I posted this on mygnr too.
I don't think this means Tommy is out, but it is exciting for Replacements fans!
Pic:
http://blogs.citypages.com/jwalsh/2006/03/mats_06.aspPhoto stirs Replacements reunion rumors
BY ROSS RAIHALA
Pioneer Press
A mysterious photo circulating on the Internet has sparked rumors that the Replacements have reunited to record new material.
The picture, which was posted Monday on the gossip site Buddyhead.com, shows Replacements drummer Chris Mars, bassist Tommy Stinson and vocalist/guitarist Paul Westerberg posing in a recording studio with session drummer Josh Freese. By mid-day Tuesday, it had been removed from Buddyhead.com as well as from a Westerberg fan site.
Westerberg's manager, Darren Hill, said an official statement would follow soon, possibly today, and added, "There is a lot of misinformation going around."
Fans on the Web have speculated what the photo could mean, suggesting the group ? which disbanded in 1991 ? might be recording songs for an upcoming Replacements box set. Some have wondered if the whole thing is an early April Fool's Day gag.
Jeff White, a publicist for Rhino Records, echoed Hill's sentiment about the rumors: "The Web is the bane of my existence."
He did confirm a single-disc Replacements compilation that spans the band's career is tentatively due out in late June. Remastered versions of the Replacements' studio albums ? including fan favorites "Let it Be," "Tim" and "Pleased to Meet Me" ? would likely follow by the end of the year.
"There is a box set in the works," White said, "but it's probably a year off. It's way too early to say what (it will contain)."
White said he was aware of the photo and confirmed band members were in the studio together, but he did not know any further details.
In a recent podcast available for download from Rhino's Web site, Stinson said band members have been sorting through the vaults as well as looking at televised Replacements performances from "Saturday Night Live" and European TV for possible inclusion in the box set.
Stinson also discussed his work with Westerberg on the soundtrack for the upcoming animated film "Open Season," which in turn led to Stinson landing his own film deal, writing music for "Catch and Release," a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Garner that's due next year.
Pop Music Critic Ross Raihala can be reached at
rraihala@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5553.
Read more about the local music scene on his blog, "The Ross Who Knew Too Much," at
www.twincities.com.
The Replacements were one of Minneapolis' most celebrated underground bands of the '80s and released several albums for the local Twin/Tone label before signing a deal with Sire Records.
Original guitarist Bob Stinson died in 1995, while his replacement Slim Dunlap continues to perform live around the Twin Cities. Tommy Stinson, Westerberg and Mars each pursued solo careers, although in recent years Mars has concentrated on his work as a painter. Tommy Stinson is also a member of Guns 'N Roses and has performed live with Soul Asylum in place of the late bassist Karl Mueller.
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