84 replies to this topic

[Sweet Fanny Addams]

fanfan, on 28 September 2011 - 02:30 PM, said:

That's sad to hear. I'm pretty sure this member wasn't Mike Mills. If there was the tension you describe, it made for some great live shows during that tour. Anyway, sad if it was true.

  What makes you sure it wan't Mike? I've had the feeling for awhile now he'd really like to go solo. He's said so in several recent interviews. How well that would be received is something nobody will know until he does it. IF he does it.

[SweetMusic]

Sweet Fanny Addams, on 29 September 2011 - 05:04 AM, said:

I've had the feeling for awhile now he'd really like to go solo. He's said so in several recent interviews. How well that would be received is something nobody will know until he does it. IF he does it.

I've always had a soft spot for Mike. The way he keeps messing up the recording of his backing vocal on 'Horse to Water' and then (after about a zillion takes) puts down the headphones and says: "it's easy when you're good". Priceless. If he goes solo, I'll certainly by his firstborn.

[fanfan]

Sweet Fanny Addams, on 29 September 2011 - 05:04 AM, said:

  What makes you sure it wan't Mike? I've had the feeling for awhile now he'd really like to go solo. He's said so in several recent interviews. How well that would be received is something nobody will know until he does it. IF he does it.

His temper makes me sure it wasn't him. I can't imagine him being unpleasant all the time during a tour. Besides, he always looks (looked) fantastically happy on stage. He was the one who always seemed most happy on stage.

About the solo recording - I don't know what to think about it. Maybe he has tons of material that he would like to see released? I don't know although he seems to enjoy singing. I can imagine him with a partner, Mike on the piano and someone else singing. That might be better.

[stipeeyes]

The band looked like they were getting along just fine at each show I went to.  We can't keep guessing which one wanted out more.  There is no way they will not miss being in the band sometimes.   Who knows they might all decide they were happier while in the band and do a project together again.  Anything is possible.

I was just thinking imagine a concert ticket that said, Michael Stipe or Mike Mills in concert.  That would be weird to see.

[3 legged dog]

Homeney, on 28 September 2011 - 06:49 AM, said:

they did play the millennium stadium in Cardiff in 2005.  I was there.  were they planning to play there again?

http://www.murmurs.c...__fromsearch__1

This is the link to the Cardiff Millennium Stadium Gig and the explanation as to why they had to cancel that venue and move to the CIA (Cardiff International Arena) I was lucky enough to have bought an early ticket to the millennium stadium and was contacted to see if I wanted a refund or the opportunity to go and see them at the CIA - of course I went??? Great gig it was too...

[Moses_Murphy]

I think listening to CiN lyrically, the goodbyes are all over it. As much as it's kinda sad to see them go, it's satisfying to see them do it on their own terms. I heard a rumor about the Stones possibly doing a tour for their 50th anniversary next year - all of them in their 70s. I couldn't conceive of Michael, Mike and Peter looking at themselves in the mirror and ding the same.
What really got me was Mike's statement that he was sad he'd never share a stage with the others again. That's a huge statement for guys 'only' in their early-50s. I think we see them every now and then doing something. Just not full-time, probably not in LP form.
The live box set we've all dreamed about (see Springsteen's in 1985) would have been a BEAUTIFUL send-off. Oh, well.

[Driver Nate]

Moses_Murphy, on 29 September 2011 - 01:26 PM, said:

The live box set we've all dreamed about (see Springsteen's in 1985) would have been a BEAUTIFUL send-off. Oh, well.

They said they'd never do a box set while they were still a band. I would imagine one is still in the works.

[damianrf]

Sweden, on 28 September 2011 - 10:38 AM, said:

You apparently know and love another R.E.M. than most of us.



September 25:



/D

As I said...Peter versus Mike and Michael? Your photos seem to confirm my suspicions...or is Peter just out of shot??? Did I miss him?

When i referred to "the R.E.M. I know and love"... anyone who knows the minimum about them knows they are far from your regular corporate rock whores who would tour to cash in on the end of the band or the greatest hits...and would not just churn out the singles if they did tour... that goes without saying....it would go against everything they ever stood for and they would resist it with every fibre of their being....I was referring to the R.E.M. who truly care for and appreciate their hardcore, long-term fans who were with them through thick and thin... through their generosity to their fans, I was fortunate to meet and spend time chatting with them, not once but twice...i'm sure they know that there is not one among us who would turn down the chance to see them from the front row (as they made sure we always did) just one last time and say our goodbyes and thanks in person...in turn, they must know that the way they did it would leave a lot of people smarting...why no press conference, a la Bill Berry's retirement? To see the words come from their mouths and their body language...or maybe that's why they didn't do it?

[wagtail]

damianrf, on 29 September 2011 - 04:47 PM, said:

When i referred to "the R.E.M. I know and love"... anyone who knows the minimum about them knows they are far from your regular corporate rock whores who would tour to cash in on the end of the band or the greatest hits...and would not just churn out the singles if they did tour... that goes without saying....it would go against everything they ever stood for and they would resist it with every fibre of their being....I was referring to the R.E.M. who truly care for and appreciate their hardcore, long-term fans who were with them through thick and thin... through their generosity to their fans, I was fortunate to meet and spend time chatting with them, not once but twice...i'm sure they know that there is not one among us who would turn down the chance to see them from the front row (as they made sure we always did) just one last time and say our goodbyes and thanks in person...in turn, they must know that the way they did it would leave a lot of people smarting...why no press conference, a la Bill Berry's retirement? To see the words come from their mouths and their body language...or maybe that's why they didn't do it?

I agree with that.

sometimes knowing the minimum is best, right now might be one of those times.

[robbbin]

I sent a christmas card each year for 30 years and never got so much as a reply.

[Sweet Fanny Addams]

robbbin, on 29 September 2011 - 10:13 PM, said:

I sent a christmas card each year for 30 years and never got so much as a reply.

But you did get the holiday package, right?
If you look at other artists' fanclubs, you'll see that you're asked to shell out much more cash for nothing near as good as the REM fanclub. When I was in Athens, I went to their offices and they were the most gracious, friendly people I've ever met.
Your complaints are starting to sound ridiculous. Did you expect REM to visit your house dressed up as Santa and perform a singing telegram?

[robbbin]

Not really.

[Colinzeal]

Sweet Fanny Addams, on 29 September 2011 - 05:04 AM, said:

  What makes you sure it wan't Mike? I've had the feeling for awhile now he'd really like to go solo. He's said so in several recent interviews. How well that would be received is something nobody will know until he does it. IF he does it.

I would be pretty sure it wasn't Mike. I have never heard anyone have a bad word to say about him and he always comes across as friendly. The sam cannot be said for Michael and Peter. I also believe Mike loved touring and being in Rem and would have happily carried on indefinately.

I think it will hit them when they think about never playing any of those songs again. I imagine they wont miss being in the studio so much!

[robbbin]

Mills is a great composer no doubt, but he cant sing to save himself really.

Its interesting reading the evolving opinions as to whose to blame. No one seems to think it was a group decision. Someone is to blame, time will tell.

You know at first I thought it was Stipe because he is so cock whipped atm and since he officially "came out" seems to be hell bent on self destruction by self generated media. Then I went back and listened to what he has said about being a performer and decided it couldnt be him.

Perhaps we are witness to one of the best planned spontaneous combustions is musical history. Maybe R.E.M. will reappear as some obscure unknown digital artist.

[sousa]

Sweet Fanny Addams, on 29 September 2011 - 05:04 AM, said:

  What makes you sure it wan't Mike? I've had the feeling for awhile now he'd really like to go solo. He's said so in several recent interviews. How well that would be received is something nobody will know until he does it. IF he does it.

Didn't he recorded a few years ago a soundtrack to a movie that was never released?
I'd love to see a Mills solo album. I bet I would be a great one!

[haggis]

If Mills wanted to doa solo album what's been stopping him?  It's not like he hasn't had the time.  Unless he wanted to keep all his compositions for R.E.M.

[WorLdrPre]

A lot of good speculation, but it is what it is...whatever the reason.  Let's just hope it makes all of them happy.  I do agree with some comments here about going out on top and without a "Farewell" tour being VERY REMish.  However, as a lifelong (in REM years) fan, I do have a sour taste in my mouth about hearing about it in the news "from an REM post on their website".  I'm not quite sure what I think would have been the best way to announce it...maybe a personal trip to my house???  How about an email to the Fan Clubbers directing them to the website?

[Sweden]

Two interesting comments from people with a good knowledge of the band. Mitch Easter posts on a Rickenbacker forum I visit, and he wrote:

"I don't think those guys would do a "reunion tour" even if they were broke! Not from any bad vibes or anything, but because they would think it was just a bogus thing to do."

Also, Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone magazine said:

"They are parting in a very R.E.M. way. No big statement, no huge farewell tour. There's a sense of treating each other with dignity, treating each other with respect, treating their audience with respect. Now, I'd have to say I'd be shocked if they never played again together. These guys are still friends, but I think rather than just kind of let things drift, they felt a need to mark this. And they did it in a very R.E.M.-like way."

[melora]

They showed the Band backstage during Eddie Vedder's induction speech for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Bill and Mike were next to each other and Michael was nearby.  They were  all laughing at Eddie's jokes.  (One was that one of Mikes sequined  suits triggered Bill's aneurysm.)  Peter was off to the side drinking wine, and too far away to be seen in the frame most of the time.

[Stoffel]

Sweden, on 30 September 2011 - 02:10 PM, said:

"I don't think those guys would do a "reunion tour" even if they were broke! Not from any bad vibes or anything, but because they would think it was just a bogus thing to do."

this is exactly what i have been thinking, it would be against everything they stood for to do that.
like mike said on the simpsons once "it's not the R.E.M. way"
and i would seriously dissapointed if they ever did one.
it's been a nice career, looking fwd what any of them might do along the way.