NYT bestselling author, 'Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements.' 2X Grammy winner (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Dead Man's Pop). Music Critic, Gannett.
Serious question
@LakerFilmRoom
: has there ever been a year like this where none of the major NBA award winners — MVP, DPOY, 6th Man, COY & EOY — made it past the 2nd round?!
Syl Sylvain, 1951-2021. The heart of the New York Dolls, responsible for the best of David Jo's solo material, and his own records were unfailingly soulful. Truth and Soul-that was the name of Syl’s fashion line and an apt description of his music too. Sleep well, baby doll.
Robert Neil “Bob” Stinson. Born Dec. 17, 1959 in Waconia, Minnesota. Lead guitarist and co-founder of The Replacements. Would have been 60 years old today. He died Feb. 18, 1995. His music lives forever.
"I'm a crotchety old man, and yet I'm still a young kid who wants to kick up his heels and smash a guitar. It's been that way from the beginning. I felt old when I was young, and I feel young now that I'm old."-Paul Westerberg, born 12/31/59. Happy 63rd to the eternal Grandpaboy
Keanu Reeves - who starred in the film 'The Replacements,' as well as a movie called 'Feeling Minnesota,' whose soundtrack featured The Replacements - has read and (apparently) enjoyed my book on The Replacements, 'Trouble Boys.' From the new Keanu cover story in Esquire.
As the late great Jim Dickinson once noted, "Many things in life are disappointing; Bob Dylan is not one of them." Stunning show in Tucson on night two of the 2022 Never Ending Tour. Charley Drayton totally killed & Bob's voice was the best I've heard in 30 years. A masterpiece.
The Replacements' "Tim" came out 38 years ago today. With the "TIM: LET IT BLEED" editon, out Friday, you will hear it anew. "It's barely an exaggeration to say that Stasium’s mix is like hearing Tim for the first time. It is quite literally revelatory."
Sad news from Soulsville: Jim Stewart has died at the age of 92. A country fiddler, he opened the door to a soul revolution when he launched what would become Stax Records in 1957. A look back at Stewart's life and remarkable legacy.
R.I.P. Walter Lure. A rock legend, a criminally underrated songwriter, a fantastic guitarist & a generous soul. He lived a remarkable life - from punk junkie to Wall Street executive - which he recounted brilliantly in his recent memoir, “To Hell and Back.” L.A.M.F, Waldo.
Somehow won my 2nd Grammy for Best Album Notes, for the deluxe edition of Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, which also got the prize for Best Historical Album. Thx to fellow Grammy winners/producers Cheryl Pawelski & Jeff Tweedy for the opportunity to be part of this amazing package!
"When I listen to those first few [Replacements] records, I hear myself and that guy is closer to being born than I am to this age right now. I can’t do that anymore. Because I'm not that kid anymore. But I’m proud of when it was in me.'" - Paul Westerberg, 59 years young today.
Paul Westerberg: singer, songwriter, rocker, rebel & co-founder of The Replacements. Born 60 years ago on a frigid night in MPLS, during the final hours of the '50s. Been giving the world the business ever since. Here’s young Paul with his ma Mary Lou from
Bit late on this, but happy birthday to Paul Harold Westerberg, 61 years young today. Like his boy Sinatra, PW is a singer, a swinger, and a coo-coo crazy cat. Pic by Steve Linsenmayer.
Lucinda Williams' new album, Stories From A Rock N Roll Heart, has a song about Bob Stinson called "Hum's Liquor." Written w/her husband Tom Overby & feat. Tommy Stinson on vocals, it was insipired in part by my Replacements bio, Trouble Boys. A very moving tribute to the man.
Sad news from Memphis: Howard Grimes-who played on the earliest Stax hits & was a member of the famed Hi Rhythm section, providing the backbeat for Al Green, Ann Peebles and more-has died at 80. A look back at his remarkable life and seven-decade career:
Wrong - but since you think that's some big insult, FYI the Replacements loved Georgia Satellites, were good friends with 'em, covered their songs live & when asked if anyone could measure up to Bob Stinson as a guitarist Westerberg said the only guy was the Sat's Rick Richards.
'Tis release day for The Replacements' TIM: LET IT BLEED EDITION. I'm in Los Angeles at the moment, so it seems fitting I should quote William Mulholland as well as Paul Westerberg when I say, "There it is. Take it (it's yours)."
It appears the greatest chronicler of the Hollywood demimonde, the brilliant Eve Babitz, has passed (per her cousin Laurie Pepper over on FB). R.I.P. to the absolute best.
“Bob Dylan said when he first heard my voice he thought I’d swallowed a jew’s-harp.” Recently had the pleasure of spending time with one of America’s great treasures, John Prine. The story-feat. a cameo by Margo Price-is in the current issue of MOJO, w/Joy Division on the cover.
Finally saw the HBO doc 'Arthur Miller: Writer.' Was reminded of an interview I did with Winona Ryder for my Replacements bio Trouble Boys. She recalled working with Miller on The Crucible & playing him a buncha songs off Tim. Miller was like ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO WESTERBERG!
In Dec. 1984 the Replacements first shared a bill with Alex Chilton at CBGB. Next day Chilton met up with Paul Westerberg & ‘Mats manager Pete Jesperson (see his handwritten note w/details). From “Trouble Boys,” on the summit that inspired the song “Alex Chilton.” Happy 70th, AC.
Here it is!!! The Replacements box we've been working on: a deluxe edition of ‘Pleased to Meet Me’-55 tracks feat. unreleased songs, demos, outtakes & more. Out 10/9, but you can preview six revelatory rough mixes now & pre-order limited-edition bundles at
Tommy Ramone produced one of the greatest records ever made in Tim. For various reasons that record got a little lost in the mix. It happens. But thanks to The Replacements & Rhino we have the opportuity to revist the mix & expand the album. This should be cause for celebration!
You insist this is somehow "unnecessary." But the '85 mix has always been considered deeply flawed by the band & fans. The new Let It Bleed mix is a sonic revelation & the full realization of The Replacements' greatest songs & performances. What could be more necessary than that?
Little backstory about Left of the Dial: Although it was on Tim, the song wasn't done during the album sessions, but earlier at a Jan '85 recording date with Alex Chilton producing. Remarkably-apart from some backing vocal bits-LOD was cut completely live
34 years ago, the Replacements signed to Sire & Warner Bros. Just as they inked the deal they played a chaotic gig in Warner's homebase of LA. Here's an internal WB report on the gig & more from my book "Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements."
This is The Replacements project I'm proudest of. A truly incredible cache of unreleased material: an alt LP, a full live album from '81, the band's earliest recordings, Paul's home demos + unseen pics, new liners. Out today at retail, streaming & direct w/bonuses
@Rhino_Records
If I do nothing else with my life, least I can say I got the words "The Replacements" engraved onto an actual Grammy. If you haven't checked out "Dead Man's Pop" yet, please do me (and yourself) a favor, it's a remarkable set.
"You gotta meet these guys," Mike Campbell says. "They're great. They were telling me how much they like your new song 'Running Down the Drain.'" Tom Petty is pleased to meet Paul Westerberg & Tommy Stinson on tour, summer 1989. Photo by the great Aaron Rapoport of Rolling Stone.
Happy 52nd b-day to Thomas Eugene Stinson: co-founder of The Replacements, leader of Bash & Pop, longtime Guns N’ Roses member. Photo circa 1979, when the ‘Mats first formed. From “Trouble Boys,” here’s Paul Westerberg’s memory of meeting 12 year-old Tommy
Robert Neil Stinson. Born 12/17/59. Replacements founder, guitarist extraordinaire: “I ended up sounding like Johnny Winter but I like to put a Steve Howe lick in. Really, I sound like me. I like the guitar. When I'm in a certain mood I can pick it up and it sounds like me."
The Replacements' TIM: LET IT BLEED is out tomorrow. But tonite you can watch this mini doc on Ed Stasium's incredible remix of the record. HEADS UP!!!! This little film won't be up long so check it out while you can (like now!)
Latest MOJO has an 8-page feature I wrote on one of my all-time faves, Mr. Warren Zevon. I dig into WZ’s fascinating life and times w/Jackson Browne, Waddy Wachtel & more. Plus, a look at the Zevonaissance with Taylor from Dawes & Adam from The War on Drugs. MOJO 346 is out now!
We worked long and hard on this. There's a lot that could be said, but I'll leave it at this: The Replacements box set is finally out and you will love it all-the new mix, the rarities, the concert, the whole package. Now please buy the damn thing so we can go make another.
DEAD MAN'S POP is available now on 4CD/1LP! Featuring the unheard version of 'Don’t Tell A Soul'; the unreleased Bearsville & Tom Waits sessions; plus 'The Complete Inconcerated Live' of the 1989 "Don't Tell A Soul" tour with previously unreleased tracks.
Happy birthday to Paul Harold Westerberg - born 58 years ago on a particularly frigid New Year’s Eve in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Replacements co-founder, revered solo artist, *the* singer-songwriter of his generation.
R.I.P. to the great Nanci Griffith. Interestingly, she had a big influence on Paul Westerberg, who listened to her a lot around the writing of the Replacements' All Shook Down. He later gave her this song to record, but it never happened. Wish she had.
We made a cool little "Behind the Album" documentary on The Replacements' TIM: LET IT BLEED EDITION (out tomorrow)! Had a chance to sit with Ed Stasium and go through the original multi-tracks & his incredible remix. Full video here:
Was watching
@edgarwright
's “Baby Driver" and noticed a funny connection to The Replacements' "Bastards of Young" video. Turns out the cinematographer on "Baby Driver" was Bill Pope -- who was also the DP and co-director of the "Bastards" clip. More here:
Tom, I'm sorry to drop this news via Twitter, but we've already secured a committment from DJ Khaled for the re-re-mix of Tim. But keep your fingers crossed, next year is the 40th anniversary of Let It Be, and we may decide to enlist you for your services on that one. Namaste 👏
I am excited to announce that I will be re-remixing The Replacements TIM.
The re-remix adds a non-stop airhorn running through all the tracks, as well as some strategically placed "Yeah Baby!"s
Happy birthday Alex Chilton. This is one of my fave LX moments. End of the first Big Star reunion gig in '93. Band has run out of songs they know, so Alex whips up an impromptu "Duke of Earl." Sharp, messy, brilliant, soulful. Just like the man.
My latest for The New York Times, on the life & music of Kirsty MacColl and a new boxed set of her work, “See That Girl: 1979-2000.” Spoke with Johnny Marr, Billy Bragg, Steve Lillywhite, Tracey Ullman & Spider Stacy about this remarkable woman and artist:
The Replacements' Tim came out 36 years ago. Fun fact: Robert Longo's cover for the LP is dominated by the upside-down image of Bob Stinson’s face, inspired by a shot in Coppola's Apocalypse Now. Coppola was influenced by similar moments in a couple Orson Welles pics like Othello
My guy, Ed Stasium is best known for producing The Ramones, Talking Heads, Motorhead and the Smithereens etc. Also, he was Tommy Ramone's production partner. And he was originally supposed to co-produce Tim in the first place. Respectfully, what you're saying is total bullshit.
RIP Bob Neuwirth: singer, songwriter, painter, instigator, roller of thunder, whispering in Dylan's ear as he shook the world. "Like Kerouac had immortalized Neal Cassady in On the Road, somebody should have immortalized Neuwirth. He was that kind of character."-Dylan, Chronicles
In most cases, there's nothing new on the remixed tracks, it's just that you can finally HEAR what was always there (which is kinda the point). Take the backing vocals on Waitress- they're on the '85 mix, but are so lost amid the digital reverb & mono aesthetic they go unnoticed
More I listen, more backing vocals I notice! Backing vocals are fun, chaotic and fill out sound!
Early thoughts about remastered Tim: 2. Where were all these backing vocals before? They often add a great deal of atmosphere & texture to songs even when parts are giddy and goofy.
Fat Possum has just put up the full Memphis '69 concert doc, which captures the 1969 Memphis Country Blues Festival. Remarkable color footage & sound of Mississippi Fred McDowell, Bukka White, Sleepy John Estes, John Fahey, Rufus Thomas, Johnny Winter, and on and on. Incredible.
Rolling Stone has just published
@robsheff
's fascinating deep dive into The Replacements TIM: LET IT BLEED EDITION. Flattered that the piece refers to me as "legendary"-though I am immediately reminded of Little Enos Burdette's words in Smokey & The Bandit
“I just gave him a bass amp and guitar and away we went.” Happy birthday to the late great Bob Stinson – guitarist, co-founder, big brother, and heart & soul of The Replacements – born Dec. 17, 1959. (Interview by Steve Birmingham, 1994).
Let me encourage all Replacements fans to read this genuinely insightful piece from
@useful_noise
via an absolutely vital Minnesota publication you should support,
@RacketMN
Damn. The one and only Roy Loney - co-founder of The Flamin Groovies, leader of The Phantom Movers, the Teenage Monster himself - has died at the age of 73. The sad news confirmed by legendary photographer Robert Bayley. Maybe the most underrated true blue rocker ever. R.I.P.
Incredibly honored to have received my second GRAMMY nomination today! First one for The Replacements and now Wilco-two bands that have meant a lot to me over the years. If you haven't gotten the deluxe Yankee Hotel Foxtrot yet, put it on your x-mas list. It's truly an epic set.
"Every second comes alive in a space that is, finally, room enough to breathe and shimmer. The ‘Mats’ beloved fourth album is no longer plagued by cloudy gloss or instrumentation dimmed in post; it’s the masterpiece it should have always been."
In January 1972 came the album that defined Al Green's unique mix of sex and spirituality, plus the sophisticated sound of producer Willie Mitchell and the Hi Rhythm Section. Fifty years on, I look back at the making of 'Let's Stay Together' in the new issue of
@MOJOmagazine
Bonnie Raitt will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys on Sunday. I had the distinct pleasure of talking to Ms. Raitt about her remarkable life, career, and new album, "Just Like That" (out 4/22) for MOJO magazine's latest issue:
R.I.P. John King. Co-founder of Ardent Records & a brilliant promo man from Memphis music's golden era, he helped build the legend of Big Star (coming up with the idea for the 1973 Rock Writers Convention). Here's a look at his colorful life and legacy.
Can finally say my Replacements bio, Trouble Boys, is "doctor-approved." Guess I shouldn’t be too surprised the great Dr. Demento is a ‘Mats fan, as he's a Twin Cities native. Thx to
@drdemento
,
@johncafiero
& the fine folks
@amoebamusic
for the love in latest “What’s In My Bag?”
Warner Bros. Records just left its longtime Burbank offices. Found this in the WBR archive while researching - lyrics to “Bastards of Young” (corrected by Paul Westerberg) so the producers of “SNL” could clear them. Full story here:
You insist this is somehow "unnecessary." But the '85 mix has always been considered deeply flawed by the band & fans. The new Let It Bleed mix is a sonic revelation & the full realization of The Replacements' greatest songs & performances. What could be more necessary than that?
True story: Last night in Memphis, we were awoken by the sound of errant gunshots. Police surrounded a house across the street. Would’ve been terrifying-but the suspect’s name was Steven & the police negotiator kept coming on a loudspeaker saying: “Steven, can you hear me?” 😂
While I may have differences of opinion with
@Steven_Hyden
about music sometimes, I never EVER question his literary judgement. He is pretty much infallible in that regard. No notes.
In the middle of re-reading this classic by my pal
@BobMehr
via the audiobook (read brilliantly by Paul's sister Mary Lucia) and I'm convinced that it's probably the best rock book of the 21st century so far.
The philosophy behind Dead Man's Pop and Tim: Let It Bleed is exactly the same. To allow people to hear the record the band intended to make and actually recorded, but which was subsequently lost in the mix.
A nice recognition for me, but more importantly for
@TheReplacements
& 30 years after their first Grammy nom! Thx to
@Rhino_Records
& all the producers/engineers: Jason Jones, Matt Wallace, Tony Berg, Brian Kehew, Justin Perkins. If you haven't yet, do check out Dead Man's Pop!
When I interviewed Ry Cooder for MOJO a few years ago I asked him about this performance and he told a funny story about Dylan dropping by his house and confounding his neighbors.
Woody Guthrie was born OTD in 1912. In 2009, Bob Dylan covered Guthrie's song "Do Re Mi," along with Ry Cooder & Van Dyke Parks, for a documentary titled The People Speak. Check it out, if you missed it. One of the cooler things Dylan's done this century.
The Replacements are releasing a new box set, DEAD MAN’S POP. I'm fortunate to have co-produced & written liners for the project. There’s a funny bit of backstory as to how the set came about-which, like the band, started in a basement in South Minneapolis
People DO NOT sleep on this new boxed set remixing & expanding The Replacements' 1985 classic 'Tim.' If you buy 'Tim: Let It Bleed Edition' directly from Rhino, you'll also get a killer Chilton sesh single & can order some fine merch (while supplies last!)
Happy 67th birthday to a true prince among men, Robert "Slim" Dunlap. Do yourself a favor and pick up Slim's beautiful solo LPs, "The New Old Me," & "Times Like These" (available as a two-fer on vinyl). Here's an outtake from “Trouble Boys” about Slim
If you’re a Replacements fan or a music fan in general, I highly recommend checking out the new Rhino Podcast we recorded featuring Tommy Stinson discussing Dead Man’s Pop and the ‘Mats career. One of the more honest and reflective interviews I’ve ever heard Tommy give.
Tommy Stinson joins the
@Rhino_Records
Podcast for a free-wheeling conversation about DEAD MAN’S POP, the DON’T TELL A SOUL sessions and much more. Listen here:
FYI, the Tim box offers best of all worlds presenting the most accurate sounding version of the orig. '85 Ramone mix too. Most fans been listening to a hollow digital master from '87 or the ‘08 remaster which boosted bass but lost all dynamics. New OG Tim remaster remedies that.
It's official and confirmed: Jerry Lee Lewis has died at the age of 87. The Sun Records star, Rock 'n' Roll and Country Music Hall of Famer passed at his home in Desoto County, Miss. My obit on The Killer here:
Even with totally minor/momentary fame there come certain slings and arrows--like the YouTube comments under my Grammy acceptance speech. I've always considered myself more of a Dollar Tree DeNiro, but I'll take this as long as
@MarkRuffalo
is cool with it.
Back in ‘99 there was a brief, shining moment when I really believed Ocasek was gonna take my guys to the promised land of arena stardom. Didn’t quite work out that way, but I still have a soft spot for this record and his production.
Recently had the pleasure of speaking with 94 year-old Annye C. Anderson, author of "Brother Robert: Growing Up with Robert Johnson." It's a remarkable first-hand account of the legendary bluesman, offering a new perspective on his life and legacy.
Went down a Bob Odenkirk rabbit hole ahead of BCS season 6 & found this, where he talks about The Replacements & Trouble Boys. Besides a nice ego boost pour moi, the chat is fascinating for his take on the existential angst among Midwesterners in show biz:
Was lucky enough to interview the late great Mike Nesmith for MOJO a few years back and asked about his relationship with Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart. His insistence on referring to the latter as "Beef" (repeatedly) was just one of many highlights of an amazing conversation
Thirty years ago this week, The Replacements opened an arena gig for Keith Richards in New Jersey. You can read about this memorable show in "Trouble Boys" (). Here's Keef talking bout the 'Mats: "Good rock 'n' rollers should learn how to fall over onstage"
Shout out to Littlefinger from Game of Thrones -- aka the fine Irish actor Aidan Gillen -- who is a fan of The Replacements and my biography of the band, Trouble Boys. He gave it a very nice plug in a recent interview with Hot Press.
Had the honor of writing the liner notes to the 20th anniversary deluxe edition of Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" - which appears in a gorgeous hardbound book. I do not say this lightly, but this whole thing is truly an all-time great mind-blowing box set. Availble now! Dig it!
The special 20th-anniversary editions of
@wilco
’s 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'—including the 11-LP Super Deluxe version with 82 previously unreleased tracks—are out now!
You can get them at
Humbling/surreal to see Rhino take out a full-page “For Your Grammy Consideration” ad in Billboard for The Replacements! I’m up for Best Album Notes for Dead Man’s Pop. Feels like the longest of shots-but in the wise words of Mr. Westerberg, I ain't lost yet so I must be a winner
Honored to have penned liner notes for Green Day’s 30th anniversary "Dookie" reissue, based on new interviews w/Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, & Tre Cool. Out on 9/29 as a 6-LP/4-CD set filled w/home demos, studio rarities, concerts & more. Order now at
USA Today/The Asbury Park Press have put together a really nice video feature on THE REPLACEMENTS' TIM: LET IT BLEED EDITION, incl. previews of some of the tracks, plus interviews with myself and Ed Stasium. You can find the whole thing here: