"House We Used to Live In" has the band burning through a long psychedelic jam at the end, while you can almost picture Babjak doing his best Pete Townshend-like windmilling! This CD begs to be put out as a DVD also. In its live form, it sounds as vibrant and essential as it did originally. Garage rock at it's best!! They kick off the disc with the hot rocker "Behind the Wall of Sleep," rallying the faithful and newcomers alike with a story of lust and love. Their late-80's/ early 90's hits like "Blood and Roses," "Only a Memory," and their commercial break through rocker, "A Girl Like You," are given a traditional but limb-loosening exorcism, fueled by the ecstatic crowd and a few Budweisers. Lead singer and guitarist Pat Dinizio's songwriting has never been better, and the entire group - including Dennis Diken on drums and vocals, Jim Babjak on guitar and vocals, and Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion on bass and vocals - sounds like a band inspired. The single disc, 18-song set of live material is paired with two new tunes, "Since You Went Away and "Any Other Way," both of which are shining power-pop gems that hopefully will be the roots of a new Smithereens album in the near future. The Smithereens returned to the scene of youthful indiscretions, The Court Tavern in New Brunswick, for four days to capture some of the best rock 'n roll on tape - well, actually a computer - for an album of past, present, and future hits, including a lot of good vibrations along the way!
(Wayne Tayback, the previous owner and artist, had in recent years done a custom paint job for Jim Babjak's guitar.
My memories of the band start in the 70's when they had played at the eclectic Broadway Central Cafe (rebuilt from the ground up, The Blue Moon Cafe carries on the tradition) in South Amboy. With their 60's-influenced power pop sound (they count The Beatles, Bo Brummels, and The Guess Who as major reference points), the group developed a dedicated fan base that has stayed with them for decades. Smithereens Re-Energize Their Garage Rock Roots at The Court TavernĪlmost 30 years ago The Smithereens (I always thought that was a great name for a band) were formed. The Smithereens - Live in Concert! Greatest Hits and More (Koch)
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