R.E.M. to release compilation of early I.R.S. recordings
Billboard is reporting that long-running rock act R.E.M. will be releasing a collection of their early works which were released on independent label I.R.S Records. And I Feel Fine will be available in single and double-disc forms and will include rarities such as the first official release of studio outtakes including "Bad Day" and "Theme From Two Steps Onward," the latter of which was re-recorded for In Time, their 2003 career retrospective. These two tracks are simply the tip of the iceberg, as the collection will feature many other demos and live takes, closing with "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" from Document, the band's last I.R.S. album before they signed with Warner Brothers Music. The collection of outtakes and extras were assembled by the original R.E.M. members Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry.
The DVD, When The Light Is Mine will feature live performances clips from the UK's "The Tube" such as "Radio Free Europe." It will be rounded out with a 20-minute short film, "Left of Reckoning," and undisclosed rare interviews and acoustic footage.
R.E.M.'s early recordings on I.R.S. Records helped define the burgeoning underground and college rock sound of the 1980s along with bands such as the Violent Femmes and the Feelies. The quartet pushed forward their political, social and environmental causes through their music, drawing from their experience with the punk and art-punk movements of the late 70's. Through relentless touring, including stints with bands such as Mission of Burma (whose "Academy Fight Song" R.E.M. used to perform covers of live) , the band eventually broke into the mainstream with "The One I Love" and subsequent hits such as "Everybody Hurts" and "What's the Frequency Kenneth?", influencing underground and mainstream music in the mid 90's. To coincide with the release, the band will be inducted into their home state of Georgia's Music Hall of Fame on September 16th in Atlanta.
And I Feel Fine
Bonus disc:
When the Light Is Mine DVD