The Strokes And the Futureheads Mourn R.E.M. Split

The Strokes and the Futureheads are leading tributes to R.E.M. after the band announced it's splitting after 31 years together on Wednesday (21Sep11).

Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills announced the news on their website, with a statement reading, "To our Fans and Friends As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band.

"We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening".

And the news has been met with shock by fans and fellow musicians, who have taken to Twitter.com to pay tribute to the trio.

The Strokes' Nikolai Fraiture posted a link to R.E.M.'s hit version of It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), alongside the words, "Rip Rem".

The Futureheads added, "Rem-Rip. You won't find better indie-rock records (albums) than 'pageant' 'reckoning' 'murmur' 'green'. The first 4 Warner ones are great too".

But not all musicians are mourning the end of the group - Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite is pleased the band will be no more, stating, "Rem were the most overrated band on the planet and their singer is the rudest personI've ever met".