The Smithereens are a New Jersey band who came about in the late'70s. They had several eps, the first being in '80, but their first official album wasn't until '86 with "Especially For You". "A Girl Like You":"Smithereens 11" was their 3rd album in 1989. The song "A Girl Like You"(above) was their 2nd highest charting single at #2 on U.S. charts(this is the only album I have of theirs on cd otherwise I'd be writing about their previous album "Green Thoughts" which is my fav & has their #1 highest charting single "Only A Memory")."Blue Period" w/Belinda Carlisle:Pat DiNizio, the principal singer, guitarist & songwriter was obviously influenced by Elvis Costello since "Blue Period" is a very Costello inspired(and sounding)song which could easily have come off his "Imperial Bedroom" album. Other influences are The Beatles, Buddy Holly, The Who, The Clash & The Byrds among others. Most of The Smithereens' songs are very catchy and hook laden.A couple of trivia tidbits about this cd: 11 is a reference to the movie "This Is Spinal Tap" and the line "this one goes to 11" quoted by Nigel Tuft, Christopher Guest's character(talking about how their amps don't just go to 10 but to 11). The cover art was inspired by the movie poster for the original 1960 "Ocean's Eleven" which featured the Rat Pack. The band is still together, although with many lineup changes, and just released in January '07 a Beatles tribute album called "Meet The Smithereens". http://www.officialsmithereens.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smithereens
Jammy Jeff says
I've heard of them but never heard them if you know what I mean. I guess they must have been pretty big in the States at the time because of the chart success. As a newcomer to their Pop/Rock, I noticed that they really err on the side of Pop, which is not a problem for me at all. The first video was great and I really enjoyed the song. The song you uploaded was good too. The video with Ms. Carlisle wasn't so hot for me. It sounded too Costello/McCartneyesque, and the harpsichord solo sounded like it was borrowed from Lennon's "In My Life"
1234chainsaw says
Very good band, in a power pop way. "Strangers When We Meet" and "Behind The Wall Of Sleep" may be my favorite tracks of theirs. This video of the latter isn't a great video, but enjoy the song!
Augusts1 says
Jeff, I do know what you mean. There are lots of groups I've heard of but not heard their music. The Smithereens were much bigger here than in the UK. According to their Wiki entry they only had one single that charted at #99 over there, that's it. Glad you liked at least two of the songs. The duet w/Belinda I liked because it sounded so Costello, Macca/Lennonesque.
Pekka, I really like "Strangers When We Meet" & " . . .Sleep". Thanks for the vid. Their album "Green Thoughts" is a brilliant piece of power pop. "11" has it's moments but it's not as solid as "Green Thoughts".
Dale, very true. "Blood & Roses" is a great song, thanx for the vid.
Kev, you're showing your age as much as I was by saying I only had this album on cd. The rest I have are on records, lol. C'est la vie!
Yes 54, their songs are very catchy!
mousetrap says
Great pick, Augusts - the Smithereens kick ass. Carefully-crafted power pop that isn't afraid to be simply that....although I've always thought they employ just a bit more edge than other bands falling under that label. Jim Babjak is a woefully-underrated guitarist, in my opinion - his solo on "A Girl Like You," above, is a crunchy, frenetic, yet melodic slice of Marshall-driven heaven.
I don't hear Elvis Costello in "Blue Period" - to me it's just a gorgeous ballad with a really pretty string arrangement and undeniably Beatlesque influences. Speaking of which, that harpsichord solo is much less borrowed from the Beatles than it is an overt homage to them. A subtle but important distinction, I think.
The Smithereens are still together and playing in their original lineup - "*here's their Web site*":http://www.officialsmithereens.com. And the bandleader, Pat DiNizio, is a really interesting and well-spoken guy - "*here's his site*":http://www.patdinizio.com.
Augusts1 says
Thanks Mouse, they do kick ass. Babjak is a great guitarist & underrated I agree. It's funny cause I hear Costello all over 'Blue Period' & I think if you substituted his voice w/Pat's it wouldn't sound out of place at all on a Costello album. But we all hear different influences in music. Definitely lots of Beatles influence, that we can agree on. I actually posted a link to their website(which I try to do w/any artist I post about if they have a site) at the end of my post along w/the wiki link too. I saw on their website that Pat has his own site too but thanks for the info nonetheless.
Lizziegreeneyes says
yum yummy yum. I haven't thought of these Jersey boys in AGES ... thanks for the reminder Augusts1... I don't even think I have anything of theirs, maybe iTunes has a "bargain bin" ...
Alright people, you may stop laughing now ... please ... would you stop sniggering .... look, liquid is squirting out of your collective noses ... you're going to give me a complex, just quit it already ... are you trying to say iTunes doesn't have a bargain bin, how can that be/say it ain't so ;)
Lizziegreeneyes says
The heck was Belinda Carlisle's first solo album called ... I wore that tape out by playing it at the pool all summer in _cough cough_ the late 80s, _cough_ ???
Mad about love ... mad about you ... now I won't be able to get her out of my head.
Augusts1 says
Glad you like these guys & you're welcome for the reminder! You are cracking me up Lizzie! You are too funny w/your anticipated response to your bargain bin comment. I'm not laughing at that comment cause I'm ALWAYS lookin' for the bargain bins wherever I go, lol!
After Belinda left the GoGo's I lost interest & didn't care for her solo work too much. Way too commercial for me. Google her name & you'll find it. That's what the internet is for! And don't worry about your age w/me, I'm an old fart w/a young mind(well over 40, hehe).
Lizziegreeneyes says
Heaven on Earth is what it was called ... ackkk, that was a little too much knowledge re: Belinda ... now I _know_ why I blocked out the title ... the album for that matter ;)
Anna says
I guess I'm the only one who didn't know about them until today.
*looking shameful*
Thank you for the introduction, they sound good on a hot Sunday day :)
Lizziegreeneyes says
Anna - for shame ... that's it, you're grounded, you must listen to music all the time and comment loads on MOG as your punishment ... get to it young lady ;)
Augusts1 says
Well Anna, you do have the excuse of being a youngin', so when these guys were popular you were just a wee lass(in '89 you were probably, what, 9 or 10?)! Glad you're liking them.
Lizzie, we do need to give the kids a break, now don't be so harsh, hehe!
Lizziegreeneyes says
I don't know Augusts ... she's the queen of MOG - she needs to be well aware of all that she reigns over, & The Smithereens fall into that category. If she were to redeem herself, go check them out & report back, I would be willing to let this indiscression slide ;) I mean, it is Anna
(plus, didn't you check out my punishment) .... yup I'z kiddin as well - With *you* August, Anna still has community service to accomplish ;)
Augusts1 says
Ummmmm Lizzie, apparently my facetiousness didn't come through enough in my comment to you above(Hint:that's what the 'hehe!' is there for, get it, lol?). I would agree that Anna is the Queen of mog & by acknowledging that she didn't know this group is showing that's she's open to learning more about them. I agree, she needs to report back to make up for her indiscretion . Even Queens don't know it all, that's why they have us loyal subjects to help them out, heh!
Lizziegreeneyes says
Hey Augusts ... The Smithereens are playing the wXPoNential Festival in Philly this July ... I saw that & immediately thought of you ... quite the snazzy line-up if I do say so myself ... "so myself" !!!
"WXPN":http://www.xpn.org/festival07/lineup_day.php#thurs.
Augusts1 says
Erykah Badu is performing as the headliner on Sat. at a local music fest in my town next month, I'm so excited, I LURVE her! Never thought I'd get to see her since the last time she played locally in the bay area in Oakland, CA it was a whopping $100.00 & no artist or group is worth paying that much as far as I'm concerned. The music fest here for one day is $32.00 & there are bunches of bands performing, so when I can see lots of great music for only that much it makes it really hard to pay $50.00 or more for a single artist, ya know?
Here's the festival: http://harmonywinterfestival.com/
Lizziegreeneyes says
$100 for EBadu - I tink she's amazin !!! NO *way* I'd pay that to see her ... maybe I should fly out to see her wonder what would be cheaper in the long run :)
Augusts1 says
Well, it certainly would be worth the money you spent since you'd get to see a mess o' bands & it's a fun festival. I'm no earth man either or hippie by any stretch of the imagination although I'm very ecologically minded but I had a great time & I just went by myself so I could see who I wanted to see & not have to wait on anyone. Far more fun that way!
chucky says
The phrase "like totally" makes me think of the only other valley girlism I know which is "gag me with a spoon." .... haha, sometimes I make myself laugh... :P
Augusts1 says
That was my whole point in writing that, to make you think of the valley girlism. Don't I have amazing superpowers?! @; ) I make myself laugh all the time w/the funny things I think of - I'm my own best entertainment, heh.
Lizziegreeneyes says
That is so gnarly dude, gag me with a pitchfork, I mean as if ... totally tubular, right ???
Augusts1 - that rocks ... there is totally something to be said for going to a fest on your own, not having to worry about stepping on someone's toes if you want to see Tom & she wants to see Jerry ...
Righteous dude !
Lizziegreeneyes says
shaaaaaaa ... what's your damage Ash ???? As if, don't barf me out !!! Grody to the max, I am like so sur .... & here I thought your were totally sluggin ... :) Translations are on Wiki ... ;)
Actually Ash - you are totally tripendicularly tubular :)
Augusts1 says
Oh. mah. gawd! I've created a monster! Like gag me with a spoon. lmao! Lizzie, you are over the top chica! Tff!
Yea, Lizzie, I prefer to do stuff on my own, just so much easier. That & I have no life, lol! Most of my friends aren't into the stuff I like so it's always a pain to try & coordinate with them. This way I get to see & do what I like! I've always been a loner too. I'm my best own company!
The Smithereens are a New Jersey band who came about in the late'70s. They had several eps, the first being in '80, but their first official album wasn't until '86 with "Especially For You". "A Girl Like You":"Smithereens 11" was their 3rd album in 1989. The song "A Girl Like You"(above) was their 2nd highest charting single at #2 on U.S. charts(this is the only album I have of theirs on cd otherwise I'd be writing about their previous album "Green Thoughts" which is my fav & has their #1 highest charting single "Only A Memory")."Blue Period" w/Belinda Carlisle:Pat DiNizio, the principal singer, guitarist & songwriter was obviously influenced by Elvis Costello since "Blue Period" is a very Costello inspired(and sounding)song which could easily have come off his "Imperial Bedroom" album. Other influences are The Beatles, Buddy Holly, The Who, The Clash & The Byrds among others. Most of The Smithereens' songs are very catchy and hook laden.A couple of trivia tidbits about this cd: 11 is a reference to the movie "This Is Spinal Tap" and the line "this one goes to 11" quoted by Nigel Tuft, Christopher Guest's character(talking about how their amps don't just go to 10 but to 11). The cover art was inspired by the movie poster for the original 1960 "Ocean's Eleven" which featured the Rat Pack. The band is still together, although with many lineup changes, and just released in January '07 a Beatles tribute album called "Meet The Smithereens". http://www.officialsmithereens.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smithereens
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