The Remains (sometimes referred to as "Barry and the Remains") were a mid-1… Read Full Bio ↴The Remains (sometimes referred to as "Barry and the Remains") were a mid-1960s rock group from Boston, Massachusetts, led by Barry Tashian, who was later a vocalist and guitarist for Gram Parsons, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and Emmylou Harris, and part of the duo Barry and Holly Tashian. Although the Remains never achieved national success, they were very popular in New England, and were one of the opening acts on The Beatles' final US tour in 1966.
The Remains broke up in 1966, but their music eventually attracted a strong international cult following. They began performing and recording again in the late 1990s, and have continued to play regularly since then.

The Remains formed in 1964 at Boston University, where all four members were first-year students living in the same dorm in Kenmore Square. Singer-guitarist Barry Tashian and keyboardist Bill Briggs were from Westport, Connecticut, drummer Chip Damiani from Wolcott, Connecticut, and bassist Vern Miller from Livingston, New Jersey. They began playing r&b and rock'n'roll covers, as well as some Tashian originals, at The Rathskeller, a tavern across the square from their dorm. Soon, fans were lining up from Kenmore Square to Fenway Park to see them, and management had to clear out a disused basement to accommodate the crowds.

The band became a popular live act throughout New England and appeared on the CBS TV Program, The Ed Sullivan Christmas Show of 1965. After signing with Epic Records, they enjoyed local hits with a catchy, swinging Tashian original, "Why Do I Cry", and their hard-driving version of the Bo Diddley/Willie Dixon classic "Diddy Wah Diddy". In 1965 the Remains relocated to New York City - where they appeared on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' - and then, after about a year, moved on to California. They recorded an album, The Remains, appeared on NBC TV's 'Hullabaloo', and released the soulful, hard-rocking single "Don't Look Back".

In 1966 came the opportunity which might have broken the band nationally, but proved instead to be their last hurrah: they were offered a three-week stint as an opening act for the Beatles, on what would turn out to be the fab four's final tour. Immediately before the tour, drummer Chip Damiani quit the band, to be replaced by future Mountain drummer N.D. Smart. Said Tashian in a 2012 interview: "We had always been the four of us and we’d played hundreds and hundreds of gigs as the four of us and all of a sudden this big tour comes up and boom! We have to play it with a new drummer who didn’t have the same feel that Chip had. I mean he was a fine drummer but it wasn’t the same band. I just felt like the flame was burning down without our original drummer."

The band broke up in late 1966, and Epic released their self-titled debut album to little fanfare.

In common with many of their garage rock contemporaries, the Remains gradually acquired cult status, and eventually reformed to play at several garage revival shows, such as Cavestomp in New York City in 1998, Las Vegas Grind in 2000 and a tour of major European cities in 2006. They recorded a new album Movin' On in 2002.

Although now associated with the garage rock genre, the Remains were highly accomplished professional musicians and their recordings, while hard-edged, were notably well-produced and arranged.

The band's last single, "Don't Look Back", written by Billy Vera, was featured on the 1972 compilation album Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the First Psychedelic Era, which garnered further attention with its 1976 re-release by Sire Records, concurrent with a surge of interest in punk rock and 60's garage rock. A later box set version of the album also includes the Remains' first single, "Why Do I Cry"

"Why Do I Cry" is featured briefly in the film Superbad (2007), when the character McLovin is being taken to a party in a police car.

In 2007, Epic/Legacy came out with a reissue of the Remains' 1966 album, which received the following review from rock journalist Mark Kemp in Paste magazine (June 2007): "Had these Boston bad boys stuck it out beyond their 1966 debut, we might today be calling them—and not the Stones—the World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band. As it is, the Remains most certainly are America's greatest lost band."

Kemp's praise echoed the critique written 40 years earlier by rock critic (and subsequent Bruce Springsteen manager) Jon Landau, in Crawdaddy! magazine (January 1967): "They were how you told a stranger about rock'n'roll."

In 2008 a documentary about the Remains, America's Lost Band, directed by Michael Stich, premiered at the Boston Film Festival. Steve Simels of Boxoffice magazine described the film as "a fascinating retelling of one of the great what-might-have-been stories of American music of the '60s."

The Remains' story was also the subject of a stage musical at the 2004 New York International Fringe Festival, "All Good Things," which received acclaim from a variety of critics. (60sgaragebands.com, News & Nuggets, August 31, 2004).

In 2010 the Remains released "Monbo Time", a tribute to 1960's Boston Red Sox pitcher Bill Monbouquette, with revenues going to cancer research.

On February 23, 2014, Rudolph "Chip" Damiani died of a cerebral haemorrhage.

Discography

Studio albums
The Remains (1966, Epic)
Movin' On (2002, Rock-A-Lot)

Other albums
Live in Boston (1984, Eva #12024; recorded in the 1964-1966 era
A Session with the Remains (1996, Sundazed; Capitol Records audition recorded 1966)
Barry and the Remains (1991, Sony; recorded in the 1964-1966 era, includes tracks from The Remains and additional tracks)

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

When I Want To Know
The Remains Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I want to know

If you love me so

When I feel that I'm not sure
I look into your eyes

Because they tell no lies

And this is what they say
You're in love with me oh, oh, oh

When I want some kissin'
You know that I've been missin'
And I want them right away
I look into your eyes
Because they tell no lies
And then you realize

That I'm a-kissin' you

When I need some lovin' baby

When I need some huggin' baby

When I want you to make me feel I'm the one

All I gotta do is take one look at you

And baby, I know that you're true

And yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah

This is what I do
Whenever I am blue
But I know you'll treat me right
This I realize
'Cause you keep me satisfied

And then I understand
That I'm a-kissin' you

Overall Meaning

The Remains's song When I Want To Know is a love song in which the singer expresses his fear of being unsure about his partner's feelings. He then explains how he looks into his partner's eyes to make sure of their love for him. The singer asserts that his partner's eyes cannot lie, and they always speak the truth. They reveal the love and affection that they feel towards him. He further explains how he seeks his partner's attention when he needs some kissing or hugging, as his partner's touch makes him feel like he is the one. Whenever he is down, he looks into the eyes of his partner to reassure himself of their love and understanding. The song comes to an end with the singer acknowledging that he is happy and satisfied as he finally understands that his partner loves him deeply, and together they kiss.

The song is a beautiful and passionate representation of unconditional and true love. It sets a romantic mood and helps listeners understand that trust, faith, and clear communication are essential in any relationship. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, and the music compliments the melody well. The song has a universal appeal and marked the band's success in the late 1960s. Overall, When I Want To Know is a soulful and loving song that has the power to touch hearts across generations.

Line by Line Meaning

When I want to know
When I desire to understand something

If you love me so
If you have the same feelings towards me

When I feel that I'm not sure
When I experience indecision

I look into your eyes
I gaze into your pupils

Because they tell no lies
Because they convey authenticity

And this is what they say
And this is the message they communicate

You're in love with me oh, oh, oh
You possess an affectionate emotion towards me

When I want some kissin'
When I desire physical intimacy

You know that I've been missin'
You are aware of my longing

And I want them right away
And I yearn for them immediately

And then you realize
And then you comprehend