Since 1979 Pylon has been a permanent fixture and major pillar of the Athens music scene, and their singular sound has influenced countless bands, including R.E.M. For an art school band that initially considered themselves to be "temporary rock," they've left a lasting legacy and transformed the very concept of alternative music. We are honored to welcome Pylon's lead vocalist Vanessa Briscoe Hay to the show to talk about the band's genesis, a time before the terms new wave and post-punk had even been coined, and her continued involvement with Pylon Reenactment Society. It's amazing to have this opportunity to talk to our favorite band's favorite band.

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Our theme music is composed by Jared Duran

We're getting goth and glam on this episode! We delve into some of R.E.M.'s earliest recordings with the 1982 EP Chronic Town. Will unearths the southern gothic post punk "graveyard duology" with songs 1,000,000 and Stumble, and we talk about some notable residents buried in Athens. Then a jump ahead to the 90's as the band undergoes a major image change and responds to grunge in their own unique way, with the lead single from Monster, "What's the Frequency Kenneth?"

R.E.M. "1,000,000"

Our theme music is composed by Jared Duran

We let our geek flag fly in this episode, talking about our favorite fantastic foursome - R.E.M. Joining us are Bob Leeper and Russ Kazmierczak, contributors to Nerdvana.co. Bob is an conniseur of Superman in pop music, of which there are over 700 songs! We try to determine if R.E.M's cover of The Clique's track about the Man of Steel is top of the pops. Russ joins us to talk about Micky Donlenz (of Monkees fame) and his surprising EP of R.E.M. covers. Will and Chris then round it out with R.E.M.'s cover of "Love Is All Around" by The Troggs. It's all sunshine pop 60's nostalgia geekery on this episode!

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Our theme music is composed by Jared Duran

Our guest for this episode is Robert Dean Lurie, author of the book Begin the Begin: REM's Early Years, an excellent in-depth exploration of REM's genesis and the Athens scene that nurtured so many amazing bands. Robert was a student at the University of Georgia in the early 90s and saw firsthand the excitement of living in a small town that was also the home to a superstar band. Robert tells of his connection to REM's "Fall On Me." Will brings "Good Advices" to compliment Robert's pick, and Chris closes it out with "Around the Sun."

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Fall on Me

Our theme music is composed by Jared Duran

With the recent passing of Brian Wilson, we pay tribute to the Beach Boys and their influence on R.E.M., particularly on their later albums. We are joined by the host of The Digital Gramophone YouTube channel, Jon Wicker, whose favorite album of all time is The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds."

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Our theme music is composed by Jared Duran

We didn't have to go very far to find our guest for this episode. Annie Schilling, age 11, is the daughter of our host Will, and a burgeoning R.E.M. fan, and musican in her own right. We talk about passing down the music you love to your kids, how young people discover and engage with music these days, and you may be surprised which R.E.M. song Annie brought to talk about. We figure hers is a perspective you rarely get to hear on podcasts.

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Our theme music is composed by Jared Duran

Our guest is Jared Duran, a poet, publisher, podcaster, and composer of our theme song, which was partially inspired by one his favorite R.E.M. songs, Strange Currencies, which he brings to us for discussion. The theme for this episode is the music of the TV show "The Bear," which features three R.E.M. songs. Chris chooses "Half a World Away" to talk about, while Will picks "Oh My Heart."

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Our theme music is composed by Jared Duran

Our guest is Will Hodge, music journalist, pop culture anthropologist, and host of the podcast Unplugged Revisited. Will brings "It's the End of the Worlds As We Know It" to the show and talks about it's importance in making him an R.E.M. fan. Co-host Will Schilling follows up with "I'm Gonna DJ," and co-host Chris Ayers closes it out with "Just a Touch."

This episode features introductions, personal relationships with R.E.M.'s music, and some context covering our favorite bands and R.E.M. albums.

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Our theme music is composed by Jared Duran

Long time music fans, children of the South, and college friends Chris Ayers and Will Schilling discuss the music of R.E.M.

This episode features introductions, personal relationships with R.E.M.'s music, and some context covering our favorite bands and R.E.M. albums.

Links:

Our theme music is composed by Jared Duran