The Mats Files (i.e., everything else)

The Skyway: THE FANS HIT BACK

For years now, many of us have been reading The Skyway, sharing our thoughts about the Replacements -- what their songs mean to us, stories about encounters we have had with the band, fond memories of concerts we have seen, etc. And no doubt numerous side discussions not published in The Skyway have taken place, giving some of us a chance to get to know each other. Well, it occurred to me that there were probably at least a few other frustrated songwriters -- Westerberg wannabes -- in the crowd who might like some sympathetic ears off which to bounce some of their songcraft.

And so the idea behind The Fans Hit Back was conceived. Having been the one to suggest this idea to Matt, I was Army-volunteered to head up the project, and so I began soliciting submissions from people. After about four months of this, people began to take me seriously, and eventually I received tapes from people representing nine different acts out there in Skywayland. The recordings I received ranged from top notch studio produced songs to songs simply recorded live into a condenser mike. Most were somewhere in between. While some Mats' influence is obvious on some of the songs, there is a surprising diversity to the songs on the tape, yet a common denominator -- namely being a fan of The Replacements -- holding the tape together. The tape has a smoky, home-made feel to it, with a 'bootleg' warmth sure to wash down well over a tankard of your favorite beverage. Order up a copy of either today, and get to know a little more about some of your fellow Skywayers.

-Mark

(Since this writing, a sequel, The Fans Hit Back II, has been released.)

To order your copy of either tape -- at cost -- send a message to Mark Timmins at timmins@cbpi.com.