SINGLES GOING STEADY: "DON'T LOOK BACK" BY THE REMAINS AKA BARRY & THE REMAINS

This Billy Vera Composition, which was performed by The Remains, can famously be found on the classicNuggets psychedelic compilation. (SNAG this if you see it)!

The Remains AKA Barry & The Remains

Ah, gee-wiz! You would think that a band that opened for The Beatles during the Fab Four's final tour would be slightlyfamous.  But, no.  It's been almost 50 years and The Remains remain in obscurity.  Bandleader Barry Tashian formed The Remains at Boston University with Keyboardist Billy Brigg and several other students in 1964.  Two years and one relic LP later, it was all over.  No hit singles.  No hit record.  

Tashian went on to meet future Country Rock pioneer Gram Parsons, assisted him in forming The International Submarine Band and The Flying Burrito Brothers.  He can be heard on many of Parsons' solo recordings.  Today, he and his wife Holly are Country/Folk fixtures in Nashville, TN.  
 

Barry & The Remains lone LP contains several should-have-been hits including "Don't Look Back" written by the small-time hit maker, big-time music historian/liner note writer Billy Vera.  It's a Stonesy Garage classic, with a great hook and a simple—but effective—high harmony.  "Don't Look Back" is also one of many near-hit selections, which appears on the legendary 1972 Nuggets compilation—one of Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.

"Don't Look Back" by Barry & The Remains

SINGLES GOING STEADY: "WEAR ME DOWN" BY TREBLE CHARGER

Treble Charger

Canada's Treble Charger specializes in a brand of power pop/punk similar to that of more popular bands like Sum 41, Good Charlotte, and—at times—Teenage Fanclub.  It's not my favorite kind of music, but when I hear a song that should have been a hit, I have to give the artist credit and recognition—no matter what section you'd find their CD in.  The should-have-been hit we're discussing today is "Wear Me Down."  It's a polished, hook-filled, minor masterpiece.  It's the kind of song that is so infectious, you're able to sing along to the chorus after only hearing it once.  The verse and bridge are nearly just as singable.  My conclusion is that "Wear Me Down" should have hit the Top 40 or been the main song in a hit teenage sex comedy like American Pie.  To all the dedicated Sirius XM Alt Nation supporters, I present to you your lost anthem.  

"Wear Me Down" by Treble Charger

THE EVEN DOZEN JUG BAND

The Even Dozen Jug Band

The Even Dozen Jug Band was a one-off collaboration from 1964 and the first project for a couple seriously talented—and important—artists.  It's sort of amazing that music like this existed in 1964.  As far as folk music goes, it was one of the more pretentious periods of songwriting.  Topical folk songs written by "singing journalists" like Phil Ochs were very a la mode.  Even Dylan's pre-electric shift from apparent protest songs to love songs and confessional ballads was controversial in many Folk circles.  There was nothing topical about The Even Dozen Jug Band—though, if you ask me, "Evolution Mama" should be used in a evolution vs. Creationism documentary.  Their whole sound just reeks of fun.  It's super vaudelillian, filled with violins, guitars, mandolins, kazoos, harmonicas, washboards—you name it! Their interpretations of traditional songs are awesome.  Simply a joy to listen to.  

As I suggested earlier, The Even Dozen Jug Band was a bit of a launching pad for some seriously notable musicians.  These musicians included John Sebastian (lead vocalist and songwriter from The Lovin' Spoonful) and Maria Muldaur.   

The Even Dozen Jug Band