D E N N I S
D I K E N
DRUMMER /PRODUCER
with
T H E S M I T H E R E E N S
SPECIAL GUEST on
INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS
with RAY SHASHO
Founded in New Jersey in 1980, The Smithereens have been creating electrifying, original rock’n’roll for 39 years. Jim Babjak (guitar,) Dennis Diken (drums,) and Mike Mesaros (bass) grew up together in Carteret and lead singer, the late Pat DiNizio, hailed from Scotch Plains. The band paid its dues in clubs all over the NYC tri-state area from Kenny’s Castaways in Greenwich Village to the Court Tavern and Stone Pony in NJ. As The Smithereens’ fame escalated, they were in heavy rotation on MTV and appeared on The Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien, and Saturday Night Live. They’ve since performed on stages coast to coast from the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles to the Meadowlands Arena in NJ to Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, and internationally from Europe to Australia. Tour mates have included Tom Petty, Squeeze, The Pretenders, Lou Reed, and Ramones, among others.
The Smithereens’ take no prisoners sound, reflecting their Garden State roots, has resonated with fans worldwide over the course of 17 albums and 2500+ live shows. Their most recent release, COVERS, features 22 of the bands favorite songs first recorded by other artists. They've also inspired generations of musicians, including Kurt Cobain, who counted The Smithereens as a major influence on Nirvana.
And with the 2017 passing of Pat DiNizio, the surviving members have decided to persevere and carry on their shared musical legacy. Using guest vocalists including Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms and Marshall Crenshaw, they continue to entertain and rock fans all over the U.S. and the world!
Purchase the most recent album from The Smithereens entitled ‘Covers’ at amazon.com
C O V E R S
BY THE SMITHEREENS
TRACK LISTING
- The Game of Love (Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders)
- The Slider (T. Rex)
- Ruler of My Heart (Irma Thomas)
- Wooly Bully (Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs)
- Let’s Talk About Us (Otis Blackwell)
- Girl Don’t Tell Me (Beach Boys)
- Up In Heaven (The Clash)
- Time Won’t Let Me (The Outsiders)
- Gloomy Sunday (Billie Holiday)
- Yer Blues (Beatles)
- One After 909 (Beatles)
- I Want to Tell You (Beatles)
- It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo Starr)
- Well Alright (Live) (Buddy Holly)
- Rosie Won’t You Please Come Home (The Kinks)
- World Keeps Going ‘Round (The Kinks)
- Downbound Train (Bruce Springsteen)
- The Seeker (The Who)
- Something Stupid (Frank and Nancy Sinatra)
- Lust for Life (Iggy Pop)
- The Stroll (The Diamonds)
- Shakin’ All Over (Johnny Kidd and the Pirates)
UPCOMING SHOWS
19 Sat Oct
THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Pawling NY
Daryl's House Club
26 Sat Oct
THE SMITHEREENS: A NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION AT THE STONE PONY
The Stone Pony
27 Sun Oct
THE SMITHEREENS NJ HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
Asbury Park Convention Hall
01 Fri Nov
THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Natick, MA
The Center For Arts In Natick
02 Sat Nov
THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in East Greenwich, RI
The Greenwich Odeum
15 Fri Nov
THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Port Washington, NY
Jeanne Rimsky Theater
30 Sat Nov
THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Tarrytown, NY
Tarrytown Music Hall
20 Fri Dec
THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Scituate, MA
River Club Music Hall
18 Sat Jan
THE SMITHEREENS w/ROBIN WILSON in New York City
Sony Hall
07 Sat Mar
THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in West Long Branch, NJ
