Jersey Rock Band of the Week: The Smithereens
2020 marks the 40th year of the Smithereens! Through stardom and tragedy, the band continues to do the Garden State proud with their brand of Jersey Rock. The recently inducted NJ Hall of Famers began their 5th decade of music with a once-in-a-lifetime type of release: a 45 RPM of The Beatles “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You,” featuring Beatles’s session drummer Andy White.
The new release was recorded over a decade ago when the band was working on a Beatles B-side tribute album. “B-Sides The Beatles,” is a companion piece to The Smithereens’ 2007 tribute album “Meet The Smithereens.” While working on the release, the group discovered that Beatles session drummer Andy White was living in NJ. They recorded the A-side/B-side with White, leaving “Love Me Do” off the companion album. With the release of the new 45 RPM of “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You,” fans are treated to literal lightning in a bottle as the vinyl includes not only the drumming of the late Andy White, but the iconic voice of the late Pat DiNizio. Score the special edition vinyl now at officialsmithereens.com!
Look for a new album of original material coming from The Smithereens in the near future. While it is impossible to replace Pat DiNizio, Marshall Crenshaw and Gin Blossoms lead singer Robin Wilson serve as truly worthy alternating lead singers. We look forward to hearing the music they produce together!
Tune to Jersey Rock on 95.9 The Rat Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11:30 pm to hear the new Beatles covers along some classic Smithereens tracks! Jim Babjack and Dennis Diken will call in to the show!
Learn more at officialsmithereens.com!
Check out the audio for “Love Me Do”!
