mats interview
December 19, 2006 6:11 AM   Subscribe

 
Wait! Don't post! You have a faulty O-ring!
posted by srboisvert at 6:18 AM on December 19, 2006


*salaams*

The. Greatest. Band. Of. The. 1980's. Period.

Also, Westerberg is proof that drugs and alcohol are good for songwriting and sobriety is not.

God, I miss those fuckers. (and yes, they are more proof of my "pink=embracing your own mediocrity" theory)
posted by jonmc at 6:30 AM on December 19, 2006


"punk=embracing your own mediocrity" See, I misspelled it and I'm ok with that, cos it's mediocre. I don't know what pink equals.
posted by jonmc at 6:31 AM on December 19, 2006


"pink=embracing your own mediocrity
posted by No Mutant Enemy at 6:40 AM on December 19, 2006


Which one's Pink?
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 6:43 AM on December 19, 2006


Is it just me or is there some really f'd up stuff going on with the top banner ad on that page? If I click anywhere on the page, from about the middle of the clip and up, it seems that it's a link area for the ad.


What the heck?

(haven't watched the clip yet because I'm mystified by this).
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 6:52 AM on December 19, 2006


Hmm, nevermind. It seems only to have been happening with a banner ad for "Sabon" - whatever that is. At first it was only refreshing to that, and now other, normal ads are coming in. I noticed it when I tried to click the "more" link in the description.
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 6:54 AM on December 19, 2006


Look me in the eye
And tell me that I'm satisfied.
posted by Haruspex at 6:58 AM on December 19, 2006


Everybody gotta go
Otto Otto
Everybody gotta go
Otto Toe!
posted by jonmc at 7:00 AM on December 19, 2006


Bastards of Young, still the best thing ever on mtv. Won't wreck your attention span either.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 7:03 AM on December 19, 2006


I think they'd get my vote for most overhyped band of the 80s. They were always recommended to me and their music consistently bores the shit out of me.
posted by dobbs at 7:03 AM on December 19, 2006 [3 favorites]


ah, Dave Matthews Syndrome.
posted by dreamsign at 7:06 AM on December 19, 2006


dobbs: really? why? what's so off putting about them to you?

I can see not loving them as much as I do, since they might not speak to you as directly, but I figured at worst, they'd be considered a good sloppy bar band.

I'm honestly curious.

dreamsign: compare the 'Mats to Dave Matthews Band again and I will rip off your head and pull out your soul.
posted by jonmc at 7:10 AM on December 19, 2006


There was a chunk of time during the '80's where the only bands that could cheer me up were the Replacements and the Cramps. Thanks for this, vronsky.
posted by maryh at 7:13 AM on December 19, 2006


I was comparing fans, or rather brands of fandom, not bands.

But now that you mention it...
posted by dreamsign at 7:17 AM on December 19, 2006


*scowls*
posted by jonmc at 7:19 AM on December 19, 2006


If you were in Eurasia, jon, you could've said pank and gotten away with it. I personally thought Government Issue, DRUNK INJUNS, SUB/HU/MANS and heck, the Dickies were cooler, but I'm often anti-social like that.
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:20 AM on December 19, 2006


jon, they just leave no impression at all. I've listened to them hundreds of times as friends throughout the 80s and 90s were always fans and I've worked in a few record stores where they often got play but I just find them boring.

They're not alone in that regard. There are many bands that I've heard tons about (from people whose opinions I otherwise respect), and try as I might, they simply do not leave any impression.

Another big one is the Go Betweens. Though I think they're *terrific* songwriters, their own music doesn't register with me. I do enjoy the covers people do of them, though, and I do own 3 of their records. Apology Accepted is probably my favorite song by a band I really don't like all that much. Another band I got sick of having recommended to me and which left no impression was Fishbone. They'd be the most overhyped band of the 90s, I think. Though I gotta admit I never saw them play, which is the part that was always hyped to me.

I think a lot of it has to do with when people heard the band. I don't think this is the case for you, but most of the people I know who like the Replacements count them among the first bands they really heard that sort of rescued them from the radio. They figured if music "like that" was being made, the radio would have been playing it. When they heard it, it was sort of a revelation. For me, that band was probably Husker Du. I don't listen to them much nowadays, but I'll always love them for that.
posted by dobbs at 7:22 AM on December 19, 2006


The Dickies rock.
posted by jonmc at 7:23 AM on December 19, 2006 [1 favorite]


Oh, yeah - Angry Samoans. Can't forget them.
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:23 AM on December 19, 2006


dobbs: I can see that, carry on. (I was just worried that you hated them or something, which I couldn't fathom).
posted by jonmc at 7:24 AM on December 19, 2006


The 'Mats were never cool. But they cared.

Or so it seemed to a highly disaffected — if inevitably naive — teenager.
posted by Haruspex at 7:29 AM on December 19, 2006


If being afraid's a crime, we hang side by side.
posted by hovercraft at 7:35 AM on December 19, 2006


I seem to recall them playing a lot of proms around here when I was a kid.
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:37 AM on December 19, 2006


Really? I hope they put towels down on the stage. Bobby Stinson probably spent a lot of time spiking the punch.
posted by jonmc at 7:39 AM on December 19, 2006


Maybe it was the Urban Guerrillas. Actually, come to think of it, pretty much everybody except Prince played at proms during the early 80s. There was good money in proms. Prince probably would have played proms as well, but he had a lot of success early on. As I hear it, all the critics loved him in New York.
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:44 AM on December 19, 2006


I can see the ship's full of holes
Even though
With a heave and a ho
We'll raise the sails
Rent a penthouse but sleep on a bench
Crescent wrench
Take a shovel and a wrench
To this jail

I didn't deserve it
To feel so disconcerted
I didn't deserve it at all

Sun beats down, neck turns red
In a toolshed, piss in the dirt
Cut it on my arm
Well it hurt and bled
posted by vronsky at 7:51 AM on December 19, 2006


I've got nothing against The Replacements, but I agree with dobbs – they bored me back then, they bore me now. There are quite a few 80s bands (both mainstream and "underground") who I think were better.

They were better than most of the shit-pop on the radio, I'll give them that.
posted by D.C. at 7:57 AM on December 19, 2006


It's been a while since I've considered my teenage crush on Paul Westerberg . . .

And watching this, I think I still have a teenage crush on Paul Westerberg, despite being a ways from teenager and despite the fact that I'm far from convinced by his solo output.

Nice interview.
posted by thivaia at 7:59 AM on December 19, 2006


I'll throw my lot in with jonmc, even the way over-produced Don't Tell A Soul I still find endearing. Something about Westerberg's lyrics, I don't know they managed to be so clever without being irritating...
posted by Heminator at 8:24 AM on December 19, 2006


Saw them at CBGBs back in the day, and they didn't make it past the minute mark in any song before someone decided to start over or play a different song. It was a pretty entertaining and good natured experience.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:49 AM on December 19, 2006


(Another vote for "bored senseless by this forgettable, bland band, and doesn't see what the big deal is")
posted by interrobang at 8:58 AM on December 19, 2006 [1 favorite]


Forgettable music -- I have nothing against it but I can't see what people see in them. Nothing wrong with it per se but like a lot of perfectly competent bands like Pearl Jam it just doesn't do anything for me.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 9:01 AM on December 19, 2006


i-bang: they kind of appeal to strange demographic. If I were to try and show an older guy who was into say, the Stones or the Faces that there was good new music being made in the 1980's, I'd use the Replacements as an example.

They kind of fall under the doofy-but-sensitive, crude-but-tuneful, we're-a-bunch-of-drunk-fuckups-and-so-are-you-but-it's-ok rubric as the Ramones and the Dictators, et al.
posted by jonmc at 9:04 AM on December 19, 2006


like a lot of perfectly competent bands like Pearl Jam it just doesn't do anything for me.

Westerberg just polished off that bottle of Mad Dog he started this morning.
posted by hovercraft at 9:14 AM on December 19, 2006


...I guess I should have said, "Way to go, you just made Westerberg start drinking again."
posted by hovercraft at 9:16 AM on December 19, 2006 [1 favorite]


I saw Westerberg live last year. He was drinking through the whole show. and playing quite well.
posted by jonmc at 9:18 AM on December 19, 2006


"but like a lot of perfectly competent bands like Pearl Jam it just doesn't do anything for me"

yeah, pretentious douchebags like Pearl jam would shave their eyebrows - please.
posted by vronsky at 9:22 AM on December 19, 2006


jonmc: your "Pink" slip was likely due to the band not having their eyebrows.
posted by dammitjim at 9:31 AM on December 19, 2006


for some reason, i thought watching this interview would explain why both of my sons shaved all or most of their eyebrows off the week before they graduated from elementary school (end of 5th grade here). Was it some sort of Westerbergian influence? Did their actions somehow presage the indie-punk fervor that followed the 'mats?

Perhaps I'll never know. The younger of the two sons learned, though, that one of the reasons we have for eyebrows is to keep the eyelid from sunburn. Early June is not a good time to shave one's 'brows, apparently.

The older, klangklangston, being first, was tentative, shaving only half of each brow, giving him a perpetually amazed/inquisitive look--at least for a few weeks.

connection to the Replacements? still unclear. but as someone not supposed to be in their demographic, i have always thought that they crafted five or six truly great pop songs, which is a mark of near-greatness in rock, imo.
posted by beelzbubba at 9:32 AM on December 19, 2006 [1 favorite]


i have always thought that they crafted five or six truly great pop songs

"five or six?" "pop?"

They were a rock and roll band. And there's at least 16 of their songs that qualify as rock and roll classics: "Bastards Of Young," "Achin' To Be" "I Will Dare" "Answering Machine" "Color Me Impressed" "Otto" "Can't Hardly Wait" "Alex Chilton" "My Little Problem" "Little Mascara" "Here Comes A Regular" (a band in a punk bar in Vegas played a thrashed up cover of this as their encore the night before my wedding. I considered it a sign from God), "Unsatisfied" "Favorite Thing" "Customer" "Johnny's Gonna Die" "Shiftless When Idle"...and that's just off the top of my head.
posted by jonmc at 9:43 AM on December 19, 2006


I think they'd get my vote for most overhyped band of the 80s.

I think they got over-hyped AFTER the 1980's. In the early to mid eighties they were still kind of a back-alley secret in most places.

"Let it Be" was a pretty great album. After that, eh, yeah. Not so great. Although I sometimes wake up with "Skyway" in my head. But seeing them live was great. I have to admit.

I was a college radio DJ in 1983. I used to go into Spokane with the Music Director of the station to scour the discard bin's at all the commercial stations. The Top Forty stations got all the major and indie distributed free albums. But they, of course, played shit and most of that stuff gathered dust in the goodie closets (ask somebody in radio what THAT is - "I HEART Payolla"). It was funny that the staff of the Top 40 radio stations had the same bad taste that they played.

An aside. I find all these retro 1980's movies and TV shows play music from the 1980's that 99% of the population never listened to - The Smiths, The Cure, The Clash. Most people listened to SHIT music in the 1980's. Shit like The Hooters, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, Ratt, & Poison. You were LUCKY if you got hear Springsteen or Dire Straights.

Anyway. So you could find real gems in the discard. They thought they were being real "street" by giving them to us College Radio guys. If a tune hit college charts then MAYBE they would "discover" it a year or two later. Like they did with U2.

We came across "Hootenanny" but never played it.

Then the next year at a music expedition to Seattle at Cellophane Square we ran into Scott McCaughy of the YFF (who used to practice at a friends house back in the day) and he gave me "Let It Be." He raved about it. We played that thing to death. But the band STILL never really caught on from our radio station.

But all hear about now is how popular the Replacements were?
posted by tkchrist at 10:01 AM on December 19, 2006


Skyway is excellent, but then I guess if I say that, I expose myself as a part-time fan.
posted by johnny novak at 10:05 AM on December 19, 2006


Did they shave their eyebrows, or just never have strong ones. Because I was disapointed the link didn't have active eye-brow shaving in it.

I once shaved my eyebrows, but only half. I was a huge Star Trek fan.
posted by jb at 10:12 AM on December 19, 2006


The Replacements are one of those bands that would be OK except for their fans. If you don't think they're the greatest band in the word, they make it their mission to turn you into a fan. Hey, I heard all those songs the last time I told somebody they're just OK and it didn't change my mind that time either.
posted by InfidelZombie at 10:12 AM on December 19, 2006


We're only trying to save you, InfidelZombie.

(hey, evangelical fans are way better than let's-keep-it-a-secret-club type of fans, IMHO)
posted by jonmc at 10:14 AM on December 19, 2006


I firmly believe that the entire point of the universe was to produce a planet which would eventually sustain life, which would advance to the point of creating art and music. The collected gene pool of this advanced species would eventually yield a group of indivuduals who, influenced by the entirety of the universe that came before them, would perform and record "Alex Chilton."

Whenever people ask me what my religion is, this is what I tell them.

Dobbs, isn't it a weird feeling when you just don't give a shit about something that's obviously important to a whole lot of people who otherwise share your tastes? I feel the same way about Rocky Horror and about 85 percent of Monty Python.
posted by hifiparasol at 10:18 AM on December 19, 2006


hifiparasol: the said planet also produced alcohol, a crucial ingredient in the creation of the Replacements.
posted by jonmc at 10:35 AM on December 19, 2006


I'll agree with you there Jon. It drives me crazy when people only seem to like a band if no one else has heard of it.

But at some point they need to learn to take no for an answer. My friend Mike takes up this quest about every 4 or 5 years to no avail. On the other hand, I'm sure I've driven some people like hifiparasol crazy with Monty Python sketches in my time, so I guess it all balances out in the end. It's all good as long as we don't run out of beer...
posted by InfidelZombie at 10:39 AM on December 19, 2006


But at some point they need to learn to take no for an answer.

Sure, if after five years strapped in a chair listening to "Color Me Impressed" on an endless loop dosen't bring them around, I usually let them go.
posted by jonmc at 10:42 AM on December 19, 2006


the said planet also produced alcohol, a crucial ingredient in the creation of the Replacements.

And the theory I describe. And most religions, I'm guessing.
posted by hifiparasol at 10:53 AM on December 19, 2006


evangelical fans are way better than let's-keep-it-a-secret-club type of fans

I've never in my life met one of these people, only people like yourself who insist they exist. In reality, everyone I know who's been labeled one of these people (myself included) goes far far out of their way to share the music they love with other people. Hardly in line with keeping it a secret.
posted by dobbs at 11:18 AM on December 19, 2006


I've never in my life met one of these people, only people like yourself who insist they exist.

It seems like this is probably a matter of perspective, in which case I wish I could see things from your perspective. Maybe I need to be more open-minded or something, but it really seems like pop culture in general and the Web specifically are lousy with the kinds of fans jonmc describes.
posted by hifiparasol at 11:34 AM on December 19, 2006


Is it wrong that every time I listen to "Here Comes a Regular" I think of jonmc?
posted by eyeballkid at 11:44 AM on December 19, 2006 [2 favorites]


hifiparasol, I dunno, I just don't see it. I mean unless you're talking about 15 year olds who talk about the latest boy/girl band now which is "just, way too popular now". You honestly know adult people with musical taste you respect who say things like "Now that they're popular, they suck"? I don't.

In the past, I've said things like, "Not gonna go see [whoever] now as they're playing at [large club I hate]." That has nothing to do with their popularity, though, I just hate the club. I don't care if Roger Miller comes back to life and plays there. I hate paying $25 to see a band in a large venue. I can see people taking this as "Dobbs thinks they suck because too many people want to see them." That's not what I mean, however.

Same with, "Oh, I used to like Modest Mouse before the new record." It's not because the new record is popular. It's because they switched drummers and, to me, Modest Mouse always hinged on the drumming and the singer's intonation. Once the substandard drumming came in, I didn't care anymore. However, that's quite possibly the reason they became popular--the sound is much more run of the mill and radio friendly. But the band's popularity is irrelevant. They were never 'my secret'. Last I heard the old drummer returned. If that's the case, and he's on the next record, I'll buy it. If it doesn't sell well and they tour and play a club that isn't crazy large, I'll gladly go see them play.

Personally, I would love if my favorite bands sold millions of records and U2, Nickelback, and Springsteen were little-known. Unfortunately, that's not the world we live in.
posted by dobbs at 11:51 AM on December 19, 2006


Is it wrong that every time I listen to "Here Comes a Regular" I think of jonmc?

*sniff*

No, I am honored.


Dobbs, I'm not accusing you, but I've seen waaay too much backlash over bands getting popular to buy that such people 'don't exist.' They do. They're generally insecure and not worth putting any stock in, but they're out there.


Personally, I would love if my favorite bands sold millions of records and U2, Nickelback, and Springsteen were little-known. Unfortunately, that's not the world we live in.[emphasis mine]

Are you trying to make me mad??
posted by jonmc at 12:03 PM on December 19, 2006


However, that's quite possibly the reason they became popular--the sound is much more run of the mill and radio friendly.

Just look at the subtext of that sentence: "Run of the mill" and "radio friendly" all by themselves imply that something potentially popular is de facto bad. I just never saw it that way.
posted by jonmc at 12:06 PM on December 19, 2006


You honestly know adult people with musical taste you respect who say things like "Now that they're popular, they suck"?

I'm thinking of one guy in particular here who I know now, but I've known several throughout the course of my adult life, particularly in college and in grad school.

And it's not so much the way you describe it as it is a sort of overall clubbishness about music tastes in general. Like, the fact that I still like R.E.M. post-Document precludes me from really understanding their earlier albums, or the fact that I listen to R&B makes it impossible for me to enjoy something like The Magnetic Fields. I've honestly known people like this. One of them is dating a friend of mine.

It transcends music, though -- gamer culture, particularly, I find pretty exclusionary, and Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons wouldn't exist if not for folks like this.

(I generally agree with your feelings on Modest Mouse. Though I do like that Bukowski song on the new album.)
posted by hifiparasol at 12:12 PM on December 19, 2006


or the fact that I listen to R&B makes it impossible for me to enjoy something like The Magnetic Fields.

Exactly. It is not irreconcilable to enjoy both say, Foghat and Pere Ubu, but people seem to think it is.
posted by jonmc at 12:16 PM on December 19, 2006


jon, I know you're not accusing me directly of it.

And, I'm trying to explain why they possibly became popular. If the record had been exactly the same and didn't become popular, I'd still hate it. I hated it within days of buying it--well before I knew it was popular. It sounds like everything else (run of the mill) on the radio.

Should I instead continue to say I like and support bands whose styles change to something I couldn't care less about?

And for the record, I don't listen to the radio. I haven't since the late 80s. Unless something I listen to is brought to my attention as being popular, I haven't a clue that it is.

I remember in the mid 90s I was working in a video store when someone brought up the movie The Rapture, a film I love. I told them so and was curious why they were renting it as it wasn't popular. They said they liked David Duchovny. I was shocked they knew who he was. To me, Duchovny was the actor from The Rapture, Julia Has Two Lovers, and New Year's Day. She looked at me like I was crazy for saying it was cool she knew who he was. Later that day I told my co-worker what happened and he said, "Um, he's the guy on the X Files." I really had no idea. I knew the X Files was popular but I'm not a tv person so had never seen it.

It is not irreconcilable to enjoy both say, Foghat and Pere Ubu,

Again, the only people I know who would disagree with this (in principle) are people with terrible taste in music. I can't stand Foghat, but I have no problem with bands one wouldn't suppose one would like based on liking some other band. Godspeed You Black Emperor, say, and Fountains of Wayne or Pere Ubu and Antony, or Pixies and Mia Doi Todd.

And jon, no, wasn't trying to piss you off, though it doesn't surprise me you like Bruce. Again, great songwriter, but the man bores the hell out of me. I feel similarly about artists that people seem to love (Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie, etc etc.). Snoozeville.
posted by dobbs at 12:35 PM on December 19, 2006


Again, great songwriter, but the man bores the hell out of me.

His music does or he as a human being does. I wouldn't let someones personality get in the way of enjoying good music (see Ike Turner, Ted Nugent, The Black Crowes). Although, I find Bruce disarmingly charming and smart (I'll also publicly admit that he's one of a select few male celebrities I'd gladly have sex with, but that's a whole other story) and he's one of the good guys, politically and musically.

I feel similarly about artists that people seem to love (Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie, etc etc.). Snoozeville.

Well, at least we a agree on Radiohead. Here's to Radiohead indifference.

*hoists beer*
posted by jonmc at 12:45 PM on December 19, 2006


Why is that threads essentially about "taste" go on forever. Usually end in flameouts. Shouldn't that tell us something?
posted by tkchrist at 1:03 PM on December 19, 2006


I'm just sad my boss already owned a bootleg DVD featuring this interview. Otherwise I probably would've gotten a raise.

And yeah, having a boss that's a huge, huge, huge Replacements fan probably goes against the whole infrastructure of things, but it's pretty sweet, let me tell you!

Still! I hadn't seen this clip, so I thank you, vronsky!
posted by soundofsuburbia at 1:07 PM on December 19, 2006


For fuck's sake, jon, even your third-favorite band, The Smiths, is better than The Replacements. *ducks*
posted by D.C. at 1:11 PM on December 19, 2006


To my mind they only had one good song - I'll Be You. Usually, I be listening to Fred or Lucy on XM and some whiny, low energy song will come on, and when I look at the artist, it's the Replacements.
posted by rfs at 2:38 PM on December 19, 2006


My most memorable Replacements moment: watching (and laughing at) Westerberg repeatedly trying to stand on, and falling off of, a folding chair while singing Skyway. And yes, the band was completely loaded per usual.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in Minneapolis and see the Replacements play on many, many occasions ... and I can say without hesitation that their live shows were always infinitely better than their recorded material. And I love their recorded material.

I've got your back jonmc. And great post srboisvert!
posted by ScottUltra at 2:56 PM on December 19, 2006


They made totally forgettable music that I almost totally forgot. Until now.
posted by luckypozzo at 3:21 PM on December 19, 2006


Also came of age in Many Apples, Many Sodas and loved crawling around the dives to listen to the 'Mats. Husker Du, ya, too. Great era in music.
posted by Mental Wimp at 3:28 PM on December 19, 2006


Le singe a un chapeau rouge.

Quelle couleur est le chapeau ?
posted by oxford blue at 3:58 PM on December 19, 2006


"And great post srboisvert!"

Thanks!
posted by vronsky at 4:42 PM on December 19, 2006


Thanks for the post, vronsky. I hadn't seen that clip before. It was fun to watch.

I can say without hesitation that their live shows were always infinitely better than their recorded material. And I love their recorded material.

Same here, ScottUltra. I'm just happy they made as many trips down to Milwaukee (and Madison and Chicago) as they did. Musically, the shows may not have always been stellar, but they sure were entertaining. I'm still kicking myself for catching the 2nd-last show here and then missing out on the final one in Chicago. If only I'd have known...
posted by aine42 at 4:43 PM on December 19, 2006


I said:i have always thought that they crafted five or six truly great pop songs

and you said "five or six?" "pop?"

They were a rock and roll band. And there's at least 16 of their songs that qualify as rock and roll classics:


Yeah, five or six. Yeah, pop, as in popular music.

Look, I have absolutely no problem with you finding 16 of their songs to be rock & roll classics. They may well be. I would not be able to judge that. I have two Replacements albums; Pleased to Meet Me and a best of. I think the albums and the band are great. I haven't listened to either in years. Years.

Honestly, the only one I can summon up in my head on command is "Can't Hardly Wait."

But go ahead, jonmc, get all frothed up. I really didn't mean my comment as a slight, but I understand how devoted 'mats fans can be. I'd probably get the same way if I thought someone slighted Don Cherry's musicianship.
posted by beelzbubba at 5:36 AM on December 20, 2006


The first album (Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash) is very rock and roll, trust me.

Don Cherry? what I've heard I like, and he has a sexy stepdaughter.
posted by jonmc at 5:57 AM on December 20, 2006


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