Peter Buck, the murmur days

Here's a clip from Athens, GA Inside-Out featuring Peter Buck circa 1983 (judging from his own testimony.) Peter is a member of R.E.M., and quite possibly the worst guitar player who ever lived - yet somehow also one of the best. figure that one out. this film was released in 1987. it seems to be a documentary cobbled together using footage from 1980 - 1986. there's not much information on it, but it's an interesting film.

[@michaelehrhart9670]

I still have the 900 or so albums I bought from Pete at Wuxtry on Baxter Street...46 years later. I remember walking up to the record store from the Zoo (Russell Hall), walking in and seeing Pete strumming an acoustic guitar, behind the counter. I am glad he became such an awesome, successful and respected guitarist. Good for him. Go Pete, go!

[@Frequency95]

I love how laid back he is, just walking around town in his pyjamas, picking up branches for no reason, giving interviews in his pyjamas, giving a tour of his house but only showing the bathroom, moving into that house because it was close to Walter's BBQ...only Peter Buck is that cool.

[@void0094]

Love him

[@iggypopisgod9]

that was the vibe of the early 80s DIY college radio scene...nobody cared about being the next big thing because it largely was unobtainable...ironically ...REM did end up becoming the "it" band a few yrs later and ended up on WB

[@pwilson962]

I love his guitar style. It's unique to his personality. I kept wanting to run away from home to go to Athens to just have a long conversation with him. I first learned about REM as a fan of Pylon. I felt a kindred spirit with Peter and his fun attitude toward life and music. If you've ever had an opportunity to talk with him; he is like an encyclopedia of music knowledge. Once upon a time, I was too. Oh well, bygones. Peter, say hi to your Mom for me. Met her at school in the 80's - lovely lady.

[@edortiz1951]

Yes, a very unique style. No flash, simple, but extremely effective. 💯

[@silkywellman315]

I think Peter is an amazing guitar player!

[@finvandewall2445]

I love how he's just in his pjamas

[@sexobscura]

new fashion that we ALL now wear

[@blainebauman572]

Fin Van De Wall according to Jeff Tweedy in his book, he was always in pajamas, no matter what he was doing.

[@iggypopisgod9]

and drinking beer!

[@coffee5736]

Pete Buck is one of my favorite guitarists and really inspires me to play.

[@kai326]

His style shows you don't have to be a Clapton or a Hendrix or a Kath to be musical. It's really inspirational :))

[@teodelfuego]

The Edge of U2 once cited Peter Buck as one of the best guitars alive at the time.

[@thebunk8588]

+teodelfuego I didn't you can play on Peter Buck

[@teodelfuego]

+leon floyd English is a difficult language, isn't it?

[@mikedowd66]

you mean that guy with one riff and a bunch of delay pedals?

[@waynecash2002]

Athens GA Inside/Out is a great documentary of Athens in the 80's God I loved that place. Going to school there was a blast.

[@NoCoverCharge]

i lived there during this time and the guy at the beginning is a living legend and Beer Journalist before there was craft beer...his name is ORT...seriously and he is a wonderful guy

[@BostonBrian2015]

Yep, that's Ort 😊

[@chmick50]

Thank you very much for putting this online, brought back a mllion memories and all of them wonderful. Nice way to end the weekend.

[@blazak]

I remember when this came out in 86. I watched a hundred times. Why they filmed in the winter, I'll never now. Athens is GREEN!

[@andrewbeattie244]

Still one of the finest albums ever made.MURMUR.The Belfast poet Andrew Beattie.

[@stevenmichaelcollins4389]

Peter Buck didn't buy that house in Athens til the summer of 1985 so I would say judging by the weather, would be colder months of 1985/86

[@georgeharrison70]

Peter Buck is just an awesome guy. :)

[@StorieGrubb]

this doc was on Netflix back when netflix was cool. I wish they wouldve made one, in the same area for the late 90's with the elephant 6 folks. that would be a great doc too.

[@robopecha]

damn i love him. around the early 90s i have been reading everything i could find on early r.e.m., but seeing those videos is so much better. i wish i would have come to a place like this after finishing school. that is the best life you can live. having the best band in the world just for fun. he was making everything so right.

[@Kapricorn1]

What a legend this man is

[@djinnisequoia]

The thing to remember is that *no one* was using a Rickenbacher 12-string at the time. It sounded so rich, so melodic, it knocked me right over. It sounded like their music had an extra dimension in there.

[@crapple009]

The Jam's Paul Weller was using Rickenbacker guitars to the max, but most Americans, unfortunately, were oblivious to the man. Peter played a 6-string Rickenbacker, btw.

[@seanmcaleavy2369]

The Rain Parade used a 12 string Ric pretty often.

[@parkerthompson3447]

Roger McQuinn is the only other guitarist that comes to my head

[@ConglomerationCat]

Peter did play a Rickenbacker 12 string on some songs on Life's Rich Pageant.

[@parkerthompson3447]

@@ConglomerationCat I saw him with The Baseball Project recently and he was rocking a 12 string epiphone along with his signature rickenbecker and I believe he also has a jazzmaster that he let Mitch Easter play on a few songs

[@versioncity1]

It was released in 87, the bit with Peter buck was shot at the back end of 85

[@darrylmaxwell-os7pu]

that scene where he is sitting on the porch steps...I saw that EXACT same thing in 1982ish at the Cains Ballroom. they had just finished their set as the opening act for the Producers. just sitting on the steps leading to the stage having a beer and a smoke. I went over to praise his guitar playing and he said " I can't believe I just played the same stage that everyone from Hank Williams to the Sex Pistols have played " ❤ I later realized... that's the perfect description of his sound !!!😊 he wasn't wearing pajamas but he was that comfortable anyway - very chill .

[@ia5662]

haha incredible interview, love his perspective. that bbq guy "some band named the asshole surfers or something' " haha Butthole Surfers! That's great, must be good bbq

[@joshfeatherstone8546]

Paul Leary (Butthole Surfers) was a big REM fan in the 80s. I read an article years back where Paul was always inviting Pete to come hang out. Pete always declined or never responded.

[@sexobscura]

*I see Buck got all 'gussied up' for this interview*

[@kimberlydawson7901]

He is a very good-looking man

[@versioncity1]

+Kimberly Dawson Wasn't he just..... but he was always very low key and never really got much attention for it.

[@Katy-sh3ru]

I only just realised! I was so obsessed with Michael that I didn't notice before!

[@KylieJuliet0_0]

Peter buck was so hot. He's still fly

[@FredericZimmermann-ss3mu]

I remember meeting him at a party in 1984 at a good friends house in Watkinsville. I was slightly intoxicated and made a complete ass of myself trying to get him to talk to me. From then on, I never approached anyone else who was popular like that. Live and learn.

[@JohnDoe-sx2zk]

This is one of my favorite musician interviews I have have no idea wky

[@RunyonTV]

Athens, GA Inside/Out" came out in 1987. The footage isn't from the "Murmur" era, but the post-"Fables"/pre-"Pageant" era.

[@dpclerks09]

"Search and Enjoy" is a brilliant turnaround from the original. Love it. That and the "Asshole Surfers" 🤣❤

[@chrisnope1]

The only thing I find myself wanting more of in this clip is: 1. A Yogurt Cart 2. Bottle of red wine 3. 2 ambian's 4. One very scared steward whose 1st REM cd was 'Reveal'

[@Nerddough]

wheres my supersuit sally lol i love pete but I would pay money to watch a video of him being insane on and airplane

[@heymaker69]

I take 'five years down the road...' as meaning five years since the band started rather than when he moved to Athens...which makes it 86.

[@gonzalolirasbartab5200]

86 when filmed, released in 87.

[@iamtheressurection1]

"The Asshole Surfers" Brilliant.

[@Lonesometraveler99]

I wish I could roll by the clock, what great days..and music

[@juliedickison6051]

I remember when we got the gold album for REM at WXYC--resurrection; there was a signed copy of the album with a busted up orange vinyl record in a Baggie attached to the record. Never knew the reason why exactly the vinyl record was attached, but some fool threw it away (the Baggie). I always thought is was a gesture of protest to the IRS record label, but wasn't sure.

[@OlafProt]

What lovely footage. That last song is very The Fall

[@MrMonikerjay]

REM made me want to move to Athens. No script. No money. Just go. I was like that in early 93, 21 years old. Just seemed like a good thing to do. Never moved there, but man it seemed fun at the time.

[@adamatomic41]

You dodged a bullet.

[@matthewstetson711]

+MrMonikerjay That's OK since they all moved shortly thereafter. Buck spends his time in the Great Northwest and Stipe lives in NYC. I could be wrong about Mills since I don't know where he lives and Bill farms out of Farmington, not far outside of Athens. It's a college town and college towns can be cool, especially if you're young. I've never been and if I ever travel to GA., I' myself would like to visit. Just to say I was there.

[@keratacon]

Stipe still spends a lot of time in Athens. He owns a bar and hangs out there some. He's involved in the community in a lot of ways. We're lucky to have him. He's a really nice and (if you're not weird about it) approachable guy.

[@keratacon]

And a lot of people still do just show up in Athens with a vague notion of the music and art scenes. It's still a very fun town full of weirdos but the rent is going up.

[@downtown4028]

Peter Buck attended the same high school and college that I attended... really musical schools.. Crestwood and UGA. Still rocking at 55.... over 40 years and I am still a student.

[@fanofaestallings]

cool. this is the same porch on my site where I visited him in 1986.

[@geech55]

That was Walter, I think, of Walter's Barbecue.

[@void0094]

That Stratocaster looks so good on him

[@phototristan]

It's funny that he's in his pajamas and with a beer.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Got a beer in his pajamas...real innocent time with that Paisley Underground sound...lots of style

[@krisscanlon4051]

That is a lead guitarist there...eccentric as all yell

[@talldarkandahandfull5781]

Please upload more of this,the barbeque guy was interesting,then this video abruptly ended.

[@BryanRossthemanwithanose]

It ended there because the rest isn’t about REM

[@matthewstetson711]

"It's Now Or Never..." The Warzone Earth LP by Buck is very good and very varied. I wonder if he'll tour with Corrine Tucker?

[@chchchamon]

Buck is top ten. So good.

[@malone_t_d]

I went to this house to bring Pete Buck a special Bob Dylan album with my friend. It was that same year!

[@BryanRossthemanwithanose]

@Frequency95 yeah, totally agree. this sort of coolness only comes around once every forty years at best.

[@mascottie]

How can I find the rest of this?

[@Katy-sh3ru]

This is great - but where's the rest of it?

[@heymaker69]

This is either 85 or 86 - He bought the 'Jesters' house in Athens GA with the proceeds from Fables of the Reconstruction - He's sitting on the front porch of that house for this interview.

[@1monki]

I saw this film in a theater in the late 80s

[@theheartofablackbird2109]

I had this on VHS

[@wahivalleys3011]

Peter Buck, and J. Marr, are my favorite guitar players ever. I do love Nugent and Frehley as well, but regarding his comments, seeing Pylon at a club, with 100 people, sounds cool, but I'd bet Pylon would rather play for 10,000, like he did, and all the rest of us guitarists! Wahi' Valleys

[@jasonlefler3456]

Wahi' Valleys Actually, the interview conducted for this documentary (Athens Ga Inside Out) shows Pylon pretty much not giving CA hammered fuck about becoming successful. It's actually kind of funny and touching. This doc reminds me of more innocent times.

[@wahivalleys3011]

I saw it as well...Wahi' Valleys

[@mistermoonlight1719]

Should listen to the early Byrds (influenced R.E.M. And the Smiths) listen to the song "It won't be wrong"

[@mistermoonlight1719]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXqYgp6nbJqrbac

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

I recognize him as the man playing the mandolin in the music video for Shiny Happy People.

[@QuantPlus]

His comment about punk not reaching the provinces... Mills learned to play bass to the Ramones debut album circa 1979... 2-3 years after it's release. And Mike said he felt like the only person in GA who owned that album. (Thank you Dee Dee).

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales7218]

Peter Ernest Lawrence Buck, conocido como Peter Buck (6 de diciembre de 1956), es un músico estadounidense, el cofundador y guitarrista principal de la banda R.E.M., una de las agrupaciones pioneras del denominado rock alternativo.

[@funkmike]

"The Asssss-hole...sur..soi..soifers, or sumthin' like that"

[@lordmaynard5237]

I think he was saying 5 years after the band started (1980-81?) not when he moved to Athens (1977-78).

[@zippymufo9765]

"The Asshole Surfers". 😂 That man has a great smile.

[@Matt-oy7pz]

Murmur.. best album, ever

[@Nigelxman]

Agreed!

[@Birdwash]

This seems like a solid documentary. Does anyone know the name of it?

[@ellemjay]

Athens, GA Inside/Out

[@ushojedi]

CRIBS with Buck in 83! - BOOM!

[@anacristinasilva3254]

BRASIL ILOVE R.E M

[@LetMeGoForever]

@viagemixtlan Yeah, he's my hero.

[@peytonbenton7528]

Great, and funny video... xD

[@ruthlessreid9172]

Love the Elvis bathroom!!

[@ssamstory1]

The Elvis bathroom.. So funny!

[@ST-xg3gy]

What street is that house on?

[@BryanRossthemanwithanose]

you're welcome!

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales7218]

Michael Stipe 04/01/1960 62 años

[@ThatCoolKidYouKnow]

What band is he talking about two minutes in? Pile on??

[@dhh488]

Pylon I think.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Freaking Pylon hell yeah

[@nativesspoken]

REM is my favorite band of all time, but there is nothing wrong with the Motor City Madman...Uncle Ted, I adore your "rawk." By the way, does Athens have the east coast vinegar barbecue? If so, it's not the best...go to Texas for the best! Wahi'

[@ClueSign]

I bet his present house is a little nicer than this one.

[@mozlover87]

cuz he's Peter fuckin Buck!!!

[@Weegie_in_Spain]

@Sligomol Cos that was the first year they had actually made enough money to buy their own houses ;-)

[@KirkChauncey]

PJ BUCK

[@lagilbert67]

Rem covered The Stooges? Crazy

[@earinsound]

That's Buck with Love Tractor, not REM

[@jasonlefler3456]

lagilbert67 They covered Crazy by Pylon as well.

[@lagilbert67]

earinsound I'm so not cool. I'm clueless

[@alexjohnston2439]

Buck is certainly not 'quite possibly the worst guitar player who ever lived'. He's no virtuoso, but for REM's purposes he was the perfect guy. I think of him as being in the John Lennon tradition of great rhythm guitarists. There are other guitarists who are in this tradition, but don't realise it. (Jimmy Page, I'm looking at you. Your riffs are outstanding but your solos are meh.)

[@akashn3954]

No offense man but there were few guitarists in the late 60s and the early 70s who were playing Blues rock infused guitar solos and page was one of them.Obviously page's guitar technique sounds dated but back then zep,sabbath and purple were shaping hard rock/heavy metal that we know today.Plus,there's a weird elegance in his sloppy playing which is very beautiful.

[@alexjohnston2439]

akash nandrekar When you say 'there were few guitarists in the late 60s and the early 70s who were playing Blues rock infused guitar solos' do you mean 'there weren't many guitar guitarists' back then who were doing that, or do you mean 'there were a few' in the sense of 'there were quite a few, i.e. a lot'? Because practically every guitarist in the late 60s and early 70s played blues-rock infused guitar solos. The only one I know of who didn't was Robert Fripp. I'm not dissing Jimmy Page. I actually value good rhythm playing over soloing, in rock at any rate. Page's studio solos are usually great, but live he tended to go on far too long, as everyone did in those days.

[@alexjohnston2439]

+MrFluidity1 The 'possibly the worst guitar player comment' is in the comment from the person who uploaded the video. I personally like Buck's playing, as I hope I made clear. (I do recall a very bitchy Musician magazine article from 1988 which gave him a bit of a kicking.) But there's a good reason why he didn't play a lot of solos - not that all good rock guitarists have to be great soloists, because they don't.

[@JohnDoe-sx2zk]

peter buck is the best worst guitar player. second is cc deville

[@paulsmartialarts]

Peter Buck is fucking brilliant. Only a clown would dispute that.

[@peytonbenton7528]

That's what I've been wondering! xD

[@gonzalolirasbartab5200]

This film came out in 1987, this was Life's Rich Pageant era r.e.m, when they were still good.

[@likeaboss8512]

worst guitarist of all time???? come on.. no he's no lead player ala Eddie Van Halen or Hendrix.. but he does write music / great rhythms... he does have his own style/sound.

[@fred6059]

He can't afford clothes

[@davidstock4676]

Ort!

[@larken558]

Worst guitar player ?? ... He's a good guitar player !

[@Ldale11]

Yeah, the "quite possibly the worst guitar player who ever lived - yet somehow also one of the best" comment is fucking idiotic. Your folks must be so proud.

[@BryanRossthemanwithanose]

He's a terrible guitar player. But he played for one of the best bands in history. Mike Mills, on the other hand, is a terrific bass player, without question one of the best bass guitarists of all time.

[@FamousOriginalSlim]

you're crazy, Peter Buck is freaking amazing. Dude continuously wrote signature riffs that were so cool they defined the sound of a decade.

[@FamousOriginalSlim]

but also - thanks for posting this!

[@void0094]

​@@BryanRossthemanwithanosePeter played Rickenbackers with 13 gauge strings. Your guitar heroes couldn't bend a single note on them.

[@BryanRossthemanwithanose]

I speculate that this is footage from '83 because he says he moved to Athens in 1978, then later in his conversation says "being in a band is an ideal living . . . it is, five years later down the road, it's pretty neat" It's kind of hard to date this movie's clips.

[@peterjonas4971]

Nope. It's '86. Right after recording Life's Rich Pageant. Peter Buck did not own a house in 1983.

[@BryanRossthemanwithanose]

@minedarea - You're probably right - I figure it's around that time at least. I think in '83 Buck's hair looked like one of the Beatles'.

[@BryanRossthemanwithanose]

walking around town in your pajamas is normal?

[@crapple009]

Most likely he was only walking in pajamas on his street.

[@wiisalute]

Why do people think stipe is a jerk?

[@wiisalute]

Ritchiemomitchie then why is axl rose considered a jerk? the audience is pissing him off. it's their fault

[@matthewstetson711]

+wiisalute He is an artiste and artistes can sometimes be misunderstood. He is well intentioned however.

[@matthewstetson711]

I was talking about Stipe. Couldn't give a rat's ass about what's his face.

[@matthewstetson711]

+Ritchiemomitchie Settle down Francis.

[@matthewstetson711]

+Ritchiemomitchie Sure I'll take Sergeant Hulka's title. You're good. You're good.

[@BryanRossthemanwithanose]

Why '86?

[@crapple009]

@Bryan Ross For one thing, the brief snippet at 0:19 is of 'Swan Swan H' is from 1986.