With a crowd of 15,000-25,000 attending a chili cook-off put on by a local radio station, the band (minus Mike Mesaros but with Jamie Hoover filling in) took the stage at 3 pm and kicked in to Only A Memory, followed by War For My Mind and Groovy Tuesday. The guys seemed happy to be playing and effortlessly cruised through a greatest hits set which included Cigarette, Time and Time Again, Behind The Wall Of Sleep from the first album; House We Used To Live In and a smoking Drown In My Own Tears from Green Thoughts; Room Without A View and Yesterday Girl from 11; and Top Of The Pops from Blow Up.
Family and friends seemed to be with the band as 4 kids (band members' children?) sat off to the side of the stage for much of the show and someone in the band's group was video taping the show with a camcorder from behind the stage.
Blood And Roses closed the show as pat thanked Richmond for always treating them so kindly and Jim leaned down and allowed a fan to stick a "I Love Hooters" sticker on his shirt. The crowd hooted and hollered and banged on the stage (me included) until they came back and ripped in to A Girl Like You which, from the roar of the crowd, was without a doubt the most well known and appreciated song of the day and a fitting way to close a great show. Dennis took his standard photo of the large gathering and a great show came to a close. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon and from the looks of the fans. It was the best $7 they ever spent.
So, when last Saturday rolled around, I drove up from San Diego to Riverside to see them play at the Orange Blossom Festival. At long last, a payback for missing them last year.
This was the fourth time I've seen them play. It was a terrific performance, not only due to the band, but also due to the huge and enthusiastic crowd. The band that preceded them was Jeffery's Fan Club, a pop-ska outfit that was a real hit with the teen-age Converse Chuck Taylor set.
The Smithereens started promptly at the scheduled time - 4:30, and their set lasted exactly the allotted hour (give or take a few minutes for the extended jamming during the final number).
Here is the list of songs they played:
Only A Memory
War For My Mind
Drown In My Own Tears
Everything I Have Is Blue
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
Room Without A View
Love Is Gone
Yesterday Girl
Top Of The Pops
Miles From Nowhere
Time And Time Again
House We Used To Live In
Blood And Roses
Mike Mesaros was absent; in his place was a fellow whose name I'm not even going to butcher. He has appeared on stage at each of the last two San Diego Smithereens shows I've been to, and at the Pat Dinizio Trio show as well. I'm sure this guy is a longtime very close friend of the band. It's *not* Jamie Hoover.
Just before the final number (Blood And Roses), Pat dedicated the song and the entire set to the memory of the bassist's mother who had passed away the week before. He had a framed picture of her atop his bass amplifier.
Pat kept the banter in between the songs to a minimum (probably due to time constraints). He usually just introduced the songs by name and mentioned which album they were from. His funniest comment was when he introduced Top Of The Pops - he said "This is from our album 'Blow Up', which is what our career did when it came out!" As usual, Pat thanked the crowd for turning out, and said that the band was approaching 18 years together.
The band really seemed to feed off the enthusiasm of the crowd, and this fueled the performance. Anyone who has seen the band has witnessed this kind of rock-n-roll dynamic in action; it's one of the things I like the most about the band.
Just a few random notes:
- Jim played his Fender Telecaster, which sported a holographic sticker of a pair of eyes which appeared to open and shut depending on what angle the guitar was tilted at.
- Pat played his silver sparkle Epiphone Casino, but switched to a black Strat for the last song.
- The bassist imitated Jim's leaning and gyrating during one the extended solos and Jim seemed to get a big kick out of it when he realized what was going on.
- Dennis snapped his picture *before* the show.
I brought my camera and took quite a few pictures (hey, I don't feel bad - some guy in the front was videotaping the whole thing). I'll be posting them on my web page when I get them scanned in. See if you can ID the bassist for us!
Hope you enjoyed this review - I've really enjoyed reading all the other reviews I've read on the Internet.
Sorry to say, my friend and I didn't get to the concert on time due to late-breaking life developments on his end. Anyway, by the time we found a parking space (after circling the vicinity for eons - there was a festival going on, after all), and finally made our way to the stage - it was close to 5:00 P.M. The concert was scheduled to begin at 4:30, so I'm not sure how much of the beginning we actually missed.
The first song that I heard as I approached the stage was "Everything I Have is Blue". Also included in the set list were: "Room Without a View", "Long Way Back Again","Behind the Wall of Sleep" and "Top of the Pops". The band sounded great. They're still an extremely tight band. You'd think that they were still out there playing clubs every night.
The band had only gotten a few chords into "Cigarette" before they abruptly halted the proceedings in order for Pat to grab a lit cigarette for himself. Jim Babjak also partook of the nicotine "demon weed". At one point, the group launched into, as Pat called it with a smile, (sic) "Yesterday's Girl". This was an especially rocking version of the song as the band jammed it out to the hilt. Jim rose up during this number and encouraged the audience to clap a staccato rhythm along with the song.
Pat introduced Jamie Hoover from "Deale(?),New Jersey" (apparently a running joke wherein a new birthplace is fabricated for him at each venue) as "filling in for Mike" on bass. Jamie had missed a previous gig, from what I believe was a death in his family. He seemed to have gelled nicely with the band, although I missed seeing Mike Mesaros' signature "kick-bassing" antics on stage.
Another highlight of the show was an all-out "attack of the Smithereens" upon the song, "Time and Time Again". This version seemed to go off in several crunching guitar tangents at once while Dennis Diken masterfully thundered right along behind them on drums.
There's nothing worse than going to a concert where the band plays note-for-note renditions of their songs. This has never been the case at any Smithereens concert that I've ever attended. Admittedly, this one makes a total of only two of them that I've attended in a seven year span, but I have heard several concerts of theirs on the radio as well. Inevitably, the Smithereens "spring to life" in concert (notice that I didn't say -"come alive"... that phrase has been retired thanks/no thanks to Peter Frampton).
"Miles From Nowhere" and "House We Used to Live In" were equally powerful. Pat didn't lead the crowd into the usual sing-along during "House", but as it turns out, he didn't have to. The crowd chanted along anyway. They ended the set with "Blood and Roses" which was another stirring performance from the guys. I love the version from their "The Smithereens Live" EP, but this was certainly in the same league as that one. It was an excellent conclusion to the set. Pat stood up (on a speaker?) at the end and goaded the crowd into becoming more enthusiastic in their applause. Then he pretended to wait until the applause level attained sufficient proportions - all the while removing his glasses and nonchalantly cleaning them in an "I can wait" gesture. He seemed to be enjoying himself. At one point in the concert, he screamed into the mike: "We're the Smithereens... and we're never going away!" Well, one can only hope, of course, that this isn't an idle threat.
It was a pretty good turnout considering that it had rained all weekend long - up to and including that morning. For awhile there, it looked certain that the outdoor festival would be rained out. Luckily, the rain gods were with us. There were lots of people watching the concert by hanging out of store/apartment windows, Smithereens t-shirt wearers dotted the crowd, and I even saw babies piggy-backed around their fathers' necks. Unfortunately, my aforementioned friend had to leave early, so we missed most of the encore of "Girl Like You" except for the bits we continued to hear wafting down the street behind us for several blocks afterward. It was a damned good concert... kinda like they'd never been away for awhile. Maybe town hall should consider bestowing that key to the city upon our rocking New Jersey brethren after all.
This concert was to be the first performance with Mike permanently returning to the fold after an extended hiatus. Pat jokingly said at one point in the concert (paraphrasing): "We left Mike in New Orleans at the end of our tour... and didn't see him again for another two years".
Mike looked exactly the same as we remember him from the "11" era. (Apparently, he has one of those "Dorian Grey" pictures of himself doing his aging for him in an attic somewhere). Dressed in his familiar "concert garb" of black pants and a black sleeveless t-shirt, Mike proved to the crowd that he had lost none of his concert playing "chops" or even his famed leaping abilities since the last time he had appeared with the group. From the first thundering bass lines, it became immediately apparent that the old Smithereens chemistry was still intact and as potent as ever. It was to be a fond welcome back and, needless to say, a hard rocking "Smithereens Reunion" concert event.
I had gotten to "Kenny's Castaways" early enough to catch the band at their soundcheck. I'm glad I did. I got to hear the Smithereens' version of Pat's solo CD song, "Somewhere Down the Line". It was great to hear the band take-on this strong tune from Dinizio's recent release that originally had no other Smithereens members playing on it. Also played during the soundcheck were "Beauty and Sadness" and a semi-obscure Nick Lowe song, "Marie Provost". "Marie Provost" is that sprightly tongue-in-cheek song from Lowe's "Pure Pop For Now People/The Jesus Of Cool" about an aged forgotten movie star whose long-dead corpse, at the time it's finally found, is discovered being eaten by her own dachsund. "She was a winner, who became her doggie's dinner" the refrain goes.
By the time the band reassembled onto the stage for the actual show, the packed house was revved and ready to go. An exaggeratedly long surge of audio feedback was met with wild applause as the well-versed Smithereens crowd knew immediately that this first song was to be the classic "Only a Memory".
Crunching power chords and pure power pop nirvana ensued. During the course of the concert, popular Smithereens tunes such as: "Yesterday Girl", "Behind the Wall of Sleep", "Time and Time Again", "Alone at Midnight", "Miles From Nowhere", "Room Without a View", "War For My Mind", and "Cigarette" were played to the hilt. Two Jim Babjak songs, "Cut Flowers" and "Love Is Gone" were enthusiastically applauded by the crowd. Another crowd-pleaser was the surf instrumental "Mr. Eliminator" wherein Dennis Diken attacked the skins as if his life depended on it while the other three swayed/played their guitars in syncopated time - moving their guitars in unison from left to right.
There were some technical screw-ups during the show, but the band shrugged them off and used them to their own troupers' advantage. When the Smithereens launched into "Top of the Pops", for instance, Pat shot a sour look Jim Babjak's way. Apparently, Jim's guitar was so out of tune that the band brought the song to an abrupt halt. Babjak tried to tune his guitar on the spot while Pat goodnaturedly launched into his own version of "Top of the Pops" consisting of new lyrics mocking Jim for not knowing how to tune a guitar even after "twenty years".
The Smithereens seemed to be having a great time and showed it by clowning around, at times, on stage. The set-up of "Kenny's" is such that the bathrooms are directly to the left and right of the stage. In the middle of a song, Pat happened to step down from the stage at the exact moment that some poor guy was attempting to make it to the bathroom. Pat "ran with this" accident and kept blocking the guy each time he tried to get around him. Even when Dinizio finally got back on stage and the guy thought he was finally safe, Pat grabbed him by his shirt and refused to let him advance to the bathroom. Soon, he was brought up on stage, against his will, and forced to sing a verse or two with "Prankster Pat" before he was allowed to eventually answer nature's call. One can only assume that the guy might have begun dancing onstage if he had been detained any longer.
Apparently, the house was filled to the rafters with friends, fans and fellow "celebrity" musicians. Kurt Reil of the "Gripweeds/Buzzed Meg" fame was announced from the stage. According to Dinizio, there were members of "The Gripweeds, Buzzed Meg, the Stranglers and also", he said turning to Mike Mesaros who had put in a stint with Dion's ("The Wanderer") band,"members of (sic) 'Paean' Dimucci's band". There was obvious band cameraderie here, and it was great to see them all together again and having fun.
The 'Reens closed with the classic "Blood and Roses" and finally churned to a halt after a blazing set. They returned to the stage to encore with "Rumble" and a smoking "Girl Like You" which turned into an extended jam. Jim power-chorded, Pat flailed, Mike leaped and Dennis pounded as they sailed their way into a glorious conclusion. The band was back together again, and Pat was right when he announced, "We are the Smithereens. Accept no substitutes". Welcome back, Mike.
The show began exactly at 8:15 on stage 2 as the last notes from the 7PM show on stage 3 were still hanging in the air. The Smithereens opened with "Only A Memory" and moved directly into "War For My Mind". It was so good to see and hear the bass break line played to perfection by Mike in the second song. The musical lineup changed from the recent shows I have seen when Pat stopped to say hi to the crowd and introduced Jim Babjak on guitar. The band then performed two of Jim's songs - "Love Is Gone" and "Cut Flowers". The interactive rhythm between Dennis and Mike on "Love" was really rocking. The group also did the first of several synchronized steps with the three guitarists across the stage. I had the feeling that the group is truly re-energized and ready to continue doing great rock-n-roll.
Next up were some older songs "Groovy Tuesday," "Drown In My Own Tears" and "Long Way Back Again". Pat stopped again, chided some of the audience who were messing around and reminded them "This is OUR show!". "Cigarette" and "Room Without a View" followed.
Pat then introduced "after a two year absence" Mike Mesaros and actually got Mike to smile onstage. He also announced that there will be a "very special" show at "The Bayou" in Washington, DC September 25, 1998. On the 10th anniversary of the "Green Thoughts" album they will perform the complete record onstage including "songs we never performed on stage before". He went on to announce a new "live" CD to be released this fall and a new studio record late in 1998 or early 1999. It is great to hear that we have both new versions and new Smithereens songs to look forward to soon.
Dennis Diken was introduced as the lead for "House We Used to Live In". "Miles From Nowhere", "Behind The Wall Of Sleep", and "Blood and Roses" followed while the crowd chanted for "A Girl Like You". They got it as the final song just moments before the fireworks began at 9:15. The usual crush of fans looking for the band after the concert was greatly reduced by those fireworks which seemed strange for a Smithereens show. There were souvenir items (t-shirts, posters, tapes and CDs) available before and after the show.
It was a very good concert that captured the bands cohesiveness and energy. It was great to hear some different songs performed live although I missed some of the show standards such as "Yesterday Girl" and "Top of the Pops". Guess I'll just have to catch them at the next show!
- approximate 20-min break -
Second set
Gloomy Sunday (Billie Holiday)
No Love Lost
Marie Provost (Nick Lowe)
Spellbound
Top of the Pops (w/ 3 different endings)
Strangers when we meet
Blues Before and After (bluesy/fast)
Cut Flowers
Summer Wind (dennis parody)
House in the Country
Love Is Gone (w/ special guest Kurt from the Gripweeds)
Downbound Train
Green Thoughts
Time & Time Again
(a bit of Happy Together- Pat parody)
Blood And Roses
"Tonight - One band! Three chords! The Smithereens will be here every Thursday through August to entertain you!" -- sign as one crept down the stairs at the Court Tavern.Pat DiNizio said the Smithereens are performing a five-week series of Thursday night concerts at the Court Tavern in a "noble attempt to write new songs and rehearse new things" for the band's planned upcoming Velvel debut.
"We can think of no better place" to hone new material and choice covers than the rustic tavern on Church Street, one of the "cornerstones of the foundation of the band" and the site of numerous show early in the band's career, Pat told the near-capacity crowd at the first show.
And the band kicked off the series of Smithereens' "workshops" by officially welcoming back "our dear friend" Mike Mesaros from a yearlong sabbatical. However, the trademarked Smithereens schtick was apparent when Pat chided Mike to "go get your shine box!"
Dennis also added to the festive atmosphere "at the world famous Court Tavern" by proclaiming that the band was there to "fart around a little bit ... and invite you all down to party ... and to drink as much as you can hold!"
"We're not gonna focus too much on the so-called hits ... we were lucky enough to have them in the first place," Pat said. He jokingly said they paid someone to anonymously write the tunes and now that they have to write their own material "we're really scared."
Although Pat promised to unveil some new tunes "next week," the set list was sprinkled with tunes the band was apparently playing for the first time: Four selections from Pat's SONGS & SOUNDS debut solo release, and covers of Buddy Holly, Bruce Springsteen and Nick Lowe tunes, along with the Billie Holiday chestnut "Gloomy Sunday." The band also tossed in such Smithereens gems as "Spellbound," "Cut Flowers," and "William Wilson" to round out the pair of sets.
Kurt Reil hopped on stage to share lead vocals with Pat on "Love Is Gone," which along with "Miles From Nowhere" were the only tunes performed from 1994's "A Date With the Smithereens."
The band sounded tight and energetic, possibly fueled by the friends, longtime fans and family members in the audience.
This was about as far from New Jersey as our quartet could get. There were maybe seven people at the concert who knew most of the songs. The rest were surely first time visitors to the world of the Smithereens. However, a good rock and roll band will open a few ears and minds.
When they opened with "Only a Memory", it was like a light went off in a few people's heads. It was if some were saying to themselves- "I KNOW this song... so THEY did this song?" Other familiar tunes included the standards "Blood and Roses" and "A Girl Like You"- the latter of which garnered a huge fan reaction. More interesting selections included the seldom played "Cut Flowers" and "Somewhere Down the Line" from Pat's solo CD. By the end of the night, it was apparant that the guys from Jersey made a few new fans. They also made a few lifelong fans happy after the show ended.
Three of the Smithereens faithful stopped backstage after the show to see if they could get some autographs. One drove from Nebraska. Another had to beg to get the night off work to go to the show (Hi Susan!). One resident of Superior couldn't believe that he was talking to his favorite band. It was fun seeing fans meet the guys for the first time. As always, all of the Smithereens were cordial and appreciative of their fans. They stayed after the show for about thirty minutes to chat and sign autographs.
The Set List
Only a Memory
War For My Mind
Groovy Tuesday
Somewhere Down the Line (Pat DiNizio)
Behind the Wall of Sleep
Cut Flowers
Love is Gone
Mr. Eliminator
Yesterday Girl
Room Without a View
Cigarette
Over and Over Again
Miles From Nowhere
Time and Time Again
Blood and Roses
A Girl Like You
Top of the Pops
Well Alright (Buddy Holly)
The Smithereens clearly felt at home in the Court Tavern. Casual banter, bad jokes and greetings to friends in the audience were symptomatic of the relaxed atmosphere there. The plan, as I understand it, is for the band to get energized for their upcoming record and to play a setlist of songs that are not necessarily comprised merely of "greatest hits". In fact, when the band launched into "You Should Know", Mr. DiNizio laughed saying: "This is from my solo album which the band is very graciously playing". Other "Songs and Sounds" band renditions which followed included "No Love Lost" and "Everyday World". "Somewhere Down the Line" was played later during the second set.
The experimental and laid-back nature of this workshop allowed Pat to even sing some songs while reading directly from a lyric sheet. Pat commented enthusiastically about drummer Dennis Diken's songwriting talent growth and then Diken's contribution from the film "Burnzy's Last Call" was performed while DiNizio sang lead vocals from a hand-held piece of paper. Pat said that this was the first time the Smithereens had performed the number in public. "Downbound Train" was also sung similarly - almost like a low-tech yet highly professional karaoke bar band. One audience member near the stage sang along word for word with this Springsteen cover version after having apparently committed the lyrics to memory long ago. An amazed Pat later thanked the audience for helping out with this tune.
Some of the aforementioned Smithereens songs that are not often played included "Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong", "Point of No Return", "Green Thoughts" and "Kiss My Tears Away". They even took a request and did "Afternoon Tea" after an enthusiastic audience coalition cried out for it. Other cover songs performed included Buddy Holly's "Well Alright", the Kink's "House in the Country" and also Billie Holliday's ballad "Gloomy Sunday" which is rumored to be on their upcoming album.
A mustachioed Pat DiNizio (for you Smithereens fashion fans out there, Pat is now sans full goatee and was wearing just a mustache that night) responded to a concertgoer's request for Bob Seger, of all things, by jokingly leaking the little-known fact that the Smithereens originally got their start as a Seger cover band. The storytelling continued later on when DiNizio commented on one of his ex-wife's early excursions into New Jersey from Indiana. It appears that she saw a sign for the "Oranges" and mistook it for some kind of Floridian fruit advertisement. (Helpful note for you out-of-towners: New Jersey is comprised of East and West Orange, N.J...often referred to as "The Oranges"). An audience member then yelled something out. "That IS the punchline!" Pat said sheepishly. Along the same lines, Pat announced lead guitarist Jim Babjak's song "Now and Then" by saying: "This is by Jimmy". A vocal member of the audience began screaming out a name and then roared approval. "No, no," DiNizio said laughing at the guy's remark, "not Jimi Hendrix".
At the end of the concert, Pat mocked typical "heavy metal" audiences by holding up the double digit "sign of the devil" hand symbol. While a cheering crowd egged him on, Pat jumped down into the audience and proceeded to face the stage while stabbing both of his hands into the air in this manner. He joined the audience in applauding the performance. Other concert silliness earlier on included an improvised topical Monica Lewinsky song to commemorate her testimony that day. The made-up-on-the-spot song touched upon her controversial dress evidence and contained verses along the lines of: "Monica's stains on my brain...". Dennis acknowledged a former schoolteacher of theirs and recounted the many horrors that they had visited upon the poor soul.
It was nice to see the group relaxed and playing on their own home turf. It was a hot and sweaty atmosphere, but nobody seemed to mind having to wait through periodic humidity-induced tuning malfunctions that needed correcting. This just allowed Dennis or Pat the opportunity to make welcome small-talk and bond further with the crowd. Jim still plays his trademark blistering guitar leads in concert and Mike continues to pluck masterful basslines as if he never went on hiatus. The "Workshop in Progress" reportedly continues for three more sessions.
Here's an abbreviated/inebriated set list. Boring personal note: An allergy flare-up required me to ingest allergy medicine which, when combined with fine Tavern ale, is probably a combo no-no. Therefore, I blame my somewhat incomplete setlist on a partially medicated "oblivion mode" and also to really poor handwriting skills.
Rumble
Only a Memory
Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong
Point of No Return
You Should Know
Well Alright
No Love Lost
Everyday World
Especially For You
Afternoon Tea
Now and Then
Point of No Return
Room Without a View
Time and Time Again
Gloomy Sunday
Over and Over Again
Surf Instrumental (not Mr. Eliminator)
Long Way Back Again
House in the Country
Somewhere Down the Line
Diken's "Burnzy's Last Call" song
I Don't Want to Lose You
Behind the Wall of Sleep
Green Thoughts
Downbound Train
Top of the Pops
Miles From Nowhere
Blood and Roses
Kiss My Tears Away
The band appeared to be especially aggressive and hard-hitting in their performance this evening. Among the other highlights were a really rocking version of Pat's solo song, "A World Apart" and "Over and Over Again" which began with mostly just Pat singing (almost sedately) at the beginning before the rest of the band joined in and revved it into full rock mode. A real surprise standout was the Smithereens' version of "If the Sun Doesn't Shine", which I heard Dennis say offhandedly to someone standing by me, that he didn't think the band had ever played before in concert. I suppose the Smithereens are getting into gear for that "Green Thoughts" album show due to be performed at the Bayou later this year.
Other surprises during the show were renditions of "Blue Period" and "In a Lonely Place". A woman with black hair and a long black dress sang all the lyrics to the latter song near the front of the stage. Pat noticed this and pulled her up onstage to sing the song along with him. Sharing the same microphone, Pat and this ersatz Suzanne Vega vocalized together on this popular "Especially For You" song. When they finished, Pat seemed thrilled and jokingly maintained that the band would never allow that to happen again, because they didn't need "the competition".
The crowd also went crazy over a Smithereens rendition of a "Sleepy" John Estes tune popularized by the Kinks called "Milk Cow Blues". This was Jim's shot at the spotlight as he took lead vocals at the beginning. The crowd was a little surprised but enthusiastic when bassist Mike Mesaros then took over on lead vocals later on in the song. They both then proceeded to swap vocals like the Kinks' Ray and Dave Davies. On the song before this (which, regrettably, I have been unable to identify), Pat played a "mean" harmonica and the rest of the Smithereens as well made this particular tune a highlight. Lesser-played songs also included "Elaine", "Spellbound" and even Pat's tribute to his daughter entitled "Liza".
The requisite "Smithereens silliness" was in full swing this evening. During guitar tuning "downtime", Dennis launched into a seemingly improv version of "Mr. Moonlight". He continued to crack jokes throughout the show and even launched into a drunken John Wayne impersonation at one point. "Green Thoughts" was performed by the group, but in a humorous "full speed ahead" skat-singing style. At one point, Pat impishly winked at the audience and pretended to attempt burning a hole in one of Dennis' drums with his lit cigarette. During "Girl Like You", Pat played a purposely horrendous "bleating" non-rhythmic solo. Jim could only shake his head in surprise at this and step out of the way while mangled chords emerged from DiNizio's guitar jam. Later in the same song, Jim took his solo turn and strode ahead into the audience causing the sea of people to part while he played and walked. Earlier in the show, Dennis even did his Elvis imitation during a version of "The Stroll".
Overall, close to thirty different songs were performed this evening (not including the repeated new songs). What a deal for a mere cover charge of five dollars! As one woman in the audience told me: "I would pay five dollars just to see the Smithereens perform 'Blood and Roses' once". Well, the band, did indeed, eventually perform "Blood and Roses". This particularly energized rendition brought down the house and drew the show to a close. If the fine new songs and the recent band performances are any indication, the Smithereens seem headed in a particularly promising direction.
Only A Memory
War For My Mind
Groovy Tuesday
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
Somewhere Down The Line
Yesterday Girl
Cigarette
King Of The World
Cut Flowers
Love Is Gone
Top Of The Pops
Miles From Nowhere
Time And Time Again
House We Used To Live In
My Way (improv)
Blood & Roses
ENCORE:
House In The Country (Kinks song...Dennis sings)
A Girl Like You
After two years without a Smithereens concert, I'd forgotten how much I missed this. I've seen better Smithereens shows, but I can say this one felt as good as any I've been to. The "Clam 'N' Jam" was an outdoor festival, with the band playing under a large tent, for an audience of a few hundred. Right away, I'll give Mike Mesaros his due, that his time away seems to have renewed his enthusiasm and energy, as he gave a fine performance, with his usual jumps and twists, occasionally mugging at members of the audience who caught his eye, and even sharing a microphone with Jim Babjak for background vocals on "House In The Country" (including a shout of "God Save The Kinks!" as the final chords of the song faded.)
Though essentially a "greatest hits" type of show, the band threw we die hards (and there were several of us) a few bones, including a faithful rendition of Pat's solo "Somewhere Down The Line," which sounded remarkably like the record. Jim Babjak played the piano solo on his muted Telecaster, for a nice effect. Announced as a song from the forthcoming new album, "King Of The World" strings together some softly played verses, with a loud rave-up chorus reminiscent of "War For My Mind," and featuring the repeated chant, "I'm The King Of The World Tonight."
On the down side, Pat DiNizio's performance was plagued by technical problems, mainly a persistant hum coming from his Marshall stack (at one point, between songs, he pounded on it with his fist.). A photographer, most likely hired by the sponsoring radio station, ersistantly kept popping up in between the stage and the crowd, obscuring fan's views (which wouldn't have been so bad for one or two songs, but he kept going throughout the entire show), and the rather hot temperatures had the guys working up a sweat rather quickly, and seemed to sap some of their energy by the closing numbers.
All and all though, a fine performance that everyone, fans, promoters, radio people, and the band, all seemed to enjoy, and be happy with. It was good to be with them again.
The appearance began with the ever-popular "Only a Memory" and then cranked gears into a rousing "War For My Mind". During "Behind the Wall of Sleep", Jim walked up to Pat's microphone and they seemed to share a true "Hallmark cards moment" when Babjak seemed to put new emphasis on the lyrics "I know I'm one of many who would like to be your friend". What with the recent return to the fold of bassist Mike Mesaros, this band solidarity continually showed itself in the rocking fervor of their playing this evening.
Perhaps surprisingly, Pat played the new song "King of the World" after debuting it a mere two days earlier at the Court Tavern "workshop". The song is a powerful number containing the proper mix of gut-grabbing riffs along with propulsive guitars and drumming. This looks like it will become a welcome standard in future shows.
"Time and Time Again" was played like the rollicking rock anthem it has classically evolved into over the years. An audience member turned to me at this point and confirmed that I had not been hallucinating when I, too, had heard this same song played recently on television during a Friday night Giants football game.
A tight set seemed to lessen the usual amount of "wacky" antics onstage. Pat did erupt into an improv Sinatra "My Way" ditty ,at one point, which contained the joking reminder in his changed lyrics to buy all their albums. Pat also mentioned that he didn't usually do this, but as a favor to the festival sponsors, WDHA, here was a reminder: "This is the last call for beer". The stage here was quite a bit larger than, say, the "move restricted" claustrophobics of the Court Tavern's set-up. This meant that the Smithereens had free reign of their concert surroundings and they used them to their full advantage. Mike Mesaros was able to do flat-out no-holds-barred leaps and athletic stage runs throughout the show. Pat took his turns doing a few manic leaps as well. Jim frequently advanced to the front of the stage to do some wickedly grand guitar licks and he did extended Pete Townshend-style windmills on his guitar near the end of the show. Dennis did his usual impressive battering ram tactics on his drums proving himself to be perhaps one of rock's best drummers.
Near the end of the show, Pat, Jim and Mike shared vocals using the same microphone during one part of the song "House in the Country". They seemed to be having a good time and the audience couldn't help but join them in this sentiment. The show concluded with "A Girl Like You" which turned into an appropriately true "Clam 'n Jam". Dennis kept his drums beating in the background while the rest of the band did their solo turns. Pat did mock rock gestures at one point wherein he gesticulated campy "kung fu fighting" postures.
Eventually, all good things had to come to an end and the band took their bows while Dennis took his customary snapshot of the audience. Another Smithereens show had become "only a memory" but a perfectly fine one at that.
Their forthcoming new album, said to be entitled "This is the Way the World Ends Now", had previously seen two of its other songs premiered at the "Smithereens Workshop" during the previous Thursday night session. These other new songs,"King of the World" and the album title tune were given repeat spins this evening as well. As previously mentioned, these songs are already sounding like new classics and are worthy additions to the already formidable Smithereens song library.
Once again, the Court Tavern was packed to the rafters with the usual assortment of rock enthusiasts, friends, and Smithereens aficionados. This audience was especially supportive of the band, and applauded energetically throughout the show. The band seemed to "feed" off of this energy and played what may have been my favorite "Smithereens Workshop" session yet. The reaction was so overwhelming after "Blood and Roses" was performed, for instance, that Pat DiNizio could do nothing further at that point, except to merely bow his head in respectful jesting tribute for what seemed to be several minutes of roaring approval.
Especially noteworthy this evening was the bravura performance of bassist Mike Mesaros. Mike transcended his role as an anchor for the Smithereens' rhythm section and never ceased to display his frequently stunning talents as a bass player. For those of us wondering just what Mike's take would have been on Pat's solo tunes from the "Songs and Sounds" album, we needed wonder no more. On "Everyday World", for instance, Mike's bass took the song's blueprint and constantly "ran" with it. His bass playing was a marvel to behold. Mike's bassplaying was almost a solo exhibition unto itself, and yet it was never intrusive. The band's chemistry and intuitive performing is such that the individual parts are never overpowering....they truly serve to enhance the whole.
A special treat of the Court Tavern appearances, of course, are the seldom played Smithereens gems that you might not normally get a chance to hear very often. Tonight was no exception. "Some Other Guy" and the title track from "Beauty and Sadness" were played. "Life is Beautiful", "Crazy Mixed-Up Kid","Maria Elena", and a host of others (see setlist) were trotted-out for our inspection and approval. A "Green Thoughts" medley of sorts was performed during the second set which included "Deep Black", "Green Thoughts" and "If the Sun Doesn't Shine". "Time Won't Let Me" from the "Time Cop" movie was particularly outstanding. Mike Mesaros took to the microphone to dedicate "Hand of Glory" to the band's friend, Jimmy Silva, who he said they felt was there at the performance that evening, even though he is no longer with us anymore. That song was immediately followed by a Muddy Waters tune called "Got My Mojo Workin'" which has quickly become a show-stopping Court Tavern highlight what with Pat on wailing harmonica and the rest of the band getting a chance to jam and shine on this improvisational number. It is safe to say that their "Mojo" was, indeed, working at full throttle here. Jim took to the microphone for the encore "White Castle Blues" explaining that "We've had a lot of requests for this one. I wrote this in high school. I was just kidding. It's a joke!"
When the second set commenced and the break was supposedly over, lead guitarist Jim Babjak was temporarily "truant". The other three bandmembers plodded ahead anyway and took this opportunity to concoct joking scenarios and adlibbed songs about his absence. Pat broke into a humorous song about how the group used to be known as the Smithereens, but now they were just "yodeling fools". As the improv song continued, Pat actually proceeded to yodel(!) and even managed to coax the audience into yodeling as well. Drummer Dennis Diken then got into the act by joking that Jim was probably out getting "high" at that very moment. This led to an impromptu Diken version of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" containing funny new lyrics along the lines of "One pill makes Jimmy smaller..." etc. At last, Jim bounded back on the stage, somewhat embarrassed, amidst audience chants of "Jimmy! Jimmy!"
The fun continued later on in the show when Pat jokingly introduced Jim's song "Now and Then" as having been written by "Jimmy... the guy who almost missed the gig". This joke also probably fueled Pat's spontaneous rendering, at one point, of Tom Petty's "The Waiting" which includes the line:"...the waiting is the hardest part". Jim, caught off-guard, good-naturedly sported a "whatever..." look in response.
This show was a particularly enjoyable high energy rockfest. It's almost too easy to take these guys for granted while being served musical feasts of this nature every week without fail. Few other bands can keep generating new setlists of this quality each week without eventually having to include some "throwaway songs". It is a credit to the enduring quality of the Smithereens' music that the band can keep adding songs to their shows that stand-up so well on their own next to the so-called "greatest hits" from their repetoire. The two guys standing next to me, who were "Court Tavern" newbies apparently, echoed the sentiments of many there that evening when they said after the show,"Well, I know where I'm going to be for the remaining three Thursday nights".
set list:
Rumble
Crazy Mixed-up Kid
Baby Be Good
You Should Know
Beauty and Sadness
Some Other Guy
Something New
Life is Beautiful
King of the World
Gloomy Sunday
This is the Way the World Ends Now
All Revved Up
Time Won't Let Me
Time and Time Again
Room Without a View
second set
Green Thoughts
Deep Black
If the Sun Doesn't Shine
(A Buddy Holly-inspired twosome)
Well Alright
Maria Elena
Spellbound
Everyday World
The Waiting
Now and Then
Somewhere Down the Line
Hand of Glory
Got My Mojo Workin'
All Revved Up (second time)
Blood and Roses
Kiss Your Tears Away
White Castle Blues
After five steamin' Thursday nights of three-chord rock, the Smithereens are down to three more dates at the Court Tavern, concluding Thursday, September 17.
If you're anywhere near the East Coast, and are a diehard Smithereens fan, make the trip. It's only $5 to get in, and you get two full sets, about 2 1/2 hours of music. Do the math. It's well worth it.
Like seeing the BEATLES in the CAVERN CLUB, or the WHO at the Marquee, seeing the Smithereens at the COURT is something to be treasured, and it doesn't happen all that often (it ain't 1983 anymore, kids).
Pat thanked the Aug. 27 audience for their kind feedback on the new tunes the band has unveiled so far (including the brand new ALL REVVED UP) and joking said the band would return to perform the new album, once it has been recorded.
The band is apparently enjoying these "workshops" as much -- and even more? -- than the capacity crowd. Aside from acknowleding some fans by names, and spending time chatting and signing for folks after the show, there also have been quite a few hugs, high-fives and genuine looks of satisfaction among the band members after some new tunes - and old gems - have gone over quite well with the crowd. "Beauty & Sadness," "Some Other Guy," "White Castle Blues," and the rare "Hand Of Glory" were pulled out of the musical mothballs on this night. Bassist Mike Mesaros also took a rare turn at the mike, introducing the late Jimmy Silva's HAND OF GLORY by saying the band remembers him each time they climb on stage.
The band's sense of humor is also razor sharp, with impromptu parodies on Motel Six, Tom Petty and a Jefferson Airplane medley about a "missing" Jim Babjak (no doubt stuck in the wall-to-wall crowd) punctuated this night's set.
It was great to see more vocal involvement from Mesaros and Babjak throughout the night, and personally, I'd like to see more! Jim has *never* sung as much as he should. And viewing some of the band's old TV appearances, I noticed Mesaros was "miked" and sang backup on their SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE gig!
I say it's about time to mike Mesaros once again, and get Babjak to contribute more on backup vocals (and take the lead occasionally!) Might be really cool to get some four-part harmonies going!!
As if coming full circle, it was there again at the Court Tavern this past week that the band played the last of their special Thursday night "workshop" series of gigs. For this last show, the band turned up the heat, proceeded to sizzle on stage, and then gave the crowd a little taste of the Smithereens' own home cooking. And for an extended dessert, the guys even served up frothy frivolities like "The Candy Man" as little refreshment snacks during the show. You didn't have to be a mindreader like Carnac to realize that, soon after the Smithereens crunched into their first energy bars of the evening, that this was going to be a truly grand finale.
The Beatles/Smithereens connection was further emphasized as the 'Reens paid homage to that other "fab four" by playing a smoking version of "Yer Blues". The band took this song and made it their own. From the guy who once sang the words "in a world of pain, I have no peer", similar thematic lyrics like "black clouds cross my mind" did not seem out of place coming out of Pat DiNizio's mouth. After all, this is the man who debuted three new "end of the world" songs at the Court Tavern last month from a forthcoming Smithereens album possibly entitled "This is The Way the World Ends Now". The Smithereens tore into "Yer Blues". It was anything but depressing to hear that "gangster angst-er" Pat wailing the words while the rest of the band used this ripping jam to turn the audience into jelly. Reportedly, the band even played a few Beatles songs at last week's "workshop" too.
In a similar vein, the Smithereens also broke into a cover of "Roll Over Beethoven" during the show. For this number, the band brought an old friend, Rex, onstage to perform the lead vocals. I understand that he goes way back with the band and sang in early heavy metal bands with Pat. The group played loosely and furiously on this song. When it was over, Mr. DiNizio reclaimed the microphone and explained that some of this ferocity, apparently, was due to the fact that "the band was doing the Beatles' version of the song, while Rex was doing the Mountain version."
In keeping with the "Smithereens Workshop" tradition of releasing neglected jewels from the Smithereens' long-thought buried musical treasure chest, such songs as "Much Too Much" and "Girls About Town" were performed. The other "workshop" trademark of "anything goes" and requests from the audience being acknowledged were also evident. Pat would consistently go off on a tangent and break into impromptu inane t.v. theme songs like "The Munsters" and "The Beverly Hillbillies" for instance. The woman next to me kept crying-out for "Blue Period" to be played until the song was indeed eventually performed, but with a twist - Dennis Diken launched into the lead vocals himself until the rest of the band joined in. The Smithereens even gamely attempted an off-the-wall request from someone in the crowd for "Wild Thing". Another request played was a rousing version of "Elaine". They performed a jokey version of "Walk on By" with off-the-cuff relevant Bill Clinton lyrics newly attached. At Pat's insistence, the band replayed the ending of "Spellbound" one more time when he admitted that he had screwed it up. This loose and relaxed atmosphere even led Pat to rally the rest of the band into performing a version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Who'll Stop the Rain".
All of this is not to say that the Smithereens neglected to ignite their own flammable song material. All night long, they continued to throw another "backlog onto the fire" and performed heated permutations from their song history - further helping to extinguish any vile memories of "disco infernos" of musical eras past. Many songs from "A Date With the Smithereens" were rocked and rolled out this evening including: "Miles From Nowhere", "Everything I Have is Blue", "Can't Go Home Anymore", "Long Way Back Again" and even "Gotti". The group continually refused to "maintain silence" during a visit through their extensive song "library". They raised the roof during such songs as "The World We Know", "Only a Memory", "Deep Black", "Baby Be Good", "William Wilson", the new tunes "King of the World", and "All Revved Up" as well as the never-fail crowd stirrer "Blood and Roses".
Revisiting their musical past for this last "workshop" gig at the Court Tavern seemingly put the Smithereens into a reflective mood. Dennis sang "Happy Birthday" to the Court Tavern during the show and, near the end, Mike Mesaros fondly thanked the Court and its personnel for all of its assistance throughout the years. Pat became nostalgic during the encore and noted that the 'Reens were among the few of his rock band peers that were still standing after all of these years. Among the bands that were mentioned as having been around when they first started were Los Lobos and Devo whereby Pat launched into what I believe was a Devo song. A grimace and a shriek of "oh no" from Jim Babjak were evident at this point, but he and the rest of the band fell right in with the song. This was immediately followed by "Girls About Town" from their historic first EP. Next up was "No Love Lost" from Pat's solo album which was one of three other Pat solo songs the band performed that evening. (The others were "You Should Know", "Somewhere Down the Line" and "Everyday World"). "Milk Cow Blues" closed the show with Jim and Mike trading vocals during this show-stopper. Other cover songs trotted-out during this performance included the Kinks' "House in the Country" and a slashing version of the Who's "The Seeker".
It was sad but encouraging, in a way, to see the Smithereens leave the Court Tavern stage for the last "workshop" this past Thursday. During the previous weeks, we had been treated to a "magical mystery tour" of some Beatles tunes, took a "Magic Bus" ride with a Who cover, and traveled through a musical journey wherein we were able to sample some of the Smithereens' musical roots and seminal influences.
What these shows served to illustrate so well (even to the most casual observer), is that, yes, the Smithereens have musical influences just like everyone else. The difference is that, unlike generic rock and roll bands of the moment, the Smithereens mix all of their influences together into a musical pot and then distill them into a style that is uniquely their own. It is this ability to transcend rock's past and to chisel their own imprint into rock that assures them a place in people's memories long after other faceless bands have disappeared.
But why am I speaking about them like an orator at some funeral? The band is clearly moving ahead with plans to record a new album and this recent stint seems to have revitalized them for their return to the studio. This is good news indeed. And all proper rhetoric and fancy verbiage aside... you know what?... these guys can still kick ass in concert like nobody's business. To paraphrase those aforementioned British "mop tops" it was wonderful to be there, it was certainly a thrill. The Smithereens may go in and out of musical style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile. I'm looking forward to their musical future, and I thank them for letting me revisit their musical past with them. Thank you Smithereens for a wonderful Court Tavern "workshop" series.
After the guys took the stage and launched into the Link Wray's "Rumble", the tone was a little quiet at first; racing through the first eight songs without any conversation with the crowd. Included in this group of tunes was a pair of songs from Pat's solo CD and the catchy new tune "All Revved Up." Pat then announced that they were in town not only for 'the love of playing', but also to work on some new songs for when they hit the studio in December. After introducing the next song, they tackled Billie Holiday's "Gloomy Sunday" with great affection.
After Jim changed from his Fender Stratocaster to his Gibson 'Angus Young' model as Pat called it, they went through the other new tunes "This Is The Way The World Ends Now" and "King Of The World"; the latter of which sounds like it could have been on Pat's 'Songs And Sounds.' After Buddy Holly's "Well, Allright", they ran through some of the usuals including "Yesterday Girl" and "House We Used To Live In", before ending the set with "Blood and Roses."
They returned for an encore that included an electrifying version of the Muddy Waters tune "Got My Mojo Workin" with Pat pounding the harmonica and at one point, Pat, Jim, and Mike all sharing the same mic. After "A Girl Like You", they left the stage. I figured that was it, but then they appeared for another encore of "The Seeker", "Milk Cow Blues", which included Mike taking lead vocals from Jim for a bit, and "Kiss Your Tears Away" before taking a final bow and exiting the stage for good.
Once the crowd warmed up after the slow start, the show just kept gaining momentum. Jim showed off his Pete Townsend 'windmill' impression at one point, and it was obvious that Mike, who didn't have enough room for his usual kicks and jumps on the small stage was in 'the zone' that he talks about.
'Till next time...
Set List:
Rumble
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
Somewhere Down The Line
You Should Know
All Revved Up
Only A Memory
Long Way Back Again
Deep Black
Gloomy Sunday
This Is The Way The World Ends Now
King Of The World
Well, Allright
Yesterday Girl
Room Without A View
House We Used To Live In
Miles From Nowhere
Blood And Roses
---------------------------------------------
Got My Mojo Workin'
Time And Time Again
A Girl Like You
---------------------------------------------
The Seeker
Milk Cow Blues
Kiss Your Tears Away
Brief pause for tuning, into second set:
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
Somewhere Down The Line
You Should Know
All Revved Up
Yesterday Girl
This Is The Way The World Ends Now
King Of The World
Room Without A View
Miles From Nowhere
Time And Time Again
Blood And Roses
First Encore:
Well All Right (Buddy Holly)
Got My Mojo Workin'
A Girl Like You
Second Encore:
Rumble (Link Wray)
Milk Cow Blues (Kinks version)
The Seeker (Who)
The Bayou in Washington DC has always been one of the Smithereens' favorite venues over the years, and having performed all of "Especially For You" on it's 10th anniversary in 1996, it seemed appropriate to return to perform the "Green Thoughts" album on it's 10th birthday (give or take a few months.). Sadly, it appears that this will be the Smithereens' last appearance at the Bayou, as the club is slated to close it's doors for the last time at the end of the year.
The unusual sight of a restless Pat DiNizio pacing around the floor of the club, chatting with fans hours before showtime was indicative of the entire band's mood: They were keyed up for this one, ready to get onstage long before the opening acts were finished. They hit the ground running at 11:15 pm with a blast of feedback that led into the familiar riffs of "Only A Memory." When "House We Used To Live In" came across early in the set with as much intensity as a finely-oiled encore, it was clear that the guys were in a groove. They faithfully re-created what is perhaps their finest moment on vinyl, including a rare performance of "If The Sun Doesn't Shine," worked up especially for this performance (though it was tried out a time or two at the Court Tavern recently), which shimmered even though it was sans the record's "Beach Boys-like" harmonies. As the chords of the title cut faded, Pat exclaimed "That's the album!", to which Dennis Diken added, "But we're not done yet!"
As the band's guitars were re-tuned, Pat DiNizio bantered a bit with audience members (One funny exchange went "You met me in prison in 1992? You've got the wrong guy...Oh, PRINCETON!), and spoke of the band's regrets that the club would soon be closing. With the guitars properly in tune, the second set began, including two of Pat's "Songs And Sounds" tracks. "Somewhere Down The Line" remains faithful to the recorded version, but "You Should Know" takes on a new edge, propelled by driving guitar and bass interplay from Jim Babjak and Mike Mesaros. New songs came next: The blistering "All Revved Up," the playful proposed title cut to the next studio album "This Is The Way The World Ends Now" and the cruncy chord-fest, "King Of The World." The set finished with a trip into more familiar territory, with the audience eating it all up.
At encore time, Buddy Holly's "Well All Right" began with a three man group, as Jim Babjak was late returning to the stage. He fell right into place a minute or so into the song. Next, Pat grabbed his harmonica for a frentic run-though of the blues classic "Got My Mojo Workin'" before the standard set-closer "A Girl Like You." The crowd was hardly ready to go home, and the band came back for a second encore, starting with Link Wray's immortal instrumental "Rumble," leading into the Kinks arrangement of "Milk Cow Blues" featuring vocals by Jim Babjak and Mike Mesaros. Finally, numerous audience requests were answered for the Who's "The Seeker."
With Mike Mesaros firmly back in place in the bass chair, the Smithereens, on the right night, and at the right venue, are still a finely oiled machine, as much of a band as ever, and the Bayou has always been good to them. It was a fine celebration of a classic album, and a melancholy send-off to one of their favorite places to set up and play.
While setting up, Pat DiNizio could be heard commenting, tongue in cheek, that he was about to put his "mojo" to work. In fact, the first song played was "Got My Mojo Workin". This gave Pat a chance to play his harmonica as well as strum the guitar. Even though he was constrained by his seating arrangement, you could see bassist Mike Mesaros' legs twitching in time as if they felt compelled to leap. He still pumped out basslines like he was playing at an arena. Jim kept his head down and plucked driving solos on his guitar. And Dennis, well, let's just say that he's a "percussive madman" on the tambourine. He also pitched in on vocals.
Earlier on, before the Smithereens hit the stage, there had been local orators doing the speechmaking thing and the high school band performed. The other grand attraction, apparently, was the unveiling of a new statue whose head was attached "in the pouring rain" last week. Amidst all of this "small town pride", Pat couldn't resist making good-natured wisecracks about the neighborhood. He cracked-himself-up over one joke he made about "Vinnie's" across the way and the grade of beef he claims to have bought there. Pat tossed quips at his mother who was in the crowd as well. He even did a little joking ditty about the new statue. Dennis got into the act by berating a local banker for taking the day off and not allowing him access to his money.
The band played the familiar classics "Only a Memory" and "Behind the Wall of Sleep". Next up was the new song "King of the World". When Pat announced that this was a song from their forthcoming album, someone in the audience called out asking when the album was coming out. "We're hoping to record it in December and release it in either April or May of next year. Thanks for asking," Pat said. They finished-up with "Blood and Roses". When Pat got to the lyrics "saw you standing in the rain", he looked heavenward at the overcast sky as if looking for oncoming showers. Luckily, the day remained dark but dry.
The audience was small but appreciative. Dennis announced during the show that this day also happened to be Pat DiNizio's birthday which was met with applause. There was also applause when he announced Jim's upcoming birthday in November. Afterwards, ever-congenial, the guys talked with fans and signed autographs. Then, the Smithereens left, one can only assume, to share some cake with the "birthday boy".
The show started late (for a weeknight) due to the World Series game between the Yankees and Padres. They were showing the game on a huge projection screen. Being the expatriate New Yorker that I am, I could hardly contain my elation over Brosius' homer!
Local band Earl's Sons opened. How would I describe them? Very young, a cross between maybe the Screaming Trees and the Dream Syndicate. Most of the crowd arrived well into their set.
As soon they finished I slotted into a perfect spot dead in front of stage center. This gave me a great opportunity to survey the equipment as it was being set up. Jim had his usual two Marshall JCM-800's. He played his Telecaster (the one with the holographic blinking eyes). I noticed some kind of autograph on the headstock; anyone know anything about that? He used his usual MXR gain boost pedal for solos throughout the show.
Pat used a single JCM-800, and also a small Carvin 1x10 cabinet. He played his silver Epiphone Casino, which is wired for stereo. One channel went through a ProCo Rat distortion pedal and the other channel was "clean".
Mike played a well-worn black Fender Precision bass (missing the tone knob) through a 2x4x10 Hartke setup. I figured out the secret to the definitive Mike Mesaros sound - he plays very close to the bridge, with his pinky wedged between the third and fourth saddles for leverage. This guy must have fingertips of CONCRETE...
Enough for the gear-head blather, on with the show. There was a pretty big crowd - filling in the area from the stage all the way back to the bar, and spilling around the area to the right of the stage. (This was in contrast to last February 10th when there was a grand total of about ten people in the place, not counting the family members who came to see the opening band).
The crowd was really into it, yelling, screaming, and singing along. Personal note: I absorbed quite a bit of incidental contact from the flailing drunken woman who was dancing behind me.
The best things about this show were the return of Mike Mesaros, and the new songs. Mike was in rare form, and his attack on the material fueled the audience and his bandmates as well. I like all the Smithereens equally, but if you are a Mike Mesaros fan, you were in heaven this night. Get out your Pat Dinizio solo CD and put on "You Should Know By Now" -- close your eyes and image what it Mike Mesaros would sound like tearing through that bass line -- incredible!
The new songs were terrific. The crowd was dying to hear the new stuff, and cheered as loudly for these as any of the better-known songs. Pat mentioned that the new album was due out in May.
Here is the set list:
Only A Memory
Somewhere Down The Line
You Should Know By Now
All Revved Up
Groovy Tuesday
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
Drown In My Own Tears
Cigarette
Long Way Back Again
This Is The Way The World Ends Now
King Of The World
Yesterday Girl
Room Without A View
Top Of The Pops
House We Used To Live In
Time And Time Again
Miles From Nowhere
Blood And Roses
Encore:
Got My Mojo Workin'
Milk Cow Blues
Girl Like You
After the last number Jim lingered on the stage for a few minutes to chat with some of the folks down front. I got the chance to thank him personally for a great show!
Are you going to see the Smithereens in your town? How about typing up a report and sending it in to Dave's Smithereens Page?
Pat noticed he was playing to a half empty room and said, "There's gonna be a puppet show next..." (room is silent)
Mike Mesaros: "Guess they haven't seen Spinal Tap."
Pat: "They are now."
Well, at least I knew I was seening one of the best (and loudest) bands to hit that town in a long time. Great show.
...but what does "Ooom Gow" mean? Pat kept yelling it!
I missed most of the initial opening band, but the second one (from Seattle) had two female vocalists who said it was their 2nd opening for the Smithereens. They seemed appreciative of the crowd's attention. I later saw them on the balcony smiling and clapping to the closing 'reens songs, so hey, that's a plus for them!
Anyway, the Smithereens' first two numbers were a little weak because Pat's mike and the bass weren't dialed in right, and it took the sound guy a while to adjust. I felt like the sound was a little harsh from the way it reverbed from the ceiling, but again, it got better as the night went on.
Another hindrance to the energy of the evening was that everyone was seated at tables... "Only a Memory" started to cheers but people still just sat and clapped along. The band tried cajoling people into standing a few times, with comments like "We're here to see the Smithereens, not EAT, right?? Feeding time is over!" They finally resorted to a few rounds of Simon Says, ending with "Simon says: GET UP! And STAY UP!" This finally prodded people to stand and begin dancing about the middle of the concert, and the band followed with "House We Used to Live In".
The band clearly demonstrated that they are rock'n'roll work horses, playing a full hour and a half set without letup. Pat never seemed go get winded, (but he can sure sweat!) Their willigness to mingle with the edge of the crowd and joke around was certainly a contrast to the opening bands, and it shows what a difference it makes to be a seasoned musicians after many years of gigs.
At the close of the night, Pat joked to everyone, "See, doesn't it sound better when you stand up??" Then came a rousing encore of "Girl Like You" with the crowd chanting along. It felt like the high point of the evening here, too bad there wasn't time for a 2nd encore! But it was midnight by then, so the lights went up and it was time to admit it was really all over.
We were treated to four bands: First, a tribute to Elvis Costello then one of the strangest bands I've heard in a while, Burning August and then, a chick band from Seattle, Goodness who weren't half bad.
The 'Reens hit the stage around 10:30 with Pat and Jimmy gleefully defying California's fascist smoking ban, they were taking huge hits off their cigarettes and grinning hysterically. That statement being made, they launched into Only A Memory and the crowd of say,300, though bloated with $9.00 burgers roared it's approval.
The band just kept playing and sounded great. Mike was a maniac on his P-Bass kicking, jumping and running over to share a mike with Jimmy, who did his laid back Pete Townsend thing perfectly. Although Pat and Jimmy were playing Marshall stacks it was Mike's bass that cut through the loudest -- we were sitting maybe 15 feet from his amp -- it was great!
Some songs: Yesterday Girl, War For My Mind, Cigarette and Groovy Tuesday. About halfway through the set, Pat's Epiphone went out of tune and so right in the middle of the song he stopped the band and called a roadie over to take care of it. Then he and Dennis used this opportunity to chide the club about putting a bunch of dinner tables where the dance floor should have been and the crowd for not standing up and rocking along. I just loved their attitude, "We're The Smithereens, stand the f@#!k up."
I must tell you about this blonde chick who was really getting into the music. I felt kind of sorry for her date because she obviously wanted to be Pat's love slave, he even let her hold one of his cigarettes but when she took a drag, the Nazi's descended on her. I thought they were going to close the set with The House We Used To Live In because Jimmy and Mike really got the crowd going on the sing along chorus, but they continued with Blood And Roses then they left the stage to a standing ovation.
We clapped and stamped and screamed until our heroes came back out and Dennis took his picture. The band went into a funny version of Got My Mojo Workin with Pat on harp and flapping cheeks, a true genius! Then, they played my favorite song of the night and damned if I don't know the name, it might even be a cover but it was a slow, greasy instrumental that I've heard in a few movies, usually right before somebody gets shot. The last song of the night was A Girl Like You and they just tore it up, having fun. It was fun to watch Pat dare Jimmy to walk out on the cheap dinner tables but he wasn't going for it until Pat just jumped right off and walked out to the middle of the audience. I guess Jimmy figured if the tables would hold Pat he was home free and he got out on a table and wailed. The show ended in some delightful feedback with Jimmy stepping up to Pats' mike and yelling "DAAAAAY-Oh" and the crowd, well some of us answering back "Day-Ay-Ay-Oh".
It was a real good show by one of rock's great bands.
So when a buddy called to see if we should see them on Sunday evening at Club Caprice in Redondo Beach, I didn't hesitate.
Club Caprice is one of those places where you have to make a reservation for an overpriced dinner (in addition to the ticket and the 2 drink minimum) in order to get a table close to the stage, but I'm spoiled; we bit the bullet...as well as some rather tough steak.
Glad to report that the evening was well worth it. After a couple of decent opening bands, one of which was an Elvis Costello cover band (thin ties, black keyboards, Fender Jaguar, and all!), the Reens took the stage.
Now, the posted setlist closely resembled the one from the Roxy show on the previous Thursday, so we were surprised and quite gratified at what happened next. After playing the first 4 from the set list (You Should Know, Somewhere Down The Line, Wall of Sleep, and Drown in My Own Tears), Pat briefly (and sarcastically) extolled the virtues of playing in a dinner theater, and announced that since the band was a bit tired of the regular set list, they would leave it up to the audience to decide what to play! The results were pretty cool...they honored requests for Green Thoughts, War For My Mind, Especially For You, Crazy Mixed Up Kid, Indigo Blues, Listen To Me Girl, and William Wilson. Audience participation was taken to a new level when audience members started bringing drinks to the stage, which were consumed enthusiastically. Jim even put in an order during the show.
Sprinkled throughout was a liberal helping of the staples: Room Without a View, Only A Memory, Cut Flowers, House We Used to Live In, and This Is The Way The World Ends Now. They closed the regular set with a rousing Blood & Roses.
The encore setlist called for Mojo Workin', Top of the Pops, and Girl Like You. Instead, we got Milk Cow Blues, Mongoloid (a Devo cover, sung by the lead singer of the Elvis Costello band), and Girl Like You. This show reminded me so much of the first time I saw them at the Roxy in '88--loose, fun, and a little drunk!
Post show was equally interesting...Jim said that he hated the venue, and apologized that he didn't play better (he played absolutely fine!). On the other hand, Pat said that he enjoyed this gig more than any that they played on the tour. I got CD's signed by all, and it was noteworthy that each of them took the time to talk, shake my hand, and thank me for coming.
Great way to end a weekend...and a tour.
That said, there was a good handful of actual Smithereens fans in the house. There was even one overzealous reens-geek who pogo-ed his way through the entire show, stopping at each song's final chord just long enough to pump his fists a few times. During the band's fan-friendly House We Used To Live In, Pat invited the wanna-be rock star up on the stage to trade off on vocals. Then the stagehands gave him the hook, while the real star DiNizio chuckled knowingly.
The crowd reacted well to the songs you might guess they would. Behind The Wall Of Sleep, Blood And Roses, and A Girl Like You were all the rage. A select few showed their approval for DiNizio's solo tunes but the songs slated for the upcoming Smithereens album were greeted as warmly as a dental appointment. After the band did its best to showcase the new This Is The Way The World Ends Now, the crowd forced a smattering of applause. Pat said, "We'll do one more new one. Thank you for your appreciation and your patience."
What the hell, Pat, let them buy Cake. Or whoever the flavor is this month.
Of course, the show isn't really about the crowd, anyway. This was the full-fledged, all four-on-the-floor original Smithereens, for crying out loud. Mike didn't merely play the bass - he commanded it. He bounced and jumped and kicked like it was still 1988. For all I know, maybe it was.
It was good to see the whole band together again. Sure, they have some things to iron out (like, who is going to write their new songs, anyway?), but when they get onstage with instruments in hand, it's all smiles, riffs, pounding drums, and lyrics sung with conviction. Together, they make up the Unit I like to talk about. They are the scoring line in hockey that Mike Mesaros used to speak of. And when they all come out flying, nobody does it better.
The set:
Rumble
War For My Mind
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
Somewhere Down The Line
You Should Know
All Revved Up
Room Without A View
Cigarette
Cut Flowers
This Is The Way The World Ends Now
King Of The World
Yesterday Girl
House We Used To Live In
Time And Time Again
Miles From Nowhere
Blood And Roses
Encore:
A Girl Like You
A crowd of a couple hundred showed up to drink beer and see one of the last original rock bands still having at it. The audience warmed up slowly, but by mid-show the Smithereens owned 'em. The crowd called out for more, and we were blessed with nuggets like Spellbound, and The Seeker. Pat and Dennis even got together to sing a send-up of Gordon Lightfoot's Sundown, of all things.
Proving their versatility, the evening's set was much different than the night before. Not content to simply churn out the same show night after night, the band pulled out something old, something new, something borrowed, and surprisingly, no song title containing the word "blue."
Dennis and Mike proved that they too could groove on Pat's solo album track You Should Know. Alone At Midnight and Deep Black were dusted off for all to hear and marvel, too.
The newly revived Smithereens demonstrated an ability rarely witnessed in the band's days of yore - improvisation. When Pat's guitar need tuning in the middle of the set, the rest of the group played Rumble, a song normally tagged as a concert-opener. Pat tuned up just in time to catch the song's end. Old standards like A Girl Like You got the ad-lib treatment, too. And when Pat dropped his plectrum, he stayed at the mic singing, motioning for a stagehand to come over and pick it up - all without missing a beat.
The Reens' frontman belted out a wonderful cover of Well Allright, which he described as a song "written by the late great Buddy Holly, one of the Smithereens' true heroes."
I think we know how you feel, Pat.
The set:
Only A Memory
You Should Know
Groovy Tuesday
Alone At Midnight
This Is The Way The World Ends Now
Rumble
Over And Over Again
Long Way Back Again
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
Well Allright
Yesterday Girl
Deep Black
Spellbound
Room Without A View
Miles From Nowhere
Sundown
Time And Time Again
Hose We Used To Live In
Blood And Roses
Encore:
The Seeker
A Girl Like You