lucy wrote:I've heard this kind of thing before too, but if they wanted to separate themselves so badly from Husker Du, don't you think it would've been a better idea not to have Bob Mould produce two of their records?
I think it's more about them wanting to stand out on their own and be considered a good band in the own right rather than them actually not liking the other two.
From what i've always gathered, all the bands were friends during the time, although there were of course rivalries amongst them. I personally don't lump Husker Du quite the same way I would the 'mats and Soul Asylum. Husker Du was more of a hard core band, and didn't have the softer side to them. Both Soul Asylum and the Replacements sort of started out that way, but mellowed significantly with their albums (not to say Husker Du didn't either, but there was no such thing that I can think of as acoustic huskers).
I would also say that comparisons between Dave and Paul make more sense than comparisons between either of them and Bob. Dave and Paul are both in their own worlds, they're genuis song writers, know how to run rock and roll bands, but are both very eccentric, and independent. Of course, i think Dave is far more critical of his own work, and doesn't like releasing the "raw" material that Paul tends to release (I personally feel Dave tends toward perfectionism with his music, sometimes to its detriment, as it will lose the raw energy seen in the live sets).
Soul Asylum wanted to make a name for themselves outside of the mats and husker du, however starting out they really needed those bands. They helped them a lot, and the bands shared (and still share) many fans. This means that it makes sense to have the other bands of the city help push you.
The reason that to this day Soul Asylum doesn't get the credit the mats get (and to a lesser extent the huskers get) is the lack of the mystery. The replacements were known to be the best or worst live rock and roll band. They were crazy, and their legacy has only grown. Soul Asylum hasn't had a chance to grow their legacy. They're still around, still touring, and as they old saying goes, artists aren't famous until they're dead (or broken up in this case).
Soul Asylum also broke out of the indie ranks. Runaway Train made them money, but lost them a lot of credibility, as sad as that is. The guys became rock stars, or appeared to be. The band had more money then they knew what to do with, had people pulling them in a million different directions, dave had a movie star girlfriend, they lost their drummer, and it just looked really bad. At the same time, their next few albums had the look of selling out to other people, trying for the his song.
Of course, the same was true for the Replacements. Many people would say that Paul was really striving for that hit song in the days of don't tell a soul, all shook down, and even his first couple of solo albums. The music was still great, but there was an acceptance in it that wasn't in the earlier 'mats records, and not in his more recent ones. One of trying to play the game. Had the replacements made it big at that time, I doubt they'd have half the prestige they have today. Part of what keeps them so prestigious is they never sold out. Look at REM, who were a contemporary of the replacements. They were huge in the college rock scene back in the 80s, and are still considered important, but their mystique and legacy aren't up to par with what the replacements have today. It's just the way the "indie" music scene works I suppose.
That said, in the years following CFAS, SA did a lot to help regain their mystique, and appeal to their earlier loyal fan base. A lot of fans left in the GDU and LYDLS years, as seeing the guys play giant ampitheaters, and concerthalls is just unnatural. The band belongs in a club, with a beer in hand, and 100s of sweaty people who know every song, and just absolutely love it. The feeling that you know everyone at the show, and you're all united exists there, and there alone. I've talked to many fans who fell away during the big years, but are back, and will claim that the live show today is as good as it ever was.
I think in 20 years, history will look far more favorably upon SA then they do today. I think the blip of fame will pass away, and they won't be that runaway train band. However they likely won't live up to the 'mats, as their name hasn't influenced tons of large bands. They did influence bands like Slobberbone, the drams, grand champeen, some of the alt country scene, and others, but these aren't bands that will ever be household names, and don't really care to be. Todays music scene isn't like that of 25 years ago, many more bands accept they won't be the next huge thing, and realize they can make it successfully by building up their own loyal fanbase.
And I just realized I wrote a novel here.... and no, i'm too lazy to go back over it and check it for spelling and grammar.
Phil