R.E.M. - CATAPULT Stephen Hague 1982 Demo (FULL SONG) video free download
One of REM's rarest and least heard recordings finally surfaces...FULL VERSION!
In December 1982, at the request of their label, IRS Records, REM recorded a demo with Stephen Hague - with the intention of testing how they work together for the possibility of him producing their debut album, which would become Murmur - of Catapult. Hague, known for his work with electronic based bands like New Order and The Pet Shop boys, was clearly a stylistic mismatch. REM laid down the song and Stephen Hague later added his own embellishments (synths, reverb, echo) to the production, presumably to make REM sound more 'with the times'. REM were reportedly horrified with the results and never wanted anyone to hear the recording.
Also notable because the session shook Bill Berry's drumming confidence with not being able to play well to a click track (metronome), being forced to record numerous takes to get it perfectly in time.
Comments
9 years ago
James Brummel
that first stab of shrill reedy synth makes me wince, but other wise not bad. I would have liked this if I heard it on WLIR in 1983. I way prefer Murmur as it is, but like the kinda throb this has, and Stipes voice has a bit of a shimmer I like here also. That bit of gallop in the drums is nice, more accented here. Woops, there is more synth I don't like. Someone must have been doing a little blow during the mix. "Hey, this will sound great at 430AM!" Must listen more. Did Hague do any other songs?9 years ago
goggles2
alternative Alternative.9 years ago
Nakkinak
terrible9 years ago
joão inácio da silva
I love New Order and all those brit bands from minimal-synth-pos-punkof 4AD, Rough Trade, Situation two (the fast Set, Gary Numan, etc). But REM is\was in another vibe. That synth in the middle of the song is simply awful. The worst side of the 80s9 years ago
degree7
Sounds too New Wave, when REM were more post punk.9 years ago
Nicolas Vollmer
Fun stuff! Thanks for sharing!!10 years ago
Ivan Antunovic
I don't see what's all the fuzz about the synths - there's barely a tiny melody line that complements the chorus. And added as such, the synths definitely gave this song an extra flavour resulting in a nice early melodic experiment of theirs... I would have liked REM either way - love their official work and how they defined their own sound, but this was just as promising.10 years ago
wldw10
I LOVE this even with the synth - one of my favorite songs. 10 years ago
Steve McLean
It's too produced and goes too heavy on the synthesizers (it was the early '80s, after all), but it's interesting to hear a direction that R.E.M. could have possibly gone in but thankfully didn't.10 years ago
sotampacane
This is interesting, but really isn't very good. Fortunately they moved in a different direction.10 years ago
rbraxley
Always interested to hear outtakes, etc., but glad this isn't the direction they moved. Lacks that early R.E.M. energy and sonic blast. Interesting, nonetheless.10 years ago
Jez Creed
This is one of my favourite tunes from a pretty flawless album. I actually quite like this version but it's a bit too polished in that kind of processed 80's way..........It hasn't aged well.10 years ago
hiddenfire65
Smart of them to move away from this. He's making them sound just like New Order ... muting down kinetic energy into numbness.10 years ago
David Roberts
I've looked for this before! So glad it appeared!10 years ago
errbt
LOL, "Hague airbrushed our sound." Thank the universe that Auto-Tune didn't exist yet, or it could have been worse!10 years ago
bhandari201
The lyrics on this version seem a lot clearer than the Murmur version. On that one it sounds like he's saying "Catford"!11 years ago
steraybay65
I'm glad this didn't wind up on the album. REM would have faded into obscurity.11 years ago
tattoofthesun
This reminds me of some kinda Psychedelic Furs! Awesome to hear this! they were really trying things out for the best sound11 years ago
REMchout
He was made to play with a metronome...to keep the beat even, like a machine (many excellent drummers have a hard time doing this, as it's pretty human to fluctuate tempos and hits here and there...), and was told to hit his drums really hard. When you are used to your style, it's probably a bit frustrating to immediately alter your technique while being under the gun of being in a recording studio.11 years ago
fred6059
What's wrong with Bill's drumming?Related Videos
