What with Paul Westerberg's 45:00 and recent news of his recent jam session with former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson, I'm pretty much beside myself with hope that attending a Replacements show will no longer be a pipe dream. This wouldn't be the first false alarm for fans, though ... a much-rumored reunion for Coachella 2008 was met with timidity by Westerberg and Stinson, who fear the ramifications of bringing the band back to life, along with its reputation.

Says Westerberg to Billboard, "I'm very hesitant about dragging the name out there and what damage we could do to the legend. Whatever we did, someone would want something else. If I went up there straight, they'd want us wasted. If we were fucked up, they'd want us to be this or that." Aw, Paulie. We just want the tunes! Anyway, I doubt many of the Replacements' original fans are still Living the Life, as it's been seventeen years since the band officially split.

While Bobby Stinson and Chris Mars probably won't show up, Soul Asylum/Prince drummer Michael Bland seems like a likely contender to round out the reunion crew. The three met up last month to "mess around" in the studio, but claim nothing was recorded. Stinson remarks, "That's getting to first base. We're sort of still in the dugout chewing gum." So, what's third base, guys? Eh? Please? Ain't too proud to beg, now ... Fine. I'll just content myself with this pile of lovely Mats reissues from Rhino.