Replacements Participate in Authorized Biography ‘Trouble Boys’

The Replacements‘ frontman Paul Westerberg, bassist Tommy Stinson and guitarist Slim Dunlap have all participated in a new in-depth biography about the influential rock group. Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements, written by journalist Bob Mehr, will arrive March 1st from Da Capo Press.

The 520-page biography tracks the Minnesota group’s founding, their shaky relationship and the group’s fiery onstage demise in 1991. After examining the members’ respective post-Replacements careers – Westerberg’s solo catalog, Tommy Stinson’s stint in Guns N’ Roses – the book provides an epilogue in the form of the Replacements’ triumphant (but still tumultuous) reunion. In between, Trouble Boys also provides a detailed look at the recording of the group’s landmark LPs Let It Be, Tim and Pleased to Meet Me. 

Mojo contributor Mehr said in a statement, “After years of work, hopefully this story comes across as passionately and powerfully as their music.” Mehr spent nearly a decade researching Trouble Boys and was given full access to the Replacements’ archives. In addition to band members, Mehr spoke to the Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne, Pixies’ Frank Black, R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, record producers Scott Litt and Jim Dickinson, actress Winona Ryder and more about the band’s influence.

Trouble Boys also includes 70 rare and never-before-seen photographs of the band. Check out the book’s official website for pre-order information.

In June, Westerberg announced to the crowd At Primavera Sound Festival that the concert – the last date on their reunion tour – would be the group’s final gig together, putting an end to the Replacements’ successful reunion tour.