The Remains

The Remains are a garage rock and rock group from Boston, Massachusetts, active from 1964 to the present. They are also sometimes billed as Barry and the Remains. The group is led by Barry Tashian and includes Vern Miller, Jr.; the line-up in the 1960s also includes keyboardist Bill Briggs and drummer Chip Damiani, with N.D. Smart later replacing Damiani for the band’s 1966 tour with the Beatles.

Origins and early years

The band forms in 1964 at Boston University, where the original members are first-year students living in the same dorm in Kenmore Square. Tashian and Briggs come from Westport, Connecticut, Damiani from Wolcott, Connecticut, and Miller from Livingston, New Jersey. They begin by playing rhythm and blues and rock and roll covers alongside Tashian originals at The Rathskeller, a tavern near their dorm. They quickly become a strong live attraction in New England, with crowds building large enough that management clears space in a disused basement to handle demand.

Recordings and television appearances

After signing to Epic Records, the group scores local success with Barry Tashian’s Why Do I Cry and with a version of Diddy Wah Diddy. In 1965 they move to New York City, appear on The Ed Sullivan Show, and later relocate to California. They record the album The Remains, appear on NBC’s Hullabaloo, and release Don’t Look Back, a soulful hard-rock single written by Billy Vera. Their self-titled debut album is issued by Epic in 1966.

The Beatles tour and break-up

In 1966 The Remains are one of the opening acts on the Beatles’ final US tour. Just before that tour, Chip Damiani leaves and N.D. Smart takes over on drums. The band breaks up in late 1966 after its brief run on the national stage.

Cult reputation and later activity

Although they do not achieve national success in their original period, The Remains develop a strong cult following, especially among garage rock listeners. They begin performing and recording again in the late 1990s and continue to play regularly. Later appearances include garage revival events such as Cavestomp in New York City in 1998, Las Vegas Grind in 2000, and a European tour in 2006. They record Movin’ On in 2002.

Compilations, reissues and later attention

Don’t Look Back appears on the 1972 compilation Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the First Psychedelic Era, which is reissued in 1976 and helps renew interest in 1960s garage rock. A later box set version of the compilation also includes Why Do I Cry. The band’s 1966 album is reissued in 2007. Their song Why Do I Cry is used briefly in the 2007 film Superbad.

Documentary, stage work and tribute release

A documentary about the group, America’s Lost Band, premieres at the Boston Film Festival in 2008. Their story is also adapted into the stage musical All Good Things at the 2004 New York International Fringe Festival. In 2010 they release Monbo Time, a tribute to Boston Red Sox pitcher Bill Monbouquette, with proceeds going to cancer research.

Barry Tashian and related work

Barry Tashian later works as a vocalist and guitarist with Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers, and with Emmylou Harris. He is also part of the duo Barry and Holly Tashian.

Selected discography

Studio albums: The Remains (1966), Movin’ On (2002)

Other albums: Live in Boston (1984), A Session with the Remains (1996), Barry and the Remains (1991)

Singles: Why Do I Cry (1965), I Can’t Get Away from You (1965), Diddy Wah Diddy (1966), Don’t Look Back (1966), Monbo Time (2010)