Photo courtesy of Michael Campbell

The Smithereens played an inspired 90 minute concert at the Basilica Block Party in downtown Minneapolis on the night of July 11. The band took the stage about 9:15pm on the hot summer night playing their trademark guitar noise before breaking out into their classic opener Only a Memory. What followed were fifteen more Smithereens classic power-pop masterpieces, including inspired performances of Top of the Pops from Blow Up, and Everything I Have is Blue from A Date With the Smithereens. All in all, it was just another great performance by the Smithereens.

The true highlight of the evening, though, came after the concert ended. Jim Babjak invited a few of us to come backstage to hang out for a while, so we gladly obliged. What followed was 45 minutes of autographs, pictures, and story-swapping with the band and their core fans. For any fan that has never met any of the Smithereens in person, you would not be disappointed. They are the same fun-loving guys that you see on stage. In addition, they are also polite and very accommodating to their fans. After 17 years in the business, they know how important it is to stay loyal to the fans that are loyal to them.
	Photo by Michael Campbell

The Set List

Only a Memory
War for my Mind
Groovy Tuesday
Everything I Have is Blue
Behind the Wall of Sleep
Long Way Back Again
Drown In My Own Tears
Cigarette
Over and Over Again
Yesterday Girl
Top of the Pops
Room Without a View
Miles From Nowhere
House We Used To Live In
Blood and Roses
A Girl Like You (Encore)