R.E.M.'s Mike Mills Forms Supergroup Howl Owl Howl.

2 days ago7 min read

In a move that feels less like a corporate side project and more like the opening chords of a genuine supergroup anthem, R. E.M. bassist and melodic cornerstone Mike Mills has teamed up with Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker and Black Crowes’ foundational drummer Steve Gorman to form Howl Owl Howl.Their debut offering isn't a ponderous rock epic or a nostalgic retread, but a wonderfully peculiar and sharply witty ode to a pop star's perfume, a track that immediately establishes a distinct sonic signature far removed from the jangle-pop of Athens or the bar-band roar of the '90s. This isn't merely a collection of famous musicians jamming; it’s the convergence of three distinct, deeply rooted threads in the tapestry of American rock, weaving together Rucker’s soulful, country-inflected baritone, Mills’ impeccably melodic bass lines and keyboard textures that always served as the secret harmonic engine of R.E. M., and Gorman’s loose, greasy, and powerfully swinging backbeat that defined the swagger of The Black Crowes. The choice of their first song’s subject—a pop star fragrance with a teasingly familiar name—is a masterstroke of tonal setting, suggesting a band with a sense of humor, a keen eye for the absurdities of modern celebrity, and a refusal to take itself too seriously, all while showcasing a musical chemistry that feels both effortless and electrifying.Imagine the recording session: Mills, the thoughtful architect of alternative rock anthems, locking in with Gorman, a drummer who plays with the raw, unvarnished spirit of a 1970s rock session, while Rucker’s voice, now weathered and wise from its journey through pop, rock, and country charts, wraps around a melody that is both catchy and clever. This is the sound of veterans unshackled from the expectations of their main projects, playing purely for the joy of creation, and in doing so, they’ve crafted a song that comments on the ephemeral nature of fame—the transformation of a person into a product, a scent—through the enduring, tangible medium of guitar, bass, and drums.The formation of Howl Owl Howl echoes the legacy of other legendary collaborations where established artists found a new, potent creative voice together, from the hard-rocking power of Them Crooked Vultures to the rootsy fusion of The Highwomen, proving that the most exciting music often happens when artists step outside their established lanes and into a shared, uncharted space. For fans of any of these musicians, the project promises a rich exploration; it’s the melodic sophistication of R.E. M.meeting the soulful warmth of Hootie & the Blowfish, all driven by the unapologetic rock and roll heart of The Black Crowes. This isn't a one-off novelty; it feels like the first track on a playlist we didn't know we needed, a welcome reminder that great songcraft and genuine camaraderie can produce something fresh, relevant, and utterly captivating, a new band whose debut already sounds like a greatest hit waiting to be discovered.

#featured

#Mike Mills

#Darius Rucker

#Steve Gorman

#Howl Owl Howl

#My Cologne

#Ariana Grande

#supergroup

#music collaboration

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