Smithereens

[OutlawManNJ]

In the thread about the Eagles being underated (which I dont agree with) I posted that there are other bands that are REALLY underarted. First that comes to my mind is the New Jersey band The Smithereens.

They had a few hits in the late 80s and early 90s, but then when Nirvana and the Grunge days came along they fell out of flavour. Ironically Kurt Cobain used to always claim that The Smithereens were a huge influence on them as they listened to a Smithereens tape over and over and over again while they traveled in the band Van early on.

Today the band is still together minus the original bass player and they still play to a small but loyal fan base. But when you listen to their songs or watch there videos you wonder WHY ARE THESE GUYS NOT ETCHED IN ROCK HISTORY. Their songs are that good.

One problem they had was looks...yes looks...they werent the best looking band to come out of the 80s....the singer was balding, the drummer looked nerdy, the guitar player was so so and only the bass player had the ladies interest. This believe it or not hurt their airtime on MTV.

But here are some of their great songs. And look them up, they may be playing in your area. Cost little and good acess to band. The singer these years even inovated and did a Living toom tour, where he crossed the country in a rental playing at 100 different fans houses. great idea.

Here is Only a Memory from Green Thoughts album:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHYkYYikewU

[OutlawManNJ]

Here is one of their hits from the early 90s. A girl like you which was written to be the title track for the movie SAY ANYTHING, but diretor Cameron Crowe vetoed it after he though the song gave too much of the film away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LwjD8z2mOg

[OutlawManNJ]

This song has what Rolling Stone considers to be one of the top 100 bass lines in Rock. Their first or second hit Blood and Roses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqML7WbOun8

[OutlawManNJ]

Another early his. Great guitar solo. Great song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNZbP3ZVem4

[OutlawManNJ]

here is a mid 80s duet with Suzanne Vega...I mean you cant listen to their work and not think why historically they have been almost wiped off the map. Its crazy. This is real music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlOVlqUcB8A

[OutlawManNJ]

Another great moody classic by the Smithereens that is better than 99% of what comes out these days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMP7hswPCeE

[OutlawManNJ]

Here is a great video of them doing Nehind the wall of sleep live on British TV in 87

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8yPudeA86E

[OutlawManNJ]

any even more amazing they still make great new music. This is from their 2011 release, great song called ONE LOOK AT YOU.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfUuf1_7g0o

[VAisForEagleLovers]

OMNJ, I finally had the time to look at these. I liked the first two you posted, and I swear I remember hearing them 'way back then'. I liked the last one you posted (their latest), but not as much as the first two. The others...well, I didn't like Suzanne Vega back then and apparently I still don't.

Do they write their own songs? I see what you mean about how they looked. Unfortunately, the 80's were all about hair. Big hair!

[Topkat]

I had always liked this band. I did see them in concert back in the 80's or 90's..I don't recall..They were kind of on the verge of getting big & then it didn't happen. I think maybe they were around the same time as the Cars, The Police, & Squeeze, & maybe were overtaken by bands that got more exposure than them.....But they were very good & yes, under rated.
Thanks for posting the videos. I have to watch them all when I have some more time over the weekend. :thumbsup:

[Windeagle]

Thanks for reminding me how much I like the Smithereens. My former boyfriend, who's a guitarist, loved them and used to play their stuff a lot. I'll have to watch their tour schedule. I'd love to see them live.