REM calls it a day

[BagelBruin]

REM, one of my three favorite bands, just announced they are ending the band.

Kinda too upset to comment further. Loved every single album of theirs. I look forward to eventually hearing their solo works.

[stflbn]

To upset that a band from the 80's / 90's is breaking up to comment further?

I personally cannot get that attached to someone's music to be upset when the inevitable happens.

If they don't break up... how can they have a huge Reunion tour. That's apparently where all the money is any more. Preying off of middle aged people's willingness to spend $1000 on a ticket to relive their youth.

[baileyboy]

If Rush ever breaks up, flags will be hung at half mast.

[CrashCarlisle]

REM's already done their best work.

[greggster59]

I was a huge fan during their I.R.S. years. Not as much since but always found them interesting. Based on the announcement on their website, it looks like they all agreed on this and will remain friends.

[perfektspace6]

I can't see it being permanent. What else are they going to do? A few side projects and then a reunion.

[XtheDeadPawn]

"It's the end of the world as we know it" and I don't feel fine.

Now we wait for someone to put that on a shirt.

[Crackle]

Originally Posted by baileyboy

If Rush ever breaks up, flags will be hung at half mast.

I thought Rush were assumed broken up between 1997 and 2002 . . .

[agreatheight]

I don't understand break ups - why not just go on hiatus? Unless you are looking to get press...

[BagelBruin]

R.E.M.HQ: NEWS

I am 22 years old. I got into REM when I heard their albums in the late 90s and I loved it. Then in discovered that their work spanned longer than my life!

I assume they will one day go on tour, and I hope they do. I never had the chance to see them live. But it saddens me knowing REM won't be making any new music.

[The Mouse]

Probably not their biggest fan. Mike Mills is a great player tho'.

[renobassman]

Originally Posted by BagelBruin

R.E.M.HQ: NEWS

I am 22 years old. I got into REM when I heard their albums in the late 90s and I loved it. Then in discovered that their work spanned longer than my life!

I assume they will one day go on tour, and I hope they do. I never had the chance to see them live. But it saddens me knowing REM won't be making any new music.

+1

I got into them only a few years ago when one of my college professors gave me one of their albums to listen to. I've been a big fan ever since, and now own all of their albums. Never got a chance to see them live, though.

[themacinator]

They were even still together?

[Dr. Cheese]

I went to the university of Georgia at the time that REM were forming and became a major band. I remember of friend and roomate of mine was in a class the lead singer (I am having a senior moment and cannot remember his name) that he apparently flunked out of. I also remember Pete Buck working at Wuxtry, a used record store, where I was always buying, selling and trading albums. I remember when he got a really nice Schecter Telecaster, and I complimented him on it. He asked me if I wanted to check it out, but I told him I only played bass.

I remember when they got their contract and they played "Radio Free Europe" on the open field next to my dorm. That was my pentultimate semester at UGA. By the time I got to grad school, about 15 months later, they were stars on the college circuit.

By the way all of the bass on that early stuff was smokin', IMO!

[HolmeBass]

I absolutely loved Chronic Town and Murmur in high school, but every album since has been progressively less interesting to me. I listen to Murmur now and it's just as good as it ever was, but it doesn't bother me that they're breaking up.

[Tampabass]

Loved their records back when they first hit. But they lost their mojo a long time ago, IMO. I think a breakup probably makes sense. I wouldn't be surprised if Stipe, Buck, and Mills got involved in some interesting projects. And, yeah, I'm sure they'll be doing the occasional reunion.

[jaywa]

I wonder if this has anything to do with Michael Stipe's health.

There have been periods these past few years where he has just not looked good at all.

Also, I've always wondered if they ever really recovered from losing Bill Berry. They still made some good music after he left but the vibe just wasn't the same. Maybe they're just tired of trying to recapture what was lost with him.

I can't see Mike Mills going away though. Seems like the kind of guy that would fall real easily into a producer gig and maybe keep his bass chops up by guesting on other people's stuff.

[MAJOR METAL]

I am sorry to hear this, I have greatly enjoyed their music.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by themacinator

They were even still together?

No, the new album they recently released was just a figment of your imagination.

[pica]

I thought REM called it a day years ago.