Written by music critic Bob Mehr, Trouble Boys: The True Story of The Replacements is an exhaustive look at the triumphs and failures of the influential Minneapolis rock 'n' rollers.
Featuring all-new interviews with Replacements guitarist/vocalist Paul Westerberg, bassist Tommy Stinson, and guitarist Slim Dunlap, the book digs deep and the results aren't always pretty. Trouble Boys details original guitarist Bob Stinson's collapse—and eventual death—from years of alcohol and drug abuse, and even includes a section covering his 1995 funeral.
The Replacements famously squandered many huge opportunities, and they're all covered here. After all, this is a group who broke up after playing one of their biggest shows.
Mehr also does a fine job of drawing killer stuff from his interview subjects, filling in many blanks in the history of the 'Ments. Westerberg often threaded a dark sense of humor into his lyrics, and the author also captures that aspect of the band through the insider stories included within the 520-page book.
Trouble Boys: The True Story of The Replacements isn't the first book about the influential Minneapolis rock 'n' rollers, but this is the essential one.
