______________________________________________________________________________ // // The \\kyway \\ // skyway@novia.net Issue #67 May 21st, 1999 ______________________________________________________________________________ (c) 1999 Bastards of Young (BOY/BetaOmegaYamma) Productions list manager: Matthew Tomich (matt@novia.net) always thanks to: Bob Fulkerson ______________________________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________________________ May 27th, 1999 0. Something to Du (m@) I. Hi! (Anne J., Matt Christenson, Josh Bieber, Ron Welbaum, Peter Wolak, Brett Schwartz, Rob Hudson, John P.) II. SG (Jeremy S Gluck, Kevin Curry, Mike) III. Chords, videos, and bootlegs wanted (George, Jenny Stewart, Don) _____________________________________________________________________________ 0. SOMETHING TO DU (m@) The slew of letters in response to the intro to the last Skyway about the joys of booking your own band’s tour were both unexpected and empathetic: it appears that more than a handful of 'Mats fans have band-related experiences, either in their current life or in a previous (college, pre-job, etc.) incarnation. People asked how the booking adventure turned out, and here's the results! THE SCARIES SUMMER EAST COAST TOUR fri may 21 - roanoke, va (@the melting pot - 8 p.m.) sat may 22 - wilkinsburg, pa (@move studio - 7 p.m.) sun may 23 - washington, d.c. (@velvet lounge MATINEE SHOW - 2 p.m.) sun may 23 - balitmore, md (@laff and spit) mon may 24 - adelphi, md (@house show at 2714 rambler pl - write matt@novia.net for directions) tue may 25 - bound brook, nj (@the palace) wed may 26 - wayne, nj (@house show! - 6 p.m. - write matt@novia.net for directions) thr may 27 - webster, ma (@funnybones cafe - 7 p.m.) thr may 27 - worchester, ma (@the space - 9 p.m.) fri may 28 - mineola, long island, ny (@deja one) sat may 29 - allentown/whitehall, pa (@carrigan's) sun may 30 - morgantown, wv (@123 pleasant st.) If you feel like attending a super-poppy rock show, write me in advance at matt@novia.net and I'll put you on the freebie list if they let us have one that night! Come up and say hi...I'm the short bass player! I’ll have a laptop while on tour (dork city! thank my job) so just write in. Also this month, Mark Timmins released a diverse CD of Skyway-related bands called "The Fans Hit Back" on Sub Ubi records. Mark said it best, "Even though this CD contains all original songs, it is - in the broadest sense of the word - a tribute album. It is a testament to the legacy of The Replacements that they could inspite such a diverse set of bands." You can get it from Mark at Mark_Timmins@bdhq.bd.com. With music ranging from bar bands to indie rock to singer-songwriter compositions, the most Westerberg-like is "Grub Dog & The Amazing Sweethearts" with "Sounds Like Paul". They play in So. Cal. a lot and can be reached at grubdog2000@hotmail.com. Also, other 'Mats-fans sent in listings of their own bands’ next shows: From: recorddude@mindspring.com Subject: Mats vs. Big Star show I just wanted to let you know that in my hometown (Atlanta) my band Nillah will be playing at an upcoming battle of the bands. Dottie's (the club) puts on a battle of the bands each month. This month it was Kiss Vs. Cheap Trick. Next month on Saturday June 26th it will be the Replacements vs. Big Star. I have been to several of these and they have really rocked. Just thought you might want to know this so you could spread the word on the Skyway if anyone in the area wants to come out. From: LargoMP@aol.com Subject: Joe Lies playing in NYC Saturday May 22nd and June 5th at 10pm...2 sets each night. JOE LIES at THE HELL'S KITCHEN BAR (9th avenue between 39th and 40th streets...one block south of port authority...in NYC). It just brings more creedence to Westerberg’s quote: "Maybe not that many people ever saw The Replacements play live, but for every ten that did, maybe four or five them went home and started their own band." - Matt P.S. The new issue of Launch (CD-rom mag) has a Westerberg acoustic performance of Whatever Makes You Happy. _____________________________________________________________________________ I. Hi! From: "a j" Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 10:22:06 PDT My story's probably a bit different than most you've heard. I'm no diehard fan who's attended concerts and met the band, I didn't listen to them in college--I'm only 21 and a college senior now--nor do I own all of their albums. However, and a big however, I love the Replacements more than any other band in the world. I was introduced to them the summer I fell in love for the first time. 1992. I was a young lassie growing up in a small southern Michigan town of only 1400. Dan came from a larger, more hip town to live with his mom. One thing led to another, and he kissed me on the bus. Not really, it was on a hill under the stars. :) Soon after, I would learn about the Replacements, an eighties band I'd NEVER heard of. My first purchase was a $2.00 "Don't Tell a Soul" cassette I found at a great antique mall in Lansing. I listened to it so much that now it's barely audible. My favorite song on the album? Talent Show, no doubt. I listened to many of Dan's tapes: "Pleased to Meet Me," "Tim," and "All Shook Down." I bought him "Hootenanny" at a Toronto record store, and though we're only friends now, he still has my "Stink" cassette. I don't think I'll ever get it back. I bought "12 Songs" out of curiosity, and though it's not intended to be, it's just not the same. As I type this, I'm listening to the sweet compilation "All for Nothing." And since I'm at work at Lansing Community College, I'd best get going. Again, it's great to be a part of this fan base. Thanks for taking the first step, Matt. I hope I didn't bore you completely with my Replacements Love Story, but it's part of the best years of my life so far, and I'm happy to share it. Anne J. jacobyan@hotmail.com Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 12:18:09 -0700 From: matthew_christenson@alumni.stanford.org (Matt Christenson) Subject: Re: modern day slam book "I might or I might not. Ya never fuckin' know..." (P. Westerberg) NAME: Matt Splat NICKNAME: "Lil' Crisco" when I was 8. (my older brother was Crisco...) HOMETOWN: LaGrange (a how how how...) BORN: 10/15/1971 CURRENT RESIDENCE: Pacific Beach (San Diego) CROUTONS OR BACON BITS: yawn FAVORITE SALAD DRESSING: cajun ranch DO YOU DRINK: Yes (if the question is, "have you woken up face down sprawled in a drunken stupor on the front lawn of some random home in the bay area?") SHAMPOO OR CONDITIONER: Biolage HAVE YOU EVER GONE SKINNY DIPPING: Yep. DO YOU MAKE FUN OF PEOPLE: Only if I like them FAVORITE COLORS: Green, Purple, Pink HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME: Surprisingly, yes, but it's off my record. (juvenile crimes being what they are...) BEST ON-LINE FRIENDS: I don't know what that means. ONE PILLOW OR TWO: four PETS: Nah. FAVORITE TYPES OF MUSIC: country, rock and roll, and Elvis Presley. Kathy McCarty is love. DREAM CAR: 1988 Porsche 911 (looked at a used one two weekends ago) TYPE OF CAR YOU DRIVE NOW: ex-driver's ed car with passenger side brakes removed WHAT TYPE OF CAR WAS YOUR FIRST CAR: see previous question TOOTHPASTE: Crest kid FAVORITE FOOD: American-Mexican DO YOU GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS: Yeah FAVORITE TOWN TO CHILL IN: Pacific Beach FAVORITE ICE CREAM: Chubby Hubby FAVORITE SOFT DRINK: Hanson's FAVORITE TYPE OF FAMILY GAME TO PLAY: I don't know WHAT IS YOUR BAD TIME of DAY: post-lunch coma ADIDAS, NIKE, OR REEBOK: Converse FAVORITE PERFUME OR COLOGNE: Be FAVORITE WEBSITE: www.johnnycash.com, www.wilcoweb.com FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: anthro, ancient russian history FAVORITE MOVIE YOU HAVE SEEN RECENTLY OR FAVORITE TYPE OF MOVIE: Bottlerocket, stuff like Bottlerocket LEAST FAVORITE SUBJECT: Myself FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK: red, red wine (a la Replacements, not faux-reggae) FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH: Track and Field CRAZIEST OR SILLIEST PERSON YOU KNOW: My brother (Crisco) WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN THE OPPOSITE SEX: nice, intelligent, puts up with me, likes sex... LOUDEST PERSON YOU KNOW: Harry Nilsson Rocks! Buy his records. FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Halloween SAY ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU: Wilco Date: Fri, 7 May 1999 12:12:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Josh Bieber December 18, 1988 I am still in love with that night. As a 14 year old with no exposure to the band other than David Fricke's Rolling Stone praise of Pleased To Meet Me, discovering The Mats as an opener for Keith Richards on his birthday solidified the date as a holiday forever. I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now, so the memories are cloudy, but I do recall the firecracker sound from Mars, Paul's rare gush "We're gonna do one more before we bring out your hero and mine," and the roar of "I.O.U." I still remember Keith's smile at the first chord of "Take It So Hard." And "Happy." By the time I saw them the next August, as openers for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers at the same arena across the GW, I was versed in Pleased To Meet Me and Don't Tell A Soul. I remember turning to Andrew during "I'll Be You," to say, "What's wrong with these people?" Other than the first five rows, where some Mats fans had pushed up to rock, the crowd had no clue. Rebels without a clue. I just saw Petty at Irving Plaza a couple weeks ago (backed by pros Benmont and Campbell) and I still don't understand what Petty was thinking stealing that line. Then I took on Let It Be. Tim. Inconcerated. The best American rock and roll band ever. In 1991, I saw them for the last time. Opening for Elvis Costello at the Garden, I sensed a large Mats contingent; maybe we all knew it was ending. I couldn't look at the drum set without Chris there, but the show was on. All Shook Down material came alive and the crowd was stomping at the end of the set. I have been to a hundred live shows since then, and I still have yet to see an opening band get such an ovation. When they returned for an encore "Hootenanny,' (an encore for an opening band!), I could look at the drums one last time, because now Paul was slapping them. I still really like Elvis, but that night even his most die-hard fans walked out of the Garden feeling The Mats blew him off the stage. I've seen scattered brilliance since. Paul walking off the stage in Ann Arbor when a drunk yelled, "Where's Tommy?" A top solo show by Paul on the Eventually tour at Irving Plaza with my girlfriend. The most happening moment was standing next to Tommy during the entire Big Star show at Tramps in '97. Tommy was such a fan, yelling song titles, laughing at Chilton's wise-ass remarks. I think of that night every time I listen to the cover of "September Gurls" off of Shit, Shower, and Shave. TV: I still haven't seen the '86 SNL. "Talent Show" on the International Rock Awards, which further connects him to Keith, the Living Legend Award winner that night, was classic, all the way up to the shot of Matt Dillon clapping and whistling from his table. The Burt Reynolds laugh on SNL; Paul just can't go on TV without cracking you up in some way or another. Favorite Songs: Unsatisfied Never Mind Bastards of Young Little Mascara Answering Machine Hold My Life I'll Be You Nobody Alex Chilton To all the critics of Suicaine Gratifaction, you're missing it badly. Don't look for it to be a Replacements record, and you'll get into it. "Tears Rolling Up Our Sleeves" is hypnotic. Nice job, Matt. Need bootlegs, JB From: A/R TempID10 Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 19:39:29 -0500 I guess I've got a good Mats story in that I went to Bob Stinson's funeral. I didn't not know him, but I thought it would be interesting. The whole thing was basically his old friends telling stories. They usually started like: "This one time me & Bob were on acid and......". At the viewing the day before, I walked in, gave his mom a hug and went to look at his pale body. He had a favorite guitar next to his coffin and snapshots all around. The music played over the loudspeaker was not typical of a funeral home, because at that exact moment I wasn't listening to "Amazing Grace", I instead heard "Gary's Got a Boner". A bit of a strange, tragic event I guess, hearing these tunes being played by the band he was kicked out of. Ron Welbaum, Minneapolis Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 18:05:08 -0500 (EST) From: Peter Subject: introduction Since I don't want to stray from tradition, here's my bio: My name is Peter Wolak. I was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1977, but moved to Chicago when I was only a few months old. After growing up in the suburb of Elmhurst, I went to college at Indiana University where I recently graduated with a degree in English. I see myself going back to Chicago to work for a few years. After that, I would like to go out to LA and get a job in an entertainment-related field. Of course I also have dreams of writing and selling scripts. Some of the music that I like listening to includes: Supersuckers, Ramones, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, Rocket From The Crypt, Pantera, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash. This past year at IU I hosted an hour-long radio show called "Vulgar Display of Peter," which dealt with hard rock and heavy metal. I've only been listening to the Replacements since the beginning of this year even though I've known about the band since my freshman year of college. I took a class called "Z320: History of 70s and 80s Rock" that covered many of the important genres and bands of the two decades. The Replacements were prominently featured on the syllabus: "I Will Dare," "Kiss Me on the Bus," and "Alex Chilton." The inclusion of three songs by a band I had never heard of grabbed my interest. The Ramones only had one song in the class while the Sex Pistols had two. If the quality of the band was measured in the quantity of songs for the class, the Replacements had it all over the Ramones and Sex Pistols. when it finally came time to hear the Replacements' songs in class, I was very anxious. My expectations did not match the syllabus hype. The jangle and swagger of the Replacements did not match the searing buzz of noise that I defined "punk" as being. At that point, I dismissed the Replacements. When Rolling Stone magazine came out with its "200 greatest rock albums of all time" list a few years ago, I saw that "Let It Be" had made the cut. While I had forgotten the exact sound of the band, I still harbored biases against the Replacements. The album cover, however, grabbed my attention. The band just looked damn cool clumped together on that roof. The review of the album was noteworthy too. The record was called "intelligent" or something along those lines. When new musical releases that catch my attention becoming more and more rare, I've found myself plundering the albums of rock past for new sources of listening pleasure. I decided to buy "let It Be" and give the Replacements another chance. when I got home and played the album, "I Will Dare" finally made sense. The naïve eighteen-year old in Z320 had become a twenty-one year old 'Mats fan. Currently I own "Let It Be," "Tim," and "Pleased to Meet Me," which I bough the night of my IU graduation. These three releases seem to be the Holy Trinity of 'Mats albums when it comes to the critics. I'll admit that I've been overwhelmed with how great these albums are. A case could be made that the last song on each of these albums is the masterpiece of the release. That dedication to creating an entire album is just one strength that I find in the 'Mats. Another aspect about the band that I like is the song titles. I know that this is a minor point, but a good title only enhances the worth of a song in my eyes. "Answering Machine," "Little Mascara," and "Can't Hardly Wait" cry out to be heard. Of course the song title would be worthless if there wasn't a song to back it up. The hooks and lyrics of the 'Mats' songs are simply genius at times. each band member made just the right moves with his respective instruments. They weren't excessive with the music, but that sound that was there was full and appropriate. The Replacements did not showboat; instead, they were well-rounded. The lyrics are ridiculous-- and I mean that in a good way. I constantly find myself identifying myself in their songs. Every listen has me praising a new set of lyrics. Paul Westerberg apparently believed in economy and the writing axiom of "show don't tell." Those two ideas are most fully realized in "Skyway"--the most heart-wrenching song about missed opportunities and loneliness since Merle Haggard's "Always Wanting You." The first time I heard "Skyway" I sat on my bed crying. I think the song made its point. I figure that I should bring this writing to a close. I look forward to discovering the remained of the Replacements' catalog. I sure would like to tell you about my journey. Peter Wolak ____________________________________________________________________ "Roger that," somebody said. "I'm ready to fly." There was the sound of the wind, the sound of birds and the quiet afternoon, which was the world we lived in. --Tim O'Brien: "The Lives of the Dead"-- ____________________________________________________________________ Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 00:02:32 -0400 From: Brett Schwartz Subject: The MATS and ME Hello everybody! Great site, it's great to see people who love the 'Mats as much as I do. I guess I missed the boat when the 'Mats were together. Being younger and having no radio stations playing their stuff was a factor in this, I suppose. Anyways, the first time I ever heard my future favorite band in the world was the summer of 95. I had just got off from work, fetching carts at the local grocery store. My buddy and I had made a habit of hanging out afterwards. Hanging out always turned into getting really drunk outside by the Henry Ford Estates (used to be his home now like some nature center) Anyways, we'd park out there and drink our beer and listen to the radio. It was fun, ya know? We both had just gotten out of high school and had no idea what the hell we wanted to do. I guess we both were kinda lost in the uncertainty of life and all. We both were particularly quiet I remember, sorta lost in thought, when all a sudden on came 'Left of the Dial'. (thank God for WHFR in Detroit, Michigan!) We both listened for a minute then turned it up. It's not often a song you first hear makes want to crank it up, but this one sure did. that next day I want out and bought four of their CD's only hearing one song, but I knew this was what I was looking for in a band for a long time. And I'll tell ya, the 'Mats helped me through some real low points in my life. Westerberg is a poet. I always caught myself saying after many of his songs, "how'd ya know I felt that way?" At the same time The 'Mats could get you out of those moods with some damn fun music. You can't help smiling while listening to songs like Kiss me on the Bus, or Alex Chilton, or I Don't Know or Swingin Party.........the list goes on and on. The only thing that really sucks about the 'Mats is that all bands I hear now, always come a couple bucks short. Makes we wish the 'Mats could of hung around forever. Take it easy everybody! Cheers, Brett Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 22:54:03 -0400 From: Rob Hudson Hey Matt!! This is the greatest site I've ever seen. Been a 'Mats fan since the old Longhorn days...been to the seven night stint at the entry when Bob wore the dresses...been to New York to see the 'Mats (Johnny Thunders warmed 'em up) both shows at the Beacon Theatre on the Don't Tell a Soul tour...basically the Replacements shaped my adolescence and continue to do so today...I was once in a band in the early -mid 80's in Minneapolis called the Boxheads--they are now Ten Ton Bridge, check out their CD, it's reviewable on Amazon.com...I am now a Sports Anchor for the NBC affiliate in Madison, Wi. but continue to follow Paul, Tommy and even Slim and Chris. There aren't enough words, (at least in my vocabulary) to describe or explain what that band means to me and as I continually rediscovery new things about the 'Mats am very grateful there are others like me out there that continue to keep their music alive. Thank You. Rob Hudson NBC15 Madison rhudson@nbc15.com From: Jcvp551@aol.com Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 15:02:41 EDT I’ll save my Replacements (we’re) comin’ out story for some other time mostly because its hard for me to remember as it was college and I more into the recreational use of chemistry instead of studying it. (Although I earned my BS in it in four years. ) Being a native of New Jersey and attending James Madison University in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia was quite an eye-opener - for the school! My idea of rock in the 1980 - 1984 era was: Sex Pistols, Ramones, Buzzcocks, Tuff Darts, Vapors, Clash, and Joe Jackson all tempered with the correct amount of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Motorhead and yes one of the Garden States‘ finest Twisted Sister. In Harrisonburg, rock was defined by Willie Nelson, Molly Hatchet and the rest I have tried to forget. Another time on when I first remembered hearing 91Sorry Ma.....’ The two items that Skyway readers might be interested in follow. I have been meaning to submit the second for some time now but only after the first here have I gotten to it. 1. This past Saturday night - May 15, 1999 I took my 10 year old daughter to a free concert at the Tulsa (OK) Mayfest. Aside - her two favorite songs that I listen to are Waitress in the Sky and Rats (Tuff Darts 1979). She wanted to see a young band from Tulsa...’Admiral Twin’ (named after a drive-in theater in town) who was opening for Joan Jett and the Blackharts. The former was not bad a mix of Green Day meets Counting Crows. Joan Jett was above average playing a number of her originals and better known covers. Her best original was the 9178/79 era almost hit of The Runaways - 91Cherry Bomb’. About the sixth song into the set she said "This one is called Androgynous" and then went into a very good cover version of the same. Later in show she did another tribute cover of the theme from the ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’. From the May 17th Tulsa World newspaper: "She also breathed new fire into the Stooges’ ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’, ‘Love Is All Around’ from The Mary Tyler Moore Show (patterned after Husker Du’s serrated version. The most exciting surprise was a cover of the Replacements’ ‘Androgynous,’ during which she flexed her muscles." Okay enough of that. 2. Earlier this year I came across and purchased a Replacements CD titled ‘How Did The Vomit Get Up On The Ceiling?’. The only text on the CD/case that makes it look legit is on the disc itself 91Glass Records’. None of the usual copyright, label, producer text. The stuck-on label on the top of the disc reads: 1 paul interview promo lp 2 - 6 pleased to meet me rehearsals 1987 7 - 20 pleased to meet me outtakes & alternatives 21 outtake b-side of ‘alex chilton’ 23 pleased to meet me outtake b-side 24-25 outtakes from ‘it’s crap’ promo ep 26 paul from interview promo lp The songs are 1. interview (30 seconds) 2. Nevermind 3. Alex Chilton 4. Red Red Wine 5. Kick It In 6. Valentine (instrumental version) 7. Run for the Country 8. Going out of My Head 9. Trouble on the Way 10. Make this Your Home 11. The Ledge 12. IOU 13. Nightclub Jitters 14. Can’t Hardly Wait 15. Learn How to Fail 16. Valentine 17. Skyway 18. I Don’t Know 19. Red Red Wine 20. Shooting dirty Pool 21. Cool Water 22. Route 66 23. Tossin’ and Turnin’ 24. Ought to Get Love 25 Kissing in Action 26 interview (15 seconds) From the guitar it is clear this is recorded with Slim Dunlap. The first five are really rough - they sound as if they were recorded at a club in rehearsal mode. The instrumental version of Valentine is unique. During ‘Going Out Of My Head’ they stop and say "we’ll learn it tomorrow" - think of another one’ is heard. ‘IOU’, ‘Can’t Hardly Wait’ and ‘Valentine’ are superb. It just goes on an on. The cover of 'Route 66' is a lot of fun. ‘Kissing in Action’ sounds very Ramones- esque. What I am looking for is any information about this recording - when (in 1987), where and most importantly why? Please feel fee to email me at 91jcvp551@aol.com John P. Tulsa - Oklahoma. _____________________________________________________________________________ II. Suicane Gratification From: "Jeremy S Gluck." Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 15:32:42 +0100 As a coda to my epic on "St. Paul" here is my review for Bucketful of Brains of the new solo CD. Incidentally, I live in the UK and Paul was on TV here, live on the 'Later with Jools Holland' show. It was all rather strange: Tom Petty was on, too, and did two knock out songs, all confident and cool...time passed...everybody gets at least two songs on this show BTW, you guessed it...except Paul! ;) Typical Westerberg karma? Anyhow, after three quarters of the show had passed I was getting totally twitchy, then suddenly with little fanfare therez Paul on a stool with his acoustic, hunched and looking quite introverted, and then double-time strummed Wonderful Lie. He might as well have had a sign on his stylish suit jacket reading, "I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE AND I AM PLAYING MY 3 MINUTE SONG IN TWO TO GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!!!" And it ended. Strange, he was so anonymous and disgruntled, yet I am haunted by this performance for all its 120 seconds the anti-charisma was present. I can't define it at all, but it is real and resides in the fellow. A wonderful liar? Who knows. In a way, a perfect performance; hell, if he was French he would be a professor in existentialism by now and have written ten books, so we got off lucky, I guess! Thanx for tolerating my rank fanmania. Jeremy. S GRAT review... Regulars coming here may recall a lengthy rant on "St. Paul" by yours truly in which it was posited that, contrary to popular belief, Paul Westerberg's solo albums were more a process of discovery than disappointment for creator and consumer alike. Near enough three years ago, the second of them, "Eventually", split opinion wide open, its superb if sometimes overly calculated songs and performances just more bait to the "The Replacements are dead, long live The Replacements" lobby for whom Westerberg's attempts to exist outside the heady oxygen of the greatest American band of the Eighties must always be doomed. When Westerberg blew longtime label Sire for Capitol the rumour mill kicked in with a vengeance: given that Don Was was going to produce his third solo album, it automatically followed that St. Paul was going to sell and/or wimp out. Grandpa Boy, an interim project recalling the glory days of the Mats, came and went to cult acclaim, but still the question nagged: pushing 40, reputedly miserable enough to be Van Morrison for a new generation, would/could Westerberg finally emerge in his own right as a heavyweight? It was assumed, rather rashly, that this feat would prove impossible to the same man who wrote several dozen classics...ha. Then, months late, against further rumours of his summary ejection from Capitol, Suicaine Gratifaction arrived...proving all the detractors (please read per Dennis Hopper's crazed cameraman in Apocalypse Now) Wrong! Pushed to describe SUICAINE GRATIFACTION, Paul says "it's fucked-up folk music," and in essence it is. Indeed, whatever drums and other noisier instruments appear on the album, fact is. Recorded mostly at home, overdubbed hither and yon with Was and then mixed by Bob Clearmountain (whose bemusement I would pay to have witnessed) and packaged modestly if effectively to depict a mature artist rising from a bed of nails to greet a hail of rotting fruit and vegetables. So what do you get for your import price? You get the best Westerberg solo album by a long mile. A simple thing to say, I suppose, and cynics would carp that, given the first two (which I adore, incidentally, and make zero apologies for) it would have to be. Well, sorry, suckers and assorted bitter twists...the day you all record a Suicaine Gratifaction I'll shine your shoes with the oil on my nose...until that day dawns listen to the wondrous, muted and in a sense mutated outpourings of Minneapolis's finest son. Depressed for years between Bob Stinson's death and touring duties he found increasingly routine, ("I gave them all that they could handle/Then I took a dive..." Fugitive Kind) between slowly adjusting to fatherhood Westerberg assembled a set for what could almost be termed meditations on encroaching middle age ("How am I lookin'?/I don't want the truth/What am I doin', I ain't in my youth/I'm past my prime, or was that just a pose?" It's A Wonderful Lie) and receding glory. Often minimal, as on the incredible "Self-Defense" - boasting "It's wrong to commit a suicide/It's only self-defense" which has to be a line suitable for framing - with just a lonely piano for company, or else with a band backing that sounds as though it was recorded in a cardboard box that was left in the rain for days then kicked back into shape, this album doesn't grow on you so much as in you. Without descending to slop, it is fair to call it variously moving, melancholy and murderously honest. The rockers, especially "Fugitive Kind", are awesome, with Paul knocking off guitar parts like a spastic chainsaw trainee. And the ballads are crushing. And the lone pop song, "Whatever Makes You Happy" is quite perfect, with its trademark wit ("Falling down a stairwell/Calling farewell anyone") and deceptively sweet melody delivering the sucker punch. And then there are the oddments, such as "Actor In The Street", a gorgeous composition the roots of which must surely remain a mystery. Ending on "Bookmark", a piano ballad worthy of the best of Tom Waits' ragged shafts of light, and a gesture pointing to a fourth solo album far-flung from anything before it, even here, Westerberg makes a modest, ambiguous and somehow haunting exit. Alright, I've said my piece...the defense rests. I leave you with Westerberg's self-appraisal: "Father. Artist. Mid-Westerner. Eccentric. Walker. Movie hater. Tree lover. Pill taker. Songwriter. Gardener. Floor sweeper. Floor sleeper. Dyslexic. Weather enthusiast. Rock singer. Janitor. Romantic. Has Been. Hero. Has made a new record, SUICAINE GRATIFACTION." Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 15:55:46 -0700 From: Kevin Curry Subject: I've Been Avoiding This Part of me meant to comment on Westerberg's new album before the last issue came out...part wanted to wait. I didn't want to be tainted by the comments of others. But I waited, so here it is. I was talking to a good friend of mine, who fronts a local Portland band, before their show a couple weeks ago. The 'Mats are something we have in common, so the topic frequents our conversation. In fact, when we met through a mutual friend, I was banging out a pretty poor version of Alex Chilton on an acoustic guitar, and he was the only one in the room that recognized it. So, he says that he heard the new Westerberg album was not very good. Flashback to January...I received in the mail, weeks before its release, a tape of Suicaine Gratifaction from a friend. The tape sounds like its a few versions old, like a real good bootleg. I was able to listen to the album for weeks before its release, and thus well before any reviews or opinions. I'm glad I received that early copy. I like this disc. It's honest. It's real. It's well written and like nothing that is our there today. Sound familiar? It's probably how we all would describe the 'Mats the first time we heard them. So, I told my friend, "Let's put it this way...the album made me want to pick-up my guitar and play again. It made me want to make music. If you're looking for "Let It Be II" or "The Return of Pleased To Meet Me," don't look here. But it's great music." Kevin From: mlcm@webtv.net Newsgroups: alt.music.replacements Subject: Paul article Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 01:29:50 -0400 (EDT) There is an interview with Paul in a magazine called "Guitar World Acoustic". I picked it up a few weeks ago so it might still be out for those interested. It's a 2 page article and it pretty much covers the same ground regarding "Suicane" we all already know (why Don Was?, why so mellow?) but it contains a few interesting questions (and answers): Q: Does it ever bother you that bands who have appropriated the Replacement's sound are selling truckload's of records when you never have? A: I think alot of people who sell a lot of records would kill to have what I have. They don't necessarily have the guy who waits three years for you to come through town on tour just so they can get your autograph. They get a more fleeting, hollow kind of fan worship than I do. What I got is real. It's small, but it's real. Q: I'm gonna ask you to make some snap musical judgments - a lightning round, if you will: the Sex Pistols or the Clash? A: The Pistols. When I bought Never Mind the Bollocks, it gave me shivers up my spine. I bought the Clash record and returned it the same day. Q: The Beatles or the Stones? A: That's a tough one. I'd have to say the Stones. Just 'cuz. Q: Lennon or McCartney? A: Paul was definitely a better songwriter, and I don't care what anyone says - Lennon wrote some shit, some total fucking shit. I think he's overrated as a writer, even though he was probably the greatest white rock and roll singer ever. Give it to Paul - he needs one. Q: The New York Dolls or the Stooges? A: I love the Doll's, but there's no denying the Stooges. that was band that changed the whole scope of rock music. Fuck the Doors. Q: Kiss or Cheap Trick? A: Kiss. I never liked (Cheap Trick singer) Robin Zander's voice as much as other people did, and as jive as Paul Stanley sang, it sort of struck a chord with me. Q: 1989 or 1999? A: I don't remember '89, so let's go with '99. Mike _____________________________________________________________________________ III. BOOTLEGS, TABS, VIDEOS From: adkinsg@benning-emh2.army.mil Date: Fri, 7 May 99 15:58:44 EDT I play in a rock band in Georgia. Great Replacements site. We love the Replacements. Your chords section was very helpful for my guitarist. I'm trying to find some bass tablature or music for the Replacements. 'Within' Your Reach and 'I'll Be You' in particular. Any help would be appreciated. George bigsxy@earthlink.net or return address From: "Jenny Stewart" Date: Fri, 7 May 1999 14:34:09 -0700 Hi Matt, I'm sure you get millions of requests, but I would pay almost anything to have a video of the Replacements in concert. Do you know who, if anyone, is in possession of any? If so, could you please send me an email and let me know. You could even call me. Thanks! Jenny 1-877-267-8398 x627 Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 16:16:59 -0500 From: Don Lindbergh Subject: Re: Westerberg "Wonderful Copenhagen" Suicane Gratifaction Bonus Track > From: Hans Huttel > > a. Westerberg's new album. > I am bit puzzled, though, by the bonus track - "Wonderful Copenhagen", of > all songs! As far as I know, Paul Westerberg has only visited Denmark > once, and that was eight years ago. I had never known he was so fascinated > by our capital... So I guess it goes without saying that it sure would be cool if somebody with access to the import and a CD-ROM, ripping software and .MP3 encoding software could put this track up for ftp somewhere. I really enjoyed the Japanese bonus track "33rd of July" (ftp://ftp.pconline.com/users/wwweb/33July.mp3), many thanks to hangindowntown@wwwebworld.com --Don dabl2@nlm.nih.gov fin. ________________________________________________________________________________ The //Skyway\\: The Replacements Mailing List (digest only) http://www.novia.net/~matt/sky/skyway.html Matt Tomich | 117 Green Street | Chapel Hill NC 27516 | USA ________________________________________________________________________________ Most of us are just about as happy as we make up our minds to be. - Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)