My, what a busy weekend! On Record Store Day (RSD), we saw the release of two ’Mats-related records and on Sunday, the good people of Denver got one big dose of thunder from the ’Mats at the Fillmore.

The Replacements’ RSD release is a reissue of a four-song 1987 EP, featuring “Alex Chilton,” “Nightclub Jitters” and two B-sides. For the first time ever on vinyl, we can also enjoy Slim Dunlap’s first two albums: “The Old New Me” and “Times Like This.”

I’d already heard all the songs on the Mats’ EP, but it’s a great addition to any vinyl collection (gotta love the cover image). If nothing else, it will remind you what a fucking rocker “Alex Chilton” really is. And “Nightclub Jitters,” well, is always a gem.

The Dunlap RSD release though, is really something special.

Bob “Slim” Dunlap joined The Replacements in 1987 as lead guitarist. I’ll admit as a 15-year-old girl seeing them live for the first time in ’89, I knew nothing of his work—I just loved The Replacements. But I was instantly intrigued by this “slim” dude who seemed to effortlessly play anything and everything. He was laid-back and loose. He reminded me of a younger Keith Richards (I was raised on the Stones).

A Minneapolis rock legend, Dunlap was handpicked by Paul Westerberg for his solid, versatile playing. He’s been dubbed, “one of the last old-school cool guitar players,” according to PopMatters. One listen and I think you’ll agree. Standout tracks on “The Old New Me” include heartbreakers like “Taken on the Chin” and “Love Lost.” On “Times Like This,” Slim takes us back home on “Hate This Town.” Flip the record and the guitar tone on “Cooler Then” is just devastating, the lyrics too.

I really can’t say anything else other than, order the Dunlap reissue now. Kudos to New West Records! All proceeds from the reissue go to the Slim Dunlap Fund.

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Also, this happened over the weekend:

What the folks in Denver are saying about the recent Fillmore show:

The Replacements at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver (photos, review)