BIZARRE: 2 | Mind Blowing Facts

“It’s just a little bit embarrassing that it became as big a hit as it did”: The joyful REM classic that many believe contains a darker meaning

The song was inescapable in the early 1990s, yet the shifting dynamics and sunny lyrics of REM's upbeat smash continue to provoke questions about its subtext

MusicRadar · Jul 25, 2025

The Oasis Effect: Which bands should reunite next?

Call it a comeback. If Oasis can heed their own advice and not look back in anger, then anything’s possible... Here are the musical acts we’d love to see reunited. And the odds we'll see them together again.

Euronews · Jul 15, 2025

“Nothing in this band does what it's supposed to do”: how R.E.M. showed the world they were the real deal on 1985’s Fables Of The Reconstruction

The story of Michael Stipe & co.’s strange and brilliant third album.

Louder · Jun 7, 2025

“Use your voice”: Patti Smith issues call to arms as she's honoured by Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Depp, Michael Stipe and many more at an all-star tribute gig

Horses, her groundbreaking debut album, turns 50 this year

MusicRadar · Mar 27, 2025

Patti Smith’s Horses at 50: How a reluctant musician made a punk-rock classic

IN FOCUS: Patti Smith’s groundbreaking debut has influenced generations of musicians. But it took a producer four years to persuade Smith to enter the studio. As the album approaches its 50th birthday, Fiona Sturges reflects on how Smith overcame the misogyny of the time and pays tribute to a masterpiece…

The Independent UK · Mar 25, 2025

"Michael, come out and sing one with me please." Watch American icons Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe collaborate on a cover of Patti Smith's Because The Night and perform R.E.M. deep cut Bad Day together back in 2004

The all-star Vote For Change tour might not have made much impact upon the result of the 2004 US presidential election, but it did throw up some heavyweight collaborations

Louder · Mar 5, 2025

"Or are we too addicted we can’t log off even for one week?": R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe encourages fans to stay off social media in protest of the "gross" far-right

R.E.M frontman Michael Stipe is calling for a boycott of all Meta-owned social media platforms due to policies allegedly enabling a rise of far-right content across America

Louder · Jan 20, 2025

“I become a Colossus of Maroussi, I can do anything!”: Michael Stipe on the period when R.E.M. became a stadium band and he embraced his inner showman

It’s 30 years since the Athens, Georgia legends began a huge tour to support Monster and frontman Stipe had no choice but to up the flamboyance in his frontman game

Louder · Jan 19, 2025

“All you have to do is turn on the TV and you’re inundated by complete lies from people who are supposed to be running this country”: How distortion, chaos and a world gone mad shaped R.E.M.’s game-changing album Document album

On 1988’s Document album, ‘the thinking person’s rock band’ ditched the jangling guitars for distortion, power chords and arena rock singles

Louder · Jan 16, 2025

Courtney Love: 'I may not love Taylor Swift musically, but her angry lyrics resonate with me'

Courtney Love tells us about her new collaboration with 070 Shake... and gives a few thoughts on Lamar, Taylor Swift, Billy Corgan, Lana Del Rey, PJ Harvey and more...

Evening Standard · Nov 25, 2024