REAL GONE GOES OUT: The Replacements, Roundhouse, London 2/6/15

The Replacements broke up in 1991.  During their lifetime, they became one of the world’s greatest cult bands, gaining a legion of loyal fans, the actor Matt Dillon among them.  Following the split, bassist Tommy Stinson embarked on an interesting career, as frontman of his own bands Bash & Pop (whose sole album ‘Friday Night Is Killing Me’ an essential listen for ‘Mats devotees), and Perfect, maker of solo records and as a touring member of Soul Asylum.  Rather unbelievably, he’s also been a member of Guns N’ Roses – an odd move, certainly, but one Stinson has previously claimed pays well.  Guitarist/vocalist Paul Westerberg released a string of excellent solo recordings, some of a rather lo-fi persuasion, but always showing the songwriter’s gift for a lyric.  In a move that pretty much no fans ever expected, Westerberg and Stinson reunited in 2012 as The Replacements, played their own live shows and appeared at festivals across the US.

In 2015, the even more unexpected occurred when The ’Mats announced gigs in the UK.  For some fans this would be a great opportunity for revisiting their youth, but for many – and certainly for a huge part of the audience present at The Roundhouse on June 2nd – their first live experience of the band. A proper bucket list job.

Continue reading

The REAL GONE 2012 Advent Calendar

With all of the in-depth reviews and other stuff on Real Gone, since it’s nearly Christmas, it’s time for a bit of fun.

Every day between the 1st and 24th of December, a new link will be posted here containing a clip. It may music, maybe not; it may be a classic you’ve seen a thousand times, it may be something you’ve never seen…it may not even be an official clip.

It’s just a handy way of rounding up a few of Real Gone’s favourites in a quick and unoriginal fashion. After the calendar is completed on Christmas Eve, the links will stay up for those who missed out.

…Will Bruce Springsteen will be bellowing festively somewhere?

DEC 01 DEC 02 DEC 03 DEC 04 DEC 05 DEC 06 DEC 07 DEC 08
DEC 09 DEC 10 DEC 11 DEC 12 DEC 13 DEC 14 DEC 15 DEC 16
DEC 17 DEC 18 DEC 19 DEC 20 DEC 21 DEC 22 DEC 23 DEC 24

The Replacements’ Paul Westerberg & Tommy Stinson reunite to record new EP

Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson have reunited to record four new songs.

The former members of legendary punk/alt-rock band The Replacements last worked together on two new songs for the Replacements retrospective ‘Don’t You Know Who I Think I Was?’ in 2006. As with the previous reunion, drummer Chris Mars did not want to take part in this new project.

The four new songs will form a strictly limited 10″ vinyl EP, with a run of just 250 copies worldwide. Those copies will be auctioned to raise money for former Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap who suffered a stroke earlier this year.

Songs featured on the EP are a cover of Dunlap’s own ‘Busted Up’ (featured on his solo album ‘The Old New Me’), the Hank Williams tune ‘Lost Highway’, Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘I’m Not Sayin’ and from the Broadway musical “Gypsy”, comes ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’.

Westerberg’s last solo release comprised a two song download ‘3oclockreep’ in 2008, but has not released a new full length album since ‘Folker’ in 2004.

Stinson’s last solo album ‘One Man Mustiny’ was released in 2011. Read a review here.