Replacements' documentary Color Me Obsessed tests your faith

One of the greater gigs I saw as a young man was the Replacements at the Town Pump. By the end of the night, the band was absolutely, totally shitfaced, swapping instruments (I recall Tommy on drums), and inviting a roadie to take the mike and sing what, if I recall correctly, was the Pabst Blue Ribbon theme ("from the land of sky blue waters..."). The energy was fantastic, the authenticity unquestionable, and the music fun throughout, if at times played a bit sloppily (I think that was on the Tim tour...). Priceless stuff... but then a few years later, with the carrot of major label success dangling in front of them, I saw them at the Commodore, where members of the band had on makeup, were sober, professional, and, while energetic, completely lacking the warmth or sincerity that marked the previous show. Those last years actually destroyed most of my fondness for the 'placemats - killed by the marketplace and their own ambitions; they're like a paradigm case of what capitalism can do to a band. In fact, so decisively did I get off the bus, I still haven't listened, even once, to All Shook Down... I just don't want to know, y'know?

Oh, hell yes, Hamm's - crisp, clean-cut to the taste! ...thanks!