The Smithereens

 

The Smithereens are a rock band from Carteret, New Jersey. The group, formed in 1980, has consisted of Pat DiNizio (lead singer/guitar), Jim Babjak (guitar), Mike Mesaros (bass guitar), and Dennis Diken (drums) until 2006, when Mike parted ways with the band. Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion currently fills his spot.

 

The group gained some publicity when a single from its first album, "Blood and Roses", was included on the soundtrack for, and as the theme song of the 1986 Albert Pyun movie, Dangerously Close, and the video got some moderately heavy rotation on MTV. The group spent some time in its initial semi-celebrity phase defending itself in Rolling Stone against thinly-veiled accusations of sounding too much like The Byrds and The Beatles, pointing out that its Marshall Amplifier-heavy live sound was closer to heavy metal than it was to The Beatles.  Along with a basic Eastern-coast roots-rock sound that owed much to the inspirations of DiNizio, including Buddy Holly, The Who, The Clash, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe, the Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with Mod, the late British Invasion pop of John's Children and The Move, and other artifacts of fifties and sixties culture that lent its music substance and style.  The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the Billboard pop charts was in 1990, when Smithereens 11 peaked at #41 on the strength of the single "A Girl Like You" (which hit #38).  The group is still active and tours frequently.  See The Smithereens LIVE!  Purchase your Smithereens tickets today!