Founding R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck and Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson have teamed up in a new supergroup called Silverlites. The band, which also features former Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin and veteran indie-rock singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur, will release its self-titled debut album on November 15.
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A song called “Don’t Go, Don’t Stay” has been released as an advance single from the album. It’s available now as a digital download and via streaming services.
Buck has collaborated on multiple projects with Martin and Arthur over the years. Martin also was a member of the short-lived grunge supergroup Mad Season with Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and late Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley.
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Martin shared some details about the band and the album in a post on his Instagram page.
The drummer explained that the project “began in a Nashville hotel room in 2019, where I recorded the initial acoustic guitar tracks.” He noted the album features Arthur on lead vocals, Buck on acoustic guitars, Robinson on acoustic and electric guitars, and himself on drums, upright bass, vibraphone, and backing vocals.
Martin, who produced the 12-track album, also pointed out that the project was put together from “various recording and mixing sessions” during the last several years.
“We hope you like the songs,” he wrote. “[W]e used a classic songwriting form, which is often forgotten in this day and age. That is, acoustic guitars (with a little electric guitar in there), with superb lead vocals, catchy backing vocals, and a soulful backbeat in the rhythm section. It’s old school songwriting, just like us.”
Arthur Also Posted About Silverlites
Meanwhile, Arthur also shared some info about Silverlites and the new album in an Instagram post.
He revealed that a second advance single from the record titled “Dark and Magic Sky” will be released on November 1. Arthur also reported that the Silverlites album cover was created by Robinson.
“[T]he utmost concern was invested in making sure that we all weren’t wearing sunglasses,” Arthur added, jokingly. “These are the important things in Rock n Roll.”
Previous Collaborations
Buck and Barrett have frequently worked together on various recording projects, including with the groups Tuatara and The Minus 5. They also both recently collaborated with Brazilian musician/producer Nando Reis on Reis’ latest album, the three-LP set Uma Estrela Misteriosa. Buck and Martin have been accompanying Reis on a current tour of Brazil.
In 2018, Arthur and Buck teamed up to release the collaborative album Arthur Buck.
In December 2022, Robinson and Buck performed on stage together at a special concert in Atlanta celebrating the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s debut EP, Chronic Town.
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