The term, alternative rock, has been bandied around for decades now, but one group defines it more than others and this group is R.E.M. Formed in Georgia, U.S., in 1980 by lead singer Michael Stipe and guitarists Peter Buck and Mike Mills and percussionist Bill Berry, the band have reached mammoth fame in their twenty-eight years of performing and recording. Their songs have become anthems and include well known tunes like 'Losing my Religion', 'Everybody Hurts' and 'Man on the Moon'. And while they've become a household name in the mainstream, it's their success underground and political bent that has set them apart from other bands. Although originally independent, they signed with Warner Brothers in 1997 for record figures, after two extremely well-received and commercially successful albums, 'Time' and 'Automatic for the People'.
R.E.M.'s style is loved for the distinctive, jangly guitar sounds and the almost whining but addictive vocals of Michael Stipe. Stipe writes the lyrics, but keeping true to their liberal viewpoint, the band is democratic in its structure and claims to have a voting system while writing and recording music. Keeping with the politics, they have also championed and publicized such issues as global warming, human rights and gun control in the U.S.
With thirteen albums under their collective belt and a continuous commitment to gig for the fans, these legends continue to rock and spread the alternative word. The next album is due in 2008 and will be called 'Accelerate'.
