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 long-awaited encore, R. E.M. bassist and melodic architect Mike Mills has convened a new supergroup, Howl Owl Howl, with a lineup that reads like a backstage pass to alt-rock royalty: Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker and Black Crowes’ foundational drummer Steve Gorman.This isn't just a casual jam session; it's a convergence of distinct sonic lineages, a harmonic convergence of Southern rock soul, jangle-pop intellect, and unabashed mainstream melody, and their debut offering is as unexpectedly poetic as it is sonically grounded—a song about a pop star's fragrance. The very concept feels like a Brian Miller deep-cut B-side, a lyrical wink wrapped in a serious musical statement.Imagine the scene: Mills, the quiet intellectual force whose bass lines provided the heartbeat for a generation's existential questions, now sharing a studio with Rucker, whose voice has been a staple of American radio for decades, first with the college-rock anthems of Hootie and then as a country music powerhouse, and Gorman, the hard-hitting, groove-laden engine behind The Black Crowes' swaggering rock and roll. The potential for creative friction—or, more likely, a sublime fusion—is immense.Their first track, reportedly centered on a celebrity perfume with a 'familiar name,' is a brilliantly subversive choice. In an era where artist collaborations are often calculated for streaming algorithms, Howl Owl Howl is diving headfirst into the surreal poetry of modern consumer culture, using a pop artifact as a lens to examine identity, memory, and the scent of fame itself.It’s a concept that R. E.M. might have toyed with in their cryptic, early years, but filtered through Rucker's accessible, storytelling baritone and Gorman's unshakable rhythms.This is more than a new band; it's a testament to the enduring spirit of collaboration that defined the golden age of album-oriented rock. One can almost hear the ghost of Warren Zevon nodding in approval.Mills, ever the curator of cool, has always had an ear for projects that bridge gaps, from his work with The Baseball Project to his occasional symphonic arrangements. Bringing Rucker back into a rock context feels particularly significant, a homecoming of sorts for a voice that never truly left the genre behind.And Gorman? His presence guarantees a foundation of pure, unadulterated groove, the kind that makes you tap your steering wheel without thinking. The name 'Howl Owl Howl' itself evokes a certain nocturnal mystery, a collective call into the musical wilderness.This isn't a reunion tour trading on past glories; it's a new chapter written by veterans who have nothing left to prove and everything left to explore. The fact that their opening statement is a song about a fragrance is a masterstroke of anti-hype, suggesting that the music, not the marketing, will do the talking. It promises a record that might smell like celebrity, but will undoubtedly sound like a rich, layered, and deeply human conversation between three masters of their craft, a new playlist essential for anyone who believes rock and roll still has stories left to tell.

#featured

#Mike Mills

#Darius Rucker

#Steve Gorman

#Howl Owl Howl

#My Cologne

#Ariana Grande

#supergroup

#music collaboration

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