The Strib: Westerberg & Stinson together again

Chris Rimenschnieder has an itty bitty piece on the Strib’s site about talking to Tommy Stinson on the phone about the recent reissues. He says that Tommy’s been noodling around with Our Man Paul and Michael Bland! Yowza.

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Some things to get you pumped about tomorrow’s reissues

First of all, the Newsday story that features this gem:

So will the college-rock standbys reunite, perhaps?

“I think we still exist in some sort of fragmented form,” Westerberg says. “It’s just a question of whether he and I can ever get together again … that’s how close we are, I can’t even mention his — name.”

Typical Westerberg. He’s talking about his longtime bassist and foil, Tommy Stinson. “One day Tommy wants to sue me, the next he wants to jam. I think he’s in the jamming mood this week, but by the time he gets here we might just meet and fight.”

And then there are Bill Holdship’s liner notes for the reissued Pleased to Meet Me, which got the ax because they wanted different writers for each CD’s notes and they were gonna use Holdship for Don’t Tell a Soul.

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Video Tuesday — Bash & Pop on Letterman

Offered without comment because it’s not even seven in the morning.

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One more chance to get it all wrong, or maybe get it half right?

This thread startin’ business is all complicated & shit…

Everybody read the Spin article, right?  All of a sudden Tommy has done a 180, & it seems the fabled reunion isn’t so much a fairy tale but a possibility.

I would never fault anyone for a pay check.  & If it happens, I’ll go, probably on more than one occasion.  Still, I can’t help being turned off by the idea.  The Mats have been many things over the years, but an oldies act sure-as-shit ain’t one of ‘em.

& I’m sorry, fuck precedence, it’s just not the Mats without Christopher Mars behind the kit.  If the man don’t wanna play, the man don’t wanna play.

However, if Paul & Tommy went into the studio/basement together & cut a new record…Then decided to tour in support…Now, that’s something I could get behind.  I could care less what the called themselves. Y’know they’re gonna bust out all the oldies, but the new material changes everything.

Even more than that, between Paul & Tommy, I think there’s real potential for a fantastic album.  & I  would love to hear it.

Curious about everyone’s opinion in regards to a Mats reunion.  & Let’s hear a little noise regarding a Paul & Tommy record.

Side Note:  Lately whenever there are rumors of a  Mats reunion, the Pixies are inevitably mentioned.  I just watched “Loud, Quiet, Loud” & the Pixies are the most un-fun band in the world.   Sesh, what’s the fucking point?

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In the blogs: Later than usual because I am still reading the liner notes edition

In the Blogs
There’s still time to vote in this round of ‘Mats Madness!

Ross Raihala over at the PiPress not only has a chance for you to win all four of the ‘Mats reissues, but he also gives you a rundown on the backstory of each album, key tracks, liner notes, and bonus material.

Readers of The Walrus are pointing out what they forgot when compiling some of the Saddest music ever and mention Here Comes a Regular.

The Billboard Q&A with Paul and with Tommy has stirred up the ‘Mats reunion rumors everyone is weighing in:
Paste (who also review the reissues)
Filter
Chromewaves
Rollng Stone
Idolator

The release of the reissues causes Kevin Cole of KEXP to reminisce about his time in Minnesota and discovering the ‘Mats.

Dave Foley of News Radio and Kids in the Hall talks about his Westerberg Fandom in the StarTrib.

Popmatters reviews the new reissues.

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Video Tuesday — One for the Tommy lovers

Offered without comment because I need to go take a shower.

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Video Tuesday — Tommy & Paul ‘120 Minutes’ Interview

It surprises me how cavalierly they handle the departure of Chris Mars.

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In the Blogs: Choosing the Stones & the ‘Mats, more on Sound Opinions, and Bash and Pop

In the Blogs

Writer Alex V. Cook talks about how when given the option he’d much rather listen to The Stones and The Replacements.

WXPN the Public Radio station out of the University of Pennslyvania is counting down the 885 most memorable musical moments and has The Replacements signing to a major label at 446.

Minneapolis Fucking Rocks offers a breakdown of Sound Opinion’s dissection of “Let it Be” (editor’s note: I can’t remember which one it was, but one of them claimed it was bacon and cigarettes, clearly his ears are broken).

Speaking of which, if you haven’t checked out the Sound Opinion’s featuring Jim Walsh dissecting “Let it Be” with Greg Kot and Jim Derogatis, you can check it out here.

James over at Pop Headwound offers up some opinions on the post-’Mats career of Tommy Stinson and Paul Westerberg and talks about how he liked Bash and Pop’s “Friday Night is Killing Me” more than “14 Songs.” Interesting. He also offers up a few downloads for those who haven’t gotten Tommy’s solo stuff.

Also, make sure you vote in the latest Poll. I am most impressed with myself that I fixed it.

Musicotica offers up some Paul Westerberg tracks from a 1996 radio appearance (I am not sure where or what radio station).

Also, I almost forgot, the David Bowie blog is now the BFF of this, the Paul Westerberg blog.

Previously on In the Blogs.

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