R.E.M. CURIOUS FACTS

Automatic Baby. Band formed for first Clinton/Gore inaugural featuring Michael Stipe and Mike Mills with bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. of U2. They performed one song: U2's "One."

Cheesecake. Food item mentioned in "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)." On an early visit to New York, the very young and very hungry Stipe and Peter Buck found themselves at a birthday party for legendary rock critic Lester Bangs; this was one of only two foods served.

Chesnutt, Vic. Preternaturally gifted and prolific Athens singer-songwriter. First two albums, "Little" and "West of Rome," produced by Stipe.

Dayton, Jonathan and Faris, Valerie. Married directors of "Little Miss Sunshine" and R.E.M. videos "Wolves, Lower," "Tongue" and "Star 69."

FedEx. Worldwide shipping concern. Stipe once wore a suit made of FedEx envelopes during a "Saturday Night Live" appearance, which was only slightly less funny than his 1999 role on the show as a guardian angel for Chris Kattan's Mango.

"Get a Life." Short-lived Fox sitcom created by and starring Chris Elliott, in which his character died repeatedly and spectacularly. The theme song was R.E.M.'s "Stand."

Golf. Sport played, improbably yet enthusiastically, by R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills; and, less improbably (he's a lawyer), by R.E.M. counsel Bertis E. Downs IV, who keeps a green blazer in his office.

Grit, The. Vegetarian restaurant in Prince Avenue building owned by Stipe. Noted for liberal use of dairy, salt and spices in opposition to typical health-food fare. Also famous for employing a broad range of local musicians. Abuts hipster hangout Go Bar, where Mills appeared on Halloween weekend in a Siouxie and the Banshees cover band.

Guaranteed. Delicious hipster vegan restaurant of the mid-'90s in building owned by Michael Stipe, which perhaps overestimated the local appetite for seaweed and gluten.

Hib-Tone. A label started by University of Georgia law student Johnny Hibbert. It released R.E.M.'s first single, "Radio Free Europe," backed with "Sitting Still," in 1981.

Jelly beans. See Cheesecake.

"Life: How to Live." A self-published book-length rant by Brivs Mekis, a mentally disturbed resident of Athens; inspiration for the song "Life And How To Live It" on "Fables of the Reconstruction."

Mandolin. Four-stringed, pear-shaped instrument favored by Italians, bluegrass musicians and Gustav Mahler. Used to great effect by Peter Buck in "Losing my Religion."

"Man on the Moon." Song largely about comedian/provocateur Andy Kaufman on "Automatic for the People;" also references Elvis Presley, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and the "horrible asp," the snake that assisted Cleopatra in suicide. Also the title of a Kaufman biopic starring Jim Carrey, with a score by R.E.M.

"Mysterious Power of the Picket Fence." Hilarious Pavement song that lovingly satirizes, and encapsulates the early recording history of, R.E.M. Includes "Orange Crush"-style battle sounds and these lines: "and the bass man he had all the right moves and the guitar player was no saint."

Peter Buck Superhero. Comics drawn by Athens singer-songwriter Jack Logan, featuring Buck as a Superman-like figure who helps save both Athens and indie radio.

Rather, Dan. Newsman with a taste for bizarre Southernish colloquialisms, especially late on election nights. The most famous phrase attached to Rather is "Kenneth, what is the frequency," a question an assailant asked while beating him on the street. R.E.M.'s single "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" was once sung by a tuneless Rather on the Late Show with with David Letterman.

"Simpsons, The." Long-running animated sitcom, among the finest programs in television history, noted for rampant pop-culture allusions and guest stars. The three-man R.E.M. appeared in the 2001 Thanksgiving episode, having been tricked into playing a gig in Homer's garage by being told it was a benefit. Includes the line "Mmmm, curds."

"Voice of Harold." Title of an alternate performance of "Seven Chinese Brothers," with Stipe singing the liner notes to a gospel album, "The Joy of Knowing Jesus" by the Revelaires. Available on the compilation "Eponymous."