Westerberg Opts For Film Instead Of Tour, At Least For Now

03/18/1999 4:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Craig Rosen

(3/18/99, 1 a.m. PST) - The last time we checked in with Paul Westerberg, the former Replacements frontman said that if he did tour in support of his new album, Suicaine Gratifaction, it might be in a solo setting (LAUNCH, 3/5).

Now, however, Westerberg has come up with an alternate method of promoting the new album--a film. "I don't care much for film, but we're making one as we speak. We're filming something so I don't have to go on tour," he quips.

Not much more about the film project is known. Although Westerberg stated that he is doing the movie in the place of a tour, he hasn't completely ruled out eventually hitting the road again. "Maybe, but not right away," he says of the prospect of touring. "I don't think this is the kind of record that needs me to get out there and play a small place right away, because the fans will show up next week or they'll show up a year from now. I think I'll have to let the record sort of do what it's gonna do on its own first."

Whatever the case, Suicaine Gratifaction could certainly benefit from some additional promotion, either from a tour or the work-in-progress film project. After debuting at No. 104 on the Billboard 200 for the week ending March 13, the album has fallen off the chart, in spite of critical acclaim.

To read a Paul Westerberg feature, click here. Look for an interactive interview with Westerberg in Issue 27 of LAUNCH CD-ROM, available in April.

Got news tips, comments, or questions? Send them to newstips@launch.com.