Replacements to reunite in Chicago?

The Replacements’ legendarily calamitous decade-long run ended July 4, 1991, at an unceremonious outdoor gig in Chicago. Could that also be where and how remaining members Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson go about playing their first-ever reunion gig in 2013?

There are currently strong hints of a ‘Mats reunion blowing out of the Windy City centered around Riot Fest, and they’re blowing harder following this cryptic tweet sent out this afternoon — but deleted a couple hours later — via the @RiotFest account:

“holy. [expletive]. We’re getting the band back together. #riotfest”

There are other indicators that make the Chicago rumors more believable, including the fact that — by all accounts — Westerberg and Stinson both had a blast making the “Songs for Slim” tribute EP for former bandmate Slim Dunlap late last year, and it’s still a good/necessary cause for them to promote with a gig. Original drummer Chris Mars also gave a song for the EP but has always talked as if he’s permanently out of the band.

Scheduled Sept. 13-15 in Chicago’s Humboldt Park, Riot Fest has been advertising a mystery slot since its lineup was issued a month ago (“?????” on the posters). Internet and social media chatter predictably pointed to the Replacements, among others. Unpredictably, though, reliable sources are not ruling out the rumors that it’s them.

via vita.mn, image via last.fm

gay90s:

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firstavenuempls:

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Big In Minnesota

Why has the Twin Cities become the biggest market for Dawes, Brandi Carlile, Eric Hutchinson and JD McPherson?

Outsiders have an impression of the Twin Cities as some kind of magical music mecca.

Wes Kidd, who manages McPherson, the Old 97’s and Minneapolis’ own Soul Asylum, thinks the Twin Cities breaks new artists because the market has “two of the more fiercely independent vehicles for exposure — the Current and First Avenue. They’re entrenched and trusted.”

“You’re freakish in a good way,” said manager Kidd, referring to the likes of Hüsker Dü, Prince, Bob Dylan, Atmosphere and Dessa — and the long winters, too. “There’s a different edge to the town.”

McPherson grew up loving the Replacements, seduced by the photo on the cover of their “Let It Be” album.

“Minneapolis has a strong history of nurturing and producing great bands that aren’t on people’s radar,” he said. “How many cool underground bands came from Minneapolis? I have a romanticized view of the city, like when English bands go to Graceland and Stax Museum when they’re in Memphis. Minneapolis is cool. Minneapolis has cool shops. At First Avenue, you feel the presence of Prince. That’s a huge deal.

“Minneapolis feels like a city where people are into music. They buy records. They have excellent taste. Minneapolis has a singular vibe to it.”

via StarTribune

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