The Replacements-2 Albums-2008

The Replacements were an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979. The band comprised guitarist and vocalist Paul Westerberg, guitarist Bob Stinson, bassist Tommy Stinson, and drummer Chris Mars for most of their career. The Replacements began as a punk rock group, but began to incorporate other subgenres of rock music and became instrumental in the development of early alternative rock. Following the critically acclaimed Let It Be (1984), the band signed to Sire Records, becoming one of the first American underground rock bands to sign to a major record label. After Bob Stinson was fired from The Replacements in 1986, the band experienced several line-up changes; Slim Dunlap joined as lead guitarist and Steve Foley replaced Chris Mars in 1990. Towards the end of their career, Westerberg exerted more control over the band's creative output, recruiting session musicians for recording and writing all the original material. The band disbanded in 1991, with the members soon pursuing various projects. The Replacements never experienced wider commercial success, but have influenced various alternative rock acts, including Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day[1] and Pavement.

The Replacements' music was influenced by classic rock artists such as the Faces and The Rolling Stones as well as punk bands such as The Clash. Unlike many of their underground contemporaries, The Replacements played "heart-on-the-sleeve"[2] rock songs that combined Westerberg's "raw-throated adolescent howl"[3] with self-deprecating lyrics. The Replacements were a notoriously wayward live act, often performing under the influence of alcohol and trashing their instruments. The Replacements credit the Twin Cities founding punk band The Suicide Commandos as being their inspiration to become rock musicians.