This Memorial Day weekend marked the grand reopening of New Jersey's famed "Stone Pony". As you probably already know, this club is the former stomping grounds of Bruce Springsteen's East Street Band who are among many previous concert acts now commemorated in a photo gallery on its walls. Springsteen faxed his best wishes to the club for its reopening and, since he was reportedly in Las Vegas, would be unlikely to show up even for any impromptu jam sessions. And so, who better to headline a triumphant relaunching than New Jersey's own ambassadors of rock 'n roll goodwill, The Smithereens? Unlike the Stone Pony, however, the Smithereens have never gone out of business. For over twenty years now, these veritable New Jersey Devils have continued to raise hell onstage. The good news is that they have lost none of their fire and passion over the years as this show clearly proved.

The place was packed when the 'Reens took the stage a little after 11:00 P.M. The electricity immediately began to flow as if somebody had just plugged in some power chords. The energy level remained consistently high throughout the concert and the band was clearly having the time of their life - as was I. As Pat DiNizio explained early on in the show in a depressing commentary about the current state of today's music: "Rock is dead. Well, I hope not. It's all we know how to do. We have no other job skills." Ah, but what skills they possess. As one of their early rock mentors, The Who, once declared in song, "long live rock. Be it dead or alive." Well, tonight at any rate, rock was alive and doing very well thank you.

The Smithereens even invoked the spirit of the Who with two cover versions of that band's songs in their encores. They played "The Seeker" and "I Can't Explain". I had never heard the 'Reens' version of "I Can't Explain" before and they played it with the enthusiasm and vigor that the Who could only pray for these days. If their rendition of "I Can't Explain" were any more smoking, the band would have spontaneously combusted.

Among the many set highlights was a rendition of "All Revved Up" from the new album, "God Save the Smithereens", that hearkened back more to an earlier "Smithereens Court Tavern Workshop" stompin' arrangement sans the album's Beach Boys stylings. This was pure straight-ahead rock'n roll riffing and revving. "I Believe" was another powerhouse from the new album. Other classics performed included "Only a Memory", "House We Used to Live In", "Time and Time Again" and "Room Without A View". In concert, these tunes have all aged to perfection and become guitar jamming classics. It's good to see the original line-up of Pat, Mike, Jim and Dennis still playing like the adrenalized rock unit we have all come to depend on.

The show was not without some technical glitches early on. Some reparations were made to Dennis Dikens' drum kit whereupon Jim Babjak commented that it was just like the old days when their equipment kept breaking down. At one point, a call went out on the loudspeaker between songs literally for "a doctor in the house" who was needed somewhere for an emergency. Luckily, this doctor was not needed to resuscitate any of the band members, although a round of potentially lethal "Mind Eraser" drinks did make their way onstage later on. "How dare you give me a 'Mind Eraser' when I'm working!" joked Pat to the provider. Pat could later be seen displaying other talents as he stooped down towards the front of the audience for a cigarette. Like a synchronized pit crew at the Indianapolis 500, a helper would hold the cigarette while Pat, without missing a beat, took puffs and continued playing a guitar solo. At Pat's prompting, Jim demonstrated special talents of his own when he brought the ever popular "beer trick" out of semi-retirement and downed a beer with his "look ma, no hands" lip-lock guzzle approach.

The audience ate this all up, of course. The crowd could be seen bopping and singing along to the music all night. The Smithereens were in top form and seemed to be having too good of a time to stop. They went into encore overdrive and performed more than four numbers not including Dennis' rock and roll revivalist medley. Jim took center stage during these encores to perform his novelty song "White Castle Blues" which he is still seemingly apologizing for after all these years. "I'm sorry I ever wrote this song." he remarked. "I can't believe we ever recorded it." The crowd enthusiastically rooted him on, however, and an extended band jam soon resulted.

Offstage afterwards, the Smithereens were clearly euphoric and justifiably proud of their performance. They have now thrown down the gauntlet for future Stone Pony bands to try to top. This will be no easy task as the club has now been officially christened in inimitable style. Perhaps I might be allowed to quote the Who yet again from their anthem "Won't Get Fooled Again". With all respect to Mr. Springsteen, maybe it's time to "meet the new boss". The durable Smithereens have marked their territory and may, in fact, be "tougher than the rest".

Setlist:

Only a Memory
House We Used To Live In
Somewhere Down The Line
Behind the Wall of Sleep
Everything Changes
She's Got A Way
Yesterday Girl
Cut Flowers
Cigarette
Room Without A View
All Revved Up
I Believe
Time and Time Again
Miles From Nowhere
Blood And Roses

Encores:

White Castle Blues
I Can't Explain
Dennis Diken Medley
The Seeker
A Girl Like You