 Dressed in leather, brandishing heavy guitars and an
unabashed fetish for British Invasion pop, the Smithereens were an anomaly in
the American college rock scene of the late '80s. Lead singer/songwriter Pat
DiNizio stood out not only with his strange beatnik goatee, but also because his
catchy hooks were haunting, not punchy, and because his lyrics were morose. As
time wore on, the group became more straightforward, turning into an excellent
concert band, one that attacked pop songs with the weight of AC/DC. Of course,
the Smithereens essentially started out as a working band. After playing in
several cover bands, including a handful of prog-rock and metal groups, Pat
DiNizio (vocals, guitar) was inspired to form his own band after listening to
Buddy Holly. Placing an advertisement in a New York paper for musicians
influenced by Holly, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, and the Clash, DiNizio
eventually came into contact with New Jersey high school students Dennis Diken
(drums), Jim Babjak (guitar) and Mike Mesaros (bass), who had all played
together in school.
By the end of 1980, they had independently released Girls
About Town, an EP featuring four songs with "girl" in the title, which was a
moderate local success. For the next three years, the group played around New
Jersey and New York, not releasing another record until 1983's Beauty and
Sadness. While the EP earned some play on college radio and received a positive
review in Rolling Stone, they still had trouble gaining an audience, so they
began supporting traveling oldies groups like Otis Blackwell, with whom they
recorded an album's worth of material, and the Beau Brummels.
By 1985, the Smithereens were growing frustrated by their
lack of progress, as most of the demos they sent to labels were ignored. They
did send a demo to Enigma, where Scott Vanderbilt, a former college DJ who was a
fan of the band several years earlier, signed the group. In 1986, the band
released their debut album, the Don Dixon-produced, “Especially for You”, to
positive reviews. On the strength of college airplay, as well as MTV's airing of
"Blood and Roses" -- a video financed by a film studio which included the song
in the B-movie Dangerously Close -- the album became a hit, climbing to number
51 on the charts and leading to a major-label contract with Capitol. The
Smithereens supported the album with an extensive tour, and they recorded their
second record weeks after they left the road.
“Green Thoughts” appeared early in 1988, and the first
single, "Only A Memory," not only became a college and modern rock hit, but it
crossed over to album-rock stations as well. The Smithereens made their attempt
for big-time album-rock success with their third album, “11.” Hiring producer Ed
Stasium brought a heavier guitar sound, which made "A Girl Like You" -- a song
rejected as the theme for the comedy, “Say Anything” -- a Top 40 hit, sending 11
to gold status. "Too Much Passion," the first single from their fourth album
Blow Up, indicated that the new record was more adventurous and produced, and
the single did become a Top 40 hit,. They moved to RCA for 1994's “A Date With
the Smithereens”, their first album since Green Thoughts to be produced by Don
Dixon.
The group retains a sizable cult following which helps them
tour successfully through today, with all original members. The band has also
released a pair of compilations; the hits package “Blown to Smithereens” and the
rarities collection “Attack of the Smithereens.”
Contact Grabow for more information or to book the
Smithereens for your next corporate or private event.
|
