Trouble Boys cover art

Trouble Boys

The True Story of the Replacements

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Trouble Boys

By: Bob Mehr
Narrated by: Mary Lucia
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About this listen

 Based on all-new interviews and including 72 rare photos, Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements is the definitive boigraphy of one of the last great rock 'n' roll bands of the twentieth century. Written with the participation of the group's key members, including reclusive singer-songwriter Paul Westerberg, bassist Tommy Stinson, and the family of late guitarist Bob Stinson, Trouble Boys is a deeply intimate and nuanced portrait, exposing the primal factors and forces--addiction, abuse, fear--that would shape one of the most brilliant and notoriously self-destructive bands of all time.

Based on a decade of research and reporting, hundreds of interviews (with family, friends, managers, producers, and musical colleagues), as well as full access to the Replacements' archives at Twin/Tone and Warner Bros. Records, author Bob Mehr has fashioned something far more compelling than a conventional band bio.

A roaring rock 'n' roll adventure, a heartrending family drama, and a cautionary showbiz tale, Trouble Boys is a penetrating work of biography and a major addition to the rock book canon.
 Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Biography Heartfelt Guitar

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Critic reviews

The destruction. The volume. The cruelty. The charm. The songs. The songs. The songs. To live close to Paul Westerberg's material was to be lifted then bent by it. The songs were that good. Mehr shows us that no one, Westerberg included, knew quite what to do with it all. It was underrated, overrated, obsessed over, ignored never anything in the middle. But somewhere between the Replacements' path of destruction, epic but ultimately empty, and the beauty and honesty of Westerberg's writing, there was a band, a band whose story has for too long remained unknown and unknowable. This book gets us closer than we've ever been. Mehr brings us one of the great American rock n' roll stories and all the hurt that came with it.” Warren Zanes, author of Petty: The Biography and Revolutions in Sound: Warner Bros. Records The First Fifty Years

The Replacements spent a decade of their lives making some of the most emotive rock music never to hit the mainstream. Bob Mehr has spent a decade of his life researching their story. Balancing a fan's enthusiasm with journalistic perspective, he now delivers it in richly detailed and powerfully unvarnished form. Finally, the 'Mats get the book they deserve.” Tony Fletcher, author of Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend and A Light That Never Goes Out: The Enduring Saga of the Smiths
American Way, March 2016
The best music book you'll read all year. More than just rockers will love this raucous read It's a book about a band, but it's also the story of kids from damaged families who were saved to a point by rock 'n' roll. A must-read.”

Chicago Tribune, 3/20/16
Thoroughly researched and eminently readable The type of book any band would kill for.”

Salon.com, 3/15/16
Your new Replacements bible An unflinching, uncompromising look at the band and the legend.”

CMJ.com, 3/15/16
Finally, the band gets the excellent, fully-formed biography it deserves A breezy read that sometimes stops you cold for the depth of sadness the band often existed in.”

Blurt, March 2016
Trouble Boys is a time trip back to the heady days when bands definitely mattered and record labels kinda sorta did If there is a sadder tale in rock n' roll, after reading Trouble Boys, I could not call it to mind.”

Record Collector, May 2016
With Trouble Boys Mehr has delivered what will surely be the definitive book about the band at the first attempt.”
All stars
Most relevant
The definitive story of the Mats. Can’t think of a band as in the last 20 years as exciting and original.

Aching to read

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I had never really heard of The Replacements, but listening to Bill Odenkirk wax lyrical about them - and this book - on a podcast, I thought I'd give it a go. I'm glad I did; it's very well structured and engaging story - and the narration is skillful and nice on the ear. The content itself is fascinating stuff: stories of life on the road and in the recording stuio have been told many times, but Mehr brings this band's experiences to life. Too vividly perhaps; to be frank, the band come across as pretty unpleasant and loutish throughout. Their apparent desire to be authentic just comes across to me as juvenile. But, each to their own. And, like all good rock biographies, the descriptions of the music are invitation to head to Spotify. I did. Hmm... well. Not my cup of tea - lumpen lyrics set to medicore rawk n roll to my ears, but your mileage may vary.

Not a fan of the band but a fan of a good tale?

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A crazy tale of talent, self destruction and rock music. I think Paul Harold Westerberg is one of the best songwriters and artists of our time. It’s just a shame he wouldn’t allow himself to be recognised as one. Fantastic book.

What A Story

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I hung on every word and felt like I was along for the whole train wreck. This has been the greatest book I think I have ever experienced. I laughed, I cried and became a life long fan. It reads like the great American novel but in reverse. Defeat grabbed, time and time again, from the jaws of victory. These guys were the real deal.

Already a huge PW fan I knew little about The Replacements. I did not expect this book to change my life the way it has. Words can’t accurately describe my love for this book. Don’t hesitate and listen immediately.

And if I don’t see you in a long long while, I’ll try to find you left of the dial!

Wow!

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Amazing book and great narrator Can’t hardly wait to listen to it my personal favourite book ever

Perfect

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