Board footer

Will

 Rep: 227 

Re: The Replacements

Will wrote:

< Tommy Stinson - The Replacements

Discography

"Tommy on the left, Bobby on the right..."

(1981: Tommy, then 15, in the early days of The Mats performing "I Hate Music" and "Stuck In The Middle")

The Replacements were an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979. The band comprised guitarist and vocalist Paul Westerberg, guitarist Bob Stinson, bassist Tommy Stinson, and drummer Chris Mars for most of their career.

This Minneapolis quartet - (also commonly referred to as The 'Mats) - walked that fine line between hellion abandon and somber introspection that, for people like me, represents rock'n'roll at its finest ...this is some of the most overwhelmingly emotional music of its time.

Within their music - the sloppily exuberant post-punk anthems, the irresistible power pop, the heartbreaking ballads - lies youthful passion and boredom.

The Mats began as a punk rock group, but evolved through the years to incorporate other subgenres of rock music, becoming instrumental in the development of early alternative rock. Following the critically acclaimed Let It Be (1984), the band signed to Sire Records, becoming one of the first American underground rock bands to sign to a major record label.

After Bob Stinson was fired from The Replacements in 1986, the band experienced several line-up changes; Slim Dunlap joined as lead guitarist and Chris Mars was replaced by Steve Foley in 1990. Towards the end of their career, Westerberg exerted more control over the band's creative output, recruiting session musicians for recording and writing all the original material. The band disbanded in 1991, with the members soon pursuing various projects. The Replacements never experienced wider commercial success, but have influenced various alternative rock acts, including Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Counting Crows, Ryan Adams and Nirvana.

Unlike many of their underground contemporaries, The Replacements played "heart-on-the-sleeve" rock songs that combined Westerberg's "raw-throated adolescent howl" with self-deprecating lyrics. The Replacements were a notoriously wayward live act.

To be updated shortly - Mats fans feel free to jump in by replying below Can never have enough Mats fans