The Replacements to reunite; listen to/download a show they played at the Chestnut Cabaret in 1987
The Replacements are playing their first shows in 22 years (they played their last show on July 4, 1991) at Riot Fest in Toronto, Chicago and Denver. When they first started, the Minnesota rockers included Paul Westerberg, Tommy Stinson, Bob Stinson (RIP), and Chris Mars. When Stinson passed away he was replaced by Slim Dunlap. A number of the band’s releases including Hootenany (1983), Let It Be (1984), Tim (1985), and Please To Meet Me (1987) were some of the most influential recordings to come out of the post-punk era and “golden” days of indie-rock. Westerberg and Tommy Stinson (who also plays in, yes – Guns N’ Roses), reunited to record an EP of cover songs this year to raise money for Slim Dunlap who had a stroke. The ‘Mats were notorious for their drunken, riotous, sometimes brilliant and often maddeningly horrible live shows, which just added to the band’s allure and mythology. Being a huge fan of the band, I saw them several times in Philly; December 1984 at Ripley’s on South Street, in ’86 I saw them in Houston Hall at the University of Pennsylvania and at the Chestnut Cabaret in July 1987. Below, listen to a portion of the Cabaret show. You can also download it here. Let’s cross our fingers; maybe we can get the ‘Mats back here in Philly.
Here’s the set list from the show.
01. Hold My Life
02. Favorite Thing
03. Waitress In The Sky
04. I’m In Trouble
05. I.O.U.
06. Never Mind
07. Sixteen Blue
08. Can’t Hardly Wait
09. I Will Dare
10. September Gurls (Big Star)
11. Swingin Party
12. Nightclub Jitters
13. Sweet Home Chicago (Robert Johnson)
14. Within Your Reach
15. The Ledge
16. Little Mascara
17. Alex Chilton / Easier Said Than Done (The Essex)
18. I Don’t Know
19. Bastards Of Young
20. Unsatisfied