R.E.M. on this Day
@remonthisday.bsky.social
Reminiscing on R.E.M.'s 31-year career by the day. Notable events only. Some information taken from http://remtimeline.com; some from my own research.
On this day in 1985, while in Minneapolis during the Reconstruction Tour, the band work with Steve Fjelstad to remix ‘Ages of You’, ‘Burning Down’ and ‘Crazy’ at the now-defunct Nicollet Studios. All three of the songs are featured on Dead Letter Office.
On this day in 1982, R.E.M. played the i&i Club at 393 Oconee Street in Athens. A new song, ‘September Sang’, was performed for the first and only time. The i&i became the short-lived Buckhead Beach. Lunch Paper began at the location in July 1984. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjCB...
the birth and death of Lunch Papers at Stitchcraft, Athens, GA 1984
YouTube video by logrun9
youtube.com
On this day in 1995, R.E.M. played the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway. ‘The Wake-Up Bomb’ was given a live debut.
On this day in 1985, R.E.M. played the City Coliseum in Austin, Texas, supported by True West. ‘Fall on Me’ was performed live for the first known time.
On this day in 1992, Bill's 34th birthday, I.R.S. re-released R.E.M.’s first three albums. Murmur had four bonus tracks, while Reckoning and Fables of the Reconstruction had five.
On this day in 1995, R.E.M. played a second night at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, England, supported by the Cranberries, Radiohead and Sleeper. The show was a live radio broadcast.
Photos of the band taken around Athens on this day 40 years ago by Ebet Roberts.
On this day 40 years ago, R.E.M. released their fourth studio album, Lifes Rich Pageant. It was produced by Don Gehman at John Mellencamp's Belmont Mall Studio in Indiana.
Shot on this day 30 years ago in West Hollywood, California. Directed by Dominic De Joseph.
R.E.M. - Bittersweet Me (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by remhq
youtube.com
On this day in 1982, R.E.M. became the first band to play Cabaret Metro in Chicago. Owner Joe Shanahan first saw the band at Danceteria in New York five months earlier. Around 500 people were in attendance. The Metro is still in business.
On this day in 1983, a day when ‘Radio Free Europe’ entered the Billboard Hot 100, R.E.M. played Baity’s Backstreet Music Garden in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They were supported by Mitch Easter’s Let’s Active. Established in 1982, Baity's burned down in 1993.
On this day in 1984, R.E.M. played the first of a two-night stand at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. The venue will celebrate its centenary in 2029.
On this day in 1980, R.E.M. played at The Pier in Raleigh, North Carolina. 'Gloria' is the only song known to have been performed.
On this day in 2003, R.E.M. played Bowling Green in Wiesbaden, Germany. The concert was filmed and released early the following year as Perfect Square, with the performance of ‘Country Feedback’ included on the bonus CD of the best-of, In Time.
On this day in 1980, R.E.M. played The Station in Carrboro, North Carolina, for their first show outside of Georgia. 19 years later, Peter and Michael had dinner opposite the venue and decided to play 'Camera' at the following night's show in Raleigh as a result.
Around this day in 1980, Pylon cancelled three dates in North Carolina. After being connected, Jefferson Holt, manager of Schoolkids Records in Chapel Hill, contacted Bill, who was acting as R.E.M.'s booking agent. Three North Carolina dates were arranged.
On this day in 1981, before leaving Connecticut, Peter bought the black Rickenbacker 360 he continued to use for the next three decades at a shop in Hartford. (Photo by Andy Babiuk.)
On this day in 1980, R.E.M. played the 688 Club on Spring Street in Atlanta. Apparently, Peter once told a music magazine in Atlanta that the owner of the club, Steve May, was a prick. Well, that’s one way to narrow down your options, Pete.
On this day in 1981, R.E.M. played Ron’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut. “R.E.M., on a Tuesday night,” remembers Spike Priggen, “back when all they had out was the ‘Radio Free Europe’ single and Pete Buck was using my guitar as his had just been stolen.” 1/2
On this day in 1983, R.E.M. played the Paradise Theatre in Boston, supported by The Replacements. “We did a three-hour soundcheck so it’d be fine for the radio, and the PA column blew up in the third song! So it was like ‘scritzy, scratzy’ for everyone that was in the hall.” - Peter.
On this day in 1980, the band played Hedgens in Atlanta, a show organised by a friend of the band. Allegedly, there were only seven people there, including Mike’s mother, Adora.
On this day in 1980, R.E.M. played a benefit for John Kupris at the 40 Watt East in Athens. Meanwhile, over on Barber Street, Pylon played at a party.
On this day in 1981, Johnny Hibbert released the ‘Radio Free Europe’ single on his independent Hib-Tone label, with ‘Sitting Still’ as the B-side. Upon returning from New York, the band were less than impressed with the result.
On this day in 2001, a belated celebration of twenty years of R.E.M. took place at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina, in an event that doubled as a benefit for Don Dixon, who was recovering from a heart attack. Mike joined The Mayflies USA onstage for a performance of ‘Toys in the Attic’
On this day in 2000, it was revealed that four disused railway trestle bridges in Athens, including the one featured on the rear sleeve of Murmur, were soon to be dismantled. The structure was torn down and replaced by a replica in 2023.
On this day 45 years ago, R.E.M. played Club Foot in Austin, Texas, in support of The Judys and supported by The Make. The band played on Independence on only three other occasions during their career: in Werchter, Belgium (1999) and in Berlin, Germany (2003) and Dublin, Ireland (2007).
On this day in 1982, R.E.M. played the Strand Cabaret in Marietta, Georgia, supported by Love Tractor. ‘Perfect Circle’, with a drum machine, was given a live debut.
R.E.M. - Perfect Circle 7/2/82 Strand Cabaret (audio)
YouTube video by REMchout
youtube.com
