The Replacements to reunite for at least 3 shows

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ? Twenty-two years after breaking up, The Replacements are reuniting for at least three shows.

The celebrated 1980s alt-rockers say they'll play at Riot Fest in Toronto, Chicago and Denver. Exact dates haven't been announced, but Riot Fest runs Aug. 24-25 in Toronto, Sept. 13-15 in Chicago and Sept. 21-22 in Denver.

The Replacements haven't played a show since July 4, 1991, in Chicago. Frontman Paul Westerberg and bassist Tommy Stinson got together this year to record the EP "Songs for Slim" to benefit Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap, who suffered a debilitating stroke last year.

Known for their boozy, ragged live shows, The Replacements began recording for Twin Cities-based Twin/Tone Records in the early 1980s and eventually signed with major label Sire Records. While the band never had a big hit, "I'll Be You" and "Merry Go Round" got radio play and albums such as 1984's "Let It Be," named by Rolling Stone magazine No. 15 of the 100 best albums of the '80s, were critical favorites.

Westerberg's songs alternated between post-punk bash and yearning ballads. He eventually went solo, did one-man, home-recorded music projects and provided music for the 2006 animated feature "Open Season." Stinson became bassist for Guns N' Roses and Soul Asylum. His brother, guitarist Bob Stinson, was kicked out of The Replacements in 1986 and died in 1995 after years of drug and alcohol abuse. Drummer Chris Mars turned to painting.

In a 2004 interview with The Associated Press, Westerberg said he tried to get the band back together to play a benefit for then-Soul Asylum bassist Karl Mueller, who had throat cancer and eventually died. But the reunion did not happen.

The Replacements launched a bare-bones new website offering mailing list subscriptions and promising a full site coming soon, plus a Twitter account.

___

Online:

The Replacements website: http://www.thereplacementsofficial.com

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/replacements-reunite-least-3-shows-192658366.html

george huguely whitney houston casket photo match play championship the national enquirer marie colvin cm punk cm punk