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NEWS FLASH FROM HAMBURG VIA BERTIS FROM SIDE OF STAGE

Something about last nights with support bands we love… tonight in Hamburg marks the end of The Thrills opening run with us, which started a couple of weeks ago in Stockholm. So as a great send-off, Peter did his usual mandolin turn on “The Curse of Comfort,” then a few songs later, Mike Mills joined in on guitar for an inspired version of hidden classic “Be Mine” (yes, that “Be Mine” from R.E.M.’s Monster era New Adventures in Hi-Fi); really rocked and swayed and was a rare touch enjoyed by one and all–onstage and off. Then at the end of The Thrills set, here comes Michael from the wings with some champagne and cups for all the musicians to toast the end of a great time together, and next week, we play Dublin at the end of our European swing, part 1. Sure to be fun.

Onward,

Bertis

PS From after the show in Hamburg: The Thrills completed their final night on the R.E.M. Tour as “our new backing band” (quoth Mike Mills) with game backing vocals to the not-heard-much-lately classic “Rockville” in the middle of the set…a nice touch to a fun run with one of our favorite bands.