Skip to content
Premieres

Watch the Replacements (Briefly) Rehearse ‘Alex Chilton’ for Reunion Tour

The Replacements, "Alex Chilton," rehearsal video

What’s that song? Why, it’s one of the best songs to turn people on to the Replacements, “Alex Chilton,” a punchy, exuberant track from 1987’s Pleased to Meet Me that’s ostensibly an homage to the Big Star leader but that resonates because it’s actually an ode to starry-eyed musical discovery: “I’m in love / What’s that song? / I’m in love / With that song.” The ‘Mats, who are planning their first live performances in 22 years, last night shared a nine-second clip of themselves testing out the beloved tune. It’s unclear who’s playing alongside Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson in the group, but despite an elaborate hoax earlier this month, it’s evidently not Har Mar Superstar. We can hear Westerberg updating “Alex Chilton” now: “I never travel far without a little Har Mar.”

Stinson recently teamed up with Wilco for their live cover of “Color Me Impressed,” from the Replacements’ 1983 sophomore LP Hootenanny. Check out SPIN’s 2008 ‘Mats story, The World’s Most Unsatisfied Band, and don’t miss 1993 story Hold My Life: Bob Stinson’s Regrets.