R.E.M. Announce Split

Silver Springs · #1 09-21-2011, 03:03 PM

http://remhq.com/news_story.php?id=1446

"To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening." R.E.M.

In their own words: The guys share their thoughts on why now.

MIKE

"During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, 'what next'? Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together.

"We have always been a band in the truest sense of the word. Brothers who truly love, and respect, each other. We feel kind of like pioneers in this--there's no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring-off. We've made this decision together, amicably and with each other's best interests at heart. The time just feels right."

MICHAEL

"A wise man once said--'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.' We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it.

"I hope our fans realize this wasn't an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way.

"We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It's been amazing."

PETER

"One of the things that was always so great about being in R.E.M. was the fact that the records and the songs we wrote meant as much to our fans as they did to us. It was, and still is, important to us to do right by you. Being a part of your lives has been an unbelievable gift. Thank you.

"Mike, Michael, Bill, Bertis, and I walk away as great friends. I know I will be seeing them in the future, just as I know I will be seeing everyone who has followed us and supported us through the years. Even if it's only in the vinyl aisle of your local record store, or standing at the back of the club: watching a group of 19 year olds trying to change the world."

I'm devastated. This band helped shape me as a person and music lover. A part of me's going with them, I can feel it. Probably sound too dramatic, but they were so much to me for so long. Yes. I'm crying. No. I don't care. Because they helped settle me as a person, and provided the company I needed when I had so long alone. I'll never get that back.

Christopher · #2 09-21-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Springs

I'm devastated. This band helped shape me as a person and music lover. A part of me's going with them, I can feel it. Probably sound too dramatic, but they were so much to me for so long. Yes. I'm crying. No. I don't care. Because they helped settle me as a person, and provided the company I needed when I had so long alone. I'll never get that back.

Well, there's something to be said about their dignified & refreshing statement of disbanding. I too, will miss their future music as a band.

"It's easier to leave than to be left behind"

Silver Springs · #3 09-21-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

Well, there's something to be said about their dignified & refreshing statement of disbanding. I too, will miss their future music as a band.

"It's easier to leave than to be left behind"

"Leaving was never my proud".

Although I am heartbroken, I am proud of the fact that they knew when to say no more. They walked away with their heads held high and dignity intact, leaving behind masterpieces in their wake. I do look forward to seeing what they do individually. I know Peter and Mike have side projects, as well as Peter appearing a lot with The Minus 5. But as far as I know Michael has nothing but R.E.M. I think this may just be it for him as a showman. He said himself enough times that he's not comfortable in the limelight. I think he may just pull a Christine McVie. But he deserves it after the glorious music he's given the world.

**mylittledemon** · #4 09-21-2011, 04:27 PM

That's a shame to hear them announce that... you'd have thought they were one of those bands that wouldn't really break until one of them passed away.

Silver Springs · #5 09-21-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

That's a shame to hear them announce that... you'd have thought they were one of those bands that wouldn't really break until one of them passed away.

That's what I thought, and dare I say hoped, too. But I understand that all good things have to pass, and I'm grateful for the many years of music I have to keep a hold of. Even if I can't look forward to anything genuinely new. They saw the end where we didn't, and I'm glad they didn't do it in a grandiose fashion with fights and legal issues. The band have always conducted themselves with great dignity (if you ignore the grey area of Peter's "issue" with a flight attendant and a pot of yoghurt years ago) and the way they have bowed is with no less dignity than I expected.

**mylittledemon** · #6 09-21-2011, 04:33 PM

Oh... totally a great way to bow out, no doubt about that. It's a shame they didn't maybe... an HD concert one last time with some 20-odd songs from their career (like The Dance)

Silver Springs · #7 09-21-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Oh... totally a great way to bow out, no doubt about that. It's a shame they didn't maybe... an HD concert one last time with some 20-odd songs from their career (like The Dance)

That would have been absolutely spectacular. But I don't think it's in their style. They're the kind of people who, once they've decided enough is enough, then they stick to it. I know that Michael is VERY uncomfortable on stage and with his ability in general, and I also know that he's said before that he was closing in on the fault line. That he couldn't take much more of the public performance thing.

Is it kind of obvious that I've been a follower of the band forever? I do sound obsessive. I can't help it. They were just such an interesting and different band. There's very little to tar them with, and I adore it about them.

**mylittledemon** · #8 09-21-2011, 04:42 PM

No that's fair enough. I've always been a casual fan of the band (I think i only 4 of their CDs)... but yeah generally always released solid stuff. I got the feeling that Stipe was a bit introverted but I didn't know he had any issues with performing live. Hmm... pity.

Silver Springs · #9 09-21-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

No that's fair enough. I've always been a casual fan of the band (I think i only 4 of their CDs)... but yeah generally always released solid stuff. I got the feeling that Stipe was a bit introverted but I didn't know he had any issues with performing live. Hmm... pity.

Introverted is very much an understatement. Have you ever wondered why there is so much reverb in their music, and the vocals tend to be overshadowed by musical effect? He tried to disguise his voice, because he was so unhappy with it. I believe this was discussed by Peter and such an the Road Movie documentary for Monster. He definitely wasn't at home on the stage, despite how much of a showman he seemed.

May I ask what albums you have of theirs?

**mylittledemon** · #10 09-21-2011, 04:49 PM

Automatic for the People
Out of Time
Document
Reveal
Around the Sun

I was wrong, I had 5

Silver Springs · #11 09-21-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Automatic for the People
Out of Time
Document
Reveal
Around the Sun

I was wrong, I had 5

Those are some good albums. Automatic and Around The Sun are amongst my favourites. I suggest (if you ever wish to carry on your R.E.Mucation) that you listen to Monster, Up and Green. They're my favourite and there are some incredible songs on them. Tongue, Let Me In, You Are The Everything and At My Most Beautiful being amongst the best.

Edit: Also New Adventures In Hi-Fi. It's classically brilliant. I think you'll like a song on there called "Leave".

Have you ever heard this version of Country Feedback, from the Perfect Square DVD? I adore everything about it. And Peter Buck's guitar riff to me is the dictionary definition of a face melter. Exquisite.

Dodfather · #12 09-21-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Oh... totally a great way to bow out, no doubt about that. It's a shame they didn't maybe... an HD concert one last time with some 20-odd songs from their career (like The Dance)

This would have a brilliant way to go out. I'm off to listen to Document and the Best of the IRS years.

**mylittledemon** · #13 09-21-2011, 04:58 PM

Ooo that is a great performance... it gave me chills on muh arms!

Silver Springs · #14 09-21-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Ooo that is a great performance... it gave me chills on muh arms!

I told you. It's absolutely stunning. I literally cannot function when I listen to this version on my iPod. I just have to stand still and absorb it because it's just so beautiful. I'm almost ashamed to admit that the first time I saw this version after buying the DVD, I was moved to tears by it. It was just so incredible to me, how he chose to harmonise with the song. It really kicks off for me when he does his little finger picking "Dng dng, da dng dng dng" thing near the beginning of his riff before getting deep into his riff.

bucklind17 · #15 09-21-2011, 09:38 PM

It's weird because I'm not exactly surprised by this, even though I wasn't expecting it. I haven't been as active a fan of theirs over the past few years, but I consider them one of my favorite bands of all-time and were my number one favorite for awhile. I have all of their studio albums and the first time I saw them live was one of my favorite concert experiences I've ever had. I always continued to buy their new music and their albums are a huge part of my musical world but they wouldn't do this lightly and I respect them so much for handling it the way that they are. I'll miss having new music every now and then and I'll miss getting the chance to see them live again, but I'm so grateful for all of the music I have in my life through them, and will continue to enjoy. They were always a class act, so committed to their work and a band I always loved knowing enjoyed what they do. They always stuck by each other and never had any outward drama, and they are going out on top. I couldn't be prouder to be a fan.