New Spin interview with Michael Stipe (I never knew that he met Andy Warhol):

Do you ever miss the simpler, early days before the band signed with a major label?

No. I mean it was great fun and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but it was also a pain in the ass. I used to shave with coffee because it was the only hot liquid in the club. I used to go days without eating—not because of cheap speed, but because we didn’t have money to eat.

Except for U2, not many bands from your era have made it past the 20-year mark. Do you think a person can grow old gracefully as a rock star?

I never really thought of myself as a rock star. In fact, Andy Warhol called me a pop star because he asked me what I did and I said, “I’m a singer in a band,” and he said, “You’re a pop star,” and I said, “No, I’m a singer in a band.” Then he took my phone number because he told me I was cute. He never called as far as I know; I didn’t have an answering machine. I had red eyebrows and bleached-blond hair, and I guess I was kind of cute.

Does it feel weird to have “classic-alternative” stations spinning your old singles now?

I’m honored that people are playing our music from ten years ago. I’d probably be more honored if they’d listen to what I’m doing now and take it at face value. If there’s a chip on my shoulder about being in a band for 24 years, it might be that you drag your entire back catalog with you with every record that you release. My friend Thom Yorke reminded me that people who are paid to listen to music don’t always recognize what a privilege it is to be in a position like that. You don’t have to take a bitter or ironic stand on every single record. Fucking listen to it.

With so much excitement about reunions this year, do you ever think that R.E.M. should have broken up and gotten back together?

I might have enjoyed the interest and excitement that people would have, rather than what I’m faced with now, which is: “Okay, another R.E.M. record. Here we go.” On some level, I feel like we’re somewhat of a guilty pleasure for certain people, that they’ll listen to us from afar, but wouldn’t admit it publicly. That’s okay. We made it through 13 albums and didn’t suck. Amid that, there have been some moments of greatness, I think, as well as things that do touch people, and maybe that’s enough for me. It is.