(Credit: Nicogenin)
Tue 10 June 2025 2:00, UK
Not all actors who venture into singing meet with success. However, for one particular American silver screen star, his latest venture into the singing world is almost uniquely humble and therefore possesses a certain charm.
With roles in Pearl Harbour, The Shape of Water, and Knives Out, Michael Shannon has become a familiar face onscreen and has proven his acting chops across a variety of genres. Nowadays, however, he is increasingly interested in music, specifically in rock and roll, showing a versatility in skill and suggesting he could be one to look out for.
The actor’s singing abilities are no secret: he made his Broadway debut in 2012’s Grace, alongside Paul Rudd and Ed Asner. Following an acclaimed performance streak, he recently decided to collaborate with indie rocker Jason Narducy to form a REM cover band, touring and performing the legendary rock outfit’s back catalogue. Shannon’s inspiration to begin performing live is owed to its lead singer and songwriter, who he believes stands head and shoulders above the rest. He discussed this conviction at length in a recent interview, sharing a personal anecdote going back to well before the actor became famous.
Talking to The Guardian, Shannon elaborated on his decades-long connection to REM’s music, having become a fan when he was a teenager. He also spoke highly of Michael Stipe. “I certainly think as a lyricist, Michael Stipe is a truly unique and very effective communicator, considering that people tend to go on at length about the inscrutability of some of his lyrics,” said Shannon, adding, “I would argue that there’s not a more efficient and direct communicator in the history of rock ’n’ roll frontmen.”
He is not alone in this praise. Stipe is highly regarded by music critics and fans alike for helping reshape alternative rock through the music of REM. He is also widely considered a standout songwriter for his lyrics, especially for being somewhat enigmatic and poetic. In short, the singer showed that lyrical complexity can absolutely have a valuable place in rock and roll music, and, in doing so, inspired plenty of songwriters in the decades that have ensued.
While Shannon and Narducy are both keenly aware that they do not sound identical to REM, that doesn’t take away from the spirit of their cover band. “We are very faithful to the records,” said Shannon. “The one exception is me. We’re steeped in the source material; we spend a long time studying it before we even get together in the room. Everybody takes a lot of pride in paying attention to the little details: if you listen to early bootlegs of REM live, they sound a little sparse and they’re not able to do everything on the record.”
Deciding to form a cover band is an interesting decision: one steeped in nostalgia, and backwards-looking, perhaps, rather than facing the future. Yet there is also a certain charm in it, as Shannon and Narducy share their love of REM’s music with a wider audience. Personal investment in a project can be difficult to fake, and this cover duo clearly possess it in spades. Simple, genuine love and appreciation for art are not bad emotions to put oneself out there to face an audience.
The duo are set to hit stages with their band starting August 2025. Of this, Shannon spoke about how the act can help bring relief in a time of great political upheaval across the world, especially America, saying, “The world is very dark, and the timing of [the tour] has ended up being a beautiful thing. We did our first press for this the morning after Trump had won, and we were both pretty despondent. But the tour seemed to give everybody a boost, including us. It’s wonderful to remember there’s music that can transport people to a time and place in their lives that’s separate from all the insanity.”
Not sure how long the distraction will last, but it sure is welcome.
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