Replacements News (very cool)

[Kematter]

CHECK THIS OUT

Paul, Tommy and Chris got together in late December in MPLS and recorded 2 new songs that will appear on "Don't You Know Who I Think I Was?: The Best of the Replacements", a single CD due out from Rhino on June 13.

http://members.aol.com/paulspage/news.htm

The basics: The new songs, "Message to the Boys" and "Pool & Dive", were written by Paul. Though Chris was in the studio, he only contributed backing vocals, he didn't play drums, Josh Freese was the drummer on these tracks, he has played with both Tommy and Paul in the past. Slim did not participate but commented on the news in the MPLS Star-Tribune:

"I never got a call, nor would I have expected one," said Dunlap, who was pleasantly surprised by the news. "It's really neat they put aside their little squabbles and did it."

At this time, there are no "reunion" plans beyond these tracks, i.e.
no plans for any live shows. But there are more Replacements releases from Rhino to look forward to:

- The Mats box set moves closer to becoming a reality, as opposed to the mythical construct it's been for the past decade or so. Rhino confirms that it IS in the works, albeit in the very early stages and it will not appear until 2007.

- The other Rhino project is remastered versions of the Replacements'
studio albums, my understanding is that this will include all of the albums, as well as bonus tracks. Rhino says it they will "likely" be out by the end of the year.

[AFC Wimbledon Phil]

The Replacements!!!!!!!!!!! One of the best bands ever. When bands like Mega City Four, Senseless Things and Leatherface, who I started going to see around 1991 started namechecking The 'Mats, Husker Du and Bad Brains, that is when I started looking backwards to the aformentioned as well as Social Distortion, X, Concrete Blonde and a host of others.

I saw Paul Westerberg at The Scala in London in 2004 and it was one of the best gigs ever, me being too young to have caught the last incarnation of The 'Mats live in London. Paul invited everyone up on stage towards the end. I hugged the man as he walked off stage, told him I loved him and he said,"Thanks, man!"

If you go to photos on www.paulwesterberg.com and click on Paul in London, you can see my dashing good looks and sartorial elegance (black sleeveless T-shirt).

This excellent news indeed. A reunion in Minneapolis and I will be on the first flight from London, mortgage or no mortgage.