Main Street Music

“Buzz Zeemer knocked me out the first time I laid ears on them. This is classic power pop!” said Peter Jesperson, Twin Tone Records co-founder and manager of The Replacements. Lost And Found presents the Philadelphia band’s first release in 25 years, after the critically acclaimed and beloved 1996’s Play Thing and 1998’s Delusions of Grandeur. It compiles a collection of unreleased material recorded between 1993 and 1997 that deserves to be heard for its pop hooks and direct songwriting.

Buzz Zeemer grew out of the group’s previous band Flight of Mavis, which began releasing music in the late 80s and toured nationally supporting their two releases. There may be some overlap, as Frank points to during the sessions that would become Lost And Found: “We knew we had created something vibrant when we were finished. And yet, the only songs released [from these sessions] were “Don’t Hang Up” and “Lost and Found” on Play Thing. Why? Any number of reasons. “The songs kept coming, Dave returned, and we met Tommy Conwell.”

Consisting of singer-songwriter Frank Brown, drummer Ken Buono, bassist Dave McElroy, and guitarist Tommy Conwell, the songs were recorded with Adam “Red” Lasus at Studio Red in Philadelphia and Firehouse Recording in Brooklyn over multiple sessions with a multitude of very talented guest stars: Kevin Salem (Dumptruck, Freedy Johnston, Yo La Tengo), Mike “Slo-mo” Brenner (Marah, Low Road, Wild Pink, Magnolia Electric Co.), Mark Spencer (Son Volt, Blood Oranges), Gus Cordovox (Ben Vaughn Combo) and more.

“Ken and I began recording 4-track demos on our own with no particular plan. After a while, we amassed enough tunes to catch Main Street Music owner Pat Feeney’s attention who thought they should be properly recorded,” said Brown. Feeney managed Flight of Mavis and Buzz Zeemer throughout their run, which led them to play alongside legends such as Uncle Tupelo, Sinéad O'Connor, Squeeze, Joe Strummer, Buzzcocks, & more.

As a record, Lost And Found takes pieces from Buzz Zeemer’s extensive range of influences to create a cohesive whole. It runs the gamut of alternative radio rock, sweet power pop and Americana. Songs such as “Answer My Prayer” and “Shelly Don’t Mind” have notes of The Beatles and NRBQ, while off-the-wall rockers such as “C’mon If You Can” and “Call You Up” conjure The Lemonheads and Dinosaur Jr.

“I’ve listened to and loved these songs for 25 years and always felt that they should see the light of day”, said Feeney. “And that day has finally arrived. These are some of Frank’s best songs, and I love the sounds and performances that Red was able to capture.” After Buzz Zeemer parted ways in the late 90s, Brown continued writing under his own name and Travel Lanes, and performs in the Philadelphia area regularly. Flight Of Mavis will even be having their first show together in 30 years at 118 North on June 24th, which sold out the first day the tickets went on sale.

Lost And Found by Buzz Zeemer is out September 8th on MSM Records. An album release listening party will be held at Main Street Music in Manayunk on that day starting at 6pm. The album is available to pre-order starting today on Vinyl, CD