Court Date Set For R.E.M Guitarist

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck was ordered Monday to appear in a court next month and enter a plea on assault charges stemming from an alleged air-rage incident during a flight to Britain in April.

Buck, 44, made a second appearance at Uxbridge Magistrates Court in London, where he paid $28,000 bail and was told to attend a hearing at another court on July 31. He wore a dark pinstriped suit and dark tie and was accompanied by his wife. He remained silent during the brief hearing.

Buck is accused of assaulting two British Airways staff members, using threatening behavior, being drunk on board an aircraft and causing criminal damage during a flight from Seattle to London on April 21. He was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport.

The alleged incident occurred as the Georgia band traveled to Britain to promote their album "Reveal" and perform at a Nelson Mandela tribute concert in London's Trafalgar Square. Buck was released shortly after his arrest on an initial $44,000 bail and cleared to continue the tour.

He made no comment to reporters after the hearing. After his first hearing, he apologized and said he was embarrassed about his behavior.

R.E.M have had a huge influence on the rock scene since forming more than 20 years ago in Athens, Georgia.

A spokeswoman estimated their worldwide record sales at more than 40 million, putting the band on a par with the likes of Irish rockers U2.

The jump from cult college outfit to international superstars came in 1991 with their "Out of Time" album which included hits "Losing My Religion" and "Shiny Happy People."

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