The Smithereens

The Smithereens, "The Magic Bag", Ferndale, Michigan last night. If you like jangling, shimmering guitar assaults with full throttle garage band grit, you love the, "as in blown to.." Smithereens. Influenced by the Clash, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, the Kinks, the Who and labeled as alternative rock, power pop, college radio darlings-- since 1980, The Smithereens are a living tribute of soaring guitars of Pete Townshend, Joe Strummer, Dave Davies and Jimi Hendrix. With Marshall Crenshaw playing a brilliant electric 12 string guitar and providing vocal channeling of departed leader and songwriter Pat DiNizio (lost in 2017), the band was greeted by a sold out house of devotees. This band never got their due, and that is a shame. Opening with "Behind the Wall of Sleep" and ending with "Blood and Roses", the catalog of Smithereen gems was well covered, but what got you also was the power and craftsmanship of the covers; "Something" by the Beatles, "Time Won't Let Me", the Outsiders, Lou Reed's "Rock 'n' Roll", a cover of the Who with Pete Townshend windmill guitar strokes, culminating in a "No Matter What" that would make Badfinger proud. This band is airtight and shredding while revering guitar rock structure, with an occasional cocktail. Jim Babjak on lead guitar is as good as there is today. One can't help but smile at the sheer joy they bring to the stage as consummate curators of thrilling guitar ecstacy. Don't miss them if they are around your town.

The Smithereens are a band I grew up with and have always loved. They're part of the soundtrack to my childhood! They were some of the moodier 80s music that I was allowed to listen to growing up - The Who was just a little to dark for my family. I've always loved their brand of 80s rock, I wouldn't even call it pop unless making the top 40 puts a band in that category willingly or not. Listening to them always brings me way, way back to my elementary school days and those were good times.

I had the opportunity recently to catch them at the B. B. King Club up in New York back in January. It's a tiny venue, very personal, and perfect for the likes of the Smithereens. They did rock the crowd, but they also settled them down so quiet you could almost hear a pin drop. They had the crowd's emotions in the palm of their hands. It's awesome to hear how after more than 20 years a band this epic still has the stage presence and mastery of the crowd the way they still have it. I hope they keep on playing, and draw another generation into their music that's standing the test of time.

New Jersey rock outfit The Smithereens have been around for longer than most realise and in a career that spans three decades they do not seem to have taken a break from the live circuit. This is perhaps due to the devotion the fanbase shows when it comes to the veteran rockers as they attend the shows again and again with growing enthusiasm all the time.

Happily sharing their sounds of the 80s with the masses, the group runs through a setlist that calls upon classic albums such as 'Especially For You' and '11'. As the band never achieved what you would consider to be hit singles, they have a freedom with the setlist and they have chosen really well this evening if the roars of approval from the crowd is anything to go by. They remain energetic and passionate during performances of 'We Gotta Get Outta This Place' and the closing number 'What I Like About You'. These guys may have been unjustly looked over during the 80s, yet their credibility is well and truly celebrated now.

They played many of my faves including Blood And Roses, Only A Memory and A Girl Like You. Pat DiNizio was talkative and in fine voice. Great Show and the weather was perfect !