______________________________________________________________________________ // // The \\kyway \\ // skyway@novia.net Issue #53 October 29th, 1997 ______________________________________________________________________________ (c) 1997 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 THE //SKYWAY\\ WEB PAGE Check here for back issues, lyrics, discography, and other files. http://www.novia.net/~matt/sky/skyway.html ______________________________________________________________________________ Send submissions to: skyway@novia.net ______________________________________________________________________________ 0. Nothing. (m@) I. Latest A. Don Was to produce new Westerberg album (Amy Kennebec) B. Tommy shooting a video and recording with Jim Dickenson (PJ) C. Miscellaneous Perfect news D. All For Nothing/Nothing For All 1. Reprise press release (Kathy) 2. Minneapolis Star Tribune review (Rhowcow) 3. Detroit Free Press review (fairall) 4. First one off the shelf! (Miachel Lang) II. Stories A. Jeff Douglas B. Jim Hauser C. Bob D. Cathy Witalka E. Bob Reno F. Alan Zimmerman G. Charles Ford H. Pat Millslagle I. Robert Leahey J. Steven McIntire K. Robert Vermeulen III. Paul A. Austin Chronicle Grandpa Boy review (Charles Ford) B. Rolling Stone Grandpa Boy review (no name) C. Capitol Records Westerberg mailing list (Edwin Lukas) IV. Tommy A. Addicted To Noise articles (Lori Dolqueist) B. Awesome Tommy/Perfect web site! (Becky Blenkush) C. Bash n' Pop lyrics? (S.D. Boyer) V. Slim A. Austin, TX - 9/23 (Charles Ford) B. Sacramento, CA - 10/1 (Reverend Ed) VI. Wanted A. Help for a 'Mats movie! (Josh Davis) B. Androgynous piano tab (Brian) C. '87 Paul interview transcript for sale (Neill McDonald) D. Video comp wanted (Thomas Parker) E. Trades available (David Sena) F. 'Mats tribute band in Chicago wanted (Ken) G. '85 'Mats photos (Steve Smith) ______________________________________________________________________________ 0. nothing for nothing. It looks as though the advance word that I got about the albums of ALL FOR NOTHING and NOTHING FOR ALL being released separately was incorrect! Apologies to anybody who ran down to the record store with only $15 in their pocket. It was great to see some faces from The Skyway at John Anderson's party in D.C.! (To those who went to see The Scaries at James Madison University the night before, we're sorry about the couch, the coffee table, the golf clubs and the three traffic barricades.) - m@ ______________________________________________________________________________ I. THE LATEST NEWS Date: Thu, 9 Oct 97 21:57:02 -0500 From: Kennebec PAUL WESTERBERG TAGS DON WAS TO PRODUCE NEW ALBUM Paul Westerberg is currently in New York working on his debut release for Capitol Records. Westerberg, who jumped from Reprise to Capitol a few months ago in an effort to jump-start his sputtering career, has tagged Don Was to produce the album, according to sources. Details are sketchy, but sources say legendary drummer Jim Keltner will play on some tracks, with former backers Josh Freese (who's played with everyone from Devo to Juliana Hatfield) and bassist Darren Hill contributing as well. Hill, as you may recall, is co-founder of Soundproof/Monolyth Records, the label that recently released an EP by the artist known as Grandpa Boy. And speaking of the mysterious GB, Westerberg's alter-ego has just completed his first video. According to Hill, the clip bears some similarity to the video for the Replacements' "Bastards Of Young," which featured little more than a pulsating speaker for the duration of the song. Grandpa Boy himself doesn't appear in the new clip (although he did develop the concept), and in regard to motif, Hill would say only that it involves "frying eggs." -Russell Hall ******************************************************************** "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger." -- Nietszche "That which does not kill us, does not kill us." -- Nevada Barr piex@geocities.com From: Matt Tomich The news on Perfect recently: - Jim Dickinson will be producing the new album, with Sean Slade and Paul Kolderie mixing. The line up is Marc and Dave Phillips on guitar, Gersh on drums, and Tommy on bass. - They will be recording at Ardent (Memphis) starting mid-November. - Mixing will be done at Fort Apache (Boston) starting mid-December. - Release date is looking to be spring-early summer, 1998. - Perfect 'rocked up' a Puff Daddy re-mix of "All About The Benjamins" by writing a rockin' chorus for the song with Tommy and Marc singing. Gersh and Tommy helped shoot the video and hopefully their segments will make it into the final cut. ALL FOR NOTHING + NOTHING FOR ALL From: Kathms@aol.com Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 08:38:28 -0400 (EDT) I think the CD's are being released as one -- you can't get them individually - here's the press release from Reprise: Reprise Records will release an enhanced, double-CD compilation of The Replacements entitled ALL FOR NOTHING on October 28th. The expansive collection has a lot to offer, for serious fans of the hugely influential, post- punk Minneapolis band, as well as for listeners who might not be as familiar with their work. For the uninitiated, ALL FOR NOTHING offers a generous sampling of cuts from the 'MATS four critically acclaimed Sire albums: TIM, PLEASED TO MEET ME, DON'T TELL A SOUL and ALL SHOOK DOWN. Tunes such as "Bastards of Young," "Alex Chilton," and "Talent Show," brim with the reckless energy that earned The Replacements a reputation as one of the hardest rocking bands of the '80s. On the flip side are songs like "Skyway," "Here Comes A Regular," and "Sadly Beautiful," each of which demonstrates fine songwriting and is infused with remarkable vulnerability and angst. All of these songs -- and more -- are contained on a disc whose subtitle matches the title of the entire compilation, ALL FOR NOTHING. Disc two, NOTHING FOR ALL, is a collector's dream, chockablock with previously unreleased tracks, B-sides and outtakes which were remastered for the package. Both enhanced CDs will also feature two of the Band's videos on each disc, with "The Ledge" and "Achin' To Be" on disc one and "Bastards of Young" and "Merry Go Round" on disc two. Complimenting the great music are liner notes from a variety of people who were close with The Replacements, as well as a collection of never-before-seen studio photos of the band. The ALL FOR NOTHING collection shows like no single Replacements record why the band amassed such a loyal following: Perhaps no other band has ever made music that showed such great range, music that is by turns self-deprecating, raucous, introspective and shot through with pure joy. From: RHowcow@aol.com Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 22:41:09 -0500 (EST) Subject: replacements review in 10-26-97 mpls. star Published Sunday, October 26, 1997 Listen Up: Hits and miscues from the Replacements Star Tribune THE REPLACEMENTS, "All for Nothing, Nothing for All" (Reprise) The Replacements' new best of/rest of compilation makes painfully clear the sorry state of '90s rock. With a rare combination of punk attitude and pop passion, they were one of the last alternative bands with spiritual roots in early rock n' roll. In their wake came lots of faceless, tuneless, bigger- selling bores with little of Paul Westerberg's wit or lyrical nerve. And this isn't even the band's best stuff. "All For Nothing," in stores Tuesday, focuses exclusively on the second - and more turbulent -- half of the band's career when it recorded for Warner Bros. after leaving Minneapolis-based Twin/Tone. For the Replacements, 1985 to 1990 was the best of times ("Tim," "Pleased to Meet Me") and the worst of times ("Don't Tell a Soul" and the ragged finale "All Shook Down."). They weren't perfectionists, and neither is this double-disc set, which includes one disc of questionably selected "best" songs, and another patchwork of top slop, outtakes and B-sides. The hits disc includes four songs apiece from the 'Mats' four major-label albums -- an odd idea since the albums are in no way equal: the exclusion of such standards as "Swingin' Party," "Waitress in the Sky," "I.O.U.," "Nightclub Jitters" and "Never Mind" seems a conscious attempt by Warners to maintain demand for its back catalog. In contrast to Disc One's polish and respectability, Disc Two revisits the rambunctious devil-may-care side of the band, but anything that remained unreleased from this era was probably for good reason. "Birthday Gal," "Who Knows" "We Know the Night" and "Portland" are endearing but unfinished or unfocused, while "Till We're Nude," and "Beer for Breakfast" are short, simple blasts. The much-anticipated early version of "Can't Hardly Wait" (featuring Bob Stinson on guitar) is no match for the final mix (also included). Rarities such as "Jungle Rock," "Date to Church," and "Cruella DeVille" still shine, showing the more playful, funky side of the band that seemed suppressed on later LPs. Still, there is obvious filler, and plenty of dead space for those crucial missing tracks. The Replacements were never purists, but such a great band deserves a more complete chronicle of their big-league career. This set is best suited for curious beginners or fanatic completists. (For high-tech fans, the discs contain four Macintosh-format videos: "Merry Go Round," "Bastards of Young," "Achin' to Be" and the MTV-banned "The Ledge.") -- Jim Meyer/ Local-music columnist From: fairall@server.uwindsor.ca Subject: "All For Nothing/Nothing For All" review in Detroit Free Press Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 12:11:09 -0600 Newsgroups: alt.music.replacements Here's a rather negative review of the compilation that appeared in Sunday's Detroit Free Press: The Replacements - All For Nothing/Nothing For All ** It's the inevitable byproduct of almost every best-of collection: the die-hard fans start griping that this song or that song was left off, and how could anyone who truly appreciated the Band Fill In The Blank have ever done that? It's less often that you hear whining that whole albums weren't represented, whole eras even. Well that's the complaint with "All For Nothing/Nothing For All," the double disc that celebrates Minneapolis' legendary post-punkers The Replacements. One of the most influential bands to throttle through the '80's, the now defunct 'Mats spread the Nevermind zeigeist a few years before Nirvana, vacillating between heartless and heartfelt, but always with lots of heart. The best of front man Paul Westerberg's tunes begged to be taken seriously, but with the band often literally and metaphorically drooling on itself, sometimes was a tough proposition. At least that's the way it was in the early Twin/Tone years. Focusing solely on the band's Sire material - that's 1985's "Tim" and thereafter, meaning that only a few tracks feature the band's original guitarist, the blistering and festering Bob Stinson - the collection misses most of that punks-or-poets tug that defined the Replacements. There are some great songs here, even some gems that Replacements diehards don't already own. But it's tough to have a full appreciation of this intensely great band - and the tremendous stylistic changes it went through - without acknowledging the first several albums. Disc One, "All For Nothing," is essentially a best-of from the bands four Sire releases: stuff like the yearning, driving "Left on the Dial," the rock 'n roll backslap "Alex Chilton" and the winsomely uncertain "Someone Take The Wheel." The second disc, "Nothing For All," holds several treats among the 18 B sides, outtakes and throwaways, a good chunk of which haven't previously been available, except on bootlegs. Highlights: - A grittier, more urgent and sloppier version of "Can't hardly Wait" that was recorded during the sessions of "Tim" but scrapped. -"Beer For Breakfast," a short, speedy roller that features a pure punk bass line and longings about barbecue chips, nose picking, white Christmases and morning drinking. -"We Know The Night" a sadly beautiful Westerberg ballad that lyrically stands with his best work. Inevitably, big 'Mats devotees will want to pick "All For Nothing/Nothing For All" for the until-now-unavailable selections. But unless you're willing to accept the later-stuff-only premise, the whole effort comes off vaguely unsatisfying. (Steve Byrne) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 02:26:55 -0500 From: michael j lang Subject: all for nothing all for nothing/nothing for all is AMAZING...the sound quality is incredible and the rarities, most of which i've never heard, range from the slackishly playful (all he wants to do is fish) to the emotionally introspective (who knows) and everything between the two points. the alternate versions of can't hardly wait, all shook down, and i don't know are definitely worthwhile. and the inclusion of the videos makes the discs next to perfect...perfection could only be completed with the breakdown of legal barriers and the recovery of the original twin/tone tapes. wow, imagine a COMPLETE best of and rarities!?!?! what a thought! but, i'm not complaining, because this collection rocks, plain and simple. the mats live on in the hearts of us all... michael j lang nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind - emerson ______________________________________________________________________________ II. STORIES Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 13:41:47 -0400 (EDT) From: "Jeff Douglas (POS)" Subject: First Mats experience Well after two years (at least) of being on the Skyway list, I think its about time that I pass on some of my stories. I first heard the Mats as a freshman at Miami University at Oxford, Ohio in the fall of 1985. My future roommate, Evan Lloyd, played "I Will Dare" for me knowing that I was an R.E.M. fan. He thought that the Pete Buck connection would hook me in. It did. I was in love with them from that moment on. Soon I went out and bought Tim followed by Sorry Ma..., and the rest of the Twin/Tone stuff. My first show (I was lucky enough to see them only three times) was in April of 1986 at Bogarts in Cincinnatti. To tell the truth I don't remember much about the show save for a few details. We got a ride from a friend's roommate named Dino. He was only 18 and the show was 19 and up (the drinking age at the time). So we had to lie and beg to get him into the show. I remember Tommy wearing this old jean jacket with hand prints in white paint or bleach into it. I remember Paul throwing an ugly green tie into the audience and almost getting into a fight over it with another guy (alas I lost out), but I did get one of the strings from Bob's guitar that he broke on stage. I also remember getting a full cup of whiskey from Tommy after he took a sip from it, but passing it on to Evan because I was a lightweight at the time. Lastly, I remember Paul and Bob getting into a wrestling match after Bob broke his guitar. Bob was wasted and Paul actually looked pissed. The only down side of the show was that they weren't selling shirts so I went across the street to a shop that sold band shirts and bought a Let It Be shirt. I still have the shirt but it's so thin you could read a newspaper through it. Shortly after this show I was lucky come across the "I Will Dare" 12" at a $1 sale at Looney T-Birds in Oxford, and the "I'm in Trouble" 7" at Magnolia Thunder Pussy in Columbus, Ohio. When I saw the 7" for $2 I just about fainted. The cover is a little more worn than I'd like, but what can you do. The other two times that I saw the Mats were in '87 and '89 also at Bogarts. I still have the ticket stubs, and will never part with them. I've only seen Paul once and that was at a show here in Tampa at the Ritz about 3 years ago. The band was awesome, and I wish he would have kept them together (especially Dave and Josh). He played solo and Replacements tunes. As the night went on, he was asking for requests, and someone shouted out "Customer". He paused and said that he couldn't remember the lyrics, so he held out the mike and asked "Anyone want to give it a try?" So, I reached up, grabbed the mike and yelled 1,2,3,4 (I know that it doesn't start that way, but I was nervous). As, the liner notes on Sorry Ma state, I made up most of my own lyrics. The whole moment was a big blur afterwards, but I did get a write up in a local 'zine in a review of the story. That's it for now. Thanks for putting up with my rambling. -Jeff Douglas Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 23:52:51 -0700 From: Jim Hauser Subject: Intro What can I say to a bunch of Replacements listeners? I can't imagine a community of people I'd feel more at home with, or have more in common with, than a group of Replacements fans. I've always known there were such groups. I remember seeing some "fanzines", or whatever they're called, at a couple of places the 'Mats played in Oklahoma City in the mid-80's, when for a brief time I was (tangentially) "involved" in the music scene there (my one claim to fame consists of having gotten into a backstage fistfight with the guitarist for the Flaming Lips--the details are hazy). I suspect that many of us who have loved the Replacement's music "at a distance" (i.e., never saw a show, never became a part of the community of 'live' listeners) encounter a certain ambivalence upon joining a group of fans. I've always felt my connection to their music in a very personal way that defies description (I'm sure you all know what I mean). Their music seems to be a part of me, and I guess in some ways I'd like to think that no one else "gets" the Replacements as I do. Oh well, it's a big world. In addition to enjoying nearly all the music they've made since I picked up a copy of 'Let It Be' (after seeing a review of it in Rolling Stone, I'm ashamed to say), I've thought a great deal about what makes their music so special. To sum it up neatly: It has balls. What's weird is that I never seem to outgrow it. I'm a 33-year old attorney, and yet when I listen to certain cuts from "Sorry Ma", "Hootenanny" and on up, I feel truly alive. And it's not that I feel magically transported to my younger days; I don't (nor would I want to be). The music still hits me right where I'm at, and it makes me bleed. I guess there's no need to preach to the choir here. And I'm afraid I don't have any dramatic "changed my life" or "getting fucked up with the band" kinds of stories to tell. I play their music to people I care about (including my 7- year old stepson) in hopes that a spark will catch, and we'll be able to share it. There is a realness and energy here that I believe many people would appreciate if given the chance. From: RReno10012@aol.com Date: Fri, 19 Sep 1997 02:02:25 -0400 (EDT) Subject: meeting paul westerberg i met paul in atlanta during the don't tell a soul tour. as a side note, this was the single loudest show i've ever been to--my ears rang for five days. anyway, my friend and i got there early to make sure we would be up front. when we got to the show, the doors hadn't been opened yet, but the adjoining bar had. we went in, and there was paul sitting at the bar reading the paper. i asked the waitress if i could borrow a pen to get the guy at the bar's autograph, and she said sure, who is he anyway? that's paul westerberg!, i said. i didn't have any paper, so i asked paul if he'd sign my chuck taylor's. he said sure and got down on the floor to sign them. then he asked what size i wore. i told him 9 1/2. he said i could've used you at the show last night. we were in alabama, i jumped into the crowd, and the fuckers stole my shoes--i had to finish the show in my socks. i still have the red chucks that he signed. by the way, this was at the centerstage in atlanta, ga. bob From: (Cathy Witalka) Subject: How the 'mats changed my life Date: Thu Sep 25 15:35:15 1997 I first encountered the Replacements at the age of 15, about the same time sex drugs, and indie rock burst upon my adolescent consciousness. It started in 1984. Though the exact details of the fateful day are sketchy, the basic outline of my story is this. I grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center. Despite the proximity of my house to Brooklyn Center HS just 4 blocks away, the enlightened folks who created school districts saw fit to bus me 45 minutes out into the boondocks of Anoka, Minnesota to attend high school. Anoka is more rural and constrictively conformist, but I managed to bond with the very tiny "punk rock" crowd and with them I discovered the magic of First Avenue and the Replacements. First Avenue was the only Minneapolis venue where indie-rock bands regularly played all-ages shows, and it was at this time that the whole Minneapolis rock scene was at it's peak-which meant that I spent most of the happier moments of those teenage years at First Avenue listening to the 'Mats, Husker Du, & Soul Asylum. I have seen all of these bands more times than I can count, and though all the shows were special, nothing could really top those early small 'Mats shows, just before "Let it Be" was released, when the drunken crazy looseness of their shows was merely fun, and not as increasingly self- destructive as it became later. You never knew what they were going to play next, even when they were playing their own songs, since Paul rarely seemed to remember even his own lyrics, but usually the impromptu ones were just as good if not better. It was these shows and this escape from the absolutely stifling environment of my strict Catholic home and my despised high school that kept me going. In the days back before alternative music was mass-marketed it was an incredible revelation to discover this whole other counter-culture out there. In a world where the cock-rock of Motley Crue and Journey and Styx and the like were the norm, to go to shows where Paul not only shunned this ridiculous rock star macho posturing, but existed in complete antithesis to it was an exhilarating life-changing experience. Of all of the bands I have listened to over all of these years, The Replacements are without a doubt the one band that stands out as the biggest constant - as I matured, so did they, and the band remained just as crucial to me throughout my college years in Madison, Wisconsin. I still listen to these albums often, even now that I am the ancient age of 30, they still remain vital. Though I do also enjoy Paul's solo work, I haven't found it to be quite so remarkable. But then I have never found a band to be quite as remarkable as The Replacements. I'm writing this at work, so I don't have all the time I would like to recollect all of my favorite 'Mats stories-there are just too many. In fact, I think I have to end this now as I suspect my boss is lurking so I will close by saying I that I now live in Chicago working a very dull job distributing medical textbooks and if ya wanna email me...blah blah blah. - Cathy From: RReno10012@aol.com Date: Fri, 19 Sep 1997 18:11:53 -0400 (EDT) Subject: how i was turned on to the replacements hi. my name is bob reno, and i live in atlanta, ga. i'm 29, and i work in a restaurant (and i'm going through the almost 30 crisis of what am i still doing working in a restaurant at this age). i was turned on to the replacements when i was 16 years old and working in a record store (doesn't that sound dated?) here in atlanta. i made a good friend at the store named clay who was a couple years older than i was. we first bonded over a common love for the who. the who was my favorite band at that point and one of the few that had made me pause when listening and think, "yeah, that's what i feel." the first band that caused me to sing out loud at the top of my lungs--alone or in groups, with music or without. anyway, clay had an older brother who recommended the replacements, so he ordered a copy of "let it be" (this was the winter of '85) and we listened to "gary's got a boner," LOUD, a bout 6,000,000 times while we cleaned up. i special ordered a copy that night, and it might be dramatic to say that the replacements changed my life, so i won't, but they sure have added hours and hours and hours of fun, fueled my anger, been a shoulder to cry on, etc. i'm looking forward to this list, because, man, it was tough back in the '80's in ga trying to find info. on the mats--even working in a record store. we had to special order everything until "pleased to me," which opened on the billboard's hot 200 and was allowed to be played in the store for about a week. the mats have supplied many great memories: a copy of "sorry ma . . . " spontaneously combusting on a turntable at a party, concerts, drunken tries at cover bands, and a meeting with paul westerberg (which i described in e-mail last night before i read that it was customary to send introductions to replacements letter 1st--sorry!) i'm a terrible typer so i'll end. suffice it to say i'm psyched to have find this list--there's just something cool about replacement fans. Date: Mon, 22 Sep 1997 17:10:43 -0400 (EDT) From: Alan L Zimmerman Subject: the 'mats of course hey: i am new here, so i feel obligated to spill my replacement guts. they are the greatest band to have ever graced this green earth (sorry dave matthews band, i used to love ya). i discovered the 'mats by first watching the movie "singles". after hearing the songs "dyslexic heart" and "waiting for somebody" i was hooked. i craved more...who was paul westerberg i wondered. well, i found out. and i don't regret a replacements loving second since. i don't have a favorite song, but i have dialed the numbers at the end of answering machine like 500 times and I still never get an answer...oh well...anyway, i am not really verbose, so I will just say what i can about them: they rock! as a side note...i was watching m2, mtv's other station when i saw a rock block of replacements/paul westerberg...then...on mtv minutes later i saw in mtv news excerpt where jewel said, and i quote.."i have a new appreciation for music...i mean i am finally getting a chance to sit down and listen to songs...i just heard the replacements for the first time and it changed my life!" oh well...i guess i cant live in a world where the 'mats are just mine anymore! see ya when i see ya. peace, alan zimmerman. also, as a question, does anyone have access to a replacements/paul westerberg/mars/stinson/et al. compact disc only bootleg discography with titles, song lists and sound quality? if yes, can you email it to me at alz@acsu.buffalo.edu thanks. i love ya. "People ask me what i do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what i do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." -Rogers Hornsby From: cford@vnet.ibm.spamproof.com (Charles Ford) Newsgroups: alt.music.replacements Subject: Re: Retrospectives Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 14:50:43 GMT Ok..I'll recount briefly because I think I had read these Mats stories before... (probably in previous Corcoran articles).. 1) The 1985 Liberty Lunch Show (Austin) in which Bob was passed out cold, but miraculously arose and performed a blistering 90 minute set, then fell back in the van--out cold again. 2) The following night (Houston)..Tommy and Paul are plastered. The Mats perform a 10 minute show and then give up much to the crowd's disapproval. Paul throws money to the crowd, and the Police have to intervene to prevent a riot. Somewhere in the chaos Tommy hangs his bass around a cops neck. The author observes that the crowd did not feel cheated. 3) Jim Dickinson reported some horror stories during the making of PTMM. The wall of Ardent's B studio has spots on it up toward the ceiling. The band had reportedly puked in their hands and flung it skyward. "Westerberg wouldn't know how to be sober," he said. That's about it... Charles (remove the 'spamproof' when emailing) Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 11:35:12 -0800 From: "\"°ò" Subject: Why the Replacements Rule (and everybody else sucks) OK, I guess it's time for the obligatory "How I found out about the 'Mats" story, although it really kind of has that icky 12-step recovery program feel about it. ("The only reason I started drinking was to get the taste of heroin out of my mouth...") Anyway, I was listening to the local college station (because if I hear one more goddamned Doors or Dead Zeppelin song I'm gonna hurt someone, and the left of the dial is the only place in the SF Bay Area that isn't marooned in the 70's), and they were playing a Replacements special. I had only heard one of their songs previously, "I Will Dare," and so the special -- featuring a lot of live covers as well as little gems like "Nowhere Is My Home" -- was absolutely stunning. I've always loved big guitar noise, maniac drumming and singers who really aren't very good at singing, so I instantly fell in love with these guys. Then what really completes the package are the lyrics. There are certain songs, like "Here Comes A Regular" that, written and performed by anybody else would be totally barf-o-rama. Even at their worst ("Hootennany" comes to mind), these guys are still the best. At least all of the way up to "All Shook Down." Who the hell hired that worthless drummer??!! I could tie drumsticks to my testicles and do a better job. And have a lot of fun doing it, but that's another story. It's a good thing that CD's don't wear out, because I would of had to replace "Tim" at least a dozen times by now. And the only actual vinyl LP (if you don't know what a "vinyl LP" is go ask someone really old about it) that ever gets played on my turntable anymore is "Boink." Honestly, if you have a friend who has "Boink," kill them and steal the album. You can always get another friend but "Boink" is darned hard to find. When I heard the news of the upcoming release, even though I probably have everything that's on it already somewhere in my bootleg collection, I was totally jazzed. Especially seeing as how music has now deteriorated into annoying songs by stupid rap bands and stupid songs by annoying chick bands. The day their new release hits the store, I'll be there. I just can't wait. Pat Millslagle From: Robert Leahey Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 17:04:46 -0400 i signed up for skyway about a year ago, turned in a bio about meeting paul on the last tour and talking jazz with him on the tour bus steps. no point in me writing this except to tell you what you already know: the 'mats are the greatest band to ever exist. i know it's a tired statement that is eerily reminiscent of 15 year old girls in Seventeen magazine talking about Bush, but i know you know it's true. the only band that can make me so sad that i'm happy and that truly captures the beauty in the trash of life. thanks for making a magzine that captures something important. Jay Leahey From: "Steven G McIntire" Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 21:54:34 -0000 I watched the Replacements trash the UC Davis Coffee House about 10 years ago. The opening bands were Salem 66 and Thin White Rope. This "performance" earned them the distinction of being banned by the University from every playing on campus again. Musically, I was pretty green at the time. I hadn't so much as heard a song by them but managed to get in before the show to see their soundcheck. Like this other guy who wrote here, the sound just hit me. This is what I had been looking for. I remember I had just heard "New Day Rising" by Husker Du a few days earlier and had a similar epiphany. The Mats were focused and cranking out some loud, perfectly mean tunes during the soundcheck. The show was another story. They were obviously whacked when they came out and managed to drop their instruments more than play them. This was a very small room, actually a temporarily retrofitted mini dining commons - and you definitely felt more part of the show than just watching it. So the band's antics, vulgarities, and general misbehavior spread right through the crowd - maybe 500 people packed in tight, now jostling around, attempting to dance, to slam. The boys did not manage to complete one single song all night - swear to god. Songs fumbled away and evolved into shouting matches between Paul and the crowd. By the end, Mars had passed out and Paul had taken over the drums. They laid the lead microphone down on the ground next to Mars' mouth so that he could shout and moan at his leisure. And Bob was rippin on the guitar. And Tommy was skinny rocknroll incarnate with his straight up punk hair and Rickenbacker bass. After an hour or so of this debacle, the lights went on mid-song and the band was requested to leave by someone "in charge." That was my first taste of punk rock. This messy experience led to the purchase of Let It Be, which led to Tim, which led to Pleased to Meet Me and so on. I can remember the first impact of hearing "Hold My Life," and "Little Mascara," and "I Will Dare." What about "Achin to Be," and "Rock N Roll Ghost"? Where do I stop? Anybody else totally dig the guitar solo on "Alex Chilton"? The Replacements played on my stereo when I dropped out of school, and later when I returned. I listened to them with my first girlfriend in Colorado. I still think about her when I hear Paul sing "They were gonna meet, on a Rocky Mountain street" from his solo career. Later, I saw Tommy's new band Perfect open up for The John Doe Thing in San Diego. John covered "Here Comes a Regular." Anyway, there is plenty more I could say. Suffice to close with the fact that the UC administration softened their stance several years later and removed the ban. The Mats - minus Chris, plus Slim - played again in Davis. Only this time in Freeborn Hall. And this time not to 500 people, more like 5000. And they finished every song. Steve. From: "Robert Vermeulen" Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 17:30:14 - 0700 Subject: New Kid in the Skyway I guess I'm your typical Mats fan. Grew up in the suburbs of the Twin Cities, listened to Flaming Oh's and Husker Du, when a friend dragged me to the U of M student union to watch some new band. That night I got to see Bob play in his whitie tighties, a frightening sight, and heard the best rendition of Radar Love I will ever hear. I fell in love with The Replacements that night and couldn't stop talking about how great they were as we finished the evening at the Zantigos (now a Taco Bell) near The Cabooze. I would catch them when I could at First Ave., caught 4 of 5 straight nights there one stretch during the mid-late eighties. Never saw them play in larger halls and I guess that would have ruined the memories. My fondest memories are playing frisbee outside of my house at the U having two tapes that we would play over and over; Tim and Life's Rich Pageant. Didn't care much for their later albums (do the kids still use that word?), but I have them and listen to them none the less. I try to keep tabs on the boys when I can, all the boys from that wonderful era when I would tell people I was from Minnesota and they would ask about the music scene. I've caught an Uptown Christmas hootenanny with Slim, held tickets to two canceled shows by Paul, lamented at Bob's departure, and still listen to the trilogy (Mats, Soul Asylum, and Husker; I would love to include the Daddies, but realistically it was a different time in my life) whenever I'm by myself in the car and dreaming about days gone by. I'm in Denver now, but I still get home every year for Christmas and the first thing I do is check out the Pages or the Reader and see if I can capture some of that lost time with a show by one of the boys. Last year, I got to see Paul having lunch at the Convention Grill (a fifties era burger joint in south Minneapolis), I left him alone. I guess they have influenced me, I'm an MBAed, thirty something, corporate weenie type, but I'm smart enough to realize it. Thanks for the list and the chance to spew. Bob (rvermeu@uswest.com) ______________________________________________________________________________ III. WESTERBERG From: cford@vnet.ibm.spamproof.com (Charles Ford) Newsgroups: alt.music.replacements Subject: Grandpa Boy - Review Date: Sat, 30 Aug 1997 20:37:54 GMT I finally found a published review on the Grandpa Boy releases. This one appears in the 8/29 Austin Chronicle, written by Mats fan and occasional contributor to this newsgroup, Ken Lieck. (placed here without permission) "The new 'secret' project from Paul Westerberg (like he thought THAT was going to last) finds him rocking with aplomb back into Replacements territory. The A- side of the single pulls off the 'throwaway rocker' schtick almost too well with its repetitive lyrics and off-the-cuff sound, but if you'd told me it was an outtake from Hootennany, I'd have fallen for it instantly. 'Undone' the flip side, fares better, a strong number with more satisfactory music and lyrics than Mr. W. has pulled off in years. The five tunes on the EP don't fare quite as well, suffering from the same sort of sterility that often mars the albums of his ex-drummer Chris Mars. Still, there are frequent glimpses of the old Westerberg that could make a song worth listening to just by the inclusion of one great phrase, as with "I've got an earring that I dangle from" ('Hot Un'). Come to think of it, damn near all of his good lines have something to do with exhaustion. Maybe that's why its such a relief to hear him playing songs that don't sound like he's sleepwalking on the job." Charles (remove the 'spamproof' when emailing) From: no address listed Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 11:52:16 -0400 (EDT) Rolling Stone just gave Grandpa Boy an excellent review. Grandpaboy (three and 1/2 stars) The bogus band name says it all - at 36, ex-Replacement Paul Westerberg has rediscovered the playful side that he suppressed on his two solo albums. On this five-song EP, Westerberg (as "Winthrope Marion Purcival V") trades the serious singer/songwriter stuff for raunchy, freewheeling and decidedly unprecious rock & roll songs about lust ("Hot Un") and loneliness ("Homelessexual"). It's his freshest work in years. The acoustic "Lush & Green" follows a trio of Stones-y rockabilly two-steps; one of Westerberg's best ballads, this moving valentine to a departed loved one is just the kind of comic relief in reverse that made his name. His next album probably won't (and shouldn't) have the same humor quotient, but it bodes well that Paul Westerberg has gotten back in touch with his inner boy. - Michael Azerrad. And did you know there's a band from Charlottesville, VA called Bombpop with a song called "Bob Stinson" (on Snap Records?) From: "Edwin J. Lukas" Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 08:24:25 -0400 Capitol Records now has a Paul Westerberg mailing list for all of the latest and greatest info. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to "whatsonline@hollywoodandvine.com". In the test of the message, type "subscribe paulwesterberg_list". Capitol has mailing lists for all of its artists, including such stellar acts as Nil Lara and the Beasties. To view the list of artists and subscribe to the numerous mailing lists, visit http://hollywoodandvine.com/signmeup/ _____________________________________________________________________________ IV. TOMMY From: Lori Dolqueist Subject: Tommy Gets His Bass Out Date: Mon, 8 Sep 1997 20:43:58 -0500 Perfect's Tommy Stinson Gets Back To Bassist Addicted To Noise Senior Writer Gil Kaufmanreport: Even if ex-Replacement bassist Tommy Stinson thinks his band's steadily-increasing batch of new songs are close cousins to the high-energy sloppy pop on Perfect's debut EP, When Squirrels Play Chicken (1996) some things are changing in Perfectown. For one, Perfect leader Stinson has switched back to the bass, relinquishing guitar duties to Dave Philips, formerly of Jack Logan's band. "I haven't played bass in a band in a long time," Stinson said. "It's really fun to play it again, mainly because I haven't done it in a while, but it's a new challenge to play and sing at the same time. It frees me up a bit, since I'm more used to playing bass, even though I've been playing guitar for a while." Also, in maturing as a songwriter, Stinson has apparently recognized his limitations. "The new stuff is pretty similar to the old stuff in a lot of ways," Stinson said about the 20 songs he's prepared to take into the studio when Perfect begin sessions for their full-length debut. Peter Jesperson, founder of Twin/Tone Records, the original home of the Replacements, said he recently started sending out five-song demo tapes of the new songs to "everyone from small fry to some gigantic fish" producers. "I'm trying to contact as many people as I can," Jesperson said about the on-going process of finding the right fit for his protege's band. "Now I'm just waiting for that magical phone call from somebody who says, 'I think this is the greatest batch of demos I've heard in years.' I think they're brilliant songs. I listened to them at home and they gave me goose bumps and shivers." Stinson and Jesperson attested to the growing songwriting strength of the former 'Mats member, who joined the band while just barely in his teens. "I'm still learning how to write songs," Stinson said, conceding that his former bandmate and Replacements leader, Paul Westerberg, wasn't "too bad" a teacher. Jesperson, who said the new song "Turn it Up" was one of greatest things he's heard from Stinson, quoted some acerbic lyrics from the tune as proof of his pride in his former ward. (Jesperson acted as Stinson's legal guardian during his early 'Mats years.) "You pray to God/ I'll pray to anyone who'll listen." That song was one of several examples from new tunes such as "Better Days," "Making of an Asshole," "Don't Look Down," "Seven Days a Week" and "The Last One" that Jesperson said would establish Stinson as a force to be reckoned with. For his part, Stinson remained fairly modest about his songwriting abilities. "I think my musical style doesn't really go that far off," Stinson said. "I write pop songs, we're a pop band with varying degrees of aggressiveness and volume. You know, my same old shit." Perfect played their public debut with the new line-up at a private party on Aug. 9 at their Los Angeles rehearsal space. The show, attended by 30 close friends and record company flacks, featured two identical sets of nine new songs. Jesperson said the new line-up rehearsed together for two weeks in late July and early August to "make sure he (Philips) fit into the stew. They had a natural chemistry, and I really think Dave is one of the best guitar players I've ever worked with." In keeping with the camaraderie between Stinson and Jesperson, the former said his decision to sign with Twin/Tone/Restless was an easy one. "It's just amazing to work with Peter again. He's someone I've trusted since I was a little kid," Stinson said, adding that none of the myriad A&R representatives from the half-dozen labels that expressed interest in signing Perfect had "an iota of Peter's knowledge about music." Both Jesperson and Stinson were hopeful that, once a producer is secured, the Perfect album would be released in early 1998. A solo Stinson track, "Hate It," will appear on a Restless Records sampler that will be a promotional item in an upcoming Request magazine issue. Stinson played everything on the track, including percussion, bass, guitars as well as singing the double-tracked vocals, which he finished recording just last weekend. The CD will also feature tracks from Jack Logan, non-LP tracks from Spain and the Radar Brothers, and songs from the Penny Dreadfuls, Suncatcher, Moog Cookbook, Lori Carson, Hang-Ups, Chopper One and the Golden Palominos. [Mon., Sept. 8, 1997, 9 a.m. PST] Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 14:02:10 -0500 Former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson is the latest rocker to be tapped for the Puff Daddy 'It's All About the Benjamins' remix project. Stinson joined Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Daddy himself (Sean 'Puffy' Combs) in a New York studio two weeks ago to play bass and re-write the chorus to the song. The remixed track, with guitar and drums from Grohl, who will be given co-production credit, is not yet scheduled for release...' (ATN Senior Reporter Gil Kaufman and Randy Reiss compiled this report.) Fri., Sept. 26, 1997, 9 a.m. PDT Copyright 1997 Addicted To Noise. From: bblenkush@deltacg.com Date: Thu, 2 Oct 1997 14:05:05 -0400 Subject: Perfect/Tommy Web Site Hey there, everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that my unofficial home page for Perfect/Tommy Stinson is up and running -- I'm just starting out, so there's not a lot there yet, but I'll be working my way through two years worth of Perfect stuff (plus some Mats and B&P stuff), so it should be pretty comprehensive when I'm finished. (I plan on updating it every few weeks, so keep checking back.) The URL for the site is "http://www.yapyap.com," and it's optimized for Netscape or Explorer. I'm using you guys as kind of a "test audience" before I announce it to the newsgroup and publicize it, so I'd really appreciate your honest (yes, even blunt) feedback and reactions. If you spot any nits or bugs, or if you have any questions for the FAQ, or any ideas about what you'd like to see on there, please let me know at incoming@yapyap.com. Thanks a bunch! Becky From: SBoyer26@aol.com Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 11:50:49 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Bash & Pop I am 24 and have been a huge Replacements fan since high school. I have all of their albums as well as some of the solo efforts. One album I bought back in 1993 or so was the Bash & Pop album (Tommy Stinson). I personally think it was a great album, however for the life of me there are still lyrics I don't have a clue about! Does anyone have complete lyric list to "Friday Night Is Killing Me"? This info would be greatly appreciated. S. D. Boyer - Atlanta [There currently are no lyrics to Bash n' Pop tunes on The Skyway's web page at http://www.novia.net/~matt/sky/lyrics.html. If you have any, please send them in! - m@.] ______________________________________________________________________________ V. SLIM From: cford@vnet.ibm.spamproof.com (Charles Ford) Newsgroups: alt.music.replacements Subject: Slim Dunlap, Austin, TX 9/23 Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 15:25:03 GMT I saw Slim's last night at the Continental Club in Austin. Great show! Prior to the show we saw Slim walking around looking a little bored and depressed. We even spotted him reading a newspaper at one point. But when he hit the stage he really came alive. This was Slim "unplugged," by the way, with only his partner, Brian (a multi- talented guy who helped Slim out on snare drum, bass, banjo and accordion), for accompaniment. The show was about 75% cover tunes, with Slim playing all his favorite stuff--Dylan, Hank Williams, Merle Travis, Earnest Tubb, and a couple of gospel selections. He did play his "Ballad of the Opening Band" song which he seemed to be dedicating to his opener, a young folksinger name Ana Egg of whom he graciously sang "your better than Slim." He also snuck in a couple of songs that sounded like new material. I love the way Slim deals with hecklers...There was some jerk in the back shouting "Rock and Roll!" and that sort of thing. Slims response was "Bless your heart, its not that kind of a show, but bless your heart." The drunk never said another word. Hope Slim comes back to town soon! Charles (remove the 'spamproof' when emailing) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 1997 12:57:55 -0700 (PDT) From: edh@statenet.com Subject: Replacements... I just saw Slim Dunlap last night at a Sacramento bar called Old Ironsides. He played with a guy named Brien, and made my year. What a swell guy. No question I asked him was offensive, and his stories about the 'Mats were almost better than the two times I saw them. (One with Bob, one with Slim.) If anyone reading this ever has a chance to check out Slim live, jump on it. I am so glad I went for it, even if coming into work today was a real chore after so many pints of Pabst came over the bar. I asked the young guy who was playing with him if I could meet Slim, maybe buy him a beer. He said Slim's sober now, but that he's also really social. Right he was. I banged on the van windows, and he asked me to come on in. We sat in the van and he told me hilarious story after hilarious story about the Mats, meeting James Brown, Jerry Lee, and other legends. Then, he blew me away with his great singing and playing. Just a note on how I got turned on to the Mats: I was fourteen and a pal had found Sorry Ma in a 3 for a buck bin. We were both blown apart by it. It's still a very important record to me. Then I saw them for the Let It Be tour and was mightily impressed. Every record up to Pleased To Meet Me is a classic. Everything after that is a big let down. Not to say I hate Paul Westerberg's solo stuff, but I can't even listen to any of it. I saw them again, with Slim and was again impressed. Loved Bash n' Pop, and am planning to get into Perfect.... Later... Reverend Ed ______________________________________________________________________________ VI. WANTED From: "josh davis" Subject: `Mats Movie Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 12:56:04 PDT Attention Place Mats fans, we need your help! We are currently working through the very early stages of the production of a movie based on that highly influential 80's post-punk band, the Replacements. However, in order to make this dream more of a reality, we're going to need all the ideas, support and contacts you can spare. Anyone who has followed the band knows the impact it has had on our lives. Good music can take us to another world. It can provide passion within us, and it can inspire us. This is our chance to bring into the light of the mainstream a truly wonderful band that has touched so many already. Help us bring them to all the people who missed them the first time around. Send all your `Mats stories, ideas, and any helpful industry or band related contacts to: Matsmovie@hotmail.com Thank you. -josh "I hate music, it has too many notes" -Paul Westerberg From: S0LARlS@aol.com Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 00:42:49 -0400 (EDT) Subject: hello hello my name is brian i'm 13 and have listened to replacements for two years now. i'm wondering if anyone has androgynous piano tab? From: GX625@aol.com Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 22:13:32 -0400 (EDT) cc: GX625@aol.com Subject: Interview with Paul of the Replacements I would like to sell the transcript of an radio interview I did with Paul around 1987. We did the interview in a hotel bar in Raleigh, NC. and he talked about the Memphis horns, Alex Chilton, drinking and playing, practicing in the warehouse district and the road. He is rather cocky and we didn't leave being friends for life, but he did give me a very honest interview. I left the interview with a great respect for the him and his music. Ten years later, this interview is still very up to date. Neill McDonald (919)-755-3937 From: "Thomas Parker" Subject: Mats comp video/Tapes wanted Date: Sun, 21 Sep 1997 12:36:12 -0400 I know that a compilation video of all the Mats videos and TV appearances was mentioned on the list a few years ago. Does anyone have it? How is the quality? If it is good, I would love to get a copy. I have plenty of things to trade. I'm also looking for any good quality Mats video/audio w/Bob. E-mail me at: btparker@frontiernet.net Thanks, Kevin Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 02:32:05 -0700 (PDT) From: David Sena 'Mats fan here. I'm quite interested in obtaining bootleg 'Mats' tapes of some live shows. I already own Hangin' It Up; Shit, Shower, Shave; Inconcerated Live; and Westerberg's Lucky's Revenge. I can send the tapes if you can return them with material. I'd really like The Shit Hits The Fans. Thanks. DSENA From: Ken@nlenx.com Date: 29 Sep 1997 16:14:36 CDT Subject: replacements tribute band My name is Ken and I have been a Mats fan for about 10 years. I have been on the Skyway for a couple of years, but just now am writing to it. The purpose of my letter is find out if there are any fellow Skywayers who live in the Chicagoland area (I live in the Southwest Suburbs) who would like to form a Replacements tribute band for fun. I play guitar and can do a little singing and thought it would be a fun thing to do. If interested you can e-mail me at ken@nlenx.com. P.S. Does anybody have any good quality concert videos from the Tim or Pleased to Meet Me era? If so, could you please let me know. I would love to send you a blank tape for a copy. Thanks, Ken K. Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 10:09:10 -0700 From: steven smith I have a request some one out there may be able to help me with. A few weeks ago I did a major clean on my garage and unearthed some pictures I took of the Mats in November '85 playing the Commodore ballroom in Vancouver Canada with Bob Stinson. I would be willing to share these with my fellow Skyway scribes as I have recently discovered the joys of tape trading, my dilemma is finding affordable, quality reproduction. If anyone out there has a way, let me know and we can start sharing these pics with the people. By the way, I have also heard an advance copy of the new 'Mats anthology [thanks to a certain angel] and the sound quality is phenomenal, but the biggest kick for me is hearing stuff I had never been privy to in the past. I feel renewed and in many ways privileged to be listening to this stuff, almost like I reading someone's diary or have been snooping through a closet I'm forbidden to open. It's really cool and your gonna love it. Oh and thanks for the party invite, if it didn't entail ten days of driving I might of come! take care steve callned@intergate.bc.ca fin. ________________________________________________________________________________ The //Skyway\\: The Replacements Mailing List (digest only) http://www.novia.net/~matt/sky/skyway.html The //Skyway\\ | c/o Matt Tomich | 311 S. LaSalle #43g | Durham NC 27705 | USA "I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people." -- Former U.S. Vice-President Dan Quayle