Was a huge fan of theirs from the start, now as I look back at their brilliance, I find myself fixating on Berry's incredible beats and fills. So underrated.
Some might wonder, "Why the Sigma Sigma Sigma Frat Boy Sweater?" Not only were they a college radio band, they grew up and blew up in a college town. You see, in these days the BIG SHIT in Athens was to play the BIGGEST frat parties and tri-sig had a big house, huge front porch and big parties! That era had parties every weekend that were OFF THE HOOK, and yes, REM played the shit out of them - and the parties were usually open for all, and any ages go attend. Some parties did not start until 11 pm - and on Saturday nights when bars had to shut at 12:00 because it was "Sunday", the Frat Parties thrived. That combo of LIVES MUSIC VENUES and late night parties mades Athens one of the top rated "party" schools, but also created a hot bed for musical talent to develop. I arrived late... in Fall of 1987, and in 1988 the town & university colluded to shut these kind of parties down but I got to attend a few and saw great bands like Strawberry Flats who have zero recognition now, Mike Davis & Dash Rip Rock who still bashes on without Mike nor Hoaky in college towns across the south; and Widespread Panic who is one of the top touring acts in the USA and has the record for selling out Red Rocks more dates than anyone else. Those frat parties were a great training ground for all.
99% accurate except for Tri-Sigma is a sorority that did not have a chapter at UGA. You might be thinking of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. I started heading up to Athens for weekends in fall of '85 and went to UGA from '85 to '90. I don't think REM ever played fraternity parties but Widespread sure did (including mine) and Dash was off the hook! I was Program Director and GM for WUOG so was fortunate to meet all the guys in R.E.M and many other national and local acts. Constant touring and college radio gave R.E.M. the exposure they needed to prove that you could hit it big if you were innovative and worked your ass off.
@@allenfamily8445 yes SAE, we overlapped in Athens, I was there 87-92. I still have a few hours of WUOG on cassette. REM def played some frat parties in and out of town, but before our time. I was Mike Mills' softball sub for the GA Bar team when they were on tour, my roommate was day manager. I got friendly with Schools and we used to hang out late night after shows, one night was in Peter Buck's backyard. Good times. Just college kids, in my case it was my 2nd time through college.
Yes, ahead of their time, and we can claim them as good American Southern boys. Makes me proud. As someone quoted profoundly, they were the American answer to The Smiths.
Catapult! Dance Party! Back when Stipe mumbled his vocals. Hatutuo! Gotatuo!mara you! Ah keep liver river! Liver River! That’s the name of the song! Smart a Tuo! Ah keep liver river! Great mumbler! Like Jagger! 2nd Song Moral kiosk! Scattered scrambling lantern! Inside the Moral Kiosk! Uh uh! Scacherl stumble hardohuo! I give up!
More precisely Michael is wearing a Tri-Sigma sweater from UGA. Not only were they a college radio band, they grew up and blew up in a college town. You see, in these days the BIG SHIT in Athens was to play the BIGGEST frat parties and tri-sig had a big house, huge front porch and big parties! That era had parties every weekend that were OFF THE HOOK, and yes, REM played the shit out of them - and the parties were usually open for all, and any ages go attend. Some parties did not start until 11 pm - and on Saturday nights when bars had to shut at 12:00 because it was "Sunday", the Frat Parties thrived/ I arrived in Fall 1987, and in 1988 the town & university colluded to shut these kind of parties down but I got to attend a few and saw great bands like Strawberry Flats who have zero recognition now, Dash Rip Rock who still bashes on and Widespread Panic who is one of the top touring acts in the USA and has the record for selling out Red Rocks more dates than anyone else. Those frat parties were a great training ground for all.
