Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Think your boss is nutty?
You've got nothing on Tommy Stinson's woes

By Matt McGuire



There's no shortage of manic frontmen in rock 'n' roll. Just ask Tommy Stinson, who's played bass behind two of the most infamous: The Replacements' Paul Westerberg and Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose.

Stinson was 24 years old when The Replacements called it quits on stage during the 1991 Taste of Chicago's concert finale; 11 years later he played Allstate Arena with a patchwork version of Guns N' Roses during it's disastrous "Chinese Democracy" tour, which ended when Clear Channel pulled the plug after Rose didn't show up for concerts in Vancouver and Philadelphia.

Now Stinson is 38 and touring behind his first solo album, "Village Gorilla Head," a collection of jangly pop tunes that wouldn't sound entirely out of place on a late-era Replacements album.

Who's harder to work with: Axl or Paul?

Paul, without a doubt.

Axl seems pretty nuts. I think a lot of folks would be surprised to hear you say Paul.

Yeah, I probably would have too a few years ago. But after working with him, I've found that he's a pro and he's got a good head on his shoulders -- Axl that is, not the other one.

Think [the long-awaited Guns N' Roses album] "Chinese Democracy" will ever see the light of day?

The record is definitely coming out soon -- sooner than later, in fact. But I couldn't tell you what day, because I'm not in the loop at the moment.

What would you say if your 14-year-old daughter decided follow in your footsteps by joining a band of hoodlums and touring the country in a crappy van?

I'd say, "Tear it up." In fact, I think she's well on her way. She's started writing songs with Garage Band [recording program] on her Apple computer.

I heard that when The Replacements used to play Metro in the '80s you'd have to sneak into the gigs because of your age.

O'Bannon's was the most troublesome place [to get in]; that was the first place we played in Chicago. But yeah, there might have been some sneaking around at the Metro too. I think [club owner] Joe Shanahan probably had to hook me up at some point.

Does watching the success of the Pixies reunion tour make you think, "The Replacements could do this"?

Not really. They sold a lot more records and were a lot bigger band then we were. And what works for other people wouldn't necessarily work for Paul and I.

Matt McGuire is the metromix music producer.

Originally published Sept. 1, 2004.

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/music/mmx-040901-musicstinson,0,3835641.story?coll=mmx-music_top_heds




/jarmo

so I guess now 'soon' is in fact the word  :hihi:

"The record is definitely coming out soon -- sooner than later, in fact. But I couldn't tell you what day, because I'm not in the loop at the moment."

--Sounds reassuring :P

Sounds awsome..Sooner then later :peace:

heard it all before. would be nice tho.

wow that article is from the future

Haha.? Thanks for posting this article, Jarmo.? I love the title especially!? Will be seeing Tommy in less than a week so yeah... definitely looking forward to hearing his solo stuff... yeah I know, I should really go out and buy the album sometime before than, but hey, I already got "Bash n Pop" so I consider myself somewhat prepared.?

Didnt Tommy say once he hates tattoos except for Axl's? Im not sure i would believe everything he said about how easy it is to work for him.

This guy will say anything to make us happy, which is good to an extent.  Sooner than later.  Don't know exactly when.  Like I said it will come out when Axl is done and we forget about him trying to please us.  He's doing this for himself not us. 

What? Tattoos? Can't remember Tommy saying that...  ???
I don't like the "sooner than later" thing. I heard it all before.  :-\

Yeah, it looks like the most accurate prediction is still Axl at the 2002 VMAs..."I don't know if 'soon' is the word."

Right you are again, Axl.

tomy has a 14 year old daughter? i didn't know that. is he married?
and i guess soon is now the word... 'bout time  : ok:

I  think everyone in the band is married cept Axl.

brain isn't i think,,, and who would know about mother goose?  :hihi:

Does Robin Finck have a wife? And Pittman? I'd be very surprised.  ???

Robin's wife is named Bianca, if I remember correctly.
Tommy is not married, but he has a daughter, Ruby, from a previous marriage.
Richard's girlfriend is Jennifer Teichman.

Tommy on tattoos (Kerrang!):
"Except Axl's, his ink all has meaning to it. You have to remember that in LA, especially Hollywood, every man or everyone who has picked up a guitar has stopped off to get a tattoo first. My friend calls them 'the Everlasting Job Stopper'. I have never been tempted, I like the fact that I have virgin skin. I don't understand why people all get the same tattoo; why would you want to be one of nine million people with the same tattoo? It's tolerable if there's no flames, no eightballs, no dice."

Tommy on the whole nutty-boss thing (First published: Thursday, August 21, 2003 www.timesunion.com ):
He'll take Rose over control-freak Westerberg

Having played lengthy stints with both Paul Westerberg and Axl Rose, bassist Tommy Stinson is in a unique position to answer the burning question: In the Battle of the Rock Star Egos, who is a better band boss to work for, Paul or Axl?

"Well, Axl is definitely a better person to work for. He doesn't really act much like a boss, however. He's more of a bandmate, making it a we're-all-in-this-together kind of situation.

"Whereas Paul was definitely more single-minded. (Laughs.) Paul's got a bigger ego than anyone I've ever worked with. And he's more self-conscious than anyone I've ever known.

"Axl is definitely way more of a collaborator than Paul will ever be," Stinson says of his current employer. "With Axl, I feel like I'm actually part of a band. We're all writing these songs, and we're all playing them. I just feel more a part of it.

"Axl checks his ego at the door. He comes in and he gets involved, you know? That's a way better vibe to make music with."