18 replies to this topic

[LST 390]

http://www.salon.com..._day/singleton/

Didn't see this posted, it's a great interview!

[rosie]

thank you.  that's a great interview.

[Lori]

LST 390, on 14 November 2011 - 04:38 AM, said:

http://www.salon.com..._day/singleton/

Didn't see this posted, it's a great interview!

Thanks so much!

[sashwap]

best breakup interview so far, since they asked about the fabled box set. nice.

[hikerdeb]

I just printed out the interview. This one's a keeper!

Michael seems to be sending mixed signals. He says he's okay with the breakup, yet he's still very emotional about not being able to sing with the band anymore.

[Driver Eight]

hikerdeb, on 14 November 2011 - 07:51 AM, said:

Michael seems to be sending mixed signals. He says he's okay with the breakup, yet he's still very emotional about not being able to sing with the band anymore.

Great interview, thanks for the link, LST!

Deb: I had the feeling, thinking about it the other day, that a nice thing the retirement does for the guys is that they no longer have to do anything together as REM, no longer are expected to, and it certainly no longer is taken for granted that they'll do anything together. As a result, if they want to do something, like do an unannounced show at the 40 Watt, or wherever else, they can, with little or no pressure or expectation or other stress. Hell, if all that want to do is perform in one of their living rooms or garages just for themselves or for a few friends and family, they can.

I have a feeling that by letting it go, they might just find this bird flies back to them before too long. Heck, if they want to self-distribute and perform as Twisted Kites, they can do that. Or not. Pretty good spot to be in - they have all that music and good feeling and history to draw on if they ever need or wish to. Something tells me that we've not heard the last from them as a three- or even a foursome. Give it a couple of years, or a few.

[REMCHICAGOBOY]

Nice, nice, nice interview!!! and just for the record for everyone who has been saying it's the band on the cover of "Around the Sun" (that's never looked like the band to me, ever)...

Looking at it now, you’re waving goodbye on the cover.
I’m waving goodbye, yes. But we’re on the cover! R.E.M.’s never been on the cover of an album. On “Around the Sun,” that’s a single image that’s repeated three times. That’s not the band. The song “All the Best.”

Oh, and THAT was like reading the liner notes to the infamous, fabled box set!!!

PS. Michael rocks for naming NAIHF and CIN as his two favorites, as they are MY favorites too (with Green right there next to them). Excellent.

[Driver Nate]

Band on the cover of Collapse Into Now or not, I'm not sure how I was supposed to take that as a sign that R.E.M. were throwing in the towel (same for Stipe waving). They'd never included the lyrics to all of the songs on an album until Up. Was that instance of R.E.M. breaking one of their self imposed rules also meant to be a "sign"? I don't go into an album (by R.E.M. or anyone else) looking for signs, negative or otherwise. While the news of them disbanding wasn't a total surprise, I'm not one who's in the practice of reading tea leaves (or in this case, album covers and the songs within) as signs that R.E.M.'s demise was nigh.

[fredrik]

REMCHICAGOBOY, on 14 November 2011 - 04:05 PM, said:

Nice, nice, nice interview!!! and just for the record for everyone who has been saying it's the band on the cover of "Around the Sun" (that's never looked like the band to me, ever)...

Looking at it now, you’re waving goodbye on the cover.
I’m waving goodbye, yes. But we’re on the cover! R.E.M.’s never been on the cover of an album.

They are on Fables'.

[2headedcow]

fredrik, on 14 November 2011 - 11:22 PM, said:

They are on Fables'.

Yes this is true.  Individual photos of the four members.

[Driver Nate]

2headedcow, on 15 November 2011 - 12:43 AM, said:

Yes this is true.  Individual photos of the four members.

If we're counting back covers, they're also pictured on the back of several of their other records.

[stipeeyes]

Driver Nate, on 14 November 2011 - 04:11 PM, said:

Band on the cover of Collapse Into Now or not, I'm not sure how I was supposed to take that as a sign that R.E.M. were throwing in the towel (same for Stipe waving). They'd never included the lyrics to all of the songs on an album until Up. Was that instance of R.E.M. breaking one of their self imposed rules also meant to be a "sign"? I don't go into an album (by R.E.M. or anyone else) looking for signs, negative or otherwise. While the news of them disbanding wasn't a total surprise, I'm not one who's in the practice of reading tea leaves (or in this case, album covers and the songs within) as signs that R.E.M.'s demise was nigh.

I agree.

I see a hand raised. This isn't like Harry Potter and moving pictures.

[Pilgrimager]

Anyone know what this means 'You could call it the Peter Buck school of how not to fuck up and fuck over your closest friends.' In the context of that interview it sounds to me like it's a confession that Peter was the main creative force and agreed to share the credit equally as a gesture of friendship or something along those lines. Seems a bit strange thing to say.

[welliwonder]

Pilgrimager, on 17 November 2011 - 03:19 AM, said:

Anyone know what this means 'You could call it the Peter Buck school of how not to fuck up and fuck over your closest friends.' In the context of that interview it sounds to me like it's a confession that Peter was the main creative force and agreed to share the credit equally as a gesture of friendship or something along those lines. Seems a bit strange thing to say.

They're simply saying it was Peter's idea to share all songwriting credits equally , so as not cause the problems that usually cause friendships and bands to implode.In other words the best way not to fuck up the band or lose friendships was to share equally.And it worked.

[Driver Eight]

Pilgrimager, on 17 November 2011 - 03:19 AM, said:

Anyone know what this means 'You could call it the Peter Buck school of how not to fuck up and fuck over your closest friends.' In the context of that interview it sounds to me like it's a confession that Peter was the main creative force and agreed to share the credit equally as a gesture of friendship or something along those lines. Seems a bit strange thing to say.

It's pretty clear that each of the four was a significant creative force. I agree w/ welliwonder - it's about "all for one and one for all" and thus keeping egos in check and the creative process collaborative and cooperative.

[Queen of Comedy]

The second I was 40, which was 11 years ago, I thought to myself, “Look, I can’t.” I’m really tired, but I will do a tour because the guys want to do it and we need it – it’s good camaraderie. I can’t let myself give just a portion – I have to give everything I have for every song or I’m just that sad guy that’s in his 40s and holding onto some teenage dream. We didn’t move through the last decade with that feeling at all. I gave everything I had.
The idea of not ever being able to do that again is really sad for me. It’s actually painful to think about.


I think that Michael deserves to be fully respected for his decision of not touring.

[stipeeyes]

I guess Michael thought if they did tour behind Collapse he could only give a portion of himself?  I wonder if Michael physically cannot do it anymore.  That' is what the above comments seems like.  On the last tour at 48 he was moving up on the stage like a 30 year old.   As long as the guys feel physically able they shouldn't worry about how old they are.  There are people much older than them and they are not saying, "I'm too old".

If the guys are going to be more depressed by not being in the band they should call off the break up.

Going by some of the guys comments its as if they are forcing themselves to walk away.

[Sweden]

stipeeyes, on 21 November 2011 - 07:42 AM, said:

I guess Michael thought if they did tour behind Collapse he could only give a portion of himself?  I wonder if Michael physically cannot do it anymore.  That' is what the above comments seems like.  On the last tour at 48 he was moving up on the stage like a 30 year old.   As long as the guys feel physically able they shouldn't worry about how old they are.  There are people much older than them and they are not saying, "I'm too old".

If the guys are going to be more depressed by not being in the band they should call off the break up.

Going by some of the guys comments its as if they are forcing themselves to walk away.

It is what it is. It was it was. I'm forever happy for what they gave me, I'm happy for them with this decision and I don't see any reason to question it. Of course it's gonna be different for them, and of course they will feel sad about it at times. But obviously they felt strongly about it to still make the decision, and then I fully support that decision no matter how sad I personally may feel about it at times.

I guess the argument that may work with you is "if you REALLY care about the band, let them make the decision".

[welliwonder]

stipeeyes, on 21 November 2011 - 07:42 AM, said:

I guess Michael thought if they did tour behind Collapse he could only give a portion of himself?  I wonder if Michael physically cannot do it anymore.  That' is what the above comments seems like.  On the last tour at 48 he was moving up on the stage like a 30 year old.   As long as the guys feel physically able they shouldn't worry about how old they are.  There are people much older than them and they are not saying, "I'm too old".

If the guys are going to be more depressed by not being in the band they should call off the break up.

Going by some of the guys comments its as if they are forcing themselves to walk away.

Michael's feet have not touched the ground in I dont know how long- maybe you'll get it eventually.

Incidentally seeing as you 'accidentally' bumped into Michaels mum in Athens, did it not make you pause and think about what being away from his loved ones for months at a time may be like? I guess not.

Don't you think I'd love to see them play again? I find the whole break up thing sad ( for me), but at the same time I'm  so happy they're getting out of their industry with not only their legacy intact but their health too, as it doesn't happen very often.