R.E.M. looking back on their legacy and 25 years of 'Monster'
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- The mark the 25th anniversary re-release of R.E.M.'s 'Monster', Michael Stipe and Mike Mills talk to NME about the making of the record, the bittersweet tour after their break from the road, sexuality, the deaths of Kurt Cobain and River Phoenix, binge-watching episodes of 'Friends', the band's split, and being inspired by the activism sweeping the globe.
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Mike Mills is one of my favourite bass players of all time. His lines, his keys parts, his counter-melodies and backing vocals, all sublime.
*R.E.M. 1982 - 2011*
15 studio albums
4 live albums
8 DVDs (live/video collections)
5 compilations/greatest hits albums
1 EP
1 remix album
*But my favorites will always be...*
Document (1987), Green (1988), Automatic for The People (1992), Monster (1994)
Yes! I’d swap Monster with Life’s Rich Pageant, and keep those other three for my top 4 REM albums...those are Legendary. I still like Monster...
I want Mr Stipe to write his biography.
He has an unique way with words and random a story about everything.
I really enjoy the way when they talk the other looks and respects what the other is saying.Proper people.
Such a great band. Man, they don’t make them like this anymore.
who is "they" that don't make them like this anymore?
@@gregdahlen4375 they
@@gregdahlen4375
the 'them'
Snore.... comments like these....
@@SinnetSongs sleep tight
Didn't realise who much I missed R.E.M. until now, they really were top.
just put on their music
@FiatDuster run dmc? How on EARTH can u compare? hahaha
@FiatDuster wtf hahahaha
@FiatDuster I know you're using English words, but what???
Been playing there songs recently ,and they have blown me away,so much meaning ,the melodies and lyrics and tunes are unbelievable
No beard and nose nose rings- beautiful! And Mike is gorgeous as well!
Glad Stipe finally ditched the Letterman beard.
Glad he ditched the nose ring.
Dan S. That beard was ugly. Perhaps he was ill or something
The Stipe beard was pre-Letterman, hence it wasn't a Letterman when Stipe wore it, more like a ZZTop....
@@InnocentSmith831 Yes! I hated that thing.
Make REM great again :)
I guess Michael didn't get the text about red pants black shirts
@@kipperfeast The one about red pants and black shirts
@@kipperfeast again, the one about wearing red pants and black shirts!
@@kipperfeast There was a group text between Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and the interviewer about what to wear that day. The interviewer said, "Hey guys, we should all wear red pants and black shirts for the interview. You in?" Mike Mills gave a thumbs up, but Michael Stipe totally missed the text because he was rubbing moisturizer onto his scalp and his phone was in the other room. So when they got to the interview that day, Michael was the only one not wearing red pants and a black shirt and Mike Mills and the interviewer were like "Hey, what the hell, I thought we agreed?!" And Michael Stipe was like "Hey sorry, I totally missed that text." Look it up. True story.
Paul Swiatek hahaha nice, I got it even if nobody else did!
@@paulyb-englishmaninhangzho3609 Hahaha true story!
Star 69 and Crush with Eyeliner were my favourites on Monster...takes me back to 1995 whenever I hear them
😍💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞 love those two songs and i only heard of them the first time 25 yrs later.
plus "Bang And Blame"!
so good record!
A truly honest, down-to-earth band..best band that America ever produced..
next to 'The Osmonds'
(Grateful Dead)
the 80s was a golden decade for american music, freakin love it!!
Next to the doors.
And Tool
I think it's time for new album, we miss R.E.M. so much.
I wonder did the interviewer and Mike Mills walk into the room that day, look at each other and go "SHIT I knew I should have worn something different today"
Hahah
Like Mills was a fashion plate to begin with!
😂🤣😂
I love that Michael and Mike appear so comfortable in each other's company - laughing, joking, etc. It feels totally natural (and presumably it is). Perhaps that's the result of concluding a band amicably, therefore denying the he said/she said bitchiness that the music media so typically thrives upon (and which tarnishes a band's accomplishments in the process). Although I would be surprised to see such petty vindictiveness from these guys, greater (and lesser) bands than R.E.M. have fallen prey to the juvenile poison of the bitter band break-up...
REM has to be the most successful band that also got along really well. They were smart splitting royalties evenly between the members right from the start, giving writing credit to each member for each song. Very democratic group with a lot of respect.
@H Kay Fair enough, hadn't heard that before
T-roy d
H Kay
I’m not sure where you heard the “Stipe wanted more at times” line because I’ve heard them all interviewed on numerous occasions and they’ve always maintained that they were all in total agreement from the beginning, that the only way they would be a band was to make it an equal split and continued to divide the wealth 4 ways even after Bill left the band. They genuinely seem to have the upmost respect and love for one another. A great band who went out on their terms. I will Love REM forever and enjoy there music daily.
When they all unanimously came to the conclusion that they had gotten all of the fulfillment out of the band they were going to get, it's easy enough to split on good terms.
Probably the best American band ever.
With such an enlightened and humble lead singer Mr Stipe. So articulate for man who was extremely shy when he was younger.
I want to hear the inner monologue of the interviewer when Mike Mills walked in and he realized they were wearing the exact same pants.
Oh we have the same pants oh, at least I am as cool as Mike Mills
@@Jiv_Ing57819 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂💞
these guys are very artistic, i love them 💙
🤗
Disappear is on Reveal - I know because Hi-Fi is sometimes my favorite REM album.
It is, I was looking to see if someone commented 😀
'Reveal' and "Up' are highly underrated albums. After Bill Berry left R.E.M. they took a huge turn and some say they were floundering, but I happen to like the experimental nature of 'Up' especially.'
Hi-Fi was released in '96 and Kid A was released in 2000. Hi-Fi was even released before the album that made Radiohead famous in the first place lol.
@@YouKnowWhereYouWentWrong That is how I see it too.
WOW. I really miss them playing together. I think it's like magic when guys like this get together and create together. There's only a few bands and or musical artists that give me that feeling that this music is very special and has meaning to my life. I found two bands my freshman and sophmore years in college. Pearl Jam and R.E.M. and in those two years my favorite albums of all time came out. "Automatic for the People" and "Ten" and those are both still my favorite albums that I play regularly and have snce '91 and '92. What great minds, voices, musicans and instrumentalists. To me, their music is much more than the songs. Its the messages, The heart behind the messages, and the dedication and love for what they were doing. There's a lot o great songs that come out today, but none have that meaning and touch my heart like they did back then. I wish I could thank Michael and Eddie in person.
I can relate too 😍💞
Stipe is an absolute dude
Stipe is such a person
Why does Pete Buck never do interviews anymore?
This was a very interesting interview. Love the 'Monster' album, so powerful, sexy and raw. Its amazing they were able to write and record something like that at that point in their career. I'm not sure other bands were able to stay so good for so long, specifically after a major success.
Extinction Rebellion is great if you’re rich and aren’t paid hourly or need to get to the hospital to save someone. ER is doing way more harm than good. People aren’t suddenly going to agree with what you’re preaching if you fuck with their daily life. If anything, you’ll inspire them to go out of their way to enforce the opposite.
Great interview guys. Some spot on comments about what defines this decade. Activism and social media in a nutshell. I'd also add the dangers of polorisation to that list. Love to REM! Fave album is still Murmer!
Beautiful interview.
11:24 lol Michael, Mike was right it was from Reveal not New Adventures
I wonder if he wrote it earlier, but save it for a later record?
I know, I was screaming that at the monitor
Easily one of the greatest bands of all time..
I always regret not seeing them live..
I would trade my Neil Young, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam experiences for that quickly.
I discovered them late, around Up, but managed to see them live more than a few times and even meet them in person. Definitely one of the best bands out there.
Man you came on board a little late. Their first 5 albums were the r.e.m I will always treasure
Me too and i still think Up is one of their most creative output.
@@nox3042 Up is actually pretty damn decent. Mabey the best post Bill Berry album r.e.m put out.
I think they should write and record secretly for 5-10 years accumulate enough material to select an albums worth of songs from it and hope it’s their best LP or up there with their best LP’s. Be a nice surprise.
Please get the band back together! I miss REM
Michael's voice 💕 Such cool, intelligent guys and I could listen to them all day! I saw them first in 1995 at Milton Keynes Bowl...the best gig ever! I still have the ticket. Monster is ace!
Me too! Which night did you go to? Oasis or Blur supporting?
I was there as well! Great concert. Radiohead, the Cranberries and Sleeper were support the day we went.
I see the midlife crisis nose ring has gone
So Stipe is going to live until 115? Great news!
It's never too late.
Stipe will live forever
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Love R.E.M!!!¡!..Monster tour was a great concert!!!!!!
Always aware. I agree with Michael -- this decade is defined by social media as a destructive force. The activism that Mike is talking about hopefully continues into the next decade, in a positive way.
social media are just temporarily.
Great people -so right in everything they said! Highly respected musicians who are missed
21:25 - LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE AT THE BACK MIKE!!! R.E.M. definitely has shaped my outlook on being an authentic musician with integrity and treating band members as equally through equally splitting song royalties and writing creds. Definitely a massively influential band in that way!
They projected a great amount of power when they first emerged. I still remember being overwhelmed by "Pilgrimage", "Second Guessing" and "Begin the begin" the first time I heard them. Yet they could shift gears and craft songs as beautiful as "Perfect Circle", "Seven Chinese Brothers", and "The Flowers of Guatemala" at the drop of a dime.....
Music needs REM.
I love hearing Michael Stipe speak.
😂😂😂😍💞💞💞💞 his voice has a lullaby effect to me.
Michael's voice is so soothing. I could fall asleep to it!
Exactly 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😍💞💞💞💞 if he ever sung lullaby to my ears,in a sec shuteye 😂😂😂😂😂😂💞😍
Much raspier with age.
Those two albums--"Out of Time" and "Automatic For The People"--represent a very prominent and poignant time in my life as a college student at the time. Youthful self-discovery, angst, being lost but enjoying the ride.
I was a college student at the same time. Automatic also brings back poignant memories for me.
Lesley B I think Cameron Crowe who said “Automatic” is a melancholy masterpiece.
It's amazing that they didn't tour on those two great, and hugely successful albums.. then largely ignored them on the Monster tour too!
I personally loved the Monster era, I was just at the right age and found the whole album, art, music videos, live b-sides to be full-on captivating. Some of my most treasured memories discovering music and this album.
Michael' speaking voice is so different from his singing voice. 😶
I really liked Monster, but I can see how it turned off long time fans. It was really a hard rocking record.
I don’t know - - I love it now, but at the time I found it a huge letdown because it seemed somehow clumsy rather than it being hard rocking (I was listening to Nirvana and Soundgarden at the same time)
Agree never got why it was slated it's a great record my favourite Rem album
Monster took them from underground to mainstream, but it was their best album when it came to rock roots.
Love how they discussed how good Thom Yorke would be in a fight lol.
Great band, think their albums will always be on my playlist
I could listen to these guys all day
Jon Burrows really??
I love that band. They're always in our heads.
Nice to see one band retire and mean it. Would not mind a reunion show. As long as Berry is with them. NEW Adventures is a under appreciated album. There last good one.
Referencing Blue Aeroplanes - don't hear that often!
James Parker probably because they were an opener on the Green tour
They were great
The Blue Aeroplanes are superb. Gerard Langley's spoken word delivery was an influence on how Michael Stipe delivered his vocals on tracks such as Belong and Ebow The Letter. Stipe also sang backing vocals on What It Is from the Swagger album, I believe the way they were tracked was supposed to represent a string quartet.
Bands that continue into old age don't necessarily "run things into the ground", but create nostalgia that actually gains momentum.
Awesome. Monster a one of my Desert Island Disks
2 very artistic and thoughtful gentlemen.
Birthed of the South with flavor in their blood and strength in their bones. Despite all the trappings that soon bring most to their knees, Integrity, Solidarity, and Respect, uncompromised creativity of really thoughtful artists.
R.E.M. epic and humble. Thank you for all your hard work. It was great growing up with REM as a chunk of my adolescent soundtrack.
Monster is a great album. I especially like circus envy.
There were a lot of used copies in the record stores. So many that they wouldn't buy mine! Obviously, lots like it but lots don't. Such is life, eh?
this interview is very niced 💜
Release All Of River Phoenix's Music,stipe,ya Turd Blossem!&Like VanHalen the bass player Michael is the better singer-Harborcoat!!:)
Ironically enough, "Heatshield" (@18:35-ish) would make a great title for an R.E.M. song -- or even new album!!
R.E.M. was done when Bill Berry retired
Fair doos to rem, quitting whilst on a high with there dignity intact. Whish a few more would follow suit, there some bands still going from the 1960s when my dad was a kid and are well past it now
Lovely interview. Saw them at Milton Keynes Superbowl during their Monster Tour and it was out of this world !!
Love your profile pic dear 😍💞
I always loved Airport Man from Up.
i was a die hard fan in the 80's & it was actually the monster album that me turned me away from them completely. their sound had changed so dramatically-- it no longer resonated w/me & the joy factor was gone. i stopped following them & went on 2 listen 2 other things. but they were the soundtrack of my youth & left an indelible mark. i'm grateful 4 that.
i'm in the same boat... grew up in the 80's... loved Murmur, Reckoning, Fables, Pageant, Document, & Green & also loved Time & Automatic in early 90's, but then Monster came out and I kinda hated it at the time, and 25 years later it's still my least favorite REM album despite a few gems on it. In addition, Michael was one of my rock idols, and I didn't understand the shaved his head, coming out as gay, the left wing activism, etc. He alone alienated half of REM's fan base. I remember listening to a radio interview that Michael hung up when the radio DJ asked if Michael had AIDS. I think the whole world was wondering the same thing at the time because he looked anorexic and bald which was not a good look at all. So, I completely stopped following them and ignored 1996 to 2011. It wasn't till early 2019 that I came back, bought all the rest of their albums, and now It's as if I've rediscovered REM all over again.
Chippy The Chipmunk Don’t you think being true to yourself is more important than hanging on to fans by pandering to a demographic you oppose? Any artist or band that has always included political commentary has to eventually be completely honest or they become disingenuous and their music meaningless rhetoric. The band had conviction and that’s admirable as an alternative to being a sell out.
The band after Life's Rich Pageant changed.
@CTChipmunk I mean being asked if you have aids just because you happen to be gay, is kind of unacceptable and I'd have done the same thing probably
Monster is exactly what they were. Paramount in my memories
I definitely heard whats the frequency kenneth in one episode of friends at the time
Nothing beats Chronic Town all the way through Life's Rich Pageant. That was R.E.M at their best.
R.e.m. Are great
oh loved r.e.m
Just after this interview, the Fashion Police smashed down the door
If that's what you took away from this amazing discussion; sad for you.
i loved Monster
it had fuzz !
love all their stuff , I had no idea people didn't like this album lol
Me neither. What's the frequency Kenneth is a classic
Disappear is on Reveal, not on New Adventures..., Michael. ;) ;) ;)
Monster is a Masterpiece, but this band made so many great albums... Great musicians, and Michael is everything...
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
How Michael's shoes/feet are positioned is so cool he still has "it"
I know, when did Brooks become cool again. See a lot of them around
Captain Charisma
Haha....... I thought I was the only one who noticed that. He just can’t keep his feet still either.
Captain Charisma
Did you notice his shoelaces are tired around his legs ??? Only Michael could pull that off. I’m so glad he’s still a unique and quirky soul.
@@debjones60I didnt notice that ...haha 🐧
Brilliant interview, especially the very end of it.
I dunno. I had Monster in '94..They may have been trying a little too hard to rawk. I recall taking it to cd exchange in about 6 months. I'm an I.R.S 80's kinda guy. The first 4 or 5.Then again I'm older
I felt "New Adventures In Hi-Fi" did a lot better at infusing arena rock-sensibilities into their trademark sound. It sounded more realized and deep a record.
That said, "Monster" has grown me over the years precisely because it was a boisterous mess and because of the metatext that I originally overlooked. It's flawed as a cohesive project, but it really stands out as a collection of songs.
@@maracaiba2891 Right..I feel a fully realized rockin' r.e.m album is Life's Rich Pagaent.
Don P and yet here you are
@Don P That is a wild story dude
So lucky to have seen them live twice. One just before they split. I'll never forget those gigs.
I miss REM and Stipey's hair.
Stipe didn't get the memo. "grape colored pants...dark shirt...pair of Vans"
Stipe knows his stuff.
great interview thank you
Monster is an exciting kick arse record
And so my decades-long obsession with Michael Stipe endures.❤
Vi first heard this record while travelling in Kathmandu Nepal in late 1994... and was at both 1995 Perth Western Australia concerts....brilliant REM and miss them, a lot!
A very underrated album. The sexiest R.E.M. album.
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
There is a little angel reading this message. Good luck to you today. 💌💌💌 Love R.E.M 💕💕💕💕💕
Who rated it low?
My parents conceived me on that tour
No Michael, disappear isn't on naihf, it's on reveal I think. Beautiful song.
I wonder why Peter Buck isn't participating in promoting this REM album with Stipe and Mills. Any insights?
He's moved on to his other projects.
At the time of their split he said
"With the exception of writing I hate absolutely everything about being in a band"
Being famous and appearing on tv was something he despised, so I can imagine promotional interviews when you're not promoting something new would have been even harder for him to do
That was a really enjoyable interview
Let Me In? Those lyrics might’ve been great but nobody ever heard them
Great interview. A big thanks to all three of you!
Such intelligent men.
Of course, they attended UGA. Well, sort of.
Not a huge fan of the remastered version of Monster. Prefer the original.
I was there. '95 Melbourne, Australia. Fucking great concert. Fucking brilliant album. Just one aspect of one brilliant fucking band.
Please don't point your dirty feet at the rockstars.
hmm all this pub lately, I assume a comeback is happening soon.
The Interviewer, lacks nuance, and asks canned questions... he kinda sucks, actually.
Legendary band, seen them live, incredible ❤
Two absolute treasures. God bless R.E.M.
Michael, Disappear is on of my favorite songs, it's on Reveal you silly man! You wrote so many great songs that I can understand why you would get mixed up. God I love you.
Great band BUT hypocrisy at large here. How can you be a climate advocate whilst flying so extensively as a international act.
monster: the "mesa boogie rectifier" record! 😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂
Legacy is so overrated. It would be one thing to stop performing because they just didn't want to anymore, all the travel, being away from home etc, But to say they're happy they stopped because of the legacy is not authentic and just cool guy stuff Stipe should get over...black sabbath releasing sn album and touring now doesn't take away from their earlier work. Music and live music is not just for the youth...older people have emotions and want to connect with their favorite bands too. I guess that is my selfish way of saying I miss seeing REM live and would love to see them again. The choice is theirs obviously but don't use leagcy as a reason.
I miss them like hell, but I do think that when a band / artist starts producing mediocre or even bad music it does tarnish them as a whole. Having said that, all the older artists that I love that are still recording; I’m glad that they are - Tom Waits, Neil Young, (Bowie and Cohen before they died). So yeah - swings and roundabouts. I thought REM’s quality dropped off rapidly after Automatic For The People and still haven’t properly listened to Collapse Into Now.
@@BlueGrenadeTom i agree mostly with that. I do love Monster, New Adventures, and Up quite a bit though. I'm not even saying record new music not really concerned with that...just do a few shows here and there.