COVER: R.E.M. Radio Free Europe

[salinagrrrl69]

Anyone here at YT should look up the first tv performance of REM on the Dave Letterman Show. TIS GREAT!

[adebicki]

really cool!

[Frequency95]

I love the Rickenbacker's :D

[fred6059]

Good job! I am REM's number 2 fan and critical of anyone else who plays their music but you nailed it man!

[foandrade]

Awesome!

[salinagrrrl69]

Those RiX sound so clean.

[salinagrrrl69]

Honestly though I know there are out there many a vid to be found with some guy playing with himself......but this is the only one I would enjoy watching.

[jewfish424]

great bass lines

[simmer308]

dude, you own rickenbackers, thats so fucking awesome....

[marcelofeis]

This is so pure and raw! Perfect!

[sgfv]

muy bien!!!!!!!!!

[mikebungo1]

Hi

I saw these guys for three consecutive nights shortly after the channel 4 Tube appearence. You have really nailed mikes bass sound from this period. May I ask what amp you used for this recording and more importantly what settings. Cheers Mike (Not Mills)

[danielearwicker]

@mikebungo1 - sorry, it was 2.5 years ago so I can't remember. I don't own any amps, it would all be plugins. In fact this may be direct injected, some compression and no amp emulator, it's a very clean sound, similar to much of Murmur.

[ajmc5]

I've been a fan of REM since the early 80's and this is awesome! Thanks!

[Eijianthony]

great stuf man, thanks!

[privatehelluk]

This is superb! 5*

[wittyusername55]

I looked this song up to learn it on guitar- now I want to play it on bass too! I just got into R.E.M. and didn't realize how good a bassist Mike Mills was/is. wow.

[danielinvt]

This sounds great, Did Peter use a 12 string though?

[WildberryRecords]

Peter used a 6-string, but overdubbed it. I doubt Peter owned a 360/12 in the early 80s. As far as this cover goes, I doubt it matters much which or what kind of guitar is being used as long as the artist performs it well... which he does, imo. I love this cover!

[WildberryRecords]

Being both an R.E.M. and Rickenbacker fan... and play a 360 myself... I must say: great job!

[gstockton]

I was luck to meet Peter Buck shortly after their first album came out at a college radio station. He knows how to jangle.

[themooddisorders]

I'd like to meet him and ask him 1 question about life, and another, his opinion on a song called Gramma Loves You All

[desasterz]

the guy is very inspired by Johnny Marr

[danielearwicker]

Except that this record came out in 1981 before the Smiths existed.

[marrzipan]

Well, Johnny Marr existed way before 1981. ;-)

[Mugsycache14567]

So did Peter Buck! He claims to have not heard of Marr (at least not before Murmur). peter Buck is a great and original guitarist. He owes nothing to Marr, and vis versa.

[rem857]

Very true. But did Johnny Marr do any recording prior to the Smiths? Actual question, not sarcasm.

[Reint25]

@rem857 Perhaps a Quando Quango single. He played on a few of their early records, but I don't know when exactly they were released. He also played in a funk group with Rourke, but never recorded anything (don't even know if they wrote their own stuff).

[scarcob]

where did you get the tabs?

[dermot51]

1980 ! Daniel would you believe?...... " sitting still" was on the flip side, lovely bit of guitar well done, i think ive nailed this tune now cheers

[123PullOut321]

@danielearwicker However, Buck wasn't playing a rickenbacker back then. His sound was very different.

[salinagrrrl69]

@123PullOut321 U R Wroooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­ong!

Go see their performance of Dave Letterman here a YT.

[123PullOut321]

@salinagrrrl69 It would appear the maker of this video is the wrong one. What I said was in response to him saying that this record came out in '81 (before Buck had a Ric) but this record actually came out in '83.

[signeponge]

@danielearwicker: It actually came out in 1983, but the first Smiths album is from 1984, so it really doesn't matter. Great performance, btw.

[danielearwicker]

@signeponge - thanks. For anyone else still unsure about when this song was first released as REM's debut single on Hib Tone records, you can google for: REM Radio Free Europe 1981.

[signeponge]

@danielearwicker: Oh yes, of course, my bad (I was thinking about the album; btw, Smiths' first single only came out in May '83). Thanks for the reply.

[BucksStudent]

@signeponge Radio Free Europe was released as a single in '81, I believe. It originally had Telecaster, too.

[RabbiJochanan]

You should listen to "The Byrds". I like Johnny Marr, but Peter Buck probably was inspired by the Byrds.

[danielibertine]

don't forget John Squire.

[deweypug]

@desasterz You mean Johnny Marr was probably inspired by Peter Buck...

[johnbarry1965]

@deweypug And by Marty Piper-Loog of The Church!!!!

[deweypug]

@desasterz Try the opposite...

[Nigelxman]

@desasterz Not as much as you think.

[ajmc5]

I rarely leave comments but I have to tell you that rocks! Great job!

[smerrigan]

you must have over $50k worth of equipment in USD

[Theboardsurfer]

Wow!!!!!

[CamaroLover6]

Wow! Amazing cover!

[AnaNisiMasa23]

Your videos are very entertaining and delightful.

Someone on a MBV video asked "where's the dirt?"... I'd also add that to this one - if anything, you play the bass *too* well. Mills tended to do a little last-instant buzz-slide onto some of the notes, whereas yours are about as clean as human fingers can get on the instrument.

(Please consider this 'feedback' rather than 'criticism'... if you didn't play so damn well little things like the above wouldn't even be apparent.)

[mwright165]

yes but a cover should not be just recreating sounds that are already existing! its should be the players interpretation and i think that these covers show that in a way! keep the good work up

[GlueyPorch]

Really good. I wish R.E.M. would play this one more regularly live

[rem857]

wow, how many Rics do you have? I've seen you use the jetglo one and this, with the bass. Nice choice on the guitar.

[ajmc5]

Very Cool! Well done, thanks for posting this!

[Toph7444]

That was brilliant... I thoroughly enjoyed that.

[djsabor]

Another great song. Another great cover. Sick.

[trenhcoat]

good one matey!

seems REM is best on Rickenbacker, really!

[salinagrrrl69]

I am a 48 yr old that played in altern bandz 1/4 century ago...or seems yesterday. This took me back to a spur of the moment jam in some friends living room.

[pappsmeere]

Oh..thats how the song is played..nice one

[rutlegirl]

wow that was sweet!!

[musicbrain5]

Wow that sounds really good! Ricks have such an amazing sound. I've been DYING to get a Rickenbacker guitar, but I just don't have enough money :(

[PBuckFan]

good work!

[Paulbleeker]

That was cool. I really want a Rickenbacker bass. I play a Fender now which sounds good but those Ricks are really cool.

[GayDad420]

Play them in person before you buy one. I love the sound of them but mine has a really thick, flat neck and the pickup surround still throws me through a loop when I play it after setting down a Precision or Jazz.

[Paulbleeker]

Oh absoultely, I wouldn't dream about buying one before I played it.

[dovesdelay]

ha, love your sign in name. Just off to bed to watch it ! Whose idea was it ?!

[dw2345]

class...!

[WitheringPose]

Those Rick basses are astonishing!

Good work my friend.I really enjoyed that...

[deadmanwalking2388]

awesome!

[kingmod01]

you some sort of rich guy with all these rickenbackers !!

sweet guitar tho !! have your blue bass but its a 6 stringer leadguitar not bass custom build :D just under £4,000

[the0scarlet0piper]

well arent we the lucky guy :}

nice guitars, and great version of a great song

[jeffkahl]

dude what happened to the bottom horn of your bass? awesome job on the song though! :D

[Darkly123]

Heh, I think it's 'muchAs gracias' actually.

You have inspired me to buy a 12-string.

[TheBeatlesFan123]

dude luckyyy you got a rickenbacker!!!

[harborcoat26]

Great song, playing, and equipment! Just a few nerdy/technical questions: are those vintage "toaster top" pickups? Is that the "Amber" Fireglo? And which compressor are you using on the 360/12? Thanks!

[U2Madrid]

3 or 4 Chords but sounds awesome! Nice Music!

[unclealbert72]

Your cover of this just reminds us R.E.M. fans

that Mike Mills is is a hell of a bass player.

[GWBsux]

Amen to that!! I love Mike Mills' playing -- especially on Murmur!

[unclealbert72]

Murmer's a great, great album.

Very colorful sound.

They kind of helped Rickenbacker from going into obscurity.

[bigmuso1]

right on !!! mike mills is fantastic bass player of which i dont think he gets the recognition he deserves!!! rickenbachers rock!!!!!!

[spitdevil1]

awesome

[jmanmoonwalk]

My favorite REM song.

[amandalee7747]

you guys are just plain frigging good, nothing more to be said... I believe you are all head-less though, that might be an impediment to your careers, though.

[showam1]

I think he is a one man show

[amandalee7747]

Yes, I think you may be right, and a genius of one..

[akie64]

Brill song, brill Rickenbackers, brill playing!

[ricardofdusp]

This guy has the best taste for good songs!

[uclrichard]

good - but you're not homoerotic or skinny enough for me, duckie.

[doug506]

See ya'll t the 40 watt!!!

[nunzioforpresident]

great bass..... oh ,great musician too :p

[jon2330]

I have a feeling you did this on the first take. That's how good I think you are.

[sonofdrcross]

Absolute Class!

[REMchout]

well done...i was thinking of doing this at some point after learning nearly every

REM song on gtr and bass...it's fun from a musician's view to see how others play the songs.

[netkooper]

So nice! Wonderful :)

[buggerit2]

good work man

two beautiful guitars there

[Beatlesgirl1978]

This is great!Thanks for posting this. Love the ric bass sound. Love Mike Mills bass playing, such melodic basslines.

[erikrex]

Another great example Daniel of teaching REM parts. Keep it up!

[Nigelxman]

Extremely well done mate! Love the sound of that Ric!

[Texarkana85]

I love this bass line! And you play it very well!

[walleyrange]

Daniel, Just discovered you browsing The Smiths which i was well impressed with and now Radio Free Europe which is note for note perfect. You Rock My Friend

[marokokisetter]

Daniel! Man! what the heck, when did you get that rickenbacker bass?! course, you never showed it while playing any of the Smiths tracks.. is it new? Lucky man!!

[Jammerkevin]

As an REM for over 25 years I want to say thank you. I get chills when I watch this video. This song set the music world on fire!!! You did a great job. I find myself reliving those emotions all over again. Suddenly, I'm back in'81 and just finding thie little band with a great new sound. Your playing is raw, passionate, and watching it brings my real joy!!!

Again, thanks

[ReintBoven]

Brilliant. I just discovered Murmur, and it's a great album (though I prefer The Smiths).

I have an request: The Beatles' Ticket to Ride? (It's a challenge ;) )

[hofnericon]

Daniel, George Harrison is looking down on you and smiling! BTW, am I correct that you were going to do a Byrds cover or two?

[blueglobe]

Dude, I love watching your work. Is the RIC Bass new? I am still waiting for "Hollow Horse" By "The Icicle Works". Come on I know you can do it...

[AshmanGT]

You know you just wanna play Wolves,Lower you know you do.

[backinnyc]

i bought my rickenbackers after seeing your videos so thanks daniel

[onemorejoe]

note to self: don't ignore bassist during next r.e.m listening.

[johnnybabe007]

amazing!

[ce11ard00r]

Thanks to your R.E.M. videos, I've started to really get into them more than I've ever been.

[clag01]

Brilliant as always