The ESP Guitar Company

Back in the 1980s, The Replacements were at the forefront of what was then a new kind of rock music that eventually become known as "alternative". Blending aspects of traditional rock and power pop with the vibe and attitude of punk rock music, the band was much beloved by music critics, though they mostly remained in the underground of the pop music scene. Unfortunately, they weren't loved by everyone. In 1986, they were the musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live, and let's just say that things didn't go so well that night. According to reports, they came out for their live set inebriated, and stumbled around the stage, mouthing profanities at the cameras.

The result was a supposed lifetime ban from the people who ran SNL, which seemed to extend to all appearances on the NBC network. Last night, some 28 years after this infamous incident, The Replacements finally got onstage again in the 30 Rockefeller Plaza building, making an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". We're happy to report that the band -- which includes ESP bass player and founding member Tommy Stinson -- seemed happy to be there, and performed their alternative music classic "Alex Chilton" with raw perfection.

Tommy Stinson, who also has the role of bassist of Guns N' Roses since 1998, used his ESP Signature Series bass for the appearance on Fallon's show. The ESP Tommy Stinson -- also available in an affordable LTD version with the TS-4 -- offers a vintage look and vibe with modern performance features and flexible tones with both EMG P and EMG J pickups. Now that The Replacements are once again welcome on television, perhaps you'll see more of Tommy and his killer ESP bass soon!

Screen images courtesy of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and NBC.