R.E.M

As American Rock bands go, they don’t come much bigger than R.E.M. The band was formed in Athens, Georgia at the beginning of the 80’s by Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (Bass) and Bill Berry (drummer).

Although the band achieved a cult following early on in their careers, it was mostly confined to the American underground scene. This didn’t stop them from maintaining a relentless work rate however. From their debut EP, ‘Chronic Town,’ the band released a record for seven straight years, while touring constantly in a wide range of venues across the USA. Ultimately the foundations that the band laid within the first seven years enabled them to build themselves into the band that they are today.

During their underground years, R.E.M. were signed to IRS Records. There first IRS release, ‘Murmur,’ was critically well received. Following the release of their second album, ‘Reckoning,’ the band de-camped to England to record their third album, ‘Fables Of The Reconstruction.’ Recorded in the British winter, the band reportedly came close to splitting up during the sessions because of homesickness. The somber surroundings eventual created the contextual backdrop for the album which saw R.E.M., and particularly Stipe, become a lot darker.

After releasing three more albums, the bands most important IRS release came in the shape of, ‘Document.’ The album made open references to American Politics of the moment, and contained the top-40 hit, ‘The One I Love’ – which pushed the band into the mainstream.

Consequently, thanks to their spiraling popularity they signed a multi album deal with Warner Bros in 1988. Their first release on their new label was, ‘Green,’ which captured international attention thanks to the politically charged anti-war song, ‘Orange Crush.’

After recording the album the band took an extended break to recover. After reforming in 1990, the band released the album, ‘Out Of Time,’ in 1991. ‘Out Of Time,’ was their most pop orientated album yet. Entering the charts at number one on both sides of the Atlantic it contained the smash hit single, ‘Losing My Religion.’ By now R.E.M. were on cruise control and released the follow up, ‘Automatic For The People,’ the next Autumn. It included the infamous, ‘Everybody Hurts.’

Where as the band had signed for Warner for $6 million dollars in 1988, when they resigned in 1996 it was reported to be for $80 million dollars. The bands first release after being resigned was the album, ‘New Adventures In Hi-Fi,’ which again charted highly.

Since they re-signed with Warner, R.E.M. never maintained the same consistency that they’d effortlessly shown in the early 90’s. As well as venturing off to do various side-projects, in 1997, Berry left the band. The remaining members have never replaced Berry, and have continued to carry on as a 3-piece. Their most notable release since Berry’s departure was the return to form of 2001’s, ‘Reveal.’