Mike Mills shared details about the possibility of a R.E.M. reunion.
The band will release a 25th-anniversary version of their 11th studio album, ‘Up,’ next month. Speaking to Rolling Stones about the 25th anniversary, the rocker shared some bad news that will make the fans upset.
Is R.E.M. Reuniting?
Splitting in 2011, R.E.M. members never came together to release new music, but only reunited for a 2019 show and a 40th anniversary show in 2022. Speaking about their separation in the new interview, the rocker said:
“It was clear to all of us that there would never be a better time. The music industry had radically changed. Our relationship to it had changed. Our record contract was up. Our record company was very different. Did we want to make another record and put it out ourselves or sign another record contract?”
The band apparently didn’t want to go on with new music because it was not appealing anymore. Mills continued:
“None of that was appealing to us. We said, Let’s do something that nobody’s done and shake hands and walk away as friends, and go do other things while we’re still young enough to do them. It’s like, Live fast, die young, and leave a beautiful memory.”
Michael Stipe’s Thoughts on Reunion
Mills isn’t the only member to not approve of a reunion. The frontman Michael Stipe worked with the band for 32 years, and over 30 years of work doesn’t seem like there is a chance of a reunion. Spending most of his career with the band, Stipe said that he doesn’t regret splitting with the band and that they will never reunite.
Even though there won’t be a reunion anytime soon, Stipe plans to step behind a microphone to sing again. The rocker shed light on his musical future and said that it’s ‘exclusive’ but he would consider singing one more time.
The band’s consideration on coming back together to make new music might have come to an end, but they reunited for their 40th anniversary to put on a performance. Below, you can watch the full performance.
