Epic. It’s a word that gets tossed around a lot, to the point that it loses it’s meaning. But I think the use is appropriate here—in reference to the above clips from the April 10 Portland show. I’ll save the analysis for the music critics….
Thank God (or the Devil) for the Blues—that primordial ooze which eventually morphed into rock ’n roll. The essence of all popular music. Do you ever get the blues?
John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Howlin’ Wolf, Big Mama Thorton…I love it all. Especially when it makes me feel worse than I already do. You just go down…
I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a case of Post–’Mats Show Blues. It happens every time I’ve seen ‘em. You replay the show in your mind, over and over. You wish you were onto the next show. Which I guess is why sharing the above video feels so good. We can keep it going.
“You’ll get the blues all night,” Paul threatened after the above number, which we‘ll call “Whole Foods Blues” for now. Later, he grabbed a harmonica and just riffed away. One fan then called out to Tommy for “Little Village,” a 15-minute-plus recording by Sonny Boy Williamson the ’Mats made WXRT-Chicago (93.1FM) DJ Johnny Mars (or was it Frank E. Lee?) play during a 1987 interview. Fortunately (or unfortunately) that cover didn’t happen live.
There were other musical interludes during the Portland show—a few riffs off Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” some T. Rex, but the ’Mats’ version of the blues always gets me. “Don’t start me talkin,’ I’ll tell everything I know.”
Now if only they played a Stones cover, maybe my mood would be a little less dark today? Nah!
It took a good day to recover and post this little retrospective of The Replacements’ show at the Crystal on Friday. I hope you enjoy it…
Simply put—pure fucking joy.
Thanks to the kindness of friends, we were able to get in a bit earlier. Turns out we ended up right in front. Didn’t expect that. The stage was much smaller than I remember. In fact, it was probably the most intimate-feeling show I’ve seen at this venue. Possible reason—I didn’t drink during the show. As it was an all ages show, the Crystal separated the drinkers from the kids. At other shows like Dinosaur Jr. or Archers of Loaf, I ended up at least 20-30 feet away, behind the “beer barrier.” Sober at a Mats show? Well, kinda…and it was worth it!
The Young Fresh Fellows kicked off the antics and didn’t disappoint. I especially liked their cover of Slim Dunlap’s “Loud Loud Loud Loud Guitars.” Their drummer Tad Hutchison is phenomenal! In fact, the whole band was just plain tight! Watch an Instagram video of YFF tearing it up before The ’Mats.
Post YFF, the antsy crowd was kept slightly at bay with Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and other classics on the overheads. Mayhem quickly ensued however, as the lights dimmed and “Surfin’ Bird” by The Trashmen started blasting. Paul comes running out, does a little chicken dance lap around the stage, followed by his mates. You can watch that footage now, if you wish.
They launched straight in with “Takin’ A Ride,” followed by “Favorite Thing”. I don’t have footage of that because I screamed along to the entire song and ruined the audio. However, you can watch a bit of “I Will Dare.” More video highlights to come!
The crowd could not get enough, even after the first encore. I threw a bunch of old used 45s, including Les Paul, Paul Anka, The Partridge Family ( among others, they were supposed to be a gift!) onto the stage, just before Tommy followed the rest of the band offstage. He looked at me, then walked up to the records and just started breaking them and crushing them with his hands. All I could do was laugh.
The band came out for one more, “I.O.U.” off Pleased to Meet Me. Pure rock ’n roll. What a way to end a show!
Does anyone else out there have post-show depression? I miss The ’Mats already. Maybe I should just hit the road and follow ’em? “In my waxed up hair and my painted shoes…” Sigh. I mean, Tommy still owes me $1 for all those records!
Holy crap! The mind reels. Ears still ringing.
As it’s always best to start at the beginning, Nightclub Jitters gives you…
No Paul, thank YOU and the band for coming!
More clips from The Replacements live at the Crystal Ballroom coming soon. Stay tuned.
My first ever concert. My first real ticket stub. Note one of the sponsors: Coca-Cola!
A 15-year-old girl wrote this, can’t you tell?
A full deck of playing cards fell like snow. Loose change—pennies mostly—rained down on the ground. I dove for the cards. A friend skinned her knee on the pavement, grasping for what looked like a suitcase key.
The ’Mats were up on high—leaning out of the Aragon Ballroom’s dressing room window after their ’89 Don’t Tell A Soul show in Chicago, dumping the contents of their pockets onto their faithful fans. There was beer, too.
What a great way to end my first live show—waving up to my musical heroes. This was rock ’n roll. I was 15. I was in love.
My dad had dropped me and my best friend off at the venue earlier that night (how punk rock is that?). I remember being embarrassed at this and rushing inside. The room looked huge to our young, innocent eyes. We picked GA seats (folding chairs) within the first ten rows. These chairs would later be kicked over and abandoned by a wild, drunken crowd.
As I was in a Beatles-fangirl-like frenzy, I don’t remember much about their set, though maybe midway through, Paul left the stage. Fans and bandmates were confused. A spotlight then pops on, and Paul is up in one of the empty boxes next to the stage. They played Nightclub Jitters (I think? Or maybe it was Within Your Reach?). Whatever song it was, it was perfect. Paul’s voice was tender and moving.
I hafta laugh now at my fondest memories captured on the above note card, especially, “the old ladies next to us.” Ha! They were probably in their 30s! God, I’m old now…wish I’d written more about the show on that damn card. My memory no longer serves me well.
So yeah, that’s how my obsession with The Replacements started.
Now where did I put my ticket for tonight’s SOLD OUT show?
“The night life critters: ‘What’s the cover? Where should we park?’”
Teaser clip video released just before they launched their 2013 fest tour. What’s your favorite song by The ’Mats? It’s not easy to choose, is it? There are so many good ones. A great piece just came out from The Guardian, part of their “10…
In fact, some would say the party’s just beginning…bring your own lampshade to Friday’s show in Portland!
So, I got the above record after a screening of the film “Color Me Obsessed” a while back (thank you Jackpot Records). It’s so f’in great, I don’t even know where to begin. The only other ’Mats I have on vinyl is Tim (from my father-in-law, more on that in another post) and the Songs for Slim LP. The rest of the ’ole collection is on cassette and yes, they still work!
Why is this record so special? Evidently, it was limited to a pressing of 400, and features outtakes from their early recordings (duh!). This one is on blue vinyl, but I’ve seen it online in red/hot pink too. Why you need this record:
Arguably the best track on the damn thing is “If You Get Married,” mainly ’cuz you can’t find that song anywhere else. It’s tender, poignant and still has balls. Also, I AM a girl, and love it when Paul wears his heart on his sleeve. But I digress.
Please note: this album was not produced by ALEX CHILTON.
The ’Mats play Portland this Friday, April 10 at the Crystal Ballroom. Does it get any better than that?
Well, yeah… we here at Nightclub Jitters just learned over the weekend that the Young Fresh Fellows (YFF) will open The ’Mats Seattle and Portland gigs!
YFF’s ramshackle live shows remain legendary — kinda like some other band we know (when they weren’t falling over drunk). Click the above link to see a live YFF performance at the Pine Street Theatre in Portland from 1991, courtesy of Bohemia Afterdark. Sorry, when you click the link you’ll have to watch it directly on YouTube.
Paul Westerberg on YFF; “If you think we’re good, then they’re the best band in the world. They’re like the new NRBQ only sloppier.”
YFF’s first album was aptly named, “The Fabulous Sounds of the Pacific Northwest: A Tonic of Tones to Pipe the Visitors Abroad.” It’s full of power-pop genius. However, their most well-known tune is probably “Amy Grant,” a tongue-in-cheek jam off 1987’s “Men Who Love Music”, poking fun at the Christian music artist.
“Among those inspired locally were the Young Fresh Fellows. The two groups became kindred spirits, toured together, and Replacements singer Paul Westerberg promoted the Fellows to the press more than his own group. The Fellows returned the favor, playing Westerberg’s wedding,” according to a recent story in the The Seattle Times by Charles R. Cross.
Read the latest: YFF’s take on opening for this week’s shows.
Get ready for a wild ride!
Yeah, so we’re one week away folks. The Replacements play Portland’s Crystal Ballroom Friday, April 10. I can’t hardly wait.
I’m pretty sure the last show The ’Mats played was Austin City Limits in October 2014. Paul wore overalls and frequently played while laying down on a hammock (click on the above link if you haven’t already). The band was tight, just as they have been since kicking off their reunion tour over a year ago.
Some ’Mats fans still doth protest these reunion tours. “It’s not The ’Mats, Bob’s gone,” they’ll say, or “They’re just in it for the money, fuck this reunion shit.” When I first heard they were doing a festival circuit back in 2013, I kinda had the same reaction. I was really skeptical—most reunion tours suck, frankly. Also, my affection for festivals began and ended after the first Lollapalooza. So, I held out hope for a ’Mats US tour of small clubs.
Then I watched the festival mayhem unfold online. Holy crap, did I miss out!
It began with Riotfest! in Toronto and ended at the aforementioned ACL Fest. What a run! I mean Jesus, did they play a shitty show? You tell me—I wasn’t there. Heck, I even watched them play Jimmy Fallon online (I’d share that clip but NBC has removed it).
Why are they so good (again)? Some idears:
Here’s another clip, going waaayyyy back (not) Riot Fest! Chicago (and yeah, that’s J Mascis from Dinosaur Jr. lurking on the side):
So, who’s excited about Friday, April 10 in Portland? That would be me.
“Can’t hardly wait, I can’t wait!”
Have you seen Color Me Obsessed? Well, if you haven’t: Stop what you’re doing! Read this post. Click the link at story end. The 2011 documentary by Gorman Bechard is a “different sort of rockumentary.” There’s really no music in it, and no, it doesn’t…
NIGHTCLUB JITTERS 