Music

Replacements doc compiles over 140 interviews, uses no music, to tell the story of the "last best band"

by Nicole Villeneuve

In what is to be the first feature-length documentary made about pioneering underground Minneapolis punk band the Replacements, Color Me Obsessed is set to premiere at the 5th annual Gasparilla International Film Festival in Tampa, Florida.

Director Gorman Bechard has eschewed the traditional music doc approach and instead is telling the band’s story through words: he’s compiled over 140 interviews with musicians, journalists, fans of the famous variety, and regular-people kinds, too. The press release mentions: “Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, Tommy Ramone, Grant Hart and Greg Norton of Husker Du, all three members of Goo Goo Dolls; Robert Christgau, Legs McNeil, Ira Robbins, Greg Kot, Jim DeRogatis; Tom Arnold, Dave Foley, George Wendt” as some of the fans from each category who appear in the film.

Bechard says of his storytelling approach, “I thought, people believe in God without seeing or hearing him but rather through the passion, faith, and stories of others. After watching Color Me Obsessed, I’m pretty sure music fans will believe in The Replacements in much the same way.”

There are no plans for a wider release at this time, so please let’s all go to Tampa together.