22 Nov AMI Contest Celebrates The Replacements’ Dead Man’s Pop
– Score the Box Set, a Band Jacket, and 2 Vinyl Albums!
AMI Announced a contest to celebrate The Replacements and the release of their new box set Dead Man’s Pop. The grand prize winner will take home the box set and a cassette along with a band jacket, and vinyl copies of the albums Tim and All Shook Down. The contest is open now through December 4, 2019. Music fans can enter the contest using the AMI Music app, available on iOS and Android. Contest entry is also available on any participating AMI jukebox.
Considered one of the best rock bands of the 1980s, The Replacements helped pioneer the alternative rock genre. They’re known for their raw, emotional, and often self-deprecating lyrics. The group also became notorious for their unpredictable and offbeat live shows. Their bizarre live show behavior consisted of often being too inebriated to perform, playing fragments of covers and their own songs, and being haphazard with their instruments. Their body of work has influenced many alt rock groups and has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows.
The group formed in Minneapolis during the late 70s. Founding members and brothers Bob and Tommy Stinson started playing with drummer Chris Mars under the name Dogbreath. Their lead singer, Paul Westerberg, overheard the group rehearsing and decided to join. He became one of the driving forces in the group, contributing significantly as a songwriter. Early on they were mostly a punk rock band. They changed their name to The Replacements to represent their perception of themselves as a second-rate band.
After recording a demo for local producer Peter Jeperson, they began producing music under the indie record label Twin/Tone. They released their debut album, Sorry Ma, I Forgot to Take Out the Trash in 1981. It received positive reviews, but limited commercial success. It was followed up with an EP called Stink. After the EP, they began distancing themselves from hardcore punk, focusing on more elaborate songwriting. Their second album, Hootenanny (1983), gained a following outside of Minneapolis and the group went on tour in northeast America. In 1984, they released their third album, Let It Be. It featured the single “I Will Dare,” which is one of their most beloved songs. The album was their breakthrough success and they began attracting the attention of major labels.
Following the success of Let It Be, they signed to Sire Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. The group was struggling financially at the time as their expenses exceeded album sales. Several band members were still working day jobs. Their major-label debut album Tim came out in 1985. It was the last album to feature founding member Bob Stinson, who was fired from the band in 1986. They released their fifth album, Please to Meet Me, in 1987. Like many of its predecessors, the album was praised by critics but had modest commercial success. Their next album, Don’t Tell a Soul (1989), featured their most successful single “I’ll Be You.” It topped the Modern Rock Chart and it was their only single to appear on the Billboard Hot 100. They released their final and most successful album All Shook Down in 1990. It received a Grammy nomination for “Best Alternative Rock Album.”
Despite the success of All Shook Down, the group disbanded in 1991 following tensions over their creative direction. Most band members continued working on solo projects and other bands following the breakup. Original band member Bob Stinson passed away in 1995. Westerberg and Tommy Stinson reunited the band in 2012. They played several shows and special appearances, but never recorded another album.
AMI Entertainment is proud to offer this contest to fans of The Replacements and music lovers alike. The Dead Man’s Pop Box Set, band jacket and vinyl albums are must haves in any alt rock collection. Contest entry is free and open to all. Music fans are encouraged to enter the contest using the AMI Music app, or by visiting a nearby AMI jukebox venue.