The Replacements Call It Quits

The band went out in style, with Westerberg smashing his guitar, according to Pitchfork.

Westerberg and original bassist Tommy Stinson returned to the stage in 2013 for a handful of appearances at Riot Fest – marking their first performances since 1991. Following a run of North American dates in 2014, including sets at Coachella and Austin City Limits Music Festival, in April The Replacements launched an excursion called “Back By Unpopular Demand.”

The touring lineup was rounded out by Josh Freese on drums and Dave Minehan on guitar. The Guardian notes that Westerberg called out his bandmates on Friday as “lazy bastards to the end” for hanging out at their hotel rather than showing up to the soundcheck.

The Guardian and Pitchfork were two publications that pointed out the cryptic T-shirts Westerberg had been wearing on tour with a letter sprayed on the front and back. Based on photos collected by the Facebook page “Paul’s Shirt,” the letters apparently spelled out, “I have always loved you. Now I must whore my past.” A photo posted June 6 added the phrase “Bela Vida” – beautiful life.

That being said, during an interview earlier this year, Westerberg told the Guardian The Replacements weren’t rolling in the dough with the reunion tour.

“As it plays out now, there’s a lot of money being generated, yet there’s a big staff and equipment and trucks and buses,” Westerberg said. “I could make more money with an acoustic guitar on my own, travelling in a car without having a bunch of people to pay.”

The vocalist/guitarist/songwriter also noted that it was difficult to “have to be part of a diplomatic process” after working alone for years.