You’re probably well aware of the Smithereens‘ story.

Pat DiNizio grew up in Scotch Plains; Jim Babjak, Mike Mesaros, and Dennis Diken were from nearby Carteret. Once their paths finally crossed, their blend of rock, power pop, and punk ultimately led to a string of radio hits and concert performances around the world.

After Pat passed away in December 2017, his surviving bandmates were at the center of an epic tribute show a month later at the Count Basie Center For the Arts in Red Bank that featured a variety of guest vocalists including Marshall Crenshaw and Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms.

In a reference to how good Marshall and Robin sounded with them that night, Mike Mesaros told me after the concert, “There’s something here. I don’t exactly what it is yet…but there’s something here.”

That “something” turned out to be more shows with Robin and Marshall, and the discovery of a “lost” album’s worth of material which was just released on September 23.

Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken and guitarist Jim Babjak stopped by the WDHA studios on the morning of September 27 to talk with me about the new record, appropriately titled The Lost Album, and what’s next for the band.

• Jim Monaghan's 5 Favorite Smithereens Songs

  It was really hard to just narrow this down to just a handful of songs from their extensive catalog, but these five hold a very special place in my heart.

• 1 - House We Used To Live In

  This has long been one of my favorite songs done live by the Smithereens. The lyrics are something everyone can relate to – that house that you grew up in that still holds amazing memories.

• 2 - Behind the Wall of Sleep

  As soon as Pat DiNizio described the girl with hair like Jeannie Shrimpton back in 1965 holding a bass guitar a certain way, there was no way you didn’t know EXACTLY what she looked like. Pat’s ability to create vivid images in your mind was perfectly on display in this Smithereens classic.

• 3 - Downbound Train

  Pat didn’t write this of course; it’s a Bruce Springsteen song. But he wrapped his voice around the lyrics in such a way that, combined with the rest of the band’s contributions, turned this into their own.

• 4 - Maria Elena

  You can hear elements of Buddy Holly‘s music throughout a lot of the Smithereens songs. As a Buddy Holly fan myself, I was especially drawn to this song from the Smithereens 11 album.

  Maria Elena was Buddy Holly’s wife. He literally fell in love with her the first time he saw her and within hours asked her to marry him.

  This live acoustic version of the song was recorded here at WDHA on September 10, 2000. It features Pat of course on lead vocal and guitar, with me on harmony and guitar.

• 5 - Blue Period

  Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go’s provided the haunting female vocals on the studio version which, like “Maria Elena” was also from Smithereens 11. I had the thrill of a lifetime singing this song with the surviving members of the Smithereens on stage at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank at the tribute concert in Pat’s honor in January 2018.

  This version comes from a tribute to Pat in February 2018 at the Crossroads in Garwood. Kristin Pinell Reil from the Grip Weeds joined me along with the Scotch Plainsmen.

• Bonus Track - House We Used To Live In/Sparks (lve)

  The influence of the Who on the Smithereens is undeniable. One of the highlights of the band’s live shows these days is “House We Used To Live In” segued into “Sparks” from Tommy.

  Watching Jim, Dennis, and Severo (part of the Smithereens “family” when Mike isn’t able to make a show) play “Sparks,” it isn’t hard to imagine them as teenagers in a garage or basement, learning how to play this.

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