The Remains (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Barry Tashian, Bill Briggs, Chip Damiani, Vern Miller |
| Defunct | 1966 (initial disbandment) |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
Area served | New England, United States |
Key people | Barry Tashian (frontman) |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Number of employees | 4 (original members) |
| Website | www |
The Remains—also occasionally referred to as "Barry and the Remains"—were an American garage rock group active during the mid-1960s, originating from Boston, Massachusetts and fronted by Barry Tashian. While they did not attain widespread national acclaim, they enjoyed considerable popularity throughout New England and notably served as the opening act for the Beatles during their final U.S. tour in 1966.
Although the band dissolved in 1966, they eventually cultivated an international cult following, leading to a revival of live shows and new recordings starting in the late 1990s, which has continued onward.
Career, 1960s
Established in 1964 at Boston University by freshmen Barry Tashian (vocals/guitar), Bill Briggs (keyboard), Chip Damiani (drums), and Vern Miller (bass), The Remains quickly developed a devoted local audience through performances of rhythm and blues, rock'n'roll covers, and original compositions by Tashian. Their frequent gigs at The Rathskeller—a tavern close to their dormitory—attracted sizable crowds throughout Boston.
They rose to prominence as a leading live act across New England, including an appearance on CBS's The Ed Sullivan Christmas Show of 1965. After signing with Epic Records, they achieved regional chart success with Tashian's "Why Do I Cry" alongside their rendition of "Diddy Wah Diddy". In 1965, the band relocated to New York City, performing on The Ed Sullivan Show, before moving to California. During this period, they released their self-titled album The Remains, appeared on NBC's Hullabaloo, and issued the single "Don't Look Back".
In 1966, The Remains secured a three-week stint as the opening act for the Beatles' final American tour. Prior to this tour, drummer Damiani departed and was succeeded by N. D. Smart (who would later join Mountain). Reflecting on this change, Tashian noted that the alteration in personnel impacted the group's chemistry and vitality. The band ultimately disbanded later that year; their debut album from Epic Records failed to make a significant commercial impact.
On March 16, 1969, the original members reunited for a singular performance at the Boston Tea Party. A recording of this concert was lost for over four decades until its rediscovery led Sundazed Music to issue Live 1969 in 2018. This release features nine tracks primarily consisting of cover songs. Tashian characterized this recording as capturing the band "on fire... on the brink..."
Resurgence
Similar to many contemporaries within garage rock, The Remains gradually attained cult status and regrouped for prominent revival events such as Cavestomp in New York City (1998), Las Vegas Grind (2000), and a European tour in 2006. In 2002, they released a new album titled Movin' On.
Although frequently associated with garage rock, The Remains demonstrated professional musicianship with sharply produced and energetic recordings.
Their last single, "Don't Look Back", penned by Billy Vera, was included on the influential 1972 compilation album Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the First Psychedelic Era. The reissue of their work by Sire Records in 1976 coincided with a resurgence of interest in punk rock and 1960s garage music. Additionally, a subsequent box set features their debut single "Why Do I Cry".
"Why Do I Cry" received renewed attention when briefly featured in the 2007 film Superbad.
In 2007, Epic/Legacy re-released The Remains' 1966 album. Rock critic Mark Kemp praised it in Paste magazine, suggesting that had the band continued beyond their initial release, they might be regarded as one of America's greatest overlooked groups. This sentiment echoed earlier acclaim from critic Jon Landau, who in 1967 hailed them as a quintessential example of rock'n'roll.
The documentary film America's Lost Band, directed by Michael Stich and debuting at the Boston Film Festival in 2008, received praise from Boxoffice magazine as a compelling portrayal of an important chapter in '60s music history.
Their influence also inspired the stage musical All Good Things, which premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2004 to critical acclaim.
In tribute to 1960s Boston Red Sox pitcher Bill Monbouquette, The Remains released "Monbo Time" in 2010, with proceeds dedicated to cancer research.
Drummer Rudolph "Chip" Damiani passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage on February 23, 2014.
Discography
- Studio albums
- The Remains (1966, Epic)
- Movin' On (2002, Rock-A-Lot)
- Additional albums
- Live in Boston (1984, Eva 12024) (1966 Capitol Records New York studio audition featuring overdubbed crowd noise, lower fidelity)
- A Session with the Remains (1996, Sundazed) (remastered 1966 Capitol Records audition)
- Barry and the Remains (1991, Sony; compilation of 1964-1966 recordings plus extra tracks)
- Live 1969 (2018, Sundazed) (reunion concert recorded at the Boston Tea Party)
- Singles
- "Why Do I Cry" (1965, Epic) US Cashbox peak position 144
- "I Can't Get Away from You" (1965, Epic)
- "Diddy Wah Diddy" (1966, Epic) US Billboard chart position 129
- "Don't Look Back" (1966, Epic)
- "Monbo Time" (2010)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Garage rock groups from Massachusetts
- American protopunk groups
- Musical groups from Boston
- Epic Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1964
- Musical groups disestablished in 1966
- Musical groups disestablished in 1969
- Musical groups reestablished in 1998
- 1964 establishments in Massachusetts
- 1966 disestablishments in Massachusetts
- 1969 establishments in Massachusetts
- 1969 disestablishments in Massachusetts
- 1998 establishments in Massachusetts