Sums up The Mats quite nicely.

Paul gets more recognition being primary songwriter but for what its worth the Stinson bros owned Sorry Ma, Stink and Hootenanny.

Started of with punk ("Sorry Ma, Forgot..." and "Stink") whilst everything post-Stink were rock.

I'd say they were influential. Plenty of bands have given kudos (and still do) to the Mats. To name a few Green Day, Counting Crows, Ryan Adams, even Cobain himself apparently

Without a doubt. No further comment.

I'll gladly backup all of madagas's praise for the Mats.

Whether Mats should reunite is difficult to call. As Paul said, don't want to ruin the legend status they carry.

L-R: Paul Westerberg, Bob Stinson, Chris Mars, Tommy Stinson

Remastered 'Mats -- a vein to be mined

"Next Tuesday, Rhino Records will release The Replacements' first four Twin/Tone Records releases '” "Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash," "The Replacements Stink" EP, "Hootenanny," and "Let It Be" (the band's final four discs will hit stores in September). These are the remastered beauties that Replacements followers have been waiting for since the band stopped in 1991: Painstakingly and lovingly assembled and produced by the band's original producer and manager (and Twin/Tone co-founder) Peter Jesperson, the original recordings are augmented by 27 previously unreleased tracks and tons of photos and memorabilia that flesh out yet again what many have called the best band of the '80s."

Continued here

Gonna cost an arm and a leg to buy the collection of re-issues, throw in another £20 for beer, £25 for hash, and we have one kickass weekend planned Planning to have a listening party with a mate, we've spent days dissecting the Mats catalog before so should be awesome.

Axl, Duff and Adler headers available from ur profiles now

Bumblefoot skin has also been springcleaned a little