Mike Mills on the Origins of REM

In this clip, Mike Mills talks about the birth of REM, how their songs are crafted & the hilarious story behind the Copeland brothers.

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[jeffbehringer]

You’re killing it with these interviews Rick.

[barnabyaprobert]

When I was at college in the early to mid 80s REM came to play and played in a small gym.
Mitch Easter came out as the "opening act" for his band Let's Active. I remember him standing there alone and playing "Classical Gas" and a couple other songs.
Let's Active came out and played their set (kinda sort I thought). While they were playing, I saw Michael Stipe wandering through the crowd. It was when he was dying his hair with mustard and I remember it was this fantastic yellow mustard color.
Then R.E.M. came out and played and they were SO GOOD! Here they were playing a nothing college in rural Maine and yet they were giving 100%! Amazing! I'll never forget it.
The show ended and the metal doors were opened but then the Arctic cold blasted in and ALL THAT SWEAT in the air turned to tiny bits of snow and fell on us! So strange!
Wow!

[void]

Truly inspiring. 31 years of great music, what a career.

[darthnihilus]

“Try Not to Breathe” is one of the greatest songs ever

[amosjr]

Rick, you have the best interviews and best guests...I just devour this stuff...really appreciate you, Thank you, Sir!

[martinkristensen]

80s R.E.M. was really something special even today i still like "dead letter office" after all these years

[QuietlyArmedFirearmsTraining]

Would absolutely LOVE to see you interview the Copeland brothers. IRS Records are significant portion of the soundtrack of my life, Ian's role in modern music is under-appreciated, and Stewart is, well, Stewart-freaking-Copeland.

[entropyachieved]

Great interview. There are very few interviews I can listen to for a long time to but this is one of them... More please

[Stay_at_home_Astronaut]

The REM album Eponymous is one of the finest albums ever made, regardles of rhe fact that it's a compilation album.

[CORNPOP]

I wish you could interview anyone that knew Bobby Womack and can tell stories about his career.

[whatisrealknowtheformula]

REM evolved, is why they are one of my faves. And then they knew when to hang it up.

[petercena]

Most underrated backup singer.
Good lead singer as well (Texarkana).

[ianwerden]

I didn’t know they were friends with Ian Copeland before they got big. That would be a huge help to begin a career in music.

[Drivehead]

I discovered REM via my favorite band Drivin' n' Cryin'.

[evanwalters]

Rick, in light of the recent onstage fight between Dave Navarro and Perry Farrell, please do a video about stage volume and it's effect on singers and musicians.

[plarzmbies]

Rick you should make a video on King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard

[jamesthedude....]

I could listen to Mike for hours! Interesting stuff.

[secularZoo]

Loving the skull shirt Mike's wearing

[bourbontraveler]

Next time you interview an REM member
Ask them about Dave Russell their production manager unfortunately he has passed
Great guy

[tomowens]

Hey Rick, do you know Julian Raymond? there's an interview I'd love to see... He was in 2 obscure bands from the 80's I loved, he then became a record exec/producer type who has worked with tons of artists like cheap trick and glen campbell, nominated for an academy award and won a grammy. he produced and co wrote cheap trick's 'bang zoom crazy hello' which i think is among their best ever, and i STILL regularly listen to his 80's bands' records, 'bang bang' and 'dr mr president'. it's a bucket list thing for me to meet that guy one day!