REM split

[Billyjof]

I'm sure that wasn't the case in the mid eighties when I got into REM. People who knew feck all about music wouldn't have heard of them. As I often do with bands I didn't like them as much when they became successful.

I got caught up with the whole Oasis scene. I naïvely thought they were the most amazing thing that had ever happened to the history of music on releasing Definitely Maybe. That was before I learned to strum the Noel Gallagher Em and realised he was rehashing the same shit over and over again. I think I can now only name 3 other albums they have released.

I once had a bitter argument with a family member, over who would be around in years to come, Take That or Oasis. I guess I'm losing that one. This particular person has since seen REM, Take That, Black Eyed Peas and Oasis in stadium gigs to name a few. Each to their own I say.

Pavement like REM so they can't be all bad.

 

[spionfox]

Have a little respect

to ooh ooh ooh, meeeeeeeee................

 

[Orifice]

I'm sure that wasn't the case in the mid eighties when I got into REM. People who knew feck all about music wouldn't have heard of them.

I remember when the 'Document' LP came out (their 5th LP), the daytime Radio1 DJ (whover he was) said that this new band have just released their first LP (that's Radio1 though).

When I first saw them (early mid-80's) they only seem to known by geeks and hip students but there were several 'new' American bands like Green on Red and Guadalcanal Diary around that were doing tours.

REM did have something special, even though I don't know what it was.

 

[Profondo Rosso]

I just remember thinking as a youngster that people who went to an REM gig likely knew feck all about music, as this was mostely true with the people I knew who went to see them. My overinflated opinion of my own adolescent music tastes no doubt.

REM in the 80s were one of the most original and groundbreaking bands about, many people cite them as the original creators of "alternative" music and certainly the instigators of the 80s alt. scene in the US, it's no surprise bands like Pavement, the Pixies, Nirvana etc. all cite them as a huge influence.

It was when they became big in the early 90s that they turned into middle of the road stuff, though still with some good odd songs, their first 3 or 4 albums are all fantastic stuff though, far more innovative and groundbreaking than someone like Pavement, Nirvana or even the Pixies.