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REM Breaking Up

In what they insist is an amicable split

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 21, 2011 2:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – REM is calling it quits after 31 years of performing together, the band announced today, in what members insisted was an entirely amicable breakup. “We feel kind of like pioneers in this,” bassist Mike Mills wrote on REM’s website. “There’s no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring off. We’ve made this decision together.” Frontman Michael Stipe added, “A wise man once said—'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.”

The band will have one last release later this year, a greatest hits collection that includes a few new tracks, according to Rolling Stone. “While making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, ‘What next?’” says Mills. “These songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years.”

REM is seen in this promo shot from their 1994 album "Monster." From left are Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Bill Berry, and Peter Buck. (AP Photo/Warner Bros.)

In this CD cover image released by Warner Bros., the latest release by R.E.M., "Collapse Into Now," is shown. (AP Photo/Warner Bros.)

In this 2005 file photo, R.E.M. band members, from left, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and Peter Buck wave as their leave the stage at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park in London. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, file)

In this 2008 file photo, Michael Stipe of R.E.M. performs on stage at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. (AP Photo/Keystone/Steffen Schmidt)

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REM Breaking Up

In what they insist is an amicable split

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