Twenty years ago right now, R.E.M. released Monster, their first album in two years and since there had been no tour for either Out of Time or Automatic for the People, the upcoming tour through 1995 loomed large with anticipation. By the time R.E.M. hit the road in support of Monster, more than five years had passed since the conclusion of the yearlong Green World Tour. R.E.M. kicked things off down under on January 13, 1995, at the Perth Entertainment Centre. All was right with the world again, and through all its well-chronicled fits and starts, including some pretty scary and fraught times, the 1995 tour was truly “the year that was” in the band’s history.
And now, on this day, the twentieth anniversary of its release, we’re commemorating Monster–the album and the tour in a special way: our R.E.M. Originals merchandise series now includes, while they last, nine Monster tour tee-shirts in their original glory just as they were rolled out at various points during the ’95 Tour. Yes, fresh from the HQ vaults in Athens straight to you, it’s the Monster Tour Blowout Sale: original tour shirts, mint condition, limited quantities, and a piece of R.E.M. history not to be offered again– once they’re gone, they’re gone. We hope you like it! Check out the t-shirts below and then go here to make a purchase.