FEATURES
56 R.E.M.

The indie-rock forefathers have

been easy to dismiss the past few

years, but their new attitude (life’s

too short) and their new sound

(thanks to some loud effin’ guitars)

ensures we won’t be doing that

again anytime soon.

BY MICHAEL AZERRAD

64 Who Makes What

We all know that rock and rap stars

can earn tens of millions each year,

but what about the others who

toil in the business of music? From

managers to roadies to bloggers to

bus drivers, here’s how much they

take home. BY DAVID BRO WNE

70 The Spin Interview:
Kim Deal

In 20 years with the Pixies and the

Breeders, she’s become an alt-rock

heroine. But that has its price,

which, true to form, Deal minces no

words in detailing. BY KARI WETHINGTON

76 Bradford Cox

The flamboyant leader of

Deerhunter and man behind Atlas

Sound is a gangly, cross-dressing,

self-professed “26-year-old gay

virgin.” Meet indie rock’s wildest

frontman. BY CHARLES AARON

84 Musicians and
Campaigns

With the election still months away,

candidates and musicians nuzzle up

to one another for photo ops and

fundraisers. But do voters really

care who Pete Wentz thinks should

be president? BY DAVID PEISNER

ON THE COVER

“I think I’m

Photographed exclusively for Spin by

better when

Greg Kadel

Styling by April Johnson. Grooming by Kumi

I write about

Craig. From left, on Mike Mills: Rogan jacket,

rogannyc.com. On Michael Stipe: John

things that

GREG KADEL

Varvatos jacket, johnvarvatos.com; Thom

Browne shirt, thombrowne.com; Balenciaga

are not me.”

tie (stylist’s own). On Peter Buck: John

Varvatos shirt, johnvarvatos.com.

R.E. M.’S MICHAEL S TIPE, PAGE 56