R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, Steve Gorman, and Darius Rucker Sell Out Shows with New Band, Howl Owl Howl

A new band comprised of R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, former Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman, and Hootie & the Blowfish’s Darius Rucker completed sold-out performances in Athens yesterday and Atlanta tonight, drawing enthusiastic crowds despite intentionally avoiding the label of “supergroup.”

Mills, speaking while traveling from Chicago to Washington, D.C., described the tour as “going really well,” noting the audiences’ responsiveness. “The real fun, especially for us, is seeing how audience members will react to the stuff they haven’t even heard yet,” Gorman added. The band played shows in Athens, Georgia, and Atlanta, Georgia, captivating audiences with a mix of familiar and new material.

The trio’s collaboration represents a unique musical venture for each artist, allowing them to explore different creative avenues outside of their well-known projects. Rucker, Mills, and Gorman have all enjoyed significant success in the music industry, with Rucker achieving multi-platinum status and Mills co-founding the influential band R.E.M.. Mills emphasized the excitement of presenting new music, stating, “I believe the crowd expects us to be good, even though they may not know exactly what they’re gonna get before they hear it.”

The band is currently continuing its tour, with plans to assess future projects following the completion of these initial performances. Mills indicated they are enjoying the process and will evaluate next steps based on audience reception and their own creative momentum, potentially signaling a longer-term collaboration beyond the current tour dates.