Album Information:

About The Smithereens:

The Smithereens are an American rock band that formed in Carteret, New Jersey in 1980. The band is made up of lead vocalist and guitarist Pat DiNizio, guitarist Jim Babjak, bassist Mike Mesaros, and drummer Dennis Diken. Their sound is a combination of 60s pop and rock with a touch of 80s power pop and garage rock.

The band's early years were spent playing gigs in the New Jersey and New York City area. They released their debut album 'Especially for You' in 1986, which featured the hit single 'Blood and Roses'. The album received critical acclaim and established the band as one of the best emerging rock acts of the time.

The Smithereens quickly followed up with their sophomore release, 'Green Thoughts', in 1988. The album spawned the hit single 'Only a Memory', which reached the top of the Billboard Modern Rock chart. The success of the album led to the band opening for major acts like The Who and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Their third album, '11', was released in 1989 and reached gold status, featuring the hits 'A Girl Like You' and 'Blues Before and After'. The band continued to tour and release albums throughout the 90s, with notable releases including 'Blow Up' (1991), 'A Date with the Smithereens' (1994), and 'God Save the Smithereens' (1999).

Tragically, the band lost Mesaros in 2002, when he left the group due to personal reasons. The band continued on with new bassist Severo Jornacion, but the loss of Mesaros was felt deeply.

Despite this setback, The Smithereens remained active, releasing new material and touring regularly. In 2017, their longtime frontman Pat DiNizio passed away at the age of 62, leaving a deep hole in the band and the music industry as a whole.

Throughout their career, The Smithereens have been praised for their timeless sound and their ability to blend catchy melodies with gritty rock and roll. They have influenced countless musicians and continue to be a beloved band among fans of rock music.

About the album God Save The Smithereens:

God Save The Smithereens is the seventh studio album by the American rock band, The Smithereens. It was released on August 31, 1999, by Velvel Records. The album spans 12 tracks and runs for nearly 50 minutes in total.

The album opens with the track 'Keep On Running' which features the band's signature guitar-driven sound, backed up by a driving rhythm section and power-pop influenced vocals. The following tracks, 'Everything I Have Is Blue' and 'Wooly Bully' continue in a similar vein, showcasing the band's ability to craft catchy and memorable hooks.

One of the standout tracks on the album is 'Maria Elena,' a cover of the classic Spanish song originally written in the 1930s. The Smithereens put their own spin on the song, adding a guitar-heavy rock sound and a driving beat, while still retaining the romantic and melancholy atmosphere of the original.

Other notable tracks on the album include 'Love Like Blood' which features a haunting melody and introspective lyrics about the struggles of love. 'Spellbound' is a mid-tempo ballad that showcases the band's versatility in adding more laid-back elements to their sound. 'Bananafishin' is another track worth noting, featuring a jangly guitar riff and catchy melodies that make for an upbeat and fun listening experience.

Overall, God Save The Smithereens is a strong album that showcases the band's ability to craft memorable and catchy songs while staying true to their rock roots. The album builds on the band's legacy of high-energy, guitar-driven rock that has made them a fan-favorite for over three decades.

Members:

The Smithereens were an American rock band formed in 1980, consisting of four key members. Here are their biographies:

1. Pat DiNizio - Lead Vocals, Guitar (1955-2017)
Pat DiNizio was the primary songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of The Smithereens. Born on October 12, 1955, in New Jersey, DiNizio began playing music in high school and later formed The Smithereens with three friends. The band went on to release eleven studio albums and were known for their melodic power-pop sound. Outside of The Smithereens, DiNizio also performed as a solo artist and as a member of various side projects. He passed away on December 12, 2017, at the age of 62.

2. Jim Babjak - Guitar
Jim Babjak was the lead guitarist of The Smithereens. Born on November 17, 1957, in New Jersey, Babjak met DiNizio in high school and co-founded The Smithereens with him. Alongside his role in the band, Babjak also provided backing vocals and co-wrote several of The Smithereens' songs. In addition to his work with the band, Babjak launched his own guitar brand, the JF Babjak Signature Guitar, in 2021.

3. Mike Mesaros - Bass (1980-2006)
Mike Mesaros was the original bassist of The Smithereens. Born on February 18, 1957, in New Jersey, Mesaros joined the band in 1980 after meeting Babjak and DiNizio at a party. Mesaros played on every Smithereens album until his departure from the band in 2006. Following his departure, he worked as a bus driver for New Jersey Transit.

4. Dennis Diken - Drums
Dennis Diken was the drummer of The Smithereens. Born on March 10, 1957, in New Jersey, Diken joined the band in 1984 after meeting Babjak and DiNizio at a gig. Aside from his work with The Smithereens, Diken has also played with other artists and worked as a freelance drummer. He is also a music historian and has written liner notes for a number of albums.

Track List for God Save The Smithereens:

As an AI language model, I don't have access to specific information about album tracks and detailed descriptions. However, I can recommend a website like AllMusic or Discogs that provides such information about the album 'God Save the Smithereens' by The Smithereens.

Discography for The Smithereens:

Discography for The Smithereens:

1. 'Girls About Town' - 1980 (EP)
2. 'Beauty and Sadness' - 1983 (EP)
3. 'Especially for You' - 1986 (Album)
4. 'Green Thoughts' - 1988 (Album)
5. 'Smithereens 11' - 1989 (Album)
6. 'Blow Up' - 1991 (Album)
7. 'A Date with The Smithereens' - 1994 (Album)
8. 'God Save The Smithereens' - 1999 (Album)
9. 'Meet The Smithereens!' - 2007 (Album)
10. 'Christmas with The Smithereens' - 2007 (Album)
11. '2011' - 2011 (Album)
12. 'The Smithereens Play Tommy' - 2017 (Album)

A complete list of all singles released by the Smithereens:

1. 'Blood and Roses' - 1986
2. 'Behind the Wall of Sleep' - 1986
3. 'Behind the Wall of Sleep' (re-release) - 1987
4. 'Cigarette' - 1988
5. 'Only a Memory' - 1988
6. 'A Girl Like You' - 1989
7. 'Blues Before and After' - 1989
8. 'Yesterday Girl' - 1990
9. 'Too Much Passion' - 1991
10. 'Top of the Pops' - 1991
11. 'Afternoon Tea' - 1991
12. 'Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong' - 1992
13. 'Drown in My Own Tears' - 1993
14. 'Miles from Nowhere' - 1993
15. 'Maria Elena' - 1993
16. 'Can't Go Home Anymore' - 1994
17. 'I Don't Want to Lose You' - 1994
18. 'One Look at You' - 1994
19. 'House We Used to Live In' - 1996
20. 'Everything I Have Is Blue' - 1999
21. 'East Meets West' - 1999

Other notable releases by the Smithereens:

1. 'Attack of the Smithereens' - 1988 (video)
2. 'From Jersey It Came! The Smithereens Anthology' - 2004 (compilation)
3. 'B-Sides the Beatles' - 2008 (covers album)