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.
