Artist Spotlight: Cyberbully Mom Club
Cyberbully Mom Club’s journey from a solo project to a full-band sensation is woven into the fabric of Philadelphia’s DIY music scene, making them a personal staple in the city’s music lore. What began in April 2014 as a solo songwriting project by Shari Heck, with the album "Milo the Dog Sees Color", quickly became a voice for vulnerability, emotional complexity, and personal exploration. Heck's early lo-fi tracks captured the essence of youth—raw, honest, and often messy—making an immediate impact on listeners, particularly in Philadelphia's vibrant indie scene.
In 2015, the project grew into a full band with Sam Becht, Alex Melendez, and Peter Dimeo, taking those lo-fi songs to new heights. Tracks like “Drunk Text Romance” and “Philadelphia II” became fan favorites, blending heartfelt lyrics with anthemic energy. “Drunk Text Romance” exemplifies the angst and bittersweetness of a fleeting, complicated relationship, while “Philadelphia II” paints an intimate picture of life in the city, capturing both the beauty and frustration of youth. These songs not only solidified CBMC’s place in Philly’s music scene but also made them emblematic of the city’s blend of emotional rawness and artistic authenticity.
Though the band disbanded in 2015, Cyberbully Mom Club’s influence continued to grow. Heck briefly released music under the name ÒOR, but by 2017, she stepped away from music to focus on teaching. Fans still held onto CBMC’s deeply personal catalog, with “Drunk Text Romance” and “Philadelphia II” remaining as anthems of a moment in time. In 2024, to the delight of longtime listeners, Heck released “Hum Strum” under the Cyberbully Mom Club name, signaling a return to the project’s signature vulnerability.
Cyberbully Mom Club’s blend of intimate storytelling, emotional energy, and their roots in Philadelphia’s DIY scene ensure that their legacy continues to resonate with fans old and new. Even as time passes, their music remains a cherished part of Philly's musical history.
