# Replacements' fans sound off! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 3, 2001, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844 "2001-08-03T22:23:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![socialxray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/35a633/32.png) [@socialxray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/socialxray)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2001, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/1 "2001-08-03T22:23:55Z")
In honour of the new book Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes From the American Indie Underground 1981-1991 and its chapter on the Replacments…a few opinion questions: 1. Fave 'Mats album and why? 2. Fave Bob Stinson guitar solo? 3. Fave Westerberg lyric? 4. (If you know enough to answer) Best post-Replacements solo album? 5. Is it okay that Tommy’s in Guns ‘n’ Roses? 6. The eternal: Bob or Slim? and my answers… 1. It’s hard. _Tim_ has “Left of the Dial,” arguably the 'Mats best song, but I have a soft spot for _Pleased to Meet Me_ and _Let It Be_. Gosh, this is tough. No answer. 😛 2. Unquestionably (with only “Left of the Dial” running close) it’s the solo from “Gimme Noise” on the _Stink_ EP. When Paul screams out, “Hey, brotha get a fuckin’ load of this…” and then Bob tears into it…oh, sweet heaven. 3. “They’ll all give you their word, 'cause that’s all that they won’t keep…” (“Color Me Impressed”) runner up: “I wanna be a dancer, but now I’m on my last leg…” (“Bent out of Shape”) 4. So tough. Both of Tommy’s post-'Mats bands were solid. Paul’s albums (of which his latest, _Suicaine Gratification_ is my fave) are a bit spotty. Overall, I think Slim did the best. Both of his solo albums are winning, endearing and fun. 5. I want to say know…but it’s Tommy and at least he’s rockin’ somewhere. He deserves better though. 6. Tough. Slim was almost like Keith Richards in that foppish way. Bob had better sloppy chops of course. They both rule in their own distinct ways. i’m obviously a geek. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2001, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/2 "2001-08-03T22:27:49Z")
_You ain’t nothin’ but a waitress in the sky_ I get this in my head whenever the flight attendants start actin’ up. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2001, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/3 "2001-08-03T22:51:16Z")
I’m not a huge fan, but Pleased To Meet Me is one of my fave albums. One of those albums where all of the songs are excellent. Skyway’s a great song. And the Ledge and Can’t Hardly Wait. ---
**Author:** ![Rossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@Rossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rossarian)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2001, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/4 "2001-08-03T23:37:25Z")
I’m a fairly new fan, as I’ve just started looking into them after always hearing about how they are an influence of so much that I listen to. I can’t answer most of the questions, all I have so far is _Suicane Gratification_ and some mp3’s. But one of these days I get around to picking up the albums. Never sure which one to get first. But since I can’t do albums, my favorite song is probably _I’ll Be You_. Favorite Lyric - hmmmm…first that comes to mind is “Jesus rides beside me, he never buys any smokes” ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/5 "2001-08-03T23:53:09Z")
Fave album would be a three way tie between Hootenany, Let It Be, and Tim. Fave song would be a four way tie between Left Of The Dial, Answering Machine, Here Comes A Regular, and Will Power. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2001, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/6 "2001-08-03T23:59:00Z")
Guess I should answer the rest of the questions… Fave lyric - “If bein’ afraid is a crime, we hang side by side, at the swingin’ party down the line.” or “A person can work up, a mean, mean thirst, after a hard day of nothin’ much at all.” Fave Bob moment - his Dragnet/freakout on Run It, off of Hootenanny. No idea on post 'Mats LP’s. Bob or Slim? Bob. I always identify with the worlds great wrecks. Good for Tommy on getting the gig. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2001, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/7 "2001-08-04T00:25:49Z")
1. _Pleased to Meet Me_, for all the reasons already stated. Plus, the album was released my freshman year of college, and I have great memories of groovin’ on it at some rocking parties in the dry (snicker) freshman dorms. And I had it on vinyl, too. 2. The little Beatles bits on “Mr. Whirly,” off _Hootenanny_. 3. “I never travel far, without a little Big Star!” 4. Slim’s first album, _The Old New Me_, was good, and I love Paul’s work on the _Singles_ soundtrack, but I’m partial to _Friday Night is Killing Me_, mostly because it has better Rolling Stones songs than the Stones have written in 25 years. 5. Hell, yes. 6. Bob forever. That guy was a rock star. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2001, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/8 "2001-08-04T00:34:30Z")
1. Fave album - “Pleased to Meet Me”. Why? Dunno. I do know it was the first CD I bought of an album I already owned on vinyl. This was about 5 years after my turntable died. 2)Fave Bob solo - (tie)“Gary’s Got A Boner”. So sloppy, but cool. or “Black Diamond” - Vast improvement over the KISS version. 1. Fave Westerberg lyric - (tie) “_I hate music, It’s got too many notes_”(I Hate Music) and “_You’ve got the face that you chose/ Honey, can you spare a nose?_”(Mannequin Shop). I second “_you ain’t nothin’ but a waitress in the sky_” as something that always pops into my head when I fly. 4)I’ve only heard the Perfect stuff and Westerberg’s solo disks. Out of those I’d pick 14 Songs. A friend swears by Chris’ “75% Less Fat”, but I still haven’t heard it. 1. Tommy in GnR. - If it pays the bills, it’s cool. Certainly a better fate than his brother’s. 2. Bob or Slim - A draw. I think Slim was the better guitarist, but Bob had better material to work with. ---
**Author:** ![seriousart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@seriousart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seriousart)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2001, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/9 "2001-08-04T05:38:07Z")
Let It Be is my favorite. Perfect blend of meloncholy and irreverence. (But aren’t they all?) Favorite solo? I dunno. I always dug the guitar work on Tommy Gets his Tonsils Out. Lyric? I always liked “How do you teach a slave of ignorance? How do you teach a whore about romance?” From “Answering Machine”. I too, loved his Singles work. But 14 Songs is great as well. “Waiting For Somebody” has to be my favorite Westerberg solo song, though. More power to Tommy and G N’ R. And here’s a stupid question: Where did the nick name “'Mats” originate? I can see “'Ments”, but 'Mats? I ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2001, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/10 "2001-08-04T05:47:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by seriousart \* > \*\*And here’s a stupid question: Where did the nick name “'Mats” originate? I can see “'Ments”, but 'Mats? > \*\* It is a shortening of “Placemats,” which is obviously a loving mangling of the band’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2001, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/11 "2001-08-04T06:05:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by socialxray \* > \*\*In honour of the new book Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes From the American Indie Underground 1981-1991 and its chapter on the Replacments…a few opinion questions: > > 1. Fave 'Mats album and why? > \*\* “Pleased To Meet Me” is just so solid. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. Fave Bob Stinson guitar solo? > \*\* Here’s a curveball: How about the probing solo from “Johnny’s Gonna Die” off “Sorry, Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash”? \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. Fave Westerberg lyric? > \*\* How can I pick just one? I guess I’ll go with this one, from the excellent B-side, “If Only You Were Lonely”: Well, I ain’t very good But I get practice by myself Forgot my one line So I just said what I felt If only you were lonely, If only you was lonely too, If only you was lonely I’d go home with you \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. (If you know enough to answer) Best post-Replacements solo album? > \*\* “Friday Night Is Killing Me” really impressed me, particularly given Tommy’s scant songwriting contibutions to the 'Mats. “Eventually” is probably the best of Westerberg’s surprisingly spotty solo output. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. Is it okay that Tommy’s in Guns ‘n’ Roses? > \*\* Absolutely. Increases the chance that the Replacements’ name will be mentioned in the mainstream press a hundredfold. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. The eternal: Bob or Slim? > \*\* Gonna have to go with Slim, for the sole reason that I got to meet him before a show during their last tour. He signed my T-shirt, which I adored for many years before misplacing it. ---
**Author:** ![seriousart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@seriousart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seriousart)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2001, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/12 "2001-08-04T06:13:23Z")
Thanks Snooooopy. I had made that assumption, but wasn’t sure And of course I fucked up my favorite quote. Make that “How do you **free** a slave of ignorance? How do you teach a whore about romance?” But to make it up I’ll post another great one: From “Bastards Of Young”: “The ones who love us best Are the ones we’ll lay to rest And visit their graves on holidays at best The ones who love us least Are the ones we’ll die to please If it’s any consolation I don’t begin to understand them” Hopefully, that one’s correct… ---
**Author:** ![chief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@chief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chief)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2001, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/13 "2001-08-05T05:22:48Z")
Tommy is awesome in GNR… i saw them in Vegas and they put on a great, great show!! ---
**Author:** ![socialxray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/35a633/32.png) [@socialxray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/socialxray)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2001, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/14 "2001-08-05T07:00:49Z")
I think one of the coolest things you can do for yourself, is find the 1986 _Tim_ tour bootleg from Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ. It’s one of the most amazing shows I’ve ever heard. They’re not drunk, so they’re incredibly tight and fast as hell. Highlights include: The opening song is a blistering version of “Heyday” a pre-PTMM, with Bob performance of “Can’t Hardly Wait” “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” “Takin’ a Ride” “Otto”(!) “I’m In Trouble” (this version gave me a whole new appreciation for the original) “Left of the Dial” (just brilliant) “Take Me to the Hospital” (undoubtedly the best version of this existing…Tommy’s screaming choruses of ‘HOSPITAL!’ are fantastic) “If Only You Were Lonely” (a full band version) covers of T. Rex’s “Baby Strange” and someone else’s “Hitchin’ a Ride” And the closer? Oh, yeah. “Fuck School.” And many other great songs. Anyone heard this one before? **Snooooopy** said: > [@](#): > > How can I pick just one? I guess I’ll go with this one, from the excellent B-side, “If Only You Were Lonely”: Great song. One of Westerberg’s wittiest, by far. It’s so clever and shining. I think I love “There was liquor on my breath/you were on my mind” even more though. 🙂 > [@](#): > > “Friday Night Is Killing Me” really impressed me, particularly given Tommy’s scant songwriting contibutions to the 'Mats. **pldennison** added earlier: > [@](#): > > I’m partial to Friday Night is Killing Me, mostly because it has better Rolling Stones songs than the Stones have written in 25 years. I went back and listened to _Friday Night Is Killing Me_ today and I’d forgotten what a killer album it is. The title track is right up there with a lot of Replacements’ songs in my book. So’s “Tiny Pieces.” And to **ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness** who had never heard Chris Mars’ stuff, it’s all good. The four albums are pretty consistent, but if I were going to pick one, I’d say the first one, _Horseshoes and Handgrenades_, is your best bet, although I kind of lean towards _Tenterhooks_ as well. ---
**Author:** ![Timchik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@Timchik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timchik)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2001, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/15 "2001-08-05T19:40:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by socialxray \* > \*\*In honour of the new book Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes From the American Indie Underground 1981-1991 and its chapter on the Replacments…a few opinion questions: > > 1. Fave 'Mats album and why? > > 2. Fave Bob Stinson guitar solo? > > 3. Fave Westerberg lyric? > > 4. (If you know enough to answer) Best post-Replacements solo album? > > 5. Is it okay that Tommy’s in Guns ‘n’ Roses? > > 6. The eternal: Bob or Slim? > > \*\* 1. Varies from time to time, but more often than not “Pleased to meet me”. Just one of the greatest albums of all time. 2. Yikes… too many to pick just one. “Are you making a fortune (I don’t know…)?” “playing makeup, wearing guitar,” “…and I used to be nobody.” “something to du” 3. Just know Paul’s stuff, so of those I’d say “14 songs”. 4. He’s WHAT?! OK, whatever pays the bills i guess. 5. With all due respect to Slim, who’s damn good, this is no contest - Bob indeed. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2001, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/16 "2001-08-05T19:49:56Z")
1)Fave album - Tim or Pleased To Meet Me. Both have a nice variety of material and almost no duds. Plus, they remind me of high school - the nostalgia factor. 2)Fave Bob guitar solo - Not much of a solo, but I like the one in “Swingin’ Party”. Captures the mood perfectly, and has that old 50s feel. For the more ripping stuff, pretty much anything off “Sorry Ma…”, and the entire riffs of “Nowhere Is My Home” and “Kids Don’t Follow”. Paul did a decent job with the solos himself on “Pleased To Meet Me”; my favorite is “IOU”. I’m a sucker for those Chuck Berry licks. 3)Man, too many. “Used to live at home, now I stay at the house.” “Ain’t lost yet so I gotta be a winner Bacon and cigarettes A Lousy dinner.” “Well you wish upon a star That turns into a plane.” “Label wants a hit And we don’t give a shit.” “Jesus rides beside me He never buys any smokes.” “Hold my life Until I’m ready to use it Hold my life Because I just might lose it.” “How young are you? How old am I? Let’s count the rings Around my eyes.” “You be me for awhile I’ll be you.” I could go on and on. 4)_14 Songs_ was decent, but I’ll second **pldennison’s** _Friday Night Is Killing Me_. 5)Actually, it really disappointed me. Corporate rock bullshit and all that. But good for him for finally making some money off his talent. 6)Bob. Not even debatable, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/17 "2001-08-06T04:08:36Z")
\*Originally posted by socialxray \* **1) Fave 'Mats album and why?** Let It Be Why? _Unsatisfied, Answering Machine_, every song on it. It’s more solid than their earlier albums, but they lost something when they signed on to a major label, as trite as that may sound nowadays. **2) Fave Bob Stinson guitar solo?** The one where he didn’t walk offstage to get a beer. Ok seriously, the one in _Run It_–white nose, with notes. **3) Fave Westerberg lyric?** All the straight lines… “Look me in the eye and tell me that I’m satisfied. Are you satisfied?” “Yours is the hardest age–everything drags and drags. Think it’s funny, well you ain’t laughin’, are you?” **4) (If you know enough to answer) Best post-Replacements solo album?** Dunno. **5) Is it okay that Tommy’s in Guns ‘n’ Roses?** Isn’t this what the Replacements were all about? There should be a Replacement playing in Kiss, except that they aren’t exactly on top 40 radio anymore… **6) The eternal: Bob or Slim?** Slim who? [Aging punk/hipster mode] Man, I remember seeing them before anyone knew who they were! They played Fitzgerald’s in Houston, opening for a local blues band, and played parts of about three songs, then asked what the audience wanted to hear. A friend, pissed that they were screwing off on stage, said “How about something from the Replacements?” They broke into _Unsatisfied_, and we were all blown away. [/aging punk/hipster mode] i’m obviously a geek. \*\* [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![socialxray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/35a633/32.png) [@socialxray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/socialxray)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/18 "2001-08-06T04:42:34Z")
**Cornflakes** said: > [@](#): > > 1. The eternal: Bob or Slim? > Slim who? Man, I hope you’re being sarcastic. If you are…shit. I love Slim. 🙂 He’s just _too_ nice of a guy to not like in any way, shape or form. If you’re not being sarcastic… Slim Dunlap. He was the 'Mats second lead guitarist. He took Bob’s place, starting with the PTMM tour and then his first album with them was \*Don’t Tell a Soul \*. Which by the way is a damn underrated album. It takes a lot of slack…but jesus. “Anywhere’s Better Than Here.” There’s a live version of it out there somewhere where the crowd screams a long. And it’s just mesmerizing. Of course, the 'Mats made anything good live. I used to abhor _All Shook Down_ until I got a bootleg copy of their final show. Those songs live were a totally different animal. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/19 "2001-08-06T05:54:38Z")
Yeah, **socialxray** , I know who Slim is, and I shouldn’t have been that harsh. I was really disappointed with Pleased to Meet Me and didn’t listen to the Replacements very much after that. In any case, I remember the band with Bob–no offense to Slim. ---
**Author:** ![Tit\_Whistle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@Tit\_Whistle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tit_Whistle)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacements-fans-sound-off/74844/20 "2001-08-06T14:31:44Z")
1. Pleased To Meet Me 2. Color Me Impressed 3. “Twenty push-ups this morning, that was half my goal Tonight I’ll be doin’ pull-ups on the toliet bowl” 4. Tenterhooks by Chris Mars. Most Mats fans hate this album but I think it’s brilliant. I still listen to it at least once a week. 5. Sure, why not? 6. Both Tit Whistle (who never got the see the Mats live :()