In 1987 when The Replacements “Pleased to Meet Me” album was released I ran to Crazy Eddie’s to get my cassette copy. It was great and I drew the album cover on the inside of my worn out jean jacket… right next to the Led Zeppelin and Yes logos.

The album’s “I Don’t Know” (see clip at end of story) and “Can’t Hardly Wait” become my favorite songs played over and over on my Walkman that year.

The band has always had this cooler than cool status in my circles and was a bridge from punk to contemporary rock… I remember seeing them play drunk (and soon after banned for life) on Saturday Night Live and calling my Uncle Dave up and telling him they reminded me of the punk bands he liked such as The Stooges, The Clash and Buzzcocks.


After a 22 year hiatus from the public’s eye, two of the original members Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson decided to tour again.  Spin Magazine did a story (click here) on their recent Late Night appearance and the famous SNL appearance I stayed up late to watch many moons ago.

Here is video clip from the more recent and sober performance…quite good and relevant:

The triple bill show on Friday night (Sept 19, 2014) in Queens, NY features two bands that were heavily influenced by the headliner The Replacements (website).  


The Hold Steady (website), which are the main draw for me and one of my favorite touring acts these days, and Deer Tick, who opens the show at 6:30 with I am sure a feisty set.  


I’ve seen Deer Tick 4 or 5 times in the last few years and have nothing but good things to say.  In fact, they opened for The Hold Steady at Toad’s Place the last time I saw them (click here for that story)…and kinda reminded me of that drunk fall off the stage performance from The Replacements once upon a time.


Rock and roll is just as much about attitude as it is about the music sometimes.  These three bands got em both…


Here are some video clips from the bands to whet your appetite…