Reminiscing About R.E.M. -- Band's Appearance At Memorial Stadium Builds On Seattle Connections And Concerts Over The Past 15 Years

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R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows, Saltine and the Picketts 7 p.m. next Thursday, Memorial Stadium, Seattle Center; $28, 206-628-0888. -------------------------------

When last we heard from R.E.M., drummer Bill Berry had left the band, but the group said it would continue as a trio.

That was two years ago. The only recording R.E.M. has released since then was a song on a compilation disc that came with the June 1998 issue of The Oxford American, a Southern literary magazine. "Why Not Smile," a folky, healing song reminiscent of "Everybody Hurts," included fuzzy guitar and church-like organ, but no drums.

More new music is coming in November, when the band will release the soundtrack to "Man on the Moon," the Andy Kaufman biopic starring Jim Carrey. The disc will contain "Man on the Moon," R.E.M's 1992 tribute to Kaufman, written immediately after his death (and after which the film is titled), as well as a new song called "Great Beyond" and instrumental music.

R.E.M. hit the road for the first time in four years earlier this month, starting with two shows at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Its sets have included "Man on the Moon," "Great Beyond," five to 10 songs from the band's last album, 1998's "Up," and many of R.E.M.'s most popular songs.

Playing drums on the tour is Joey Waronker, from Beck's band. Two Seattle musicians are also performing with R.E.M.: Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows and Ken Stringfellow of the Posies, both playing guitars and keyboards.

Three of R.E.M.'s favorite Seattle bands - Young Fresh Fellows, Saltine and the Picketts will open. R.E.M. has strong Seattle ties; guitarist Peter Buck lives here with his wife (a co-owner of the Crocodile Cafe) and twin daughters.

The Memorial Stadium show will be only the sixth R.E.M. concert here over a period of 15 years. Following are thumbnail sketches of the others, several of which I reviewed.

R.E.M. IN SEATTLE

June 27, 1984, Music Hall - In its Seattle debut, the band played a theater converted into a nightclub (the building is now gone). Michael Stipe, who "looked like a Da Vinci angel with golden ringlets," as I wrote in my review, was on crutches and performed on a stool, due to a cut foot suffered on a California beach. They did "Radio Free Europe," "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)," "Gardening at Night." The Byrds' "So You Want to Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star" was the encore. Opening act: Dream Syndicate.

July 12, 1985, Paramount Theatre - The near-capacity crowd was on its feet for almost all of the 90-minute show. Fans, many of whom snuck in through an unsecured side door, danced in the aisles to "Can't Get There From Here," "Old Man Kensey" and a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain." I wrote that the lighting was weird (no lights on the band), and even Stipe complained that the sound was terrible. Opener: True West.

Oct. 4, 1986, Paramount Theatre - A "brilliant performance" by "the best new rock band of the 1980s," according to my review. The two-hour set included "These Days," "Swan swan H.," "Driver 8, "Fall On Me" and a new song, "The One I Love." Covers included the Everly Brothers' "All I Have to Do Is Dream," David Bowie & Iggy Pop's "Funtime," Aerosmith's "Toys in the Attic" and Tina Turner's "We Don't Need Another Hero." Opener: Guadalcanal Diary.

Oct. 11, 1989, Coliseum (now KeyArena) - Stipe was a commanding presence, wearing a baggy white suit, a modified Mohawk haircut with a long ponytail, and black mascara around his eyes. He went shirtless for "Pop Song 89." They also played "Stand," "Orange Crush," "World Leader Pretend," "You Are the Everything" and "Get Up." Covers included Lou Reed's "Cycle Annie," which included some lyrics from Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," and Television's "See No Evil." Opener: NRBQ.

May 21, 1995, Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Grant County - Less than a week after resuming a tour that was cut short when drummer Bill Berry suffered a brain aneurysm, the concert had a feeling of celebration. Highlights of the two-hour, 25-song set included "Crush With Eyeliner," "What's the Frequency, Kenneth," "Losing My Religion," "Man on the Moon" and "It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)." Opener: Sonic Youth. ------------------------------- Bumbershoot guide

R.E.M. kicks off Bumbershoot - the Labor Day weekend music and arts extravaganza - a day early (though separate tickets, which are still available, are required). For complete coverage of Bumbershoot, including a four-page pullout guide to the festival and top picks by Seattle Times' arts and entertainment critics, don't miss next Thursday's Ticket section.