would come up, we felt alienated from them, too. So we were an alternative to the alternative as well as an alternative to the mainstream. We never found our niche. Maybe we were just a little too afraid, looking over our shoulders, thinking, "Is it *cool* to have a big record?" And our managers encouraged our high jinks more than they encouraged us to straighten up and fly right. We were a real band of the '80s. We lasted literally from the dawn of 1980 to the dawn of 1990. RS: A lot of people did connect to your songs, though. PW: They hooked up with the thread of my songs, which is about some kind of alienation. When you're growing up, you look for anyone you can side with. They see me as someone who has gone through it - or is still going through it - and is able to carry on. The thing is, I don't have any answers, which is always disheartening... I don't really want to talk about this, but there was this kid who was depressed, and he found the Mats and my record, and I guess it meant something to him. He went on television and talked about it. But to make a long story short, he ended up killing himself. And they buried him in my T-shirt. That's obviously an extreme. RS: What was your first reaction when you heard about Kurt Cobain's death? PW: My old manager called, and my first reaction was slight relief, because he said, "Have you heard the news?" And I immediately thought it was someone else I knew who was dead. And when he said it was Kurt, my first reaction was "Well, at least it wasn't Tommy." But then I felt great sadness. I never knew him, but any time someone reaches that extreme, it's a tragedy. But it should be left at that. To immortalize it or glorify it is a crime. RS: You're 34. Does rock & roll still make a difference to your generation? PW: I don't know who my generation is anymore - I feel too old to hang out with the kids who make rock & roll, but I don't fit in with the settled-down people my age. Technically, my generation should be married with children, with a home and stable future. And I know I don't have all that stuff. RS: Do you ever fear rock & roll is dead? PW: Never. I never thought of rock & roll as this big cultural thing and worried about the state of it and all. It's, like, just plug that fucking guitar in and give me a backbeat, and it lives. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 8 Dec 1994 00:11:58 -0500 From: Stax920@aol.com Subject: Re: Demos. B-Sides etc. Mark, Hmm. Conspicuously absent from your list of B-sides is the four non-album tracks from Don't Buy Or Sell It's Crap, the promo-only single of When It Began. Let me know if you need a tape of it. Track listing: When It Began Kissing In Action Ought To Get Love Satellite (Tommy Stinson) Like A Rolling Pin (sic) (by Bob Dylan) Have you heard the promo only B-side of "Fast & Hard" by Bash & Pop? It's called "Situation" and it's fucking great. Anecdote about "Like A Rolling Pin" (but I can't verify its truth): Apparently Bob Dylan was recording Under A Red Sky at Oceanway studios, when he poked his head into the studio where the Mats or rather Paul Westerberg and whoever else were recording All Shook Down. Dylan reaches down for a beer out the cooler they had in the studio and Tommy yells, "That's five dollars, fucker!" Bob Dylan reaches into his pocket and puts five dollars on the cooler and walks out. And on the cut you can hear Paul burst out laughing calling after him saying, "Come on Bob. Play guitar," as he shreds "Like A Rolling Stone." Forgive me if this has already been told. Derek Caney Stax920@aol.com Date: Fri, 9 Dec 1994 01:26:49 -0500 From: Stax920@aol.com Subject: Situation On Dec. 8, our fearless leader wrote: >I'm dying to hear "Situation"...what's it sound like? Anything else on the >album? Did you ever catch B&P live? One always has take evaluations of rarities with a grain of salt. The fact that they're rare sometimes makes them mythical and perhaps they sound better than they really are. NOT IN THIS CASE! The track is amazing. It would fit right at home on Friday Night. Although from a sequencing standpoint, I don't know where I'd put it. Maybe in between "Fast & Hard" and "Friday Night." It's an uptempo song with kind of shuffle beat a la "Hang Ups." Imagine a fucked-up punk version of "Memphis" by Chuck Berry. It has the familar breaks and cadences of a B&P song. It's about 12:30 a.m. but I'm an insomniac so I'm going to try and transcribe the lyrics. Again, Tommy's an expert mumbler. So it's a best approximation. * * * * * Stopped dead in my tracks Mortified to try and explain When it falls down the drain It's too close it's too far The kind of love you try and embrace And you can't hold on It's still too slow to run I pray to my gods Crack in the paint and a hole in the wall And there's no one to call Something to kill for Show me a need and I'll show you my guts all Splattered out for the world to see Try to relate but no one's listening Situation No cause for alarm Now there's something mine Born to find it Work hard sometimes I went downtown to find what it means Lord it ain't in my dreams Too good it's so bad Night and day I fall in between I can't hold on Still too slow to run Try to relate not to pass it off Situation No cause for alarm Now there's something mine Born to find it Situation No cause for alarm No one in hell No one in here (scream) If I stop dead in my tracks Please give me a shove Oh, not one more lie This is my last rites I live in between worlds Love and hate and I'm never belated Situation No cause for alarm * * * * * The riffs and the chords are a little over my head otherwise I would have included them. I'm a pretty barebones guitar player. But please, if anyone else can take a crack at it, feel free. If I'm feeling amitious, maybe I take a stab at it when the neighbors aren't sleeping. I saw B&P live twice in the spring and summer of 1993, once in Hoboken and once here in NYC. They were great both times. In New York, Tommy seemed grateful to be there. Nirvana was in town the same night and he said to the crowd, "Wow, you guys could have seen Nirvana. That's pretty cool." He seemed kind of flattered. He had a different band with him each time. Steve Foley, the drummer on the ASD tour, was the only staple. The second time he had a different guitar player and *ahem* a very attractive female Asian bass player with a very short skirt and fishnet stockings. You'll have to forgive me for my off-color remarks. But you should hear the stuff that goes on on the Paul Westerberg board on AOL. X-rated swooning over Paul like you've never heard. He played every song from FNIKM, plus Satellite from Don't Sell Or Buy, Situation, and a Cheap Trick song I don't know the name of, another cover that sounded like either the Ramones or Black Flag, and for all of you soul afficiados out there, he did a punk version of "Any Other Way," an obscure single by the Stax soul singer William Bell recorded in 1962. Very classy. He played well. Very energetic. But he looked terrible. Eyes sunken into his head. Skin and bones. My friend and I looked at each other and said at the same time, "Cocaine." We was carrying a bottle of Jack Daniels. You know, I'll go out on a limb here. Overall, I think Friday Night is a better album than 14 Songs. I think Paul's lyrics are a lot more realized and hold up better to intense scrutiny. But musically, 14 Songs isn't as consistant as Friday Night. But I guess Friday Night's lyrics are as spotty as the music on 14 Songs. Lyrically, Tommy covers terrain already well trodden by Paul and not as eloquently. But never much of devotee to the lyric sheet, I still play FNIKM more often. Just the ambivalence to fame and success, whether implied or plainly stated, on "Situation," "Never Aim To Please," "Fast & Hard," and "He Means It" really hits me. And the two ballads on FNIKM, "Nothing," and "First Steps", are so much better than 14 Songs "Even Here We Are" and ""Black Eyed Susan." Anyone see the video for "Loose Ends?" Tommy in drag? Funny shit. Paul supposedly plays lead guitar on "Loose Ends." Paul said he wrote "World Class Fad," with Tommy and himself in mind. Well, I've babbled enough. I hope you'll edit this down, Matt. If you use it for Skyway. As you probably learned by now, I tend to babble. I have to say, Matt, that I just got my first Skyway. It's great. I appreciate the work you're doing. And people seem a lot friendlier here than other lists. People can get downright grouchy on the Sugar/Bob Mould list. Shiftless when idle, Derek Caney Stax920@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Dec 94 13:36:29 CST From: Teddie James-CSIC_Publications Subject: Mats on prime time Charles Ford said: > Back in the late '80s there was a little show called "Charles In Charge." > Charles was this unremarkable teenager who wore rock t-shirts ala Garth of > "Wayne's World" and was always chasing after older women. In this one > episode Charles's middle aged uncle (or some family associate) was in town > for a visit. Charles was sort of annoyed that this uncle was trying to be > ultra hip. In one scene Charles announces that he will be attending a > Replacements concert (I guess this was an attempt to totally loose this > bozo uncle), but the uncle comes back with a mini history lesson on the Mats. > I almost fell out of my chair. It was a precious prime time moment that I > wish I had on tape. Does anybody remember this stellar event? Maybe I have > the name of the show wrong, but the episode really happened. I never saw this, but I do remember some years back on the Ferris Bueller ripoff Parker Louis Can't Lose, Parker was out on a date with this girl, and he took her to a concert. When they got there, he said, "Oh, no! It says here that the Replacements concert was last night!" And then they showed a sign that said, "The Replacements concert was last night." Big deal, huh? Just thought it would be fitting. Ted Date: Thu, 15 Dec 94 17:36:54 EST From: cford@vnet.ibm.com For all you Mats TV trivia buffs. The sitcom name that I mentioned in the last issue of SKYWAY, 'Charles Incharge,' was incorrect. The Mats episode that I described appeared in another '89 sitcom called 'Day By Day.' Thanks Ric. Charles Ford -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Dec 1994 02:17:26 -0500 (EST) From: Susan Park Subject: Re: Mats in prime time Hi Matt! In this last Skyway issue, when Charles Ford mentioned something about hearing the Mats being mentioned in a Charles In Charge episode it reminded me of the time I heard Bash and Pop in the queen of all trendy prime time shows, Beverly Hills 90210. Now, I don't really watch TV at all, let alone this piece of bubble gum, but I think it was during vacation time so I basically watched anything that wasn't static. Anyway when they were still in high school (it was maybe a year or so ago) there was a radio station in school and I swear I heard them play a Bash and Pop song. It was either Loose Ends or Friday Night (I forget) and it was playing in the background, barely discernible over the dialogue, except to an avid fan. But I'm positive that I heard it because I just about fell over. Did anyone else catch that, or was I the only one with nothing better to do at that time? Now, someone over in Aaron Spellingland must be some sort of Mats fan if this was slipped in, and Paul has a song on that Melrose Place soundtrack. Tommy and Paul aren't exactly MTV buzz clip bands, so I don't know why else they would include them. Coincidence, or what?? -sue [I thought I heard on the //Skyway\\ at the time that the song they played was the single, "Loose Ends". I'll tell yah, I don't know what it is, but I think the 'Mats WERE kinda 'trendy'. I went to a snotty, upper middle class high school in Omaha NE where it seemed like every kid in Omaha whose parents were professionals went there with their attitudes and their BMW's...and the 'Mats were really, really cool to listen to. Not that everybody did, but I guess the high social echelon did. (I wasn't even into them at the time...ironically enough.) So...I don't have a real hard time picturing a young, snotty producer like Spellingland likin' the Replacements. After all the stuff I've read about the way they treated backstage record executives who are cloned from a similar mold, I have a harder time seein' the Replacements like HIM. Then again, how much can I flame some guy who's playin' the 'Mats on prime time TV? -- M@] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 4 Dec 1994 18:18:21 -0500 (EST) From: "Michael C. Shannon" Subject: mats on VH1 as the final sign, as if it was needed, that alternative means absolutely nothing anymore, vh1 ran a little debate on alternative music. in its run through the 80's grandparents of "alternative" there was a shot of the mats I hadn't seen but was quite telling. paul was sitting by himself in a chair with Tommy, Chris and Slim crunched together in a couch. on another note, i think the paul song on Melrose Place and the Bash & Pop song on the clerks soundtrack show the story of the mats. tommy's song had a lot of heart but the lyrics, to me, left a whole lot to be desired. paul's song was a more serious and intelligent piece of music. paul=brains; tommy=heart. casey mshanno@emory.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 5 Dec 94 11:47:16 EST From: cford@VNET.IBM.COM To: skyway@PHOENIX.CREIGHTON.EDU Subject: Collecting The Replacements Part I In the last issue of Skyway somebody actually requested a copy of an article I wrote for Tapers Quarterly called 'Collecting The Replacements I'. I have posted Parts II and III, but purposely never posted I because, frankly, it's a pretty lousy article that long time Replacements fans (as found on Skyway) might find a little too introductory. Actually, that's exactly what it was intended to be--an introduction to the topic of Replacements collecting for tape collectors who may not know anything about The Replacements. Anyway, due to popular demand (one request is 'popular demand'-enough for me!), here it is...... Collecting The Replacements I - C. Ford The Replacements, one of the most interesting rock bands of the '80s, were launched in 1980 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They were one of the first bands signed to the local 'Twin Tone' record label. They were also a catalyst for what could loosely be described as a Minneapolis alternative music 'scene' that peaked around 1986 with their own popularity and that of other local bands such as Husker Du and Soul Asylum. The Replacements originally rode on the coattails of the American 'post punk' sound that was alive and well in 1980. Their music in this early era was typified by loud guitars, fast rhythms, short songs, and catchy lyrics. Many of the songs from their first album, 'Sorry Ma I Forgot to Take Out the Trash' are forgettable, however, a few songs from this era such as, 'If Only You Were Lonely' showed promise for things to come. Their live shows became legendary for their drunken disorderliness and shear lunacy. Founding member and guitarist, Bob Stinson, was known to play in his underwear--or less. Bedlam typically ensued at a Mats' show (as they were affectionately named). Wild cover tunes would be attempted, and sometimes completed. They would trash their own equipment and material, and do loving send-ups of the material of others. Who can forget their crazy version of REM's 'Radio Free Europe' from the live release, 'Shit Hits the Fans?' The band members would switch instruments and frequently bring up strangers from the audience to join in. Everybody had a 'Replacements story' it seemed. The amazing part was that at the same time The Replacements were putting on these bohemian live performances, they were also releasing some of the finest rock music ever heard on record. Starting with 1983's 'Hootenany', which won a Village Voice best album poll, The Replacements began a tradition of finely crafted and sensitive recordings. Singer/ songwriter Paul Westerberg possessed a talent for endearing ballads and infectious rockers. Slow songs such as 'Within Your Reach' and 'Unsatisfied' were obviously written from the soul. The harder songs, particularly the ones from the 'Tim' and 'Pleased to Meet Me' album, are rock masterpieces. Westerberg's distinctive vocal bark graces every song. I 'discovered' The Replacements around 1986 and found them to be an ideal band for live tape collecting. I was leery at first, but the 1986 Rolling Stone 'Hot Issue' which declared them the year's hottest band got my attention. I bought the 'Let It Be' album on a whim, but I was not overly impressed at the time. A year past (and several magazine articles) before I would see them live. Their 1987 performance at Austin's Liberty Lunch bar, which I preserved on tape, is what did it for me. By that time I had purchased the 'Tim' album and 'Pleased To Meet Me' and I was starting to get hooked. I had also only recently started taping live bands and The Replacements seemed to be perfect fodder for my hobby. Their shows were still totally unpredictable, largely because they did not follow a set list. Like everybody else, I wanted to laugh at the stage antics, but more than that--I had become a huge fan of their music. I had previously discovered the classified ad road to audience tape trading. I wanted to expand my Replacements collection beyond my one show and fairly quickly I discovered other traders who were collecting them. By diligent trading, I turned my one tape into two, then two tapes into four. I became fairly obsessive. Before I knew it I was trading eight or nine tapes at a time. It also helped to maintain a backlog of other bands besides the Replacements. Diversity seemed to be the key to a successful collection, but my primary focus remained the same--'Mats. At last count I have over 250 Replacements shows! With each tape that I received it seemed as if I was uncovering a hidden treasure. I was gaining insights into the band's character that I would never have been privy to through the standard media. I was experiencing performances that were never intended to leave the confines of a local hall, but here it was in my living room. All the unique song sequences, all the bizarre cover tunes, all the between song patter was within earshot. I could attend every show but never leave my house! Of course, it helped that the Replacements were willing to put forth the effort. There are many bands with which audience tape collecting would be a dismal affair. Performances can be nothing more than a 'cookie cutter' of the previous performance. The Replacements, on the other hand, seemed to unwittingly go out of their way to generate the ultimate in a collector's audience tapes. The shows were varied, and funny. Also, wild events would frequently pop up on these tapes like Paul Westerberg attacking a beer bottle throwing fan, or the band breaking up into a wrestling match. If the shows got routine I could sit back and listen to my favorite songs. The band was together long enough (eleven years) to have a good history. Over years worth of recordings you can hear the band grow and develop. From a bunch of crazy kids in 1980, to a seasoned touring unit in 1991. Replacements trading has certainly slowed down since they played their last performance in July of 1991. Interest in the band has subsided, and I no longer see as many ads requesting their shows. I'm still looking to fill the gaps in my collection, of course. I'd give anything for a copy of some of their early Austin appearances which I missed. It's unlikely that every show was taped, but you never know. In the mean time I continue to keep me eyes open for a new band that can offer the same collecting rewards as the 'Mats. I know they're out there. Charles Ford -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Dec 1994 23:08:15 -0500 (EST) From: "Michael C. Shannon" Subject: In Heaven There Is No Beer - boot The vinyl boot is called "In Heaven There Is No Beer>" It is from G.S. Vigs, Wisconsin on 11-8-84. Its a two record set. Side 1 Side 3 ------ ------ I Will Dare 20th Century Boy Unsatisfied I'm in Trouble Walk on the Wildside Kids Dont Follow Gary's Got a Boner God Damn Job Black Diamond Lazy [might be White &] Got Nobody Im 18 Trouble Boys You Lose Take Me to the Hospital Kansas City Star Within Your Reach 16 Blue Side 2 Side 4 ------ ------ Favorite Thing If I Only Had a Brain Color Me Impressed Love Grows Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out I Wanna Destroy You Dont Ask Why Yummy, Yummy, Yummy Takin a Ride Another Girl, Another Planet Run It Borstal Breakout Hey Good Lookin Substitute Johnnys Gonna Die Careless casey -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Dec 94 19:20:00 -0500 From: Jason Kreitzer Subject: They Might Be Giants, "We're the Replacements" Do any of you know the song "We're the Replacements" by They Might Be Giants? It is on their EP _Don't Let's Start._ [It's also on their compilation album _Miscellaneous T_.] The lyrics run: "Hi, we're the Replacements Hi, we're the Replacements Hi, we're the Replacements And we're playing in a rock and roll band Rock and roll band We're having a good time We're having a good time We're having a good time Rock and rolling till the break of dawn Break of dawn Hey where's Tommy, someone find Tommy We're out on the road Moving Equipment, where's the equipment Soon we're going home Then we'll have a party Then we'll have a party Then we'll have a party Rock and rolling until the break of dawn Break of dawn." Jason -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 08 Dec 1994 11:30:00 -0400 (EDT) From: IWASZZ@vms.cis.pitt.edu I'm searching for good quality copies of 'shit hits the fans' and am willing to trade several mid-quality boots and tapes of my Inconcerated CD. Internet Email at "iwaszz@pitt.edu"; you can also get me at "PEZRULE@AOL.COM" "ain't nothin' but a customer!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 10 Dec 1994 02:07:26 -0500 From: Stax920@aol.com Dave Marsh's New Rock Book Of Lists (1994) had this entry in the pseudonym section: Paul Westerberg - Westerberg teamed up with Todd Newman, a veteran of the Lawrence, Kansas, music scene, to form the Leatherwoods in Minneapolis. The resulting album, Topeka Oratorio (Medium Cool/Twin Tone), had Westerberg's name listed in the creditsas Pablo Louseorama. Supposedly, Newman and Westerberg had a falling-out, and Westerberg refused to let his name be used in connection with the project, so Newman took a swipe back with the unflattering nom de plume. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 27 Dec 94 12:07:13 EST From: cford@VNET.IBM.COM Subject: Replacements lyrics watch I'm always amused at how frequently the inspirational words of Paul Westerberg seem to pop up (i.e. 'are lifted') in our culture. You find them in movies, Tom Petty songs, MTV shows, etc.--And now, the shopping centers of suburbia. While Christmas shopping the other day I passed a CD store that had decorated its front window for the holidays. Someone had painted on it a huge green Christmas Grinch. Printed on the window was the obvious caption taken from a song on the Replacements first album---'I Hate Music.' I knew I needed to shop at this store. I'd be curious to hear about other circumstances where Replacements lyrics just seem to come out of nowhere. Charles Ford -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 17:43:46 EST From: MR RICK A VANSELOW Subject: Color Me Impressed Color Me Impressed [from Hootenany] Matt - Thanks for the Replacements transcriptions. I have a fun one to add to your list. I'll do my best to explain it (and remember the lyrics) without the benefit of my guitar - I'm at work right now. All chords are barred rather than open. I'll add comments where necessary. Verse One E E/Dm B B/A# Everybody at your party A A/G# A They dont look depressed E E/Dm B B/A# Everybodys actin' funny A A/G# A Color me impressed (Note: chords with slash denote a step down on the fretboard with only your index finger on the bass note of the chord. ie the chord remains the same, just step down the bass note [string]). (Repeat chord progression twice between these verses- Second verse, same as the first - as far as chord progression) Verse Two Stayin out late tonight Won't be gettin' sleep Giving up at work Cause it's all that they won't keep Break One C# hammer-on (see note below) three times ending on E (repeat this cycle four times, the final time ending on A rather than E) (Barre at the C# with your index finger and then hammer-on the chord for this next part - or slide from B-C#). Verse Three Well the monkey's on the mirror Won't you pass the pill to Chris Intoxicated Never ending our French kiss Break Two E B E B E B E D# C# B (stroke the E twice each time in the E-B change) Can you stand me on my feet E B E B E B E D# C# B Can you stand me on my feet (Repeat Break One) (Repeat Verse One) (Repeat Break Two without lyrics) This is really a simple song, just looks complicated by the way I transcribed it. [I was sent a correction by Rick the next day: "During the verses, the progession is E, E/Dmin, A, B, G, G/F#."] ---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===-- fin. --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==-- || Matthew Tomich || <<>> || || 1111 S. Mulanix #207 || ----> skyway@phoenix.creighton.edu <---- || || Kirksville, Missouri 63501 ||(administrative, contribution, all purpose)|| || (816)-785-4808 ||--==--==--==--==--==-*-==--==--==--==--==--|| || "You are not what you own." || ** Non-Skyway address: ** || || /\\/\\/\ - Fugazi /\\/\\/\\ || i261%nemomus@academic.nemostate.edu || --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==-- "All of us are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -- Oscar Wilde