"We've never played in a casino before..."

Jim Babjak spoke that almost unbelievable statement to the audience midway through the Smithereens' performance at Resorts International in Atlantic City. It was hard to believe, considering how many times the band had toured the country over the years. One would think that they would have played at a casino in Vegas or A.C. at some point; heck, they must have been in Tahoe at *least* once. And they've *never* played at a casino before?

Puh-lease.

But looking at the Eleven33 lounge at Resorts, the statement almost became believable. It was the classic casino lounge, complete with tables, little candles, and cocktail waitresses buzzing about taking and delivering drink orders, all in a plush atmosphere. It was a room that was more suited for the likes of Wayne Newton than a hard-driving rock band from Jersey. However, this is where I found myself on the night of August 25th, right up front, at a reserved table with some of the people from Pat's campaign staff.

The band came on around 9:30 and began with "Only a Memory". From there, they launched into an energetic set that contained most of their greatest hits and fan favorites, including "Somewhere Down the Line" from Pat's "Songs and Sounds" album, and "She's Got A Way", "I Believe", and "All Revved Up" from their most recent album, "God Save the Smithereens".

At the beginning of the show, the capacity crowd acted as if they were watching a typical lounge act; they were clapping and singing along, but not on their feet, as a good rock crowd should be. That soon changed, however, as the energy the band put forth during their set started getting people up and moving toward the stage to get a closer listen. Pat was bounding across the stage like it was 1980 again, Jimmy was playing the guitar with his usual abandon, Mike was jumping and running while playing his base, and Dennis was on top of it all with his expert drum work. The guys not only gave the crowd energy, but they also fed off the growing enthusiasm from the fans, playing more intensely than I had ever seen them play before. By the end of the regular set ("Blood and Roses"), the entire crowd, whether they were jamming against the stage, sitting at the tables, or looking in from outside the lounge, were applauding and yelling for more.

Of course, the Smithereens did give 'em more, as they always do. When they came out, Jim went behind the drums and Dennis got behind the mike for the encore/revival meeting that has become a Smithereens staple over the last year or so, with Dennis doing his best Elvis impression and the four just jamming and goofing around. They then went back into the usual configuration to sing a couple of final songs, including "White Castle Blues", a little gift to the screaming crowd, which by this time included Pat's mother and aunt!

The boys finished the show with a rousing rendition of "A Girl Like You", Jim going into the appreciative crowd to play his guitar solo. At the end the both the band and the crowd, sweaty, and hoarse, mingled, then left the lounge happy that they had been part of a special show, one of the best Smithereens shows in years. The band showed that, after twenty years, they can still blow the lid off the joint as well as anyone else, and blasted the ghosts of Bobby Vinton right out of the room.

It also made my losses in blackjack that night much easier to take...