UNSEEN EYE: R.E.M. returns March 12 with...

UNSEEN EYE: R.E.M. returns March 12 with its first album in nearly two years. Titled “Out of Time,” the record--which reportedly moves away from the band’s old guitar focus--features “Losing My Religion” (its first single), “Radio Song” (with guest vocals by rapper KRS-One), “Shiny Happy People” (with guest vocals by the B-52’s Kate Pierson), “Near Wild Heaven” and “Texarkana.” . . . When it comes to cover songs, it’s hard to imagine a more provocative remake than Anthrax’s slammin’ version of Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noise,” which appears on the band’s upcoming EP. But if you really want to hear a raucous cover, watch for the new Kik Tracee album, due out in April, which features a rockin’ update of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” (The album is produced by Slaughter’s Dana Strum.) . . . And which piece of rock-star memorabilia inspired the biggest bidding at KNAC’s recent rock auction, which raised more than $45,000 to benefit the Children of the Night charity? Was it Skid Row’s Ibanez guitar and shoes? Was it a Jon Bon Jovi-signed acoustic guitar? Nope. The winner was Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx’s custom leather jacket, which went for a whopping $3,600.