90 replies to this topic

[pinklotus]

I just visited Ken´s Homepagea few minutes ago and there I found this:

Good news, bad news…I’m not sure which is which. However, it is significant, that I won’t be a part of REM’s upcoming tour. I spoke with Mike Mills, it was his birthday last week and I gave him a call. During the call we spoke about the tour, and confirmed what I had already pretty much figured out—the band was moving in a purely guitar-based direction, same as the new record, and they didn’t really need my bleeps and blops for this new direction. Also, I estimated recently on my own that between salary, 5 star hotels, flights, etc., it costs the band about half a million dollars to keep me on tour for a year. And, if I’m going to be sitting on my hands for the 8 or 9 new songs they plan on playing each night…well…I am sure they did the math already! I can’t say what the future holds, but I will surely miss the guys and all the good stuff that they bring with them: music, an uplifting spirit, and a generous dash of joie de vivre.

Sure, after Ken wasn´t in Dublin or he didn´t played on the new Record, it was kinda sure that he wouldn´t be a part of the next Tour. But I think it´s kinda strange that he had to call Mike and send him Birthday wishes to get this Information.

What do you think about it ?  

[stipeeyes]

I thought there was something mentioned on his site before that he would no longer be working with them. If I remember correctly he spoke very negative towards the guys.   It really doesn't matter to me if he continues as a "side guy" or not.  In all honesty I kinda don't notice him too much on stage.

[BlueCordFFA]

Never liked his hair.

[RamblingRob]

First I think this is pretty old news since I heard about it months ago.  Ken didnt play with the boys in Dublin last year.

Second, this more or less confirms that 2008 is an REM tour year.  Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Ima ready for some live REM!

[jstecker22]

So let's say, as Ken says, that they play "8 or 9" new songs each show where he really has no role and will be "sitting on my hands."

A "typical" REM set averages more than 20 songs a show.

The question remains, how will they make up for the extra parts in certain songs...

OR... are we going to see set lists for the upcoming shows mirroring the Dublin shows? (i.e. Heavily dependent on the early stuff, light on the post-Bill Berry era stuff.)

Only time will tell....

[southernlord]

jstecker22 said:

So let's say, as Ken says, that they play "8 or 9" new songs each show where he really has no role and will be "sitting on my hands."

A "typical" REM set averages more then 20 songs a show.

The question remains, how will they make up for the extra parts in certain songs...

OR... are we going to see set lists for the upcoming shows mirroring the Dublin shows? (i.e. Heavily dependent on the early stuff, light on the post-Bill Berry era stuff.)

Only time will tell....

I agree, its hopefully gonna be a ROCK show ala green tour, or at very least Scott gonna have to sharpen his keyboard skills...

[pinklotus]

I was more interested what you think about the way R.E.M. told Ken about the fact that he is not a part of the next R.E.M. tour ....  

[southernlord]

pinklotus said:

I was more interested what you think about the way R.E.M. told Ken about the fact that he is not a part of the next R.E.M. tour ....  

Yeah but maybe it was always the case to tell him, just maybe not yet and the call to Mike just prompted it, or maybe he phoned in a 'Happy Birthday' message with an agenda behind it?

[NewToREM]

The band are in a very difficult position here.  I think the way Mike Mills had to tell him in a phone call means they have been meaning to tell him but didn't know how, i.e. they felt guilty.  

Sometimes its easy to avoid telling somebody something negative.  If they were bad about it they would of said straight off without any understanding.  

R.E.M have had to make some major changes just to please us this time around.  They ditched Pat McCarthy (finally I say), I always felt they wouldn't get rid of him cuz they were too nice.  

Without the full facts though, its not good to speculate.

[jpraibis]

it seems really shitty to hear bad words about ken - i mean from other participants on this thread...

i would like to say: thanks very much for all the contribution throughout the years, ken!

for me the best part of the live cd is his strings during the great beyond. and then his contribution in walk unafraid. by this i do not want to take away all the master work of r.e.m. i just want to say how great he was.
and my alltime favourite by him - find the river vocals on unplgugged. such a great vocals together with mike - who is a master in that field.

well, i will definitely miss his presence but i will remember all the good things he brought.

so thanks again and be merry not only at christmas.

[DarrenLevesley]

I think R.E.M. were waiting to tell him a bit nearer the time. lets be honest news of the album will come first, then news of a tour.
Yes the band will have talked privatly about playing shows, tours etc but I bet nothing has been set in stone. I personally think Ken will have been asking Mike a load of questions about the new album possibiltys of touring (thats not a bad thing) and Mike has told him the current plan.

[spookyz]

What abut Scott playing bass guitar while Mike does the piano/keyboard parts of some songs?

[didiroesler]

What a big loss!!! i really adore ken as an artist, i was at 3 of his solo shows within the last year and they were all different but all great!!!

i really can`t stand some of you guys saying crap like "..i never liked his hair...." (!!!!!)
fuck you man! (no one will ever care about your hair, btw)

i really don't think, he ever talked bad about REM, coz he is a real fan of theirs.
i really hope for him, that he'll do fine with his new band The disciplines (great!)! i'm sure he will!

i totally agree, that his contributions made some of the REM-songs even better than they were before, his voice is extraordinary!!

i just wanted to say that here! the way he was told is strange, but i'm not the one to judge...


p.s.: i liked his hair a lot!!!;)

[CarstenWohlfeld]

stipeeyes said:

I thought there was something mentioned on his site before that he would no longer be working with them. If I remember correctly he spoke very negative towards the guys.  

when was that? source? quote?

NewToREM said:

The band are in a very difficult position here.  I think the way Mike Mills had to tell him in a phone call means they have been meaning to tell him but didn't know how, i.e. they felt guilty.  

no! the way the "sidemen" business works with r.em. (and any other major band,  I suppose) is that the sideman is NOT part of the band/recording/tour UNLESS he gets the call that he is indeed invited to be part of it.

the fact that the band did not contact KS despite the fact that there is a tour on the horizon made it pretty clear already, that he wouldn't be part of it.

also, I don't think it's totally unthinkable that he would return at some point in the future. Of course the band could pick a fresh face if they ever needed a keyboard player again, but it's not that KS got fired or will be replaced by someone else, it's simply that his position within the band got eliminated.

[petruchio]

I am not going to say one bad word about Ken.  He played well, got along with the guys, was valuable in the songs they needed him in.  I suggest this is about music and the shows R.E.M. want to play right now and less to do with Ken, his hair (geez) or anything else.  

I am a little excited that R.E.M. wants to play live as a five piece though.

[fanfan]

I really liked Ken's contribution to R.E.M.'s live concerts, he is a great musician. However, I'm thrilled about the prospect of a guitar-oriented tour, I think it will make R.E.M. sound edgy and cool.

About the way the band told him ... I guess it was an informal talk between Ken and Mike, so Mike had to tell him. It would have been bad if he had not given a clear answer in spite of knowing what the plans for the tour are. I am confident that Mike said this in a friendly way. Saying such things is never easy but the band has to make decisions.

With fewer income from CD sales the money aspect is not irrelevant, either. Who knows how long R.E.M. will be able to keep the fan club (I hope it will always remain but it's definitely very costly for the band).

I wish Ken really well, I'll definitely go and see his solo shows or Posies show if he is anywhere nearby. Great musician.

[AgainstAllOdds]

I'm surprised he chose to reveal this. We only know one side of the story...

[bflood]

I think less keyboards plays to R.E.M.'s strengths live.  I know that I am looking forward to hearing 'The One I Love' played live again without the organ (which has no business being in that song).

[CarstenWohlfeld]

piglet said:

I'm surprised he chose to reveal this. We only know one side of the story...

Reveal what, and which story? Where's the possible conspiracy? It's all facts, isn't it?

[amanitaflower]

I'm surprised Ken hadn't realized he wasn't needed anymore. He didn't even play in Dublin last summer.
I'm not a huge fan of Ken's :D (nothing personal, he's great, but I'm into rock) so I'm glad he's out and the next record/tour will go towards a guitar based sound.
Said that, I wish Ken all the best in his own career.