Two former Replacements members are making news with their upcoming releases. Paul Westerberg's new record Folker arrives on September 7th on Vagrant Records. Recent write-ups in both Billboard and Rolling Stone are calling it both his most personal and consistent solo outing (the song "As Far As I Know" is online now). However aside from some appearances in support of it, an extended tour won't be happening. The Mats frontman commented to Billboard that "Those days are over, at least for now, until probably my son gets to the age where he can lift my amps for me."
In the meantime Westerberg is working on several film projects. He's writing songs for an upcoming Sony Pictures Animation film titled Open Season that's based on the work of cartoonist Steve Moore. He's also contributed music to the upcoming Cameron Crowe pictaure Elizabethtown.
Founding Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson will release a long delayed record from his band Perfect on Rykodisc on September 14th. The long shelved record is titled Once, Twice, Three Times a Maybe (re-titled to reflect the albums' three failed release dates on three prior labels). Ryko is describing it as "A mix of driving rock, sophisticated pop and smartass lyrics" that "recalls the Replacements at the height of their rocking irreverence." The album was produced by Jim Dickinson (Replacements, Big Star) and remixed by Matt Hyde (No Doubt, Porno for Pyros). Stinson recently released a solo record titled Village Gorilla Head on July 27th via Sanctuary Records.