SPIN: “R.E.M.’S Bill Berry Is Back Behind The Kit In New Band”


Today is the premiere of the first music video from new Athens, GA band The Bad Ends, which features Bill on drums. In addition to Bill, the band is made up of four long time Athens and Atlanta scene musicians, including songwriter Mike Mantione of Five Eight (vocals/guitar), Dave Domizi (bass), Christian Lopez (guitar), and … Continued

DM Stith’s “Hypnotic, Bone-Deep” Version of “Man on the Moon”


“DM Stith whispers with hypnotic, bone-deep authenticity, somewhere between Nina Simone, Perfume Genius, PJ Harvey and Leonard Cohen.” – michael stipe Just in time for the 30th anniversary of Automatic for the People, DM Stith has shared his haunting rendition of “Man On The Moon,” available now via Historical Fiction Records on all DSPs. Go … Continued

“Walk Unafraid” Live Version Among Tracks on “Good Music to Ensure Safe Abortion” Compilation


The guys have contributed a previously unreleased live version of “Walk Unafraid” to ‘Good Music to Ensure Safe Abortion Access to All’ – a fundraising compilation record that will be available for ONE DAY ONLY this Friday, October 7th on Bandcamp. All proceeds go to @brigidalliance, @abortioncarenetwork and @noisefornow to raise urgently needed funds that will help people … Continued

Peter Checks in from Athens


“Here’s a picture of me with The War On Drugs at their great show at the Georgia Theatre. I picked up a few tips on guitar tone.” – PETER

“Wolves, Lower” Cracks the Top 5 of Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Songs of 1982


Rolling Stone’s “100 Best Songs of 1982” “All-time classics, buried treasures, cult favorites, and one-hit wonders — from Prince and Duran Duran to Kate Bush and the Go-Go’s to the Replacements and R.E.M.” 4) R.E.M. ‘Wolves, Lower’ Enter the Georgia boys in R.E.M., the most influential American rock band of the past 40 years, not to … Continued

Read Mike’s Creative Loafing Interview


Mike and Robert McDuffie caught up with Creative Loafing earlier this week to discuss their upcoming performances of “R.E.M. Explored” with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Sarah Hicks, this Friday and Saturday at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Read the full interview here

Peter Joins Hector Tellez, Jr. on Single “Silver Blue Jellyfish”


Peter, Barrett Martin, and Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic have backed Cuban rock singer-songwriter and guitarist, Hector Tellez, Jr. on his Debut Single “Silver Blue Jellyfish” which will be released tomorrow, September 30th, on Nashville independent label Thirty Tigers. Also on Friday, Tellez Jr. will make his first national U.S. television appearance with a performance of “Silver … Continued

“R.E.M. Explored” Coming to Atlanta This Weekend


I’ve attended many symphonies but there’s nothing quite like being on the stage with the ASO. There’s a lot of vibration. That’s what music is, it’s vibration and you really feel it when you’re up there with them and you realize just how good these players are.” – Mike Mills, interview with the AJC’s Lee … Continued

Peter Will Join the Mojave Lords For Beneath the Desert Sky Concert


Peter just checked in to let us know that he’ll be in the lineup with Mojave Lords at “Beneath the Desert Sky” on October 15 at Tortoise Rock Casino to benefit the Joshua Tree National Park Service’s Astronomy Outreach Program. TICKETS for the show go on sale Sunday, September 25, at 10 AM PT via Eventbrite.

New Music From The No Ones


Today Yep Roc Records releases the first track from the upcoming second album by The No Ones.  You may recall that the group was formed by Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey, with Frode Stromstad and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen of Norway’s I Was A King.  The song is “All The Stupid Days” and we propose to … Continued

Read Mike’s Interview with Vinyl Writer


Check out Mike’s interview with Andrew Daly of Vinyl Writer in which he glances backwards at the early days of the band, recalls the moment when he came up with the chords for “Radio Free Europe,” and also takes a look ahead at some of his current musical projects including his work with violinist Robert … Continued