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Not that I have entirely cared about REM in the last 20 years or so, this still is sorta big news to me. I first saw REM in 1985 during their Fables Of The Reconstruction tour--True West and the Three O Clock opened. I was 15 and it was my third rock show (I had seen The Replacements and Los Lobos earlier that year).....REM were a big deal in those days and while a fan of their records (everything from Chronic Town thru Reckoning is superb!) I also have always admired the way that they used their rising fame at the time to help the careers of lesser known bands--taking bands like The Minutemen, Husker Du, Robyn Hitchcock etc etc. out on tour with them. For awhile there they acted as sort of ambassadors of the underground routinely championing lesser known bands--I remember Peter Buck interviews circa 1984 often read like checklists of other bands to check out! From the late 80s on I sorta tuned out to what they were doing but never lost my respect for the HUGE impact they had on indie/underground network of zines/clubs/bands/college radio....
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wow, the last two albums were really well done and I thought they were getting into a second wind musically. Mrs. TBolt will be devistated. She grew up in Bethlehem GA outside Athens.You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace. -Ernie BanksComment
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I'm really liking the flow of this thread.
Wonderful memories of seeing a great band live and how much music has really influenced us.
Three O'Clock! Would love to see them play again.
The Minutemen. Just watched "We Jam Econo" and cool to see them thank REM for letting them open up back in '85. The last show of the tour would be D.Boon's last live show ever.
I've always considered REM to be the epitome of college or alternative bands, namely American, back in the 80's and surely they opened up my taste to other bands, namely my favorite band, The Church.
Although I did get to see over the weekend, Devo, The Psychedelic Furs and Tom Tom Club all on one bill.
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Funny thing, me wearing a Green shirt to class at USF attracted my wife of nearly 20 years, so thanks REM!!!!!You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace. -Ernie BanksComment
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I loved R.E.M. back in the college days and still enjoy the music but admit that I haven't purchased any of their new stuff. The music still holds up.
Maybe playing to smaller crowds or having to play with a trio of other bands was not something they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. A friend of mine just saw Journey, Night Ranger, and R.E.O. Speedwagon together and just at a medium sized venue. I remember back when Journey would sell out large stadiums back in the '80's and it was near impossible to obtain a ticket. I remember seeing Molly Hatchet play at a local bar back when I was in college. They have a couple of songs I like but literally paid a $5-$10 cover and there were only 50-100 people there."The farther we go, the more the ultimate explanation recedes from us, and all we have left is faith."
~Vaclav HlavatyComment
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thats a great point you made about helping lesser known bands, how many big acts would do that these days? classComment
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That's great for the fans, though. I saw The Smithereens--one of the most underrated bands of all time--at a show maybe 15 years ago where practically no one showed up, and you could just go up to the front and talk with them afterwards, no problem.
A big thanks to megoat for mentioning The Three O'Clock--I'd totally forgot about them.Comment
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Hahaha, no I have not. Just looked over the tracklist for that thing--lotsa cool stuff for sure. However, I was never that big a fan of the garage retro scene from the 80s--stuff like The Chesterfield Kings or the Vipers or whatever. But I certainly own records by half the bands on that set!Comment
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Your reply is why some people don't enjoy this site at times. I was simply stating my opinion and I don't think I was rude or obnoxious about it. And I don't recall the title of the thread stating it was open only to fans of R.E.M.
So thanks for sharing and sounding like an a** in the process.Comment
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Well there certainly is kinship 'tween the two!--and many paisley underground band are represented on that nuggets set...
Crazy how this discussion has veered off, but in many ways sorta fitting, IMO, because I will always remember REM more for their post punk underground roots rather than for things like "Everybody Hurts" or "Stand!"......Comment
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Agreed. Always considered them post punk underground but mostly part of the Athens scene.
I've often considered The Pandoras part of the Paisley Underground scene but also been told they are more of the 60's garage scene like The Fuzztones. The Leopards were definitely part of the Paisley scene.
I guess Rodney Bingenheimer had a penchant for the Pandoras and always lumped them in both categories.
Do miss Rodney on the ROQ back in the day. First heard REM on that show. Radio Free Europe.Comment
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