March 26, 2008 16:17

REM: Chris Martin named our new single

Band reveal how Coldplay frontman helped out

REM have revealed that their close pal Chris Martin helped them name new single 'Supernatural Superserious'.

The song, which is the first track to be lifted from new album 'Accelerate', was originally called 'Disguised' after being previewed at the band’s five-night run at Dublin's Olympia Theatre last summer.

However, according to REM's frontman Michael Stipe, the track was renamed after a bit of advice from the Coldplay frontman.

He told Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1: "We were in London, in Soho, mixing the record and Chris Martin was working on the Coldplay record as well, and he's great friends with the band.

"He was listening to the song, and said 'It's a great song but a crap title, you have to change it'. He offered this title and we went with it."

'Accelerate' is released next week (March 31).

The band will be playing a gig at the iTunes store in Regent Street, central London tonight (March 26). NME.COM will be bringing you a full report shortly after the show ends.

The US rockers also played in the UK capital’s Royal Albert Hall on Monday (March 24), where they played nine songs from the new album.