------------------------------------------------------------------------------- / // The\kyway \\ / skyway@novia.net Issue #33 February 5, 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) 1996 Bastards of Young (BOY/BetaOmegaYamma) Productions list manager: Matthew Tomich (matt@novia.net) technical consultant and thanks to: Bob Fulkerson of Novia Networking ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SKYWAY SUBSCRIPTION/LISTSERVER INFORMATION Send all listserver commands in the body of a letter to "majordomo@novia.net" 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 submissions to: skyway@novia.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Used to stay at home) Stayin' at the house [Matt Tomich] New people! [Tim Nokken, Big Daddy, Jay Borges, Jennifer Romero, Shayla Thiel, Amanda Dorsey, Dave Forbus, Jim Kaihatu, Josh ] Great Slim Dunlap interview [by Shayla Thiel] 1987/1990 Westerberg interviews on tape [U W Boroughlen] Bash n' Pop-era Tommy Stinson interview [Bill Ruef] Perfect to be at 1996 South-By-Southwest (SXSW) [Diego Navarette] Lost early 'Mats track and clever 'Mats epithets [Sonia Grover] Birthday Carol/Gal [Mike Bruner] Bob Dylan/Paul contrasts [Ken Rosenberger] Drunk Paul vs. Sober Paul [Jim Kaihatu] Missing persons! [Bob] Green Day talks about the 'Mats [Steve Holtebeck] Another 'Mats-esque band [Big Daddy] Guitar chords to "Answering Machine" [The Sarge] Comments about videos... [Lemonhead/Casey] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Matthew Tomich (matt@novia.net) Hey! Hopefully this week (depending on some people's busy schedules), the files on the listserver will be updated. Until then, you need to "get 00README" instead of "get !readme" and some of the files won't have corrections, updates, stuff like that. On the home front, I've been in Omaha all this time! I've had the life- enriching experience in getting a settlement from an insurance company, heard some of the richest bards in the automobile business tell some memorable spiels while shopping for a new car, and have visited of those other ominous windows in the DMV like "vehicle registration" and "titles". Now I know why grown ups look like grown ups. After a year of nothing but a release from Chris Mars and a handful of Tommy Stinson gigs, 1996 looks like it's going to be a hell of a 'Mats year: a new Paul album and tour, not one but two Tommy Stinson albums, and a new Slim Dunlap album. You'd think that at least two of these acts could get their heads together and open up for each other...or would that just be too good to be true? Tomorrow I'm driving back to North Carolina. Say a prayer. I'm hoping not to kiss a ditch again or fall off the Appalachians. -- Matt ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 08:29:53 -0600 (CST) From: Timothy Peter Nokken Subject: Introduction I've actually been subscribed to //Skyway\\ for about a year now, but never got around to the introduction. Seeing everyone else was doing it, figured I should too. First off, I'm a 4th year grad student in political science at the University of Illinois. Before that, I lived, worked, attended school in Moorhead, MN. I've been a 'Mats fan since around 1985/85. My first purchase was Tim. I bought it used on vinyl. My earliest 'Mats memory is the radio ad that aired in my hometown for a Replacements show at a bar called Kirby's. I was in 9th grade at the time so I couldn't go, but the story I have heard about the show is that the band showed up in pretty bad shape, played for a short while, left the bar, and got beat up outside their bus. They vowed never to play there again. I was fortunate enough to see the Mats in Minneapolis in 1991, and have seen Westerberg and Slim Dunlap here in Champaign. I even got to meet Slim at a couple of shows. To some that's not like meeting a "real" Replacement, but it's close enough for me for now. Also, kudos to Matt for the excellent job he does in getting this thing out. -- Tim Tim Nokken "I want to be as famous University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as Mike Mills." Dept. of Political Science -Paul Westerberg- Date: Thu, 28 Dec 95 15:56 EDT From: Big Daddy Subject: introductions Well, I understand it's customary on Skyway for new members to introduce themselves, so here goes... I've been listening to the 'mats since '84 or '85. My first Replacements experience was, I think, kinda amusing. I saw them open for R.E.M. at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, they were touring on _Let It Be_ at the time (R.E.M. was touring on _Fables of the Reconstruction_). The 'mats had not been originally scheduled for the tour, when we bought tickets the Three O'Clock had been listed under "WSG". The day of the show, a local paper mistakenly printed "R.E.M., wsg the Three O'Clock & the Residents." We were pumped, the Residents hardly ever toured, so we had visions of tuxedos and giant eyeballs dancing in our heads. Upon arrival, the theatre marquee cleared things up. I was the only one in our group who'd heard *of* the 'mats, but I hadn't heard any of their songs at that point. The rest, as they say, is history: I was knocked out by their set, and soon counted myself a lifelong fan. I admit to being much more devoted to the Twin Tone releases than to later material (and I'm not one who automatically looks down a band for signing with a major), and to being largely disappointed with various post-'mats material that I've heard. Still, I always manage to get relatively frothy whenever Paul has something new on the horizon. And since the 'Mats blew me away, I've been a fan ever since. Playing "Answering Machine" for my soon-to-be wife back in '87 convinced her I was marriage material. My kids are growing up hearing "Treatment Bound" before they hear the Beatles. There are no regrets. That's all for now. See you all when the next issue comes out. =+==+==+==+==+==+Big Daddy=+==+==+==+==+==+ "I will find the center in you, I will chew it up and leave..." Tool, "Sober" Big Daddy's Kitchen: http://www.wwnet.com/~bigdaddy Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 02:38:51 -0500 From: Jay Borges Subject: I'm a rookie. Hey there Matt and friends - I am yet another new kid on the net. Well this is me: Jay Borges, 23, last months of my seior year at Boston University Mechanical Engineering, born and raised just outside Boston. Four weeks ago I decided to make the investment in my own computer for the first time. This has led me to finally see what the big deal with the net, web, and surfing was. I am probably the only engineering student here that hasn't been on the net, until now. I had no idea I could spend this much time on a computer-not doing work. One of the things I am looking forward to the most is getting into this little thing I stumbled onto which you call the Skyway. Okay, I absolutely hate the Replacements. Just a little Boston humah. Here's my story. I met the new kid in school during the first week of sophmore year at my small high school. Mike Brennan was about 6'2" at the age of sixteen and that was without his cowboy boots. He was straight from El Campo, TX and you could tell. Very long story short even though he only spent two years in MA before going back to TX we became best friends. The summer in the middle of those two years I had the pleasure of making the trek to El Campo, TX with Mike to visit his mom. That was the first of many days to come of listening to the Mats. We spent one whole week just driving around his tiny town in the Jeep (neither of us had a license) and playing what a think was the only tape we had in the car, Pleased To Meet Me. I had never heard of them before but they quickly became a staple in my listening collection. I can't really pin favorites on any track or album since the Replacements for me as a whole just make me feel good when I listen. Most memorable though is PTMM, Can't Wait, Alex Chilton, Skyway, on and on... It was one of those times that as soon as you hear the opening chords of the album the whole experience of being 16, cruising around meeting southern belles, with your parents in another time zone, trying Tequilla for the first time at 2am out by the pool, it all comes back to you. You know, one of those times. I have to take a moment here to mention a favorite companion to my introduction to the Mats--Shiner Bock Beer, outta Shiner, TX. The two frequently go together at my place. I slowly completed my collection of there TwinTone and Sire stuff over the years (never got into live stuff, but plan on it). I am learning even to this day more and more about what an incredible following they have. And here I thought I had discovered a great obscure band. Overall, to me, the Mats on top of being an amazing talent mean remembering great times with a great friend and since then have become a common element among my closest friends. (God, I hope I don't cry.) Well, that's the roots of the Mats in me. Thanks for listening and letting me join in and learn more about Paul and the guys. Oh yeah, I came within 3 days of getting to see PW doing his 14.. stuff here in Boston couple of years ago. But at the last minute he cancelled, dunno why, but then on the night of the cancelled show I heard he was playing a smaller club in Providence, RI--Damn you Paul. Just had to get that out, I still regret not being enlightened until the end of group career. That's life. Jay Borges, jrob@bu.edu Boston, MA Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 13:58:12 -0500 (EST) From: Jennifer Romero Subject: introduction Hello everyone. Being a new subscriber to Skyway, I thought I'd share the quick version of my story....one I've never really told before due to the lack of Mats fans in my circle of friends. It started by accident. I was searching for some new music to complement my complex mood at age 16. The boy I was seeing at the time gave me a handful of tapes including Don't Tell a Soul, PTMM, and some Violent Femmes. Although our relationship revolved around music, we mostly drove around Houston to the Beatles and Jane's Addiction. He never really pushed the Mats at me, although I knew of his love for them. So, like a fool, I wasn't very impressed with my initial listen to We'll Inherit the Earth..the one and only song I listened to, and instead I kept the Violent Femmes and gave the Mats tapes back. Later that year, I listened to a mixed tape made for a friend of mine and was knocked over by Unsatisfied. I think I was actually numb. The main thing I remember was loving the scratchy, honest voice of PW. I was surprised to hear her say the it was the Replacements. That summer I moved from Texas to Philadelphia, a somewhat traumatic expereince for a 17 yr old (so it seemed). With plently of time on my hands as a loner, I hit the bookstore (read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged back to back), as well as the music store. I bought PTMM and Don't Tell a Soul..soon to be hopelessy hooked. My favorites then were Nevermind, as arguments filled my life, and my longtime favorite Achin to Be. I managed to interest my new best friend in the Mats, making her a tape of my top songs, and she fell for Alex Chilton and I Will Dare. Together we drove many times along I95, to and from to city, listening only to the MAts. Together, we refused dates to the Junior Prom to see the show at the Tower in philly, for the ASD tour. What a wonderful evening. This was my first (of only two) shows, and I felt completly warm and happy surrounded by the fans. No matter what differences exist between myself and others, if the get that sparkle when I mention the Mats, I know we'll get along just fine. Well, I guess I'm starting to get a bit mushy. I sure, well I hope, everyone out there understands what I'm saying. I just recently received a fan- made compilation tape from those nice people at netnews.alt.music.replacements. I've been listening to it non-stop for two days, with nothing but a giant smile on my face as Paul screws up the lyrics I've come to know so well. Thanks for letting me spout off like this. There are no Mats fans in my current group of friends...as if 2 constitutes a group...so I glad to share my current happiness with all of you. Jenn Date: Thu, 18 Jan 96 15:39:35 EST From: "Shayla Thiel" Subject: Skyway introduction Someone somehow retrieved something I'd written on the Uncle Tupelo mailing list about interviewing Slim Dunlap last summer and posted it here on Skyway. It was a stroke of luck. I'm much more into the Replacements than into UT and had no idea this list even existed. So here it is -- the obligatory first write-in introduction. This is embarrassing. Though I'd heard "Alex Chilton" on the radio before and read the Rolling Stone article with a teenage Winona Ryder babbling about Paul, my first true encounter with the Replacements was as a high school wrestling cheerleader (don't hold it against me) in the booming metropolis of DeWitt, Iowa -- the town where I was born and lived until fairly recently. Although it is only several hours from Minneapolis, it will probably come as no surprise to you that DeWitt, Iowa, is NOT a big Mats town, so it was pure luck that someone had brought "All Shook Down." (borrowed from a college brother) to cheerleading practice one day. We had thought about doing a pom-pon routine to "Merry Go Round" (can you imagine what kind of a kick the band would've gotten out of that?!), but most of the other girls crinkled up their noses and suggested something a little more Janet Jackson-esque (we were lucky it wasn't Poison or Bon Jovi, considering the general music taste of my high school). However, I loved it and went out and bought the cassette immediately. I entered a severe "jazz snob" phase at soon after, and I discarded all pop and rock for about two years in lieu of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Flash forward a few more years to my last years of college where I finally got in touch with my angst and frustration and met a friend who loved the Mats and gave me "Pleased to Meet Me" to add my measly collection of Mats albums (Tim and that ASD cassette). Of course, by now the band had broken up and even though I've seen Paul in concert solo, I now have to live with seeing the concerts vicariously through other people's memories. (Sigh) Melodrama and fanatical banter aside, I graduated from the U. of Iowa in May and am now living in Washington D.C. and working for an Internet publication that's part of The Chronicle of Higher Education. I'm looking for a new job on the east coast but probably am shooting too high; Jan Wenner never returns my calls. I hope to be a dreaded music writer/critic for a magazine eventually. I'm only 23. There's time. In the spirit of Matt's intro message, I am a Scorpio and act like it. I'm still into Miles and 'Trane, and my other favorites are Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Son Volt, Lyle Lovett, the Bottlerockets, the Jayhawks, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Tori Amos, Buffalo Tom, and the like. I'm also seeking "... Shit Hits the Fans" and bootlegs and am happy as a clam to have been added to this list of people who appreciate the Replacements. Yours, Shayla P.S. I've had enough requests for the entire Slim Dunlap article (the stuff I wrote in UT was off the record so it isn't included) that I'll go ahead and post it. If you're planning to reprint, just remember to give The Daily Iowan and me proper credit and I'm sure no one will sue you. Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 17:49:12 CST From: "amanda d. dorsey" Subject: Thank God Hi - I just found your page and it nearly made me cry. I can't put my finger on the emotion that the Mats instill in me, but it's kind of like the first warm day of spring - walking to class without a jacket. I miss them like a dead relative. Anyway - I LOVE Paul. He's as smooth as banana pudding and I'm glad there are others who think so. When I got married I realized it wasn't really all the old boyfriends that I'd never get to flirt with again, it was more the fact that if given the chance, I'd never be able to kiss Paul Westerberg. What a creamy soul. ( Subject: Paul/Mats, etc. Pleeaaasseee help. I need info on unreleased 'Mats albums. I had never heard of them when I went to see them a few years ago in Austin, TX. I was floored! I need tour info for Paul's next, as well as album release date. I'd like to connect with some other fans. (there arent many of us here in Central Texas) I'd like to tell you that I have one favorite tune or album, but they are all too great: from Let It Be to All Shook Down, and 14 Songs. I really didn't like the earlier albums, sorry. Please help, "take the wheel, cause I don't know where I'm goin' ". Thanks so much. Dave Forbus -- Registered ICC User check out http://www.usefulware.com/~jfoltz Date: Wed, 31 Jan 1996 17:47:35 -0600 From: "Jim M. Kaihatu" Hi Matt: Thanks for putting me on the subscription list for Skyway! It seems that tradition dictates that newcomers indicate what drew them to the Replacements. In my case, I'm not sure. I had read about the 'Mats in Rolling Stone when "Let It Be" came out - the reviewer gave them 4 stars. When "Tim" came out I took a chance (I bought the Waterboys' "This Is The Sea" on a hunch as well - it was a good day!) and grabbed it. Here are my first impressions: 1) These are not your average run-of-the-mill rock jock sentiments being addressed here! "If being afraid is a crime we hang side by side" is not something you run into everyday, lyrically. Yet, it also wasn't your Joy-Division-jr, strike-a-tragic-pose downcast stuff either. It felt real. I found that disturbing, at first. 2) The first song, "Hold My Life", sounded as it was made of spare parts. Chords flying in from nowhere, and an almost imperceptible climb to the chorus. It took several listenings to realize its logic. Now I can't imagine it any other way. After listen #2 I realized that the second side (except for "Lay It Down Clown") was one of the greatest suites of music I've ever heard. After listen #5 I was in love with the whole thing. I have tried to convert others to the 'Mats gospel, with virtually zero results. Why? It's not as if though my friends were so plastic and so confident that they wouldn't understand the lyrics and the feelings behind them. Maybe they couldn't face it, maybe I just couldn't get over the inertia that greets those who burst into offices and homes and declare a new "greatest rock band I've ever heard" (in my case the inertia is especially great when someone is talking about country or rap). Who knows? Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to rant a bit..... James Kaihatu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: OTMountain@aol.com Date: Sun, 4 Feb 1996 10:44:31 -0500 Hi my name's Josh Scheerz. I'm 16, and just recently a Mats fan. I was turned onto them by my best friend (that's what they're there for) about a year ago. And I've been hooked since. I've since then bought all their albums, and the Disney compilation "Stay Awake" on which the Mats do a killer version of Cruella De Ville. I play guitar in a local band which frequently plays covers of Mats songs, our favorite one to do is Alex Chilton. My only regret is that I was not turned onto the Mats at a earlier age. But... Better late than never. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 18 Jan 96 15:42:41 EST From: "Shayla Thiel" Subject: Slim Dunlap article EX-REPLACEMENT RELISHES RETURN TO BAR MUSIC SCENE BY SHAYLA THIEL THE DAILY IOWAN Slim Dunlap's sleepless nights have nothing to do with a preoccupation with achieving stardom. The former Replacements guitarist has been there and said he doesn't particularly care to go back. "(The Replacements) was a wonderful band to be in and a great song list, but I wanted to be out of it almost the minute I joined," Dunlap said in a phone interview Tuesday. "It sounds ridiculous, but I really didn't enjoy the big time. I'm really a bar performer, and I enjoy a situation where you have to work to get (audiences) to like you. "Every now and then, the Replacements would hit a hostile crowd, and I'd be like, 'All right!'" he said. "When you achieve that kind of popularity, you sometimes get the attitude, 'Why bother trying? All we do is wondrous.'" Dunlap, who admits he rarely sleeps at night, often uses the insomnia time for songwriting. When listening to Dunlap's 1993 album, The Old New Me, don't expect a "Merry Go Round" or "Skyway" sound-alike. Falling more into the area of front-porch roots music than the garage trash-pop of his famous former band, the album is a result of his sleepless nights -- not spent moving from concert arena to arena like in the old days but staying up in his Minneapolis home while his wife is asleep. The move from stadium to college bar suits the personable Dunlap. "I'd much rather play for the sake of playing -- not on a big arena stage. You can control it when it's small enough. The arena concert is bad musically because it has to be so big and plotting," he said. "That's where the stupid rise of the power ballad came from. Power ballads don't work in bars." Although Dunlap has taken his time recording a new album -- recording two or three days a month to achieve a different feeling each time -- he said the sporadic recording approach has helped him come up with a potpourri of hardly listener-friendly cuts. "I was trying to stay away from writing big radio singles," he said. "I'm looking for the odd little songs all between those singles, so this is kind of an entire album of filler songs. I'm not really planning to become a superstar from this. In fact I'll be glad to get scathing reviews." Dunlap, speaking in a thick Minnesota accent, said his composing style draws from myriad musical sources. "I'm kind of a mad quilter. It's all fragments that don't necessarily fit together," he said. "I love deliberately stealing little pieces of other songs, but it's really difficult to categorize mine. Today, so many bands are trying to come up with music you can categorize." And don't necessarily expect to hear The Old New Me's "The Ballad of the Opening Band." The humorous piece is just too long, Dunlap said. "We're a terrible band to go see if you're there to hear your favorites," he said. "That was of the downfalls of being in the Replacements. People are paying a lot of money to come and see you play the songs they know. You can't play them a bunch of new songs you just wrote that afternoon." Dunlap has only kind words for former bandmate Paul Westerberg, who sings back-up vocals on The Old New Me. "Long before I was in (the Replacements), I thought, 'This guy can write songs,'" he said. "I really think people kind of underestimate his influence. I hear him all over the radio now (in other bands' music). His songs have a clear instantaneous riff where it's like, 'That's Paul.' "I felt like Salieri in 'Amadeus' around Paul," he said. "People think he's a surly, cocky jerk because he's so talented, but he's actually a sweet, talented guy." However, Dunlap said he sees Westerberg's preoccupation with material success as especially unfortunate. "Paul's kind of a bitter person because he doesn't have the money or fame so many others have there days," Dunlap said. "But he doesn't realize he has something so much more important than that -- he's influenced music." Dunlap said he strives to make such an impact on the music world. "I love to make music you can play to death -- like 80,000 times for six weeks straight," he said "It's real challenging making records because so many people to make it because it will sell, but it should be made so it will last." As he drops names like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, it's hard to believe Dunlap now plays mostly Midwestern bars and occasional fairs. Anonymity doesn't faze the 40-something Dunlap. "I'm happily dodging any chance of success lately," he said. "I'm pretty sure with this next album, I won't have to worry about it." Images of being a rock star discarded long ago, Dunlap said he simply wants to continue playing -- and maybe get some sleep in the meantime. "It sounds pitiful, but (my goal) is to just somehow keep playing," Dunlap said with a hearty laugh. "I'm just one of those people where I'm going to do this until the day I die -- even if I have to play bowling alleys or have to be wheeled out on stage in a wheelchair. "I'm really doing what I love to do," he said. "I'm a lucky person." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: UWBOLOUGHLEN@MSUVX1.MEMPHIS.EDU Date: Thu, 01 Feb 1996 10:51:12 -0600 (CST) Subject: WESTERBERG INTERVIEW ON TAPE CIRCA 90 I have a Westerberg interview taken from KTCL radio (Ft. Collins, CO) circa 1990. I am interested in trading copies of it for other taped interviews or items of interest. I also have a poorly conducted interview from KQRS (Mpls) circa "Pleased to Meet Me" as well. I'm not sure if these items are already fairly well trade/circulated/know about, or not. If you are interested or can answer any questions, please contact me at "uwboloughlen@cc.memphis.edu". Thank you! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: bruef@waun.tdsnet.com Date: Fri, 19 Jan 96 17:09:42 PST Subject: Tommy interview Hey Matt, Recently a guy named Dan Taylor = a.k.a. Dante sent me a few copies of his D.I.Y. 'zine called Exploitation Retrospect including one back issue that had a small interview with Tommy Stinson from '93. He said it'd be Okay for me to send it in as long as I included the following credit: Originally appeared in Exploitation Retrospect #38, the quarterly journal of junk culture and fringe media. For a list of available back issues and costs send an email message to dante@fyi.net. ATTITUDE AND SHINY SHOES AN INTERVIEW WITH TOMMY "BASH & POP" STINSON To me, no band epitomizes the late '80s and my college radio days like the Replacements. From the day I dropped the needle on 'Let it Be' to the moment I'm writing this intro, I've wanted to be one....hell, what right-thinking rock & roll fan doesn't ? And I want to be Tommy, dammit! Paul Westerberg was the incredible-shrinking-genius, hiding his sensitive side behind fast & furious rockers and ridiculous covers. Chris Mars looked like a shy loner that you wanted to take home and feed a good meal to. And , the less said about Bob "Pink Dress & Orange Nail Polish" Stinson, the better. But Tommy was the band's demonic rock 'n' roll soul, a brash kid about a month older than me who thumped a mean bass, spiked his hair, performed incredible scissor kicks...and looked like he got all the girls. Well, now Tommy's got his own band (Bash & Pop) and a pretty great debut album ('friday Night is Killing Me'). We had a few minutes to chat with the rock 'n' roll brat before a jam-packed, beer-soaked show, and found him to be refreshingly articulate for someone who's lived with an "if I only had a brain" tag for the last 13 years. Check it out as Stinson talks about his band, album, video and assorted other shit. ........................................................ ER: What's your definition of "Bash & Pop"? TS: It's kind of descriptive, but it's really not that obvious. Rather than say, we call ourselves "musical", we kinda bash through shit, and some of it's pop. ER: When did you seriously start writing songs? TS: Five, six years ago. ER: Because the press was labeling you "Paul's band"? TS: Not so much that, as I felt like kinda doin' it. I was getting bored with just being a bass player, and I picked up a guitar and started doodling around. ER: Does it give you any satisfaction to see your album and Chris Mars's two albums getting good reviews? In the sense that it shows people you guys were more than Westerberg's accompaniment? TS: I don't know if I buy either of those as a scenario. I'm just glad that I made a record and I'm having fun doing what I'm doing. I'ts not really so much satisfying that now I get to show everyone that I can do something other than fucking play bass and get drunk. I knew I had more than that in me in the first place, and what everyone else wrote was just their own shit. ER: What song are you most proud of on the album? TS: "Friday Night Is Killing Me" is pretty much my favorite. ER: Did you make a conscious effort to stay away from an album of songs like "Fast & Hard" ? TS: Not really. I didn't make a conscious effort to really do anything but put my best foot forward. There were some songs that didn't make it, for good reasons. I just think I like a diverse sounding record. I like to have some slow shit, I like to have some pop shit, some fast shit....but really, there's no point in putting a fast song unless you believe in it. Like "One More Time" is sort of a throwaway, but I like the song, I always liked the song, so I don't consider it a complete throwaway, even though it's not my best song. ER: "Situation" has a very Cheap Trick feel to it. Were they an adolescent favorite? TS: Not really as an adolescent, but I like 'em a lot. I've seen them live a number of times and just fucking got blown away. ER: Are there things out now that you like listening to, or do you find yourself kicking back with the 70s power-pop/rock that has influenced your songwriting and playing? TS: There are some bands that I like out now. I like Flaming Lips a lot, and I like Magnapop, they're pretty good. Other stuff? I like Wire Train....I like a lot of different shit, and lately I've gotten into the reissue blues shit like the Elmore James box set and stuff like that. Some of the old, obscure blues stuff they've been putting out is pretty cool. ER: Is it strange to hear people lavishing praise on the Mats as this great, influential band, when during your existence it seemed like you had a small core of devoted followers? TS: It is, because there's a lot of shit that people keep saying sounds like Mats, and I don't hear it. I hear one band that there's a singer in the band that sounds exactly like Paul, and it's frightening. ER: What band's that? TS: I don't want to say.... ER: I thought maybe it was a good thing. TS: It is a good thing, but it's also a band thing. It's kind of a stigma he's going to have to carry with him or a while. But it really wouldn't be a stigma as long as they had a hit. Hit it boys, have a hit. ER: I noticed that you worked on the design of the cd booklet and there's a picture inside that says, "More Fun than a Circus". Is that a personal reference about growing up with the Mats? TS: Somewhat....and not really. I liked the way that box looked in the place where we were taking the pictures, and I just decided "take a picture of that, I'm gonna use that." ER: Did you have a lot of fun putting the album together? TS:I did. I had fun putting the album jacket shit together, too. It was surprising, I'd never got so into that before. But I had the idea, and I thought that the only person that was gonna get it done was me. * ------------------------------------- Bill A. Ruef bruef@waun.tdsnet.com ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 12:09 EST From: NAVARRET@mailgate.navsses.navy.mil Subject: Perfect Hi Matt, I know I haven't been in touch lately, what with work, etc. but a quick note to let you know that Tommy and company are one of the bands tentatively set to play the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin in mid-March. I'm planning on going, like last year, and it should definitely be a fun gathering. With some 400 bands & artists, 30 odd clubs, and a "one admission for all" wristband for only $40 it can't be beat! Besides, Texas in early spring is gorgeous. Check out the SXSW web site (http://sxsw.com/sxsw.html) for further details. Diego Navarrete navarret@mailgate.navsses.navy.mil p.s. If you know of anyone in the area, or of anyone who might be going, let me know!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 16:15:30 -0600 (CST) From: SGROVER@macalstr.edu Hey guys! I was at a record convention in Minneapolis last weekend and found this compilation of Minnesota bands called "Trackin' Up the North". It features a Replacements' song called "Lookin' For Ya" that was supposed to be included on "Hootenanny". Also, in the 1/10 edition of the Twin Cities Reader, one writer listed a bunch of statisitcs on a road in Mionneapolis called Hennepin Ave. She started the profile by writing that "Hennepin Ave, like the Replacements, got its start around Stinson and ended in a cemetery". I thought it was amusing. -Sonia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 15:07:49 -0500 From: bruner@picard.admin.udayton.edu Subject: Birthday Carol? I was reading through the comments on Mats bootlegs on the Mats webpage and was struck by the comment that "Birthday Carol" is really "Birthday Gal" or "Birthday Girl." Anybody know about this? I've re-listened to the song and it seems very possible that Paul is singing "girl" or "gal." If that's what is in the song, is the title different too? ...looks like its time for yet another "let's decifer Paul's yell" session. By the way, I'm looking forward to contributing to the Fans Hit Back #2. Once I heard that "talent was optional," I know it was for me! Mike Michael Bruner Office of Public Relations (513) 229-3241 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: kenrose@ix.netcom.com (Kenneth Rosenberger ) Newsgroups: alt.music.replacements Subject: Re: Paul & Dylan Date: 20 Jan 1996 05:29:32 GMT In <4dnn99$ae5@newsbf02.news.aol.com> jimmiek@aol.com (JIMMIEK) writes: >I saw Dylan at the Gulf Coast Coliseum in Gulport, MS in October. He was >amazing, as was his band (the best in years)!! I think where Paul is really Dylan's heir is in his relationship songs, or maybe a better word (one which has been applied to Bob) anti-love songs. This list goes on and on. And Paul's songs, although they don't sound very much like Bob's, are right there lyrically. "Little Mascara" is a great breakup song. "Things" is excruciatingly honest when you listen to the lyrics. "Within Your Reach," "Nobody," "The Last," "Valentine," these are all very Dylanesque in their own way. And I'd have to say, the Mats take on "Like a Rolling Stone" blows away John Mellencamp's overwrought version on the Dylan Tribute, and even the great Jimi Hendrix' Monterey Pop version. And why not? Dylan's all about garage simplicity. Ken ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: jimmiek@aol.com (JIMMIEK) Newsgroups: alt.music.replacements Subject: Re: Paul has left the building. Date: 13 Jan 1996 23:21:15 -0500 I guess this argument pretty much falls into the "drunk Paul vs. sober Paul" catagory. The 'Mats records (last two excepted) held a feeling of danger, not so much from the subject matter, but from the performance. Even in their most lighthearted ("Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out"), there seemed to be a feeling of dissolution, of being on the edge of falling apart. Paul's newer stuff is more knowing, maybe a tad more wise, certainly more introspective, and almost like an aftermath. To Westerberg's credit, he managed to keep walking the tightrope in both phases. Not too much pathos, not too many yuks, and not so much hard-fought wisdom that we feel we're getting lectured. These tightropes separate Joy Division from Tears for Fears, Loudon Wainwright III from Joe Walsh, Tom Waits from Harry Chapin. In short, we have an artist who managed to pull himself from the brink while losing not one iota of his talent or his power. He's just channeling it differently... JMK ------------------------------------------- James Kaihatu Naval Research Lab Stennis Space Center, MS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 17:42:21 +0000 From: bob1967@mail.microserve.net Subject: Help? Matt... I was on a mailing list for the 'Mats and my hard drive got erased along with all the addresses of the guys. Someone from Pittsburg sent me a tape and I lost his address. Any help would be appreciated. Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 22:35:09 -0800 From: smholt@ix.netcom.com (Steve Holtebeck) Subject: Green Day, Replacements Fans? Hi Matt and fellow Skywayers: Here's an excerpt from an interview with Green Day in the latest issue of BAM, where they talk about some of their musical heroes. The interview was by John Kordosh, who some of you may remember from Creem magazine back when it was good... +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ "The Replacements are one of the first bands I ever saw play," says Billie Joe Armstrong, he of the non-stop arm motion guitar technique. "I saw them play the Fillmore when I was 15. My sister got me into them when I was really young, and I actually got a chance to meet Tommy Stinson. Paul Westerberg, I wouldn't have a thing to say to him? He's a fucking genius." "I really like them musically, but with me they're more of an influence attitude-wise," says Mike Dirnt. "Those guys were fucking shit up for a while there, just drinking a lot and smashing things." "Yeah, they created an art form around drinking, really," says Billie Joe. "And there's a silly element, too, that I think's really necessary in music," Mike rejoins. "The thing that's great about the Replacements is they didn't stick to a certain format," adds Billie Joe. "They went straight from _Stink_ to _Hootenanny_ -- and _Hootenanny_ is just incredible. It's like a compilation of different bands in one record. And the funny thing is they were playing sort of punk rock, but it was like one guitar player was listening to Abba, and the bass player was just this little brat, and Paul was, you know, a janitor, and the drummer was [long pause] Chris Mars!" "It should've been the Replacements who made it and not the Goo Goo Dolls. I'll tell you that right now." +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ I'd be willing to wager that a lot of you out there don't like Green Day much. However, the Replacements influence in their music is fairly obvious, and it's good that they give credit where it's due. Steve Holtebeck ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 21:30:35 -0500 From: Big Daddy Subject: Everclear Hey, all. Still pretty new to Skyway, so forgive me if this is a road already travelled here. Any Everclear fans on the list? Their latest album, _Sparkle and Fade_, bears a striking resemblance, in my ears, to Twin Tone era 'Mats. They have a little bit more folksy/rootsy feel in spots, but they remind me more of the Replacements every time I listen. Anyone think I've climbed too far out on the limb? =+==+==+==+==+==+==+==Big Daddy==+==+==+==+==+==+==+= "I will find the center in you, I will chew it up and leave..." Tool, "Sober" Big Daddy's Kitchen: http://www.wwnet.com/~bigdaddy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: thesarge@mail.utexas.edu (Sergeant Scro) Newsgroups: alt.music.replacements Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 14:15:27 -0600 > Does anyone out there have the chords to Answering Machine? As best I can figure them out (recorded version uses an alternate tuning, I'm told): Verse: A-F#m A-E-F#m-B A-F#m Chorus: C#m-A-E-B (x4) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 20:08:38 -0500 From: Lemonhead Subject: Paul's Post-Replacements Videos Well I have seen World-Class fad on MTV's 120 Minutes, and Alternative Nation (I bought the album on my next trip to the music store), and I have also seen the video for "Dyslexic Heart" on MTV-late-night, and both vids are pretty decent. -------------------------------------------------------- Lemonhead All personal replies to: DikyPkyl@postoffice.ptd.net Write to me for official Dicky Pickles mailing info @ DikyPkyl@postoffice.ptd.net RE: Dicky Pickles -------------------------------------------------------- "With the light in our eyes it's hard to see Holding on and on 'til we believe" - Heather Nova -------------------------------------------------------- From: SHAMC@rhodes.edu Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 02:49:43 -0500 (CDT) Subject: videos it was a while ago, but at about 3 a.m. one night last winter, i saw a video for runaway wind. it was all b&w and grainy. surprisingly, it seemed like an attempt to make a conventional video. casey ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ fin. --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==-- Matthew Tomich The //Skyway\\: The Replacements Mailing List 2407 Chapel Hill Road ---------------------------------------------- Durham, NC 27707 To subscribe, send "subscribe skyway" in the (919)-419-0808 body of a letter to "majordomo@novia.net" --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==-- "I'm in heaven I'm in hell What's the difference I couldn't tell It's love You're attractive I'm attracted Nothing happens Nothing ever happens" - The Poster Children ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The manager of this list, Matthew Tomich, and the associated facilities that this list is produced from, including Novia Networking, are not responsible for the contents of the following mailing except for that which they themselves have originally contributed and are credited for writing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------