Jump to content

The Smithereens: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
(486 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
|Name = The Smithereens
| name = The Smithereens
|Img = Image005.gif
| image = TheSmithereens3.JPG
| caption = Diken, Babjak, and DiNizio in 2009
|Background = group_or_band
|Alias =
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
|Origin = [[Image:Flag of USA.svg|25px]]<br>[[Carteret, New Jersey|Carteret]], [[New Jersey]], [[USA]]
|Genre = [[Rock music|Rock]]
| origin = [[Carteret, New Jersey]], U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]|[[power pop]]|[[college rock]]|[[hard rock]]}}
|Years_active = [[1980 in music|1980]] — present
| years_active = 1980–present
|Label = [[d-tone]], [[Little Ricky Records]], [[Capitol Records|Capitol]], [[Enigma Records|Enigma]], [[Restless records|Restless]], [[BMG]], [[Excelsior]], [[Velvel]], [[Koch Entertainment|Koch]]
| label = {{hlist|D-Tone Records|Little Ricky Records|[[Enigma Records|Enigma]]|[[Restless Records|Restless]]|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]|[[RCA Records|RCA]]|Velvel|[[Koch Entertainment|Koch]]|[[E1 Entertainment|eOne Music]]}}
| URL = http://www.officialsmithereens.com/
| website = [http://www.officialsmithereens.com/ OfficialSmithereens.com]
|Associated_acts =
[http://www.jimbabjak.com/ jimbabjak.com]
|Current_members = [[Pat DiNizio]] — lead singer/guitar<br />[[Jim Babjak]] — guitar<br />[[Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion]] - bass<br />[[Dennis Diken]] — drums
| associated_acts =
|Past_members = [[Mike Mesaros]] — bass
| current_members = [[Jim Babjak]]<br />Mike Mesaros<br />[[Dennis Diken]]
| past_members = [[Pat DiNizio]]<br />Severo Jornacion
}}
}}
'''The Smithereens''' are an American [[rock music|rock]] band from [[Carteret, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-smithereens-mn0000898479/biography |title=The Smithereens &#124; Biography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref> The group formed in 1980 with members [[Pat DiNizio]] [[lead vocals|(vocals]] and guitar), [[Jim Babjak]] (guitar and [[backing vocals|vocals]]), Mike Mesaros (bass guitar and [[backing vocals|vocals]]), and [[Dennis Diken]] (drums and percussion). This original lineup continued until 2006, when Mesaros left the band and Severo Jornacion took over on bass guitar until Mesaros' return in 2016. After DiNizio died in 2017, the band continued performing live shows as a trio (Babjak, Mesaros and Diken) with various guest vocalists.


The band had a string of hits in the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, including "[[Only a Memory]]", "[[A Girl Like You (The Smithereens song)|A Girl Like You]]" and "[[Too Much Passion]]". The Smithereens have collaborated with numerous musicians, both in the studio ([[Belinda Carlisle]], [[Julian Lennon]], [[Lou Reed]], [[Suzanne Vega]]) and live ([[Otis Blackwell]], [[Graham Parker]] and [[The Kinks]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19920605&slug=1495621 | title=Here's Music That Will Blow Your Mind to Smithereens &#124; the Seattle Times }}</ref> The band named themselves after a favorite word of cartoon character [[Yosemite Sam]].<ref name="FTU">{{cite web |title=Pat DiNizio, lead singer of Smithereens, dead at 62 |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/nation-world/2017/12/13/pat-dinizio-lead-singer-smithereens-dead-62/16286178007/ |website=The Florida Times-Union |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>
The '''Smithereens''' are a rock group from [[Carteret, New Jersey]]. The group, formed in 1980, consists of [[Pat DiNizio]] (lead singer/guitar), [[Jim Babjak]] (guitar), [[Mike Mesaros]] (bass), and [[Dennis Diken]] (drums).


==History==
The group gained some publicity when a single from its first album, "Blood and Roses", was included on the soundtrack for and as the theme song of the 1986 [[Albert Pyun]] movie ''Dangerously Close'' and the video got some moderately heavy rotation on [[MTV]]. The group spent some time in its initial semi-celebrity phase defending itself in ''Rolling Stone'' against thinly-veiled accusations of sounding too much like [[The Byrds]] and [[The Beatles]], pointing out that its [[Marshall Amplifiers|Marshall Amplifier]]-heavy live sound was closer to [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] than it was to The Beatles.
[[File:20070714-2005-Smithereens.jpg|thumb|The Smithereens in Grapevine, Texas, 2007.]]
Babjak, Diken, and Mesaros are all from [[Carteret, New Jersey]], and graduated from [[Carteret High School]] in 1975. In 1980, they formed the band with DiNizio, who was from [[Scotch Plains, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite news |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 10, 2004 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9806E7DC143BF933A25753C1A9629C8B63 |title=Not Fade Away: The Smithereens' Monument to Persistence |first=Kevin |last=Cahillane |quote=The band formed in 1980 when three [[Carteret High School]] graduates (class of 1975) and childhood friends (Mr. Babjak, Dennis Diken on drums and Mike Mesaros on bass) met Pat DiNizio, a Scotch Plains singer-songwriter-garbage man. |access-date=November 3, 2007}}</ref> DiNizio had placed a classified ad in ''[[The Aquarian Weekly]]'' looking for a drummer to help on a demo tape – Diken answered it and later introduced his schoolmates Babjak and Mesaros as well.<ref name="Morse">{{Cite news |last=Morse |first=Steve |date=April 21, 1988 |title=Smithereens – '60s pop for the '80s |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8058576.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213201852/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8058576.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 13, 2017 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |location=Boston, MA |access-date=December 19, 2016 |via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref>


The band's name derives from the cartoon character Yosemite Sam who often used the expression "I'm-a-gonna blow ya to smithereens!"<ref name="FTU" /> In 1980 they released the single "Girls About Town" followed by a mini-LP ''Beauty and Sadness'' in 1983.<ref name=":0" /> In the same period they toured as [[Otis Blackwell]]'s backing band on a Scandinavian tour in 1984.<ref name=":0" />
Along with a basic Eastern-coast roots-rock sound that owed much to the inspirations of DiNizio, including [[Buddy Holly]], [[The Who]], [[The Clash]], [[Elvis Costello]], and [[Nick Lowe]], the Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with [[Mod (lifestyle)|Mod]], the late [[British Invasion]] pop of [[John's Children]] and [[The Move]], and other artifacts of fifties and sixties culture that lent its music substance and style.


After playing mostly around the New York area, the band signed with [[Enigma Records|Enigma]].<ref name=":0" /> The single "[[Blood and Roses (song)|Blood and Roses]]" from their first album was included on the soundtrack for ''[[Dangerously Close]]'', and the [[music video]] got moderate rotation on MTV.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Robbins |first=Ira |date=December 1986 |title=Bummed in Mayberry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FL-rqqrDxb8C&pg=PA14 |journal=[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]] |volume=2 |issue=9 |pages=14 |via=Google Books}}</ref> "Blood and Roses" was also featured on the 1980s TV show ''[[Miami Vice]]'' during the episode 'The Savage' (first aired February 6, 1987).
The Smithereens featured as the entertainment in the indoor beach party scene of the [[Troma]] film ''[[Class of Nuke 'Em High]]'', playing the song "[[Much Too Much]]".


[[File:TheSmithereensGuitarists.JPG|thumb|left|[[Jim Babjak|Babjak]] (left) and [[Severo Jornacion|Jornacion]] in 2009 in [[Rochester, Minnesota]]]]
The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' pop charts was in 1990, when ''[[Smithereens 11]]'' peaked at #41 on the strength of the single "A Girl Like You" (which hit #38).
The Smithereens are known for writing and playing catchy 1960s-influenced [[power pop]]. Along with a basic East coast roots-rock sound that owed much to musicians who inspired DiNizio, including [[the Who]], [[the Clash]], [[Elvis Costello]] and [[Nick Lowe]], The Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with [[Mod (subculture)|Mod]], the late [[British Invasion]] pop of [[John's Children]] and [[the Move]] and other artifacts of 1950s and 1960s culture that lent its music substance. DiNizio said his single biggest influence was [[Buddy Holly]]: "Listening to Buddy Holly, I rediscovered my enjoyment of simple pop structures and pretty melodies...I've always thought of him as a kindred spirit."<ref name="Morse"/> Likewise, The Who and The Kinks were major influences on Babjak and Diken.


The title and lyrics of their song, “[[In a Lonely Place (song)|In a Lonely Place]]," appear to be based on the [[In a Lonely Place|1950 Humphrey Bogart film]] of the same title because of Bogart's lines: "I was born the day I met you, lived a while when you loved me, died a little when we broke apart." The title and artwork for the album ''[[11 (The Smithereens album)|11]]'' were a nod to the original 1960 ''[[Ocean's 11]]'' film.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/09/21/oceans-11-deja-view/ |title='Ocean's 11' Déjà View |first=Kelly |last=Choi |date=September 21, 2001 |access-date=December 13, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref><ref name="Babjak">{{Cite news |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/smithereens-11-guitarist-jim-babjak-breaks-down-11-essential-smithereens |title=Smithereens 11: Guitarist Jim Babjak Breaks Down 11 Essential Smithereens Tracks |first=Damian |last=Fanelli |date=June 20, 2012 |access-date=December 13, 2022 |work=Guitar World}}</ref>
The group is still active and tours frequently.


The Smithereens starred as themselves and were featured as entertainment in the indoor beach party scene of the 1986 [[Troma Entertainment|Troma]] film ''[[Class of Nuke 'Em High]]'', playing the song "Much Too Much".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefilmcatalogue.com/catalog/FilmDetail.php?id=5689 |title=Class of Nuke 'Em High |date=2016 |publisher=[[Independent Film and Television Alliance]] |work=The Film Catalogue |access-date=December 19, 2016 }}</ref> The soundtrack to the film was not released until 2014.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.troma.com/news/23199/class-of-nuke-em-high-soundtrack-finally-gets-official-lp-release |title="Class of Nuke 'Em High" Soundtrack Finally Gets Official LP Release |date=July 22, 2014 |access-date=December 19, 2016 |publisher=Troma Entertainment}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Studio Albums ===
* ''[[Girls About Town]]'', 1980 ([[d-tone]])
* ''[[Beauty and Sadness]]'', 1983 ([[Little Ricky Records]]/[[Capitol Records|Capitol]])
* ''[[Especially for You (The Smithereens album)|Especially for You]]'', 1986 ([[Enigma Records|Enigma]]/Capitol)
* ''[[Green Thoughts]]'', 1988 (Enigma/Capitol)
* ''[[11 (The Smithereens album)| Smithereens 11]]'', 1989 (Enigma/Capitol)
* ''[[Blow Up (The Smithereens album)|Blow Up]]'', 1991 (Capitol)
* ''[[A Date with the Smithereens]]'', 1994 ([[BMG]]/[[Excelsior Records|Excelsior]])
* ''[[God Save the Smithereens]]'', 1999 ([[Velvel Records|Velvel]]/[[Koch Entertainment]])
* ''[[Meet the Smithereens]]'', 2007 ([[Koch Entertainment|Koch]]) (A tribute to The Beatles, covering the entire 'Meet The Beatles' album.)
* ''Currently Untitled'', To be released in May or June [[2007]] <ref>{{cite web | title=Pat Dinizio's official website| work=patdinizio.com | url=http://www.patdinizio.com/article.php?AID=474}}</ref>


The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' pop charts was in 1990, when ''11'' peaked at No.&nbsp;41 on the strength of the single "[[A Girl Like You (The Smithereens song)|A Girl Like You]]" (which hit No.&nbsp;38). "A Girl Like You" was originally written to be the title track for the 1989 [[Cameron Crowe]] film ''[[Say Anything...]]''.<ref name="Babjak" /> The album also featured a duet between DiNizio and [[Belinda Carlisle]] on ''[[Blue Period (song)|Blue Period]]''.
=== Live albums ===
* ''[[Live (The Smithereens)|Live]]'', 1987 ([[Restless Records|Restless]])
* ''Instant Live: Music Midtown Festival Atlanta, GA 5/1/04'', 2005 (Instant Live Recordings)
=== Greatest Hits Compilations ===
* ''[[Blown To Smithereens: Best of the Smithereens]]'', 1995 (Capitol Records)
* ''Best of the Smithereens'', 1998 ([[EMI]])
* ''Best of The Smithereens'', 2006 ([[EMI]])
=== Collections of rarities or alternate versions of songs ===
* ''Attack of The Smithereens: Rarities'', 1995 ([[Capitol Records|Capitol]])
* ''From Jersey It Came! The Smithereens Anthology'', 2004 ([[Capitol Records|Capitol]])
* ''God Save The Smithereens Deluxe Edition'', 2005 ([[Koch Entertainment|Koch]])
* ''Extended Versions'', 2006 ([[Sony Records|Sony]])


[[File:20070714-2027-Smithereens.jpg|thumb|Jim Babjak and Pat DiNizio perform with the Smithereens in Grapevine, Texas, 2007.]]
=== Soundtrack albums featuring The Smithereens ===
The basic tracks for their most recent studio album of original material, titled ''[[2011 (album)|2011]]'', were recorded in early October 2010 and the album was released on April 5, 2011.
* ''[[Dangerously Close]]'', 1986 (Enigma)
[[File:20070714-2056-Smithereens.jpg|left|thumb|Jim Babjak performs with the Smithereens in Grapevine, Texas, 2007.]]
* ''[[Burglar]]'', 1987 (MCA)
The Smithereens were the final band to perform at the fabled [[Bleecker Street]] nightclub Kenny's Castaways in [[Greenwich Village]], [[New York City]], in October 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://patdinizio.net/3256/the-smithereens-to-play-closing-show-at-kennys-castaways/ |title=The Smithereens to play closing show at Kenny's Castaways |publisher=Pat DiNizio |access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref>
* ''[[I Was a Teenage Zombie]]'', 1987 ([[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
* ''[[Under the Boardwalk]]'', 1988 (Enigma)
* ''[[Encino Man]] Soundtrack'', 1992 ([[Hollywood Records]])
* ''[[Romy & Michele's High School Reunion]]'', 1997([[Hollywood Records]])
* ''Boys Don't Cry'', 1999 ([[Koch Entertainment|Koch]])
* ''[[Burnzy's Last Call]]'', 1999 (Ripe & Ready/Cellsum Records)


In June 2013, The Smithereens toured as support for [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skylineonline.com/online/2013/06/the-smithereens-on-tour-with-tom-petty |title=Skyline Music &#124; the Smithereens on Tour with Tom Petty |access-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130624223924/http://www.skylineonline.com/online/2013/06/the-smithereens-on-tour-with-tom-petty |archive-date=June 24, 2013 }}</ref>
==Singles==


Original bass player Mike Mesaros reunited with the band in 2016 and 2017 for select performances and continued to tour in 2018 through the present.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jordan|first1=Chris|title=Original Smithereens to reunite for memorial concert|url=http://www.app.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/10/05/original-smithereens-reunite-memorial-concert/91596652/|access-date=April 3, 2017|publisher=Asbury Park Press|date=October 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Jordan|first1=Chris|title=The Smithereens: Carteret connection complete with Mesaros|url=http://www.app.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/01/19/smithereens-carteret-connection-complete-mesaros/96808666/|access-date=April 3, 2017|publisher=Asbury Park Press|date=January 19, 2017}}</ref>

DiNizio died in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, on December 12, 2017, at the age of 62. According to bandmates, his health declined following a series of issues that began in 2015, resulting in nerve damage that limited the use of his right hand and arm.<ref name="nytobit">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/obituaries/pat-dinizio-singer-and-songwriter-for-the-smithereens-dies-at-62.html |title=Pat DiNizio, Singer and Songwriter for the Smithereens, Dies at 62 |first=Daniel E. |last=Slotnik |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 13, 2017}}</ref>
[[File:20070714-2019-Smithereens.jpg|left|thumb|Dennis Diken performs with the Smithereens in Grapevine, Texas, 2007.]]
The surviving members of the band, including Mesaros, performed together as The Smithereens in a tribute show to DiNizio on January 13, 2018, at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ.<ref name="tribshow">{{cite web|last1=Angermiller|first1=Michele Amabile|title=Steven Van Zandt, Kinks' Dave Davies Pay Tribute to Smithereens' Pat Dinizio|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/smithereens-pat-dinizio-tribute-concert-count-basie-steven-van-zandt-kinks-dave-davies-1202664325/|website=Variety|access-date=January 25, 2018|date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> In a five-hour concert, the band was joined by [[Steven Van Zandt]], [[Dave Davies]], [[Ted Leo]], [[Robin Wilson (musician)|Robin Wilson]], [[Lenny Kaye]], [[Southside Johnny]], [[Marshall Crenshaw]], [[Bebe Buell]], Richard Barone, Tony Shanahan, [[Graham Maby]], [[Freedy Johnston]], [[Kenny Howes]], John Jorgenson, Peter Zaremba, Keith Streng, producer Ed Stasium, Andy Burton, and various other musicians.<ref name="tribshow"/> The Pat DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship was established at the Count Basie's Performing Arts Academy.

In 2018, Babjak, Diken and Mesaros decided to continue the band's musical legacy and tour with different guest vocalists, including [[Marshall Crenshaw]] and [[Robin Wilson (musician)|Robin Wilson]] of the [[Gin Blossoms]], separately taking over lead vocal duties at concerts throughout the United States, including shows in NYC, Chicago, Massachusetts, Colorado and Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://officialsmithereens.com/5471/new-shows-with-marshall-crenshaw-announced/|title=» New shows with Marshall Crenshaw announced|website=officialsmithereens.com|access-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref>

On May 25, 2018, the band released ''[[Covers (The Smithereens)|Covers]]'' on Sunset Blvd. Records, featuring 22 of the band's favorite songs first recorded by other artists. The CD collects b-sides and movie soundtrack recordings, and some previously unreleased tracks.

On November 16, 2018, The Smithereens were nominated for induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, Performing Arts Category, Class of 2018.

In July 2020, the band released a 7-inch vinyl single of their cover of [[the Beatles]]' 1962 single "[[Love Me Do]]" and its B-side "[[P.S. I Love You (Beatles song)|P.S. I Love You]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialsmithereens.com/post/love-me-do---p-s-i-love-you-single-released| title="LOVE ME DO"/"P.S. I LOVE YOU" SINGLE RELEASED!|access-date=September 25, 2020|work=officialsmithereens.com|date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> "Love Me Do" was originally recorded in 2008 during sessions for ''[[B-Sides The Beatles]]'' but was not considered for inclusion on the album. Both tracks feature session drummer [[Andy White (drummer)|Andy White]], who originally performed on the Beatles versions. Mike Mesaros added new bass parts to both tracks and Kristin Pinell of [[the Grip Weeds]] guests on melodica.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dye|first=Robert|title=The Smithereens Pay Tribute To The Beatles With "Love Me Do/P.S. I Love You" 45 RPM Release|url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-smithereens-pay-tribute-to-the-beatles-with-love-me-do-p-s-i-love-you-45-rpm-release/| access-date=September 25, 2020|publisher=[[American Songwriter]]|date=July 19, 2020}}</ref>

In September 2022, The Smithereens released ''[[The Lost Album (The Smithereens album)|The Lost Album]]''. It was originally recorded in 1993 between their recording contracts with Capitol and RCA. Eleven of the songs on ''The Lost Album'' (minus the Babjak-penned "I'm Sexy") previously appeared on DiNizio's 1995 ''Song Demos'' release (MCA Publishing).<ref>{{Citation |title=Pat DiNizio – Song Demos |date=1995 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/15065547-Pat-DiNizio-Song-Demos |language=en |access-date=October 3, 2022}}</ref> Selected songs were also previously included on DiNizio's ''Songs and Sounds'' (1997)<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Pat Dinizio Foursome |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2014288-The-Pat-Dinizio-Foursome |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=Discogs |language=en}}</ref>'','' ''Pat DiNizio'' (2005),<ref>{{Citation |title=Pat DiNizio – Pat DiNIzio |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4444771-Pat-DiNizio-Pat-DiNIzio |language=en |access-date=October 3, 2022}}</ref> and ''The Best of Pat Dinizio'' (2015)<ref>{{Citation |title=Pat DiNizio – The Best Of |date=April 28, 2015 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/13695731-Pat-DiNizio-The-Best-Of |language=en |access-date=October 3, 2022}}</ref>''.''

==Members==
[[File:Smithereens4235.jpg|thumb|[[Pat DiNizio]] and [[Mike Mesaros (musician)|Mike Mesaros]] in 1984]]
* [[Jim Babjak]]&nbsp;- lead guitar, backing vocals (1980–present)
*[[Dennis Diken]]&nbsp;- drums, percussion, backing vocals (1980–present)
*Mike Mesaros (born December 11, 1957) – bass guitar, backing vocals (1980–2005, 2016, 2017–present)

===Former members===
* [[Pat DiNizio]] – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1980–2017, deceased)
* Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion – bass guitar, backing vocals (2005–2017, touring substitute 2017–present)

==Touring members==
*[[Marshall Crenshaw]] - lead vocals (2024–present)

==Former touring members==

*[[Robin Wilson (musician)|Robin Wilson]] - lead vocals (2019-2024)


*[[Kenny Howes]] - bass, backing vocals (touring substitute for Mike Mesaros, 2016)

==Discography==

[[File:Smithereens_Columbia_NJ_Jim_Babjak_Pat_DiNizio_Dennis_Diken_The_Thrilla_Andy_Burton.jpg|thumb|480x270px|The Smithereens, in 2015: Jim Babjak, Pat DiNizio, Dennis Diken, The Thrilla, and guest Andy Burton]]

===Studio albums===
*''[[Especially for You (The Smithereens album)|Especially for You]]'', 1986 ([[Enigma Records|Enigma]], [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]) US #51, UK INDIE #5
*''[[Green Thoughts]]'', 1988 (Enigma, Capitol) US #60, UK INDIE #7
*''[[11 (The Smithereens album)|11]]'', 1989 (Enigma, Capitol) US #41
*''[[Blow Up (The Smithereens album)|Blow Up]]'', 1991 (Capitol) US #120
*''[[A Date with The Smithereens]]'', 1994 ([[RCA Records|RCA]], [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]) US #133
*''[[God Save The Smithereens]]'', 1999 ([[Velvel Records|Velvel]], [[Koch Entertainment|Koch]])
*''[[Meet The Smithereens!]]'', 2007 (Koch)
*''[[Christmas with The Smithereens]]'', 2007 (Koch)
*''[[B-Sides The Beatles]]'', 2008 (Koch)
*''[[The Smithereens Play Tommy]]'', 2009 ([[E1 Entertainment|eOne Music]])
*''[[2011 (album)|2011]]'', 2011 ([[E1 Entertainment|eOne Music]])
*''[[The Lost Album (The Smithereens album)|The Lost Album]]'', 2022 (Sunset Blvd Records) – recorded in 1993<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialsmithereens.com/post/copy-of-the-smithereens-announce-the-lost-album|title=THE SMITHEREENS ANNOUNCE THE LOST ALBUM!|website=officialsmithereens.com|date=September 4, 2022 |access-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

===Extended plays===
*''[[Girls About Town (EP)|Girls About Town]]'', 1980 ([[D-Tone Records]])
*''[[Beauty and Sadness (EP)|Beauty and Sadness]]'', 1983 ([[Little Ricky Records]], Enigma, Capitol)
*''[[MTV Unplugged (EP)|MTV Unplugged]]'', 2011 (The Smithereens Record Company) <ref>https://www.officialsmithereens.com/mtv-unplugged-ep</ref>

===Live albums===
*''[[Live (The Smithereens)|Live]]'', 1988 ([[Restless Records|Restless]])
*''[[Instant Live: Music Midtown Festival Atlanta, GA 5/1/04]]'', 2005 (Instant Live Recordings)
*''[[Extended Versions (The Smithereens live album)|Extended Versions]]'', 2006 ([[Sony BMG]])
*''[[Live in Concert! Greatest Hits and More]]'', 2008 (Koch)
* ''The Smithereens Play The Beatles Washington, D.C. February 11, 1964, Concert'', 2014 (Not on Label)

===Compilations===
*''[[Blown to Smithereens: Best of The Smithereens]]'', 1995 (Capitol)
*''[[Attack of The Smithereens]]'', 1995 (Capitol)
*''[[The Best of The Smithereens]]'', 1997 ([[EMI]], Capitol)
*''[[From Jersey It Came! The Smithereens Anthology]]'', 2004 (Capitol)
* ''Greatest Hits...Revisited'', 2010 (Not on Label)
* ''Especially for You – 30th Anniversary'', 2016 (Not on Label)
* ''[[Covers (The Smithereens)|Covers]]'', 2018 (Sunset Blvd Records)

===Soundtracks and other appearances===
* ''The East Coast 60's Rock & Roll Experiment'', 1986 (Performance) – "[[Hang 'Em High (composition)|Hang 'Em High (Hang Ten High)]]"
* ''[[Dangerously Close]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1986 (Enigma) – "[[Blood and Roses (song)|Blood and Roses]]", "Some Other Guy"
* ''[[Burglar (film)|Burglar]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1987 ([[MCA Records|MCA]]) – "Some Other Guy"
* ''[[I Was a Teenage Zombie]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1987 (Capitol) – "Time and Time Again"
* ''[[Under the Boardwalk (1989 film)|Under the Boardwalk]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1988 (Enigma) – "Blood and Roses"
* ''[[Encino Man]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1992 ([[Hollywood Records|Hollywood]]) – "Wooly Bully"
* ''[[Timecop]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1994 ([[RCA Records|RCA]]) – "[[Time Won't Let Me]]" (not included on soundtrack album)
* ''[[Fast Track to Nowhere]]: Songs from the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] Original Series [[Rebel Highway]]'', 1994 ([[A&M Records|A&M]]) – "[[The Stroll]]"
* ''Brace Yourself! A Tribute to Otis Blackwell'', 1994 ([[Shanachie Records|Shanachie]]) – "Let's Talk About Us"
* ''Resurrection of the Warlock – A Tribute to Marc Bolan & T-Rex'', 1995 (The Old School Records) – "[[The Slider]]"
* ''Classic Rockin' Christmas'', 1993 ([[Koch Entertainment|Koch]]) – "[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song)|Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer]]"
* ''One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen'', 1997 ([[The Right Stuff Records|The Right Stuff]]) – "[[Downbound Train]]"
* ''[[Romy and Michele's High School Reunion]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1997 (Hollywood) – "Blood and Roses"
* ''[[Boys Don't Cry (1999 film)#Music|Boys Don't Cry]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1999 (Koch) – "She's Got a Way"
* ''[[Burnzy's Last Call]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1999 (Ripe & Ready/Cellsum Records) – "I Don't Want to Look Into the Mirror"
* ''A Tribute to the King'', 2002 (Capitol) – "[[Don't Be Cruel|Don't Be Cruel (Live)]]"
* ''[[Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison]]'', 2003 (Koch) – "[[I Want To Tell You]]"
* ''[[Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle#Soundtrack|Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 2004 ([[Razor & Tie]]) – "White Castle Blues"
* ''Rockin' Christmas'', 2005 ([[Sony BMG]]) – "Waking Up on Christmas Morning"
* ''The Sandinista! Project – A Tribute to the Clash'', 2007 (00:02:59 Records) – "Up in Heaven (Not Only Here)"
* ''[[Class of Nuke 'Em High]]'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 2014 (Ship to Shore PhonoCo.) – "Much Too Much"
<ref>"[https://www.discogs.com/artist/377441-The-Smithereens?filter_anv=0&subtype=Compilations&type=Appearances The Smithereens Discography on Discogs, Appearances]". Discogs.com. Retrieved on September 9, 2018.</ref>

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!width="40"|Year
!width="40"|Year
!Song
!Song
!width="40"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref>{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2021/05/week-commencing-21-may-1990.html|title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing May 21, 1990|website=Bubbling Down Under|access-date=June 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=279}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2020/03/week-commencing-20-march-1989.html |title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing March 20, 1989|website=Bubbling Down Under|access-date=May 19, 2024}}</ref>
!width="40"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]
!width="40"|US [[Modern Rock Tracks chart|Modern Rock]]
!width="40"|[[Canadian Singles Chart|CAN]]
!width="40"|NZ<br><ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Smithereens&titel=Too+Much+Passion&cat=s |title=The Smithereens – Too Much Passion |publisher=charts.nz |access-date=July 27, 2014 }}</ref>
!width="40"|US [[Mainstream Rock Tracks chart|Mainstream Rock]]
!width="40"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26231/smithereens-featuring-belinda-carlisle/ |title=Smithereens {{!}} full Official Chart History |access-date=November 4, 2022}}</ref>
!width="40"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]
!width="40"|[[UK Indie Chart|UK Indie]]<br><ref>{{cite book |first=Barry |last=Lazell |url=http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/s.htm |title=Indie Hits 1980–1989 |publisher=Cherry Red Books |date=1997 |access-date=September 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125645/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/s.htm |archive-date=June 6, 2011 }}</ref>
!width="40"|[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br><ref>{{cite magazine |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]] |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-smithereens/chart-history/hsi/ |title=The Smithereens Chart History (Hot 100) |access-date=November 4, 2022}}</ref>
!width="40"|[[Modern Rock Tracks chart|US Mod. Rock]]<br><ref>{{cite magazine |publisher=Eldridge Industries |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-smithereens/chart-history/mrt/ |title=The Smithereens Chart History (Alternative Airplay) |access-date=November 4, 2022}}</ref>
!width="40"|[[Mainstream Rock Tracks chart|US Main. Rock]]<br><ref>{{cite magazine |publisher=Eldridge Industries |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-smithereens/chart-history/rtt/ |title=The Smithereens Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay) |access-date=November 4, 2022}}</ref>
!Album
!Album
|-
|-
|align="left"|1986
|rowspan="3"|1986
|align="left"|"Blood and Roses"
|"[[Blood and Roses (song)|Blood and Roses]]"
| style="text-align:center;"|99
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#14
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''[[Especially for You (The Smithereens album)|Especially for You]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|rowspan="4"|''Especially for You''
|-
|-
|"[[Behind the Wall of Sleep (The Smithereens song)|Behind the Wall of Sleep]]"
|align="left"|1986
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|"Behind the Wall of Sleep"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#23
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''Especially for You''
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|23
|-
|-
|"[[In a Lonely Place (song)|In a Lonely Place]]"
|align="left"|1988
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|"Only a Memory"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#92
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#1
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''[[Green Thoughts]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|-
|1987
|align="left"|1988
|"[[Strangers When We Meet (The Smithereens song)|Strangers When We Meet]]"
|align="left"|"House We Used to Live In"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#14
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|21
|align="left"|''Green Thoughts''
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|-
|align="left"|1988
|rowspan="3"|1988
|"[[Only a Memory]]"
|align="left"|"Drown in My Own Tears"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#34
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''Green Thoughts''
| style="text-align:center;"|92
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|rowspan="3"|''Green Thoughts''
|-
|-
|"[[House We Used to Live In]]"
|align="left"|1989
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|"A Girl Like You"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#38
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#3
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#2
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''[[11 (The Smithereens album)|11]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|-
|-
|"[[Drown in My Own Tears (The Smithereens song)|Drown in My Own Tears]]"
|align="left"|1990
| style="text-align:center;"|168
|align="left"|"Blues Before and After"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#94
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#18
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#7
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''11''
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|34
|-
|-
|1989
|align="left"|1990
|"[[A Girl Like You (The Smithereens song)|A Girl Like You]]"
|align="left"|"Yesterday Girl"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|62
|align="left"|#16
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#20
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''11''
| style="text-align:center;"|38
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|rowspan="4"|''11''
|-
|-
|align="left"|1990
|rowspan="3"|1990
|"[[Blues Before and After]]"
|align="left"|"Blue Period" (with [[Belinda Carlisle]])
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#99
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''11''
| style="text-align:center;"|94
| style="text-align:center;"|18
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
|-
|"[[Yesterday Girl (song)|Yesterday Girl]]"
|align="left"|1991
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|"Top of the Pops"
| style="text-align:center;"|76
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#2
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#19
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''[[Blow Up (The Smithereens album)|Blow Up]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|16
| style="text-align:center;"|20
|-
|-
|"[[Blue Period (song)|Blue Period]]" (with [[Belinda Carlisle]])
|align="left"|1991
| style="text-align:center;"|162
|align="left"|"Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#11
| style="text-align:center;"|99
|align="left"|#28
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''Blow Up''
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|-
|align="left"|1992
|rowspan="4"|1991
|"[[Top of the Pops (The Smithereens song)|Top of the Pops]]"
|align="left"|"Too Much Passion"
| style="text-align:center;"|77
|align="left"|#37
| style="text-align:center;"|58
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''Blow Up''
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|19
|rowspan="5"|''Blow Up''
|-
|-
|"[[Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong]]"
|align="left"|1994
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|"Miles from Nowhere"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|#17
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|align="left"|''[[A Date with the Smithereens]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|11
| style="text-align:center;"|28
|-
|-
|"[[Too Much Passion]]"
| style="text-align:center;"|87
| style="text-align:center;"|22
| style="text-align:center;"|33
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|37
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"Girl in Room 12" {{small|(Radio promo)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Smithereens-Girl-In-Room-12/release/8056886 |title=The Smithereens – Girl in Room 12 |website=Discogs.com |date=1991 |access-date=August 19, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|rowspan="2"|1992
|"Get a Hold of My Heart" {{small|(Radio promo)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Smithereens-Get-A-Hold-Of-My-Heart/master/1345589 |title=The Smithereens – Get a Hold of My Heart |website=Discogs.com |date=1992 |access-date=August 19, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song)|Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer]]" {{small|(Radio promo)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Smithereens-RudolphRed-Nosed-Reindeer/release/5255412 |title=The Smithereens – Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer |website=Discogs.com |date=1992 |access-date=August 19, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|rowspan="1"|Non-album single
|-
|rowspan="4"|1994
|"[[Miles from Nowhere (The Smithereens song)|Miles From Nowhere]]"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|17
|rowspan="3"|''A Date with the Smithereens''
|-
|"Sick Of Seattle" {{small|(Radio promo)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Smithereens-Sick-Of-Seattle/release/3588756 |title=The Smithereens – Sick Of Seattle (Vinyl) |website=Discogs.com |date=1994 |access-date=February 26, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"Everything I Have Is Blue (Gtr. Mix)" {{small|(Radio promo)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Smithereens-Everything-I-Have-Is-Blue/release/1061742 |title=The Smithereens – Everything I Have Is Blue (CD)s |website=Discogs.com |date=1994 |access-date=February 26, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"[[Time Won't Let Me]]" {{small|(from the Motion Picture ''[[Timecop]]'')}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Smithereens-Time-Wont-Let-Me-From-The-Motion-Picture-Timecop/master/651922 |title=The Smithereens – Time Won't Let Me (From The Motion Picture "Timecop") |website=Discogs.com |date=1994 |access-date=February 26, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|Non-album single
|-
|1997
|"[[Downbound Train]]"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|''One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen''
|-
|1999
|"She's Got a Way" {{small|(Radio promo)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/the_smithereens/shes_got_a_way/|title=She's Got a Way|work=Rate Your Music|access-date=February 26, 2018}}</ref>{{deprecated source|certain=y|date=November 2024}}
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|''God Save The Smithereens''
|-
|rowspan="2"|2011
|"Sorry"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://officialsmithereens.com/31/the-return-of-the-smithereens/|title=The return of the Smithereens!|work=The Smithereens Official Website}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|rowspan="2"|''2011''
|-
|"One Look At You"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://officialsmithereens.com/1587/one-look-at-you-video/|title=One Look At You|work=The Smithereens Official Website}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|2020
|"[[Love Me Do]]"<ref>{{cite news|last=Jordan|first=Chris|title=Smithereens release 'Love Me Do' cover with Beatles drummer not named Ringo Starr|url=https://eu.app.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/07/07/smithereens-release-love-me-do-cover-beatles-drummer-not-named-ringo-starr/5391013002/|access-date= September 25, 2020|publisher=[[Asbury Park Press]]|date=July 7, 2020}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|Non-album single
|-
|2022
|"Out of This World"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|''The Lost Album''
|}
|}


== External links ==
== Music Videos ==
{| class=wikitable
* [http://www.officialsmithereens.com Official Smithereens website]
|-
* {{last.fm|The+Smithereens}}
! Title !! Year !! Director !! Album
* {{musicbrainz artist|id=fae2cd4c-f847-4cb3-b311-60c8906cdb0b|name =The Smithereens}}
|-
| [[Blood and Roses (song)|"Blood And Roses"]]
| rowspan=3 | 1986
| [[Albert Pyun]]<ref name="10-dvd">{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12598638-The-Smithereens-10 |title=Smithereens 10 |type=DVD credits |publisher =[[Capitol Records]] |date=2002 |id=07777-40003-9-0 |access-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref>
| rowspan=3 | [[Especially for You (The Smithereens album)|''Especially For You'']]
|-
| [[Behind the Wall of Sleep (The Smithereens song)|"Behind The Wall Of Sleep"]]
| Ken Welzer<ref name="10-dvd"/>
|-
| [[In a Lonely Place (song)|"In A Lonely Place"]]
| Ken Ross / [[Richard Levine (director)|Richard Levine]]<ref name="10-dvd"/>
|-
| [[Only a Memory|"Only A Memory"]]
| rowspan=3 | 1988
| Jim Yukich<ref name="10-dvd"/>
| rowspan=3 | ''[[Green Thoughts]]''
|-
| [[House We Used to Live In|"House We Used To Live In"]]
| Jim Yukich<ref name="10-dvd"/>
|-
| [[Drown in My Own Tears (The Smithereens song)|"Drown In My Own Tears"]]
| Jim Yukich / Jeff Zimmerman<ref name="10-dvd"/>
|-
| [[A Girl Like You (The Smithereens song)|"A Girl Like You"]]
| 1989
| [[John Lloyd Miller]]<ref name="10-dvd"/>
| rowspan=4 | [[11 (The Smithereens album)|''11'']]
|-
| [[Blues Before and After|"Blues Before And After"]]
| rowspan = 3 | 1990
| [[John Lloyd Miller]]<ref name="10-dvd"/>
|-
| [[Yesterday Girl (song)|"Yesterday Girl"]]
| Gregory P. Alosio<ref name="10-dvd"/>
|-
| [[Blue Period (song)|"Blue Period"]]
| [[John Lloyd Miller]]<ref name="10-dvd"/>
|-
| [[Top of the Pops (The Smithereens song)|"Top Of The Pops"]]
| rowspan = 2 | 1991
| [[John Lloyd Miller]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10925540 |title=The Smithereens: Top of the Pops |work=IMDb |access-date=September 3, 2022}}</ref>
| rowspan = 2 | [[Blow Up (The Smithereens album)|''Blow Up'']]
|-
| "[[Too Much Passion]]"
| Jeff Stein<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10925554 |title=The Smithereens: Too Much Passion |work=IMDb |access-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[Miles from Nowhere (The Smithereens song)|"Miles From Nowhere"]]
| rowspan = 2 | 1994
| unknown
| [[A Date with the Smithereens|''A Date With The Smithereens'']]
|-
| "[[Time Won't Let Me]]"
| [[Nigel Dick]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10925618/ |title=The Smithereens: Time Won't Let Me |work=IMDb |access-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref>
| Non-album single
|-
|"Sorry"
| rowspan="2" |2011
| rowspan="2" |John Rokosny / Andriette Redmann<ref>{{Citation |title=The Smithereens: Sorry |date=April 14, 2011 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10925692/?ref_=nm_knf_t4 |type=Music |access-date=October 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=The Smithereens: One Look at You |date=August 11, 2011 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10925702/ |type=Music |access-date=October 21, 2022}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |''[[2011 (album)|2011]]''
|-
|"One Look at You"
|}

== Videography ==
*''Smithereens 10'', 1991

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Discogs artist|The Smithereens}}
* {{musicbrainz artist|id=fae2cd4c-f847-4cb3-b311-60c8906cdb0b|name=The Smithereens}}


{{The Smithereens|state=expanded}}
[[Category:New Jersey musical groups|Smithereens]]
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Alternative musical groups|Smithereens]]


[[fr:The Smithereens]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smithereens, The}}
[[Category:1980 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from New Jersey]]
[[Category:American hard rock musical groups]]
[[Category:American musical quartets]]
[[Category:American power pop groups]]
[[Category:Capitol Records artists]]
[[Category:College rock musical groups]]
[[Category:Jersey Shore musical groups]]
[[Category:MNRK Music Group artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1980]]
[[Category:Musical groups from New Jersey]]
[[Category:RCA Records artists]]

Latest revision as of 19:57, 14 December 2024

The Smithereens
Diken, Babjak, and DiNizio in 2009
Diken, Babjak, and DiNizio in 2009
Background information
OriginCarteret, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Years active1980–present
Labels
MembersJim Babjak
Mike Mesaros
Dennis Diken
Past membersPat DiNizio
Severo Jornacion
WebsiteOfficialSmithereens.com jimbabjak.com

The Smithereens are an American rock band from Carteret, New Jersey.[1] The group formed in 1980 with members Pat DiNizio (vocals and guitar), Jim Babjak (guitar and vocals), Mike Mesaros (bass guitar and vocals), and Dennis Diken (drums and percussion). This original lineup continued until 2006, when Mesaros left the band and Severo Jornacion took over on bass guitar until Mesaros' return in 2016. After DiNizio died in 2017, the band continued performing live shows as a trio (Babjak, Mesaros and Diken) with various guest vocalists.

The band had a string of hits in the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, including "Only a Memory", "A Girl Like You" and "Too Much Passion". The Smithereens have collaborated with numerous musicians, both in the studio (Belinda Carlisle, Julian Lennon, Lou Reed, Suzanne Vega) and live (Otis Blackwell, Graham Parker and The Kinks).[2] The band named themselves after a favorite word of cartoon character Yosemite Sam.[3]

History

[edit]
The Smithereens in Grapevine, Texas, 2007.

Babjak, Diken, and Mesaros are all from Carteret, New Jersey, and graduated from Carteret High School in 1975. In 1980, they formed the band with DiNizio, who was from Scotch Plains, New Jersey.[4] DiNizio had placed a classified ad in The Aquarian Weekly looking for a drummer to help on a demo tape – Diken answered it and later introduced his schoolmates Babjak and Mesaros as well.[5]

The band's name derives from the cartoon character Yosemite Sam who often used the expression "I'm-a-gonna blow ya to smithereens!"[3] In 1980 they released the single "Girls About Town" followed by a mini-LP Beauty and Sadness in 1983.[6] In the same period they toured as Otis Blackwell's backing band on a Scandinavian tour in 1984.[6]

After playing mostly around the New York area, the band signed with Enigma.[6] The single "Blood and Roses" from their first album was included on the soundtrack for Dangerously Close, and the music video got moderate rotation on MTV.[6] "Blood and Roses" was also featured on the 1980s TV show Miami Vice during the episode 'The Savage' (first aired February 6, 1987).

Babjak (left) and Jornacion in 2009 in Rochester, Minnesota

The Smithereens are known for writing and playing catchy 1960s-influenced power pop. Along with a basic East coast roots-rock sound that owed much to musicians who inspired DiNizio, including the Who, the Clash, Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe, The Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with Mod, the late British Invasion pop of John's Children and the Move and other artifacts of 1950s and 1960s culture that lent its music substance. DiNizio said his single biggest influence was Buddy Holly: "Listening to Buddy Holly, I rediscovered my enjoyment of simple pop structures and pretty melodies...I've always thought of him as a kindred spirit."[5] Likewise, The Who and The Kinks were major influences on Babjak and Diken.

The title and lyrics of their song, “In a Lonely Place," appear to be based on the 1950 Humphrey Bogart film of the same title because of Bogart's lines: "I was born the day I met you, lived a while when you loved me, died a little when we broke apart." The title and artwork for the album 11 were a nod to the original 1960 Ocean's 11 film.[7][8]

The Smithereens starred as themselves and were featured as entertainment in the indoor beach party scene of the 1986 Troma film Class of Nuke 'Em High, playing the song "Much Too Much".[9] The soundtrack to the film was not released until 2014.[10]

The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the Billboard pop charts was in 1990, when 11 peaked at No. 41 on the strength of the single "A Girl Like You" (which hit No. 38). "A Girl Like You" was originally written to be the title track for the 1989 Cameron Crowe film Say Anything....[8] The album also featured a duet between DiNizio and Belinda Carlisle on Blue Period.

Jim Babjak and Pat DiNizio perform with the Smithereens in Grapevine, Texas, 2007.

The basic tracks for their most recent studio album of original material, titled 2011, were recorded in early October 2010 and the album was released on April 5, 2011.

Jim Babjak performs with the Smithereens in Grapevine, Texas, 2007.

The Smithereens were the final band to perform at the fabled Bleecker Street nightclub Kenny's Castaways in Greenwich Village, New York City, in October 2012.[11]

In June 2013, The Smithereens toured as support for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.[12]

Original bass player Mike Mesaros reunited with the band in 2016 and 2017 for select performances and continued to tour in 2018 through the present.[13][14]

DiNizio died in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, on December 12, 2017, at the age of 62. According to bandmates, his health declined following a series of issues that began in 2015, resulting in nerve damage that limited the use of his right hand and arm.[15]

Dennis Diken performs with the Smithereens in Grapevine, Texas, 2007.

The surviving members of the band, including Mesaros, performed together as The Smithereens in a tribute show to DiNizio on January 13, 2018, at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ.[16] In a five-hour concert, the band was joined by Steven Van Zandt, Dave Davies, Ted Leo, Robin Wilson, Lenny Kaye, Southside Johnny, Marshall Crenshaw, Bebe Buell, Richard Barone, Tony Shanahan, Graham Maby, Freedy Johnston, Kenny Howes, John Jorgenson, Peter Zaremba, Keith Streng, producer Ed Stasium, Andy Burton, and various other musicians.[16] The Pat DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship was established at the Count Basie's Performing Arts Academy.

In 2018, Babjak, Diken and Mesaros decided to continue the band's musical legacy and tour with different guest vocalists, including Marshall Crenshaw and Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms, separately taking over lead vocal duties at concerts throughout the United States, including shows in NYC, Chicago, Massachusetts, Colorado and Virginia.[17]

On May 25, 2018, the band released Covers on Sunset Blvd. Records, featuring 22 of the band's favorite songs first recorded by other artists. The CD collects b-sides and movie soundtrack recordings, and some previously unreleased tracks.

On November 16, 2018, The Smithereens were nominated for induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, Performing Arts Category, Class of 2018.

In July 2020, the band released a 7-inch vinyl single of their cover of the Beatles' 1962 single "Love Me Do" and its B-side "P.S. I Love You".[18] "Love Me Do" was originally recorded in 2008 during sessions for B-Sides The Beatles but was not considered for inclusion on the album. Both tracks feature session drummer Andy White, who originally performed on the Beatles versions. Mike Mesaros added new bass parts to both tracks and Kristin Pinell of the Grip Weeds guests on melodica.[19]

In September 2022, The Smithereens released The Lost Album. It was originally recorded in 1993 between their recording contracts with Capitol and RCA. Eleven of the songs on The Lost Album (minus the Babjak-penned "I'm Sexy") previously appeared on DiNizio's 1995 Song Demos release (MCA Publishing).[20] Selected songs were also previously included on DiNizio's Songs and Sounds (1997)[21], Pat DiNizio (2005),[22] and The Best of Pat Dinizio (2015)[23].

Members

[edit]
Pat DiNizio and Mike Mesaros in 1984
  • Jim Babjak - lead guitar, backing vocals (1980–present)
  • Dennis Diken - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1980–present)
  • Mike Mesaros (born December 11, 1957) – bass guitar, backing vocals (1980–2005, 2016, 2017–present)

Former members

[edit]
  • Pat DiNizio – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1980–2017, deceased)
  • Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion – bass guitar, backing vocals (2005–2017, touring substitute 2017–present)

Touring members

[edit]

Former touring members

[edit]


  • Kenny Howes - bass, backing vocals (touring substitute for Mike Mesaros, 2016)

Discography

[edit]
The Smithereens, in 2015: Jim Babjak, Pat DiNizio, Dennis Diken, The Thrilla, and guest Andy Burton

Studio albums

[edit]

Extended plays

[edit]

Live albums

[edit]

Compilations

[edit]

Soundtracks and other appearances

[edit]

[26]

Singles

[edit]
Year Song AUS
[27][28][29][30] 		CAN NZ
[31] 		UK
[32] 		UK Indie
[33] 		US
[34] 		US Mod. Rock
[35] 		US Main. Rock
[36] 		Album
1986 "Blood and Roses" 99 — — — — — — 14 Especially for You
"Behind the Wall of Sleep" — — — — 8 — — 23
"In a Lonely Place" — — — — 5 — — —
1987 "Strangers When We Meet" — — — — 21 — — —
1988 "Only a Memory" — — — — — 92 — 1 Green Thoughts
"House We Used to Live In" — — — — — — — 14
"Drown in My Own Tears" 168 — — — — — — 34
1989 "A Girl Like You" — 62 — — — 38 3 2 11
1990 "Blues Before and After" — — — — — 94 18 7
"Yesterday Girl" — 76 — — — — 16 20
"Blue Period" (with Belinda Carlisle) 162 — — 99 — — — —
1991 "Top of the Pops" 77 58 — — — — 2 19 Blow Up
"Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong" — — — — — — 11 28
"Too Much Passion" 87 22 33 — — 37 — —
"Girl in Room 12" (Radio promo)[37] — — — — — — — —
1992 "Get a Hold of My Heart" (Radio promo)[38] — — — — — — — —
"Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer" (Radio promo)[39] — — — — — — — — Non-album single
1994 "Miles From Nowhere" — — — — — — — 17 A Date with the Smithereens
"Sick Of Seattle" (Radio promo)[40] — — — — — — — —
"Everything I Have Is Blue (Gtr. Mix)" (Radio promo)[41] — — — — — — — —
"Time Won't Let Me" (from the Motion Picture Timecop)[42] — — — — — — — — Non-album single
1997 "Downbound Train" — — — — — — — — One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen
1999 "She's Got a Way" (Radio promo)[43][deprecated source] — — — — — — — — God Save The Smithereens
2011 "Sorry"[44] — — — — — — — — 2011
"One Look At You"[45] — — — — — — — —
2020 "Love Me Do"[46] — — — — — — — — Non-album single
2022 "Out of This World" — — — — — — — — The Lost Album

Music Videos

[edit]
Title Year Director Album
"Blood And Roses" 1986 Albert Pyun[47] Especially For You
"Behind The Wall Of Sleep" Ken Welzer[47]
"In A Lonely Place" Ken Ross / Richard Levine[47]
"Only A Memory" 1988 Jim Yukich[47] Green Thoughts
"House We Used To Live In" Jim Yukich[47]
"Drown In My Own Tears" Jim Yukich / Jeff Zimmerman[47]
"A Girl Like You" 1989 John Lloyd Miller[47] 11
"Blues Before And After" 1990 John Lloyd Miller[47]
"Yesterday Girl" Gregory P. Alosio[47]
"Blue Period" John Lloyd Miller[47]
"Top Of The Pops" 1991 John Lloyd Miller[48] Blow Up
"Too Much Passion" Jeff Stein[49]
"Miles From Nowhere" 1994 unknown A Date With The Smithereens
"Time Won't Let Me" Nigel Dick[50] Non-album single
"Sorry" 2011 John Rokosny / Andriette Redmann[51][52] 2011
"One Look at You"

Videography

[edit]
  • Smithereens 10, 1991

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "The Smithereens | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  2. ^ "Here's Music That Will Blow Your Mind to Smithereens | the Seattle Times".
  3. ^ a b "Pat DiNizio, lead singer of Smithereens, dead at 62". The Florida Times-Union. Associated Press. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  4. ^ Cahillane, Kevin (October 10, 2004). "Not Fade Away: The Smithereens' Monument to Persistence". The New York Times. Retrieved November 3, 2007. The band formed in 1980 when three Carteret High School graduates (class of 1975) and childhood friends (Mr. Babjak, Dennis Diken on drums and Mike Mesaros on bass) met Pat DiNizio, a Scotch Plains singer-songwriter-garbage man.
  5. ^ a b Morse, Steve (April 21, 1988). "Smithereens – '60s pop for the '80s". The Boston Globe. Boston, MA. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2016 – via HighBeam Research.
  6. ^ a b c d Robbins, Ira (December 1986). "Bummed in Mayberry". SPIN. 2 (9): 14 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Choi, Kelly (September 21, 2001). "'Ocean's 11' Déjà View". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Fanelli, Damian (June 20, 2012). "Smithereens 11: Guitarist Jim Babjak Breaks Down 11 Essential Smithereens Tracks". Guitar World. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  9. ^ "Class of Nuke 'Em High". The Film Catalogue. Independent Film and Television Alliance. 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  10. ^ ""Class of Nuke 'Em High" Soundtrack Finally Gets Official LP Release" (Press release). Troma Entertainment. July 22, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  11. ^ "The Smithereens to play closing show at Kenny's Castaways". Pat DiNizio. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  12. ^ "Skyline Music | the Smithereens on Tour with Tom Petty". Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  13. ^ Jordan, Chris (October 5, 2016). "Original Smithereens to reunite for memorial concert". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  14. ^ Jordan, Chris (January 19, 2017). "The Smithereens: Carteret connection complete with Mesaros". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  15. ^ Slotnik, Daniel E. (December 13, 2017). "Pat DiNizio, Singer and Songwriter for the Smithereens, Dies at 62". The New York Times.
  16. ^ a b Angermiller, Michele Amabile (January 15, 2018). "Steven Van Zandt, Kinks' Dave Davies Pay Tribute to Smithereens' Pat Dinizio". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  17. ^ "» New shows with Marshall Crenshaw announced". officialsmithereens.com. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  18. ^ ""LOVE ME DO"/"P.S. I LOVE YOU" SINGLE RELEASED!". officialsmithereens.com. July 5, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  19. ^ Dye, Robert (July 19, 2020). "The Smithereens Pay Tribute To The Beatles With "Love Me Do/P.S. I Love You" 45 RPM Release". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  20. ^ Pat DiNizio – Song Demos, 1995, retrieved October 3, 2022
  21. ^ "The Pat Dinizio Foursome". Discogs. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  22. ^ Pat DiNizio – Pat DiNIzio, retrieved October 3, 2022
  23. ^ Pat DiNizio – The Best Of, April 28, 2015, retrieved October 3, 2022
  24. ^ "THE SMITHEREENS ANNOUNCE THE LOST ALBUM!". officialsmithereens.com. September 4, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  25. ^ https://www.officialsmithereens.com/mtv-unplugged-ep
  26. ^ "The Smithereens Discography on Discogs, Appearances". Discogs.com. Retrieved on September 9, 2018.
  27. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  28. ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing May 21, 1990". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  29. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 279. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  30. ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing March 20, 1989". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  31. ^ Steffen Hung. "The Smithereens – Too Much Passion". charts.nz. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  32. ^ "Smithereens | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  33. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980–1989. Cherry Red Books. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  34. ^ "The Smithereens Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  35. ^ "The Smithereens Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  36. ^ "The Smithereens Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  37. ^ "The Smithereens – Girl in Room 12". Discogs.com. 1991. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  38. ^ "The Smithereens – Get a Hold of My Heart". Discogs.com. 1992. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  39. ^ "The Smithereens – Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer". Discogs.com. 1992. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  40. ^ "The Smithereens – Sick Of Seattle (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1994. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  41. ^ "The Smithereens – Everything I Have Is Blue (CD)s". Discogs.com. 1994. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  42. ^ "The Smithereens – Time Won't Let Me (From The Motion Picture "Timecop")". Discogs.com. 1994. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  43. ^ "She's Got a Way". Rate Your Music. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  44. ^ "The return of the Smithereens!". The Smithereens Official Website.
  45. ^ "One Look At You". The Smithereens Official Website.
  46. ^ Jordan, Chris (July 7, 2020). "Smithereens release 'Love Me Do' cover with Beatles drummer not named Ringo Starr". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Smithereens 10" (DVD credits). Capitol Records. 2002. 07777-40003-9-0. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  48. ^ "The Smithereens: Top of the Pops". IMDb. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  49. ^ "The Smithereens: Too Much Passion". IMDb. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  50. ^ "The Smithereens: Time Won't Let Me". IMDb. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  51. ^ The Smithereens: Sorry (Music), April 14, 2011, retrieved October 21, 2022
  52. ^ The Smithereens: One Look at You (Music), August 11, 2011, retrieved October 21, 2022
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Smithereens.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=The_Smithereens&oldid=1263117918"