| REM were really, really important, but I think you're giving them a little too much credit. Husker Du, The Replacements, The Meat Puppets, Wire, The Fall, The Mekons, Sonic Youth and XTC can all be pointed to as the birth of American independent music too. REM are a key band, but The Pixies were a major source point for nearly every major indy rock group of the past 12 years. Everyone respects REM, but hardly anyone is trying to be them. Everyone wants to be Frank Black and Kim Deal. |