This band of West Philly-ites used to be called Sports back in their Gambier, Ohio days perhaps in homage to the classic Huey Lewis and the News album—the one that had Patrick Bateman so excitedly touting its merits to his investment banker pal and rival right before hacking him to bits—but changed their name to Remember Sports (RS) most likely because they were too often mistaken for a Huey Lewis tribute band. Which actually isn’t too far off in a certain sense because RS also knows how to write a good catchy earworm hook when so inclined, a fact I can attest to because the album-opening “Pinky Ring” has been stuck in my head for about a week now and may necessitate playing “I Want A New Drug” on repeat here soon just to dislodge it for a little while.

On their fourth full-length release, Like A Stone, the band have really come into their own commercially and artistically. The record features a clear, crisp sound that gives the songs a sheen of consummate professionalism while also serving as a personal statement about the band itself. And yes I’m quoting Bret Easton Ellis via Mary Harron but hey our favorite ax murderer’s words are relevant here because Like A Stone is exquisitely executed and produced (production credit belonging to Carlos Hernandez and Julian Fader, the latter name being almost too appropriate) featuring the band’s always strong songwriting fleshed out with arrangements that move through multiple peaks and valleys and discordant bits and mellow bits and various sonic stalagmites and stalactites like with the occasional appearance of steel guitar or banjo or circuit-bent electronics thrown into the mix. 

Still even with all these compelling musical details there’s a case to be made that the most striking instrument is the voice of lead singer and songwriter Carmen Perry. If you happen to be a classic country music buff, you may have heard the oft-cited quote from countrypolitan record producer and songwriter Billy Sherrill describing the “little teardrop” he heard in Tammy Wynette’s voice when she walked into his office as a complete unknown and then of course went on to become a genre-spanning legend. And that little teardrop was a big part of what made her voice so distinctive—all the little breaks and flutters and shifts in register and dynamics perfectly suiting the heartbreak at the heart of her best known and best loved songs. 

Well it turns out Perry also has a little teardrop in her voice, or maybe more like a medium sized teardrop at least, which likewise suits the heartbreak and romantic longing and emotional resiliance at the core of Like A Stone—from the peppy but bittersweet 39-second reverie over a “Coffee Machine” to the slow-burning-nearly-seven-minutes-long appeal to an errant lover to express their hidden feelings “Out Loud.” Another recurring and closely related theme is the nature of memory itself and the passage of time with lines about “archiv[ing] the past with some shit that won’t last you a lifetime” (“Materialistic”) and “taking in the scenery from the corners of your mind” (“Sentimentality”) and “just sit[ting] here till the clock runs out” (“Clock”) and “my eggs flow[ing] right out of me like clockwork every month” (“Eggs”) which all makes the Remember in Remember Sports suddenly all the more relevant.

But don’t be put off if this all sounds a little bit on the heavy side because the music and vocalizing on this album have an energy and warmth that balances out the darker sentiments and you can see how the band brings it live above. Plus did I mention in the video to “Pinky Ring” above you get to see Carmen Perry pelted with eggs while wearing big plastic goggles and there’s also a part toward the end where the viewer is instructed to put on 3-D glasses (that is, if you have a pair laying around) and in fact it does look like the end part is legit in 3-D so clearly this band know how to have some fun? And since I did just mention it, it’s probably time to take my leave now because I have to go return some videotapes. (Jason Lee)

band photo credit: Sonia Kiran

 

A reflective new video for “The 1 Bad Man,” featured on Remember Sports's latest album Slow Buzz (Father/Daughter Records), has just arrived. Directed by Faye Orlove, the footage uses a series of mementos as markers chronicling failed relationships, as a clay figure of Carmen Perry stands back and looks through the "Museum of What We Were". The remnants of the past have a way of staying with you. In November, the quartet will be joining The Get Up Kids for a run of Midwest shows; however, they’ll be back in town on Thursday, December 6 at Johnny Brenda’s, as part of a billing that also Justus Proffit & Jay Som, as well as fellow locals Knifeplay.

Transforming anxious energy into an uplifting release of emotion, Slow Buzz, the latest album from Remember Sports (Father/Daughter Records), makes you evaluate and take stock of your current situation. Ruminating over the ups and downs and then racing ahead as the freedom of openness provides a sense of relief and a reinvigorating, fresh-start approach. A charm in the directness of the storytelling and that catapulting force of the instrumentation makes these songs’ fiery fragility hit home. On Saturday evening, the playfully bizarre, psych-pop exploits of Michael Stasis and Sam Buck’s confidently, vulnerable, country style will lead the way. – Michael Colavita

Other places to catch a buzz this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s  (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Tiedye Ky, SAT Remember Sports 

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Stereo League (Record Release Show)

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Rexedog/DJ Deejay, SAT DJ Magglezzz, Baby Berlin, SUN AyBe, Cruzko, B. Aquarius, NickyBeFree, MaJa Earth

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SUN Jeff Zeigler

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Johnny Popcorn, Ill Fated Natives, Mars Parker, SAT Born To Lose: Motörhead Tribute, System of a TOOL, Vicarious - A Tribute To Tool, Orion, SUN School Of Rock

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) SUN School Of Rock All Stars

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.)SAT Scott C (Album Release)

TLA (334 South St.) SAT Box of Rain

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) John Vettese/Conjunto/(Downstairs) Karen Vaughn, Paris Nicole, SAT (Upstairs) The Peace Creeps, The SB Deluxe

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI 81 Rich, Lucid By Midnight, Breaklite, SUN Dick Vomit 

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Sold, SAT Something Like A Monument, SUN Pete Hill, AfroBear

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT The Rectors, Gringo Motel / Darla

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Nick Cianci, Sonja Sofya, SAT Decontrol (Record Release), Disoriental, The Prisoners, Gibbous Moon

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Crash Course in Science, Nightwitch, Dj Strykk9, Shari Vari (DJ Set), SUN

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Miss Fareira, SAT 30 And Over League

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SUN Brian McConnell

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT DJ Ed Christof, SUN Honeygasm

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Aesthetic, The 1940’s, Steady State

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Splintered Sunlight, SAT Breakwater, Urban Guerilla Orchestra

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT  Dear Althea, Creem Circus, St. James & the Apostles

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) SAT The Boardwalk Kings, SUN Alex Noelle

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Hollow Harbor, Famous & Fallen

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Baby Boomer Dreamer, Uncle Valentine, Too Dogs

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Harmony Woods

Tundra Dome (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Telyscopes, Fairy Godmother

Goo Lagoon (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.)

The Catamaran (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Cave People, Who Loves You

2nd St. Festival (2nd St. between Spring Garden St. & Germantown Ave.) SUN Music Schedule

Ahead of its release tomorrow via Father/Daughter Records, Remember Sports' new LP Slow Buzz is now available for streaming & purchase below. The group’s sound penetrates as personal narratives trigger an emotional response. Those matriculating melodies create a level of comfort; however, the band can dramatically shift gears, creating cathartic, catchy, raucous rockers that’ll stick in your head in the best way. Remember Sports will be holding their Philly record release celebration this evening at PhilaMOCA, where they'll be joined by Shamir, Friendship, and Comfy.

Formerly known as Sports, Remember Sports will release their forthcoming album, Slow Buzz, on May 18 via Father/ Daughter Records. Its lead single, "Up From Below," wastes little time, jumping out of the gates at a frenetic pace. A seemingly breathless vocal delivery matches the track's instrumental intensity. Reflecting in an ongoing emotional-evolution, the song quickly gathers momentum while opening a portal into personal perspective. Remember Sports will headline Everybody Hits on Friday, February 23, where they'll be joined by Tall Friend, Boosegumps, and Slow Ref.