Tommy Stinson is on a backroads tour with Cowboys in the Campfire

The Quail & Ale Pub, Derby, CT (10/16/22) – Tommy is on tour. But he's not hitting the casinos or club scene. He’s playing at your local Irish pub in Connecticut, or a tavern in Toronto or maybe even a backyard house party in New Jersey. He's looking to hang out with regular folks and reminisce about whatever you want to talk about.

Tommy Stinson, long time alternative punk rock icon and Replacements bass player, with a second act playing with Guns N' Roses, has already lived the big-time rock and roll lifestyle of arenas and stadiums. In an era when older rockstars are looking to make a comeback, or maybe to just collect a paycheck, by orchestrating a "reunion" tour of mid-sized venues at casinos and local theatres – Tommy Stinson is doing the exact opposite.

So – why is Tommy Stinson playing smaller gigs? It's anyone's guess. He certainly has the energy, the repertoire of songs and the name recognition to fill larger venues and pull in a bigger payday. Perhaps he just wants to play music on his own terms and own schedule. Perhaps he doesn't want to deal with the headaches and the decisions and the bullshit that come with those bigger gigs.

Whatever the reason, it's a chance for some lucky fans to get up close and personal with a guy that was responsible for creating the punk/alternative/rock soundtracks of their youth. Tommy and Chip have kicked off their 2022-23 tour, which takes them from the Northeast to the Midwest to Canada, and onto Europe. They are starting with small gigs, but will eventually land at NYC’s Webster Hall in March. For now, they are starting in the most unobvious spot – an Irish pub in the backwoods of Connecticut.

The Quail & Ale in the tiny town of Derby Connecticut is an Irish pub out of its element. With its 100-year-old brick industrial architecture and tastefully renovated interior, reminiscent of some 1950s, back alley speakeasy – this place feels like it should be in New York City's West Village or Boston's North End. Jason and Sarah Miller are the owners, operators, bartenders, waitstaff and door greeters – and have created a jewel of an establishment with great food and top shelf, creative drinks – that I hope (but doubt) all the locals appreciate. After all, any bar entrance that features a wall sized painted rendering of Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar on the stage, replicating the cover art from London Calling – is immediately labeled "cool" in my book. I only learn of this intimate gig a few days before the show. Tommy pops up on my social channels now and again, and I happen to catch him and Chip plugging their tour in an Instagram video, kicking off at a bar about an hour away from my home in Connecticut. As a prelude to this full story, I need to lay some groundwork for why this event is important to me. See, the music of the Replacements has been a part of the soundtrack of my life – starting in high school, to college radio station DJ, to college band, to unemployed college graduate, to working professional. I've been to some concerts, own all the albums (a few on cassettes and vinyl) and don't go a few weeks without hearing a 'Mats tune on a meticulously curated Pandora or Apple Music station. Yeah. I'm a fanboy.

About 15 years ago, I lost my Don't Tell a Soul CD. I ended up buying a used copy on eBay to replace it. After it sat on a shelf for about a year, I opened it up and discovered an original, black and white Polaroid photo of Paul and Tommy – holding guns to their heads in some sort of playful photo shoot. I've spent the last 15 years wondering what the story was behind this one-of-a-kind photo, writing an article about it (see "A Replacement for The Replacements"), posting on fan message boards, even messaging Paul and Tommy on social channels. Nothing. And then I learn that Tommy is playing at a bar an hour from my home. It's a Sunday night show and my wife is gracious enough to come along for the adventure, while also negotiating a visit to a vineyard along the way. So, after some pre-gaming at Savino Vineyards in Woodbridge, CT, we arrive at the Quail & Ale Neighborhood Pub around 5:30pm, a few hours before showtime. I have tickets for the show, but also called the pub and made a reservation for dinner, not knowing the size or space or seating capacity of the venue.

After admiring the aforementioned London Calling artwork within the foyer of the renovated and rustic "brewery building" we walk into the nearly full pub. All twenty bar stools and two of the three tables are occupied in this cozy little pub. Industrial-style lights hang from the high and exposed ceiling, with flickering candles on the tables to add to the ambiance. There's a couple of TVs behind the bar – one playing the Cowboys vs. Eagles game, the other plays Yankees vs. Guardians. The clientele is a mixture of locals, who I immediately think are too old to be here to see Tommy Stinson. Then I remember how old I am. The dinner reservation suddenly feels foolish, considering the size and style of this place. But then we notice the only open table has a small sign on it that says "reserved". Perhaps it wasn't foolish. We assume correctly that this table is for us and sit down. The bartender/waitress quickly stops by (we learn later this is Sarah Miller, the owner) to greet us and confirm we are who we are. The table is nearly front-and-center to where Tommy and Chip will be playing, so we thank Sarah for that. We order drinks and some appetizers. Chat with a few folks, including Jason Miller (the other owner) who's as big of a Replacements fan as I – so I reach into my pocket and pull out my Don't Tell a Soul CD, and share with him the photo and the story. He loves its and tells me to definitely show Tommy when he arrives. We order the Sunday Roast dinner special – Sauerbraten, a traditional German-style pot roast with all the trimmings. Good choice.

Other fans are starting to arrive, and we strike up a conversation with a fellow wearing a "Who the fuck's Tommy Stinson?" t-shirt. His name is PJ and he's driven further than us to be here. Like me, he's got the same back story of the Replacements being the soundtrack of his youth. A couple of music snobs trying to impress each other by naming other bands and quizzing each other about band member names, etc., isn't something I haven't done before. The difference tonight is – as PJ tries to remember the original Replacements' drummer's name (I quickly reminded him it was Chris Mars) – Tommy Stinson casually brushes past us, carrying his guitar case, and heads to the front of the pub. He's dressed in mostly black, trademarked spiked hair, dark rimmed glasses, hanging wallet chain. Chip Roberts follows with his own guitar case, as well as a gang of kids hauling some amps and other gear. The bar hushes a bit as word quickly spreads that alt rock royalty has entered in the building. Albeit, he’s wearing a black and emerald green embroidered long sleeve cowboy shirt. He shakes hands with Jason and Sarah, who quickly sets him and Chip up with some dinner, as the bar crowd turns back to their conversations and the TVs. No one bothers Tommy while he eats. Afterwards, he starts to move around the bar, talking to a couple of people. He turns our way and I feel like a stalker. We've made eye contact and he probably knew I was going to attack but had no way out – so came straight over. I smile and say, "Hi Tommy. Big fan." Damn – that's so cliché. He smiles back, shakes my hand and says "Thanks." I say, "Do you have a second?" "Sure," he says. "I'd like to show you a picture." "That's a second," he says, and fakes walking away. He turns back, "Just kidding! What do you got?"

I show him the Don’t Tell a Soul CD and the photo, while describing the story behind how I got it. He's listening and looking at the photo, flips it over, and has a puzzled look on his face. I tell him how I've been searching for info about this photo and wondering where it was taken and maybe why this original Polaroid photo is sitting in a CD jewel case for maybe 33 years. (Don't Tell a Soul was release in 1989.) He's studying it, and shaking his head, and finally says, "I have no idea." I'm partially deflated, but not surprised. "I really don't remember that," he continues. "Looks like a studio. Maybe in L.A., while recording that album…. Not sure." He looks up, smiles and shrugs. He's about to walk away, but my wife is on the ball. "Can I get a picture of you two?" Tommy leans back in and she gets the shot. We shake hands and he moves off to talk to a couple of others eager fans before finally returning to the front of the room to help Chip set up for the show.

The show starts fashionably late, but no one minds. The mood in the room is casual and loose. There are about 30 people in the pub, and everyone is here to see Tommy. This is a private event, and this could easily be a birthday or retirement party. But it's not. It's a private show for some Replacement fans who can’t believe they have a chance to see a legend play. Tommy's as conversational on the microphone as he was in person. He's checking to make sure it's not too loud. He talks a bit about kicking off their tour at the Quail & Ale, and how they (Cowboys in the Campfire) have a record coming out next month, maybe. And how they are going to be trying out mostly new stuff and haven't really played them for anyone yet, so be patient with them. Then with a "one, two… one, two, three" count, they are off and playing. Tommy's come a long way from his days in Minneapolis as a young bass player in a delinquent punk rock garage band. After the Replacements broke up, Tommy picked up where the 'Mats left off with his own alt rock band Bash & Pop, showing he had the chops to play lead guitar, write songs and front his own band. A few years later, he jumped headfirst into the new lineup of Guns N' Roses, playing with them for 16 years. Other bands on his résumé include Perfect and Soul Asylum. In 2011, he released a well-reviewed solo album called One Man Mutiny. He's evolved as a musician, as a song writer, and as a singer. And his music has evolved. Tonight – he's playing as part of an alt country duo called Cowboys in the Campfire. This is Ryan Adams-esque. Think – Uncle Tupelo, or early Wilco. Call it blues-based sophistication with some rockabilly twang and a punk-rock attitude. The music is fun, and crisp, and smart. Tommy’s still got plenty of stage presence and energy. He’s a good guitar player. But Chip is better. They start and stop a few times on songs, as they worked out some kinks. They are comfortable with trying out new songs on the small, intimate crowd – gauging reactions and making mental notes. Tommy peppers in a few stories in between songs, while sipping some tea.

They play for about an hour. Ending their set as unceremoniously as it began. The crowd gives a final applaud. Tommy thanks everyone for coming out and pitches his t-shirts for $20 – if anyone wants one. He accepts cash and Venmo.

I give it about 30 seconds before I wander over to him and tap him on the shoulder. “Great show Tommy,” I say. “Thanks man.” “I’d love to get a t-shirt. You take Venmo?” “Absolutely,” he says, and pulls out a flyer with a Venmo QR code on it. Truth is, I have $20 cash in my wallet. But something about my Venmo connections seeing me send Tommy Stinson $20 is something I can’t resist. A line of people has formed behind me as Tommy digs out my t-shirt size. I scan the code and pay him, shake his hand one last time and thank him. Tommy Stinson’s probably seen and heard it all. The good reviews, the bad reviews, and things in between. He’s been around the block a few times and has made his mark(s) on the music world. He doesn’t need anyone’s approval or permission to do anything. Conversely, I hope Tommy’s knows that nobody coming out to see him play in this small bar in the middle of nowhere had expectations of reliving their youth and hearing him spit out old Replacements tunes. Maybe no one knew what to expect. In either case, what we all got was the treat of being the sounding board for a new version of Tommy Stinson’s music – and this audience seemed to enjoy and approve of this version of Tommy.

You can find more on Tommy Stinson here: https://www.tommystinson.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tommystinson/ https://www.facebook.com/TommyStinson https://twitter.com/tommy_stinson You can find more on the Quail & Ale Pub here: https://www.quailandale.com/ https://www.instagram.com/quailandale/ https://www.facebook.com/quailandale https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-quail-and-ale-derby