
Actor Michael Shannon and musician Jason Narducy took to the stage of The Tonight Show to perform a cover of R.E.M.’s “Driver 8,” in advance of their upcoming tour, covering the group’s 3rd album, Fables of the Reconstruction in full.
The band was filled out by Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering, Expo 76) on guitar, Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Mountain Goats) on drums, and John Stirratt (Wilco) on bass. The cover didn’t break any new ground with the interpretation, but clearly, the goal was to pay tribute. “This music is beyond comprehension and I cherish every chance I get to deliver it, even second generation,” Shannon said in a press release announcing the tour. “R.E.M. means the world to me.”
Shannon and Narducy toured last year to perform R.E.M. debut album Murmur in full. At one point, it featured an on-stage reunion of the band in Athens, Georgia.
The Fables tour starts on Valentine’s Day in Pioneertown, California before wrapping on March 14th in Chicago and includes includes two shows at the famed Athens, Georgia venue, 40 Watt, where R.E.M. graced the stage numerous times in their career.