INTERVIEW: Drummer Dennis Diken of The Smithereens Discusses the Band’s Legacy, Touring, New Album and Extra!

The Smithereens fashioned in 1980 in Carteret, New Jersey. Recognized for his or her catchy, guitar-driven sound that blends components of energy pop, rock, and different rock, The Smithereens gained recognition within the Nineteen Eighties and early Nineties with hits like “A Lady Like You,” “Solely a Reminiscence,” and “Blood and Roses.”

The band’s core lineup included Pat DiNizio on vocals and rhythm guitar, Jim Babjak on lead guitar, Mike Mesaros on bass, and Dennis Diken on drums. DiNizio’s distinct, soulful voice and the band’s easy rock sound, iNFLuenced by bands like The Beatles, The Who, and The Kinks, gave The Smithereens their distinctive attraction. Their music typically explored themes of affection, loss, and longing, combining melancholic lyrics with energetic melodies.

All through their profession, The Smithereens launched a number of well-received albums, together with Particularly for You (1986), Inexperienced Ideas (1988), and 11 (1989), which showcased their knack for memorable hooks and rock sensibility. Regardless of the altering music panorama, The Smithereens maintained a devoted fan base and continued to tour and launch music over the a long time.

In 2017, the band suffered a serious loss when Pat DiNizio handed away. Since then, they’ve continued performing, with visitor vocalists together with Marshall Crenshaw and Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms. The band is at present on a tour with Wilson behind the mic.

Music Life Journal not too long ago caught up with Diken, forward of the band’s Nov. twentieth present at West Herr Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, NY.

You guys are occurring 45 years and counting. Congratulations. I need to return a bit. How did you guys get collectively within the first place? And did you ever assume it could final so long as it has and nonetheless be going right now?

I’ll begin with the primary query. How we acquired collectively. We’ve identified one another a protracted, very long time. Mike Mesaros is our bass participant. Jimmy and I each knew him since like second or third grade, despite the fact that we weren’t taking part in music collectively. I knew Mike from graMMAr faculty. Jimmy went to in Carteret, New Jersey. And Jimmy went to a unique graMMAr faculty, totally different faculty zone. However he knew Mike as a result of they attended the identical church. So, I met Jimmy in highschool, the primary day of highschool. It’s humorous as a result of it was the primary interval of the primary day of freshman 12 months. And it was the primary row and the primary seat. There’s Jimmy sitting. And my concept was I actually wished to type a band.

And if I might, my thought was if I might discover a guitarist who might play, I Can’t Clarify by The Who, that may be a advantageous place to begin. So, this child within the first row opens up his free leaf and he’s acquired coloured photos of The Who plastered in there from Hit Parader journal. My eyes type of lightened up and I assumed to myself, “I’m going to speak to this child.” And I launched myself after class. It seems he did play guitar and we began taking part in collectively that week in September of 1971. So, the roots of the band goes again fairly a methods.

After which Mike finally realized to play bass. The three of us actually wished to have a band. We have been seeking a lead singer. Within the late 70s, we met Pat by a categorized advert. By 1980, we had joined forces and Pat was writing loads.

We began taking part in round. Our first gig was in March of 1980. So, it was a protracted haul. After which it was a protracted haul to get signed after that, too. Nevertheless it was one thing that we actually wished to do. And like something in life, in the event you actually need to do it and you persist, likelihood is you’ll get it. You’ll do it.

And the second query is, did we expect it could final this lengthy? , I feel you place your horse blinders on in the event you’re doing one thing you like. And also you don’t even take into consideration that an excessive amount of. I feel you simply carry on retaining on. As a result of if there’s no motive to cease, you retain going. And there was by no means a motive for us to cease what we do. We love what we do. It’s the one factor we all know how one can do, actually.

Whenever you guys first began out, did you set targets for your self, saying if we don’t do one thing in two, three years, no matter, we’re going to go and do one thing else in life? What was your thought course of? Do you keep in mind?

Properly, I feel we didn’t actually set tangible targets. We put out our first seven-inch EP in 1980. And that put us on the native scene, New York and New Jersey, slightly bit in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. And really, in Ohio, too. And so, we simply type of rolled with the punches. In 1983, we put out our Magnificence and Unhappiness EP. And after that, it was slightly little bit of a discouraging time, as a result of we weren’t getting a lot motion. However I don’t know. I don’t assume we ever truly verbalized something, saying that if we don’t do that by then, we’ll hold it up. I feel we have been simply too blind to something.

We virtually willed ourselves to achieve a means. Once we did our first album, we didn’t have large expectations. We thought after we did Particularly for You, and it got here out on Enigma Information, we thought, properly, if we promote 10,000 copies, perhaps we are able to hold gigging. It was simply we rolled with each step. And naturally, that album ended up doing loads higher than 10,000 copies. However that’s simply the best way it occurred. I don’t assume we have been good sufficient to make targets.

With the passing of Pat in 2017, did you guys speak amongst yourselves as a band whether or not or not you wished to proceed as The Smithereens? Or did you discuss perhaps persevering with music in different methods?

Properly, it was attention-grabbing how issues transpired. It’s onerous to consider that in December, it will likely be seven years since Pat left us. However that was December of 2017. And at the moment, clearly, we have been shell-shocked when Pat died. And it took us just a few beats for us to catch our breath and determine what we wished to do.

We knew that we wished to play collectively as a result of that’s what we’ve been doing for thus a few years. We’re good associates, and we preferred hanging out with one another in addition to taking part in collectively. The attention-grabbing factor is already at that time, we had a gig scheduled for January of 2018, only a month later after Pat’s passing. It was a present that was being produced by Little Steven Van Zandt. And there have been another artists on the invoice, too.

He (Van Zandt) instructed that we hold the date and have the Smithereens carry out and convey on a bunch of singers to sing with us, and we might flip it right into a tribute night time to Pat. And that’s precisely what we did. And it actually felt proper that night time. There was such a way of affection within the viewers and within the room.

It was a really particular night time that we’ll always remember. And two of the singers of all the oldsters that sang with us that night time, Marshall Crenshaw and Robin Wilson, simply felt proper. We had identified Marshall for the reason that early 80s. We opened reveals for him going again to 81, 82. We shared a document producer. We sat in with him from time to time.

And he even performed some keyboard on our first album, Particularly For You. And I don’t assume he ever sang with us previous to that, however it simply felt like previous dwelling week when he did. It felt proper. And he felt like a part of the household. In order that appeared like which may work transferring ahead. And likewise, Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms, unbeknownst to us, was an enormous fan of the Smithereens.

Seems that the place he got here from, Tempe, Arizona space, Gin Blossoms and different bands from there have been closely iNFLuenced by the Smithereens. So, he made it very clear to us that we have been one in all his favourite bands. And if there was ever a possibility to sing with us transferring ahead, that he can be all about it.

So, each of these artists interpreted the music. We definitely weren’t pondering of looking for anyone that was a lookalike or a sound alike for Pat. However being that we had these fellas who can interpret the music in their very own means, but nonetheless keep the integrity of it, that, OK, this would possibly work. And fortunately, it did.

Since 1980, you guys put out 12 studio data, reside data, cowl data. So, what does the setlist seem like for this tour? In addition to the widespread stuff, A Lady Like You, Solely A Reminiscence, Miles From Nowhere, Blood and Roses, what can followers anticipate to listen to after they see you this month?

Yeah, we clearly do the acquainted songs that folks know from the radio. And if anyone was round watching MTV again within the day, we do all of the songs you talked about and different well-known titles. However we additionally wish to dig into the catalog and pull out some deeper album cuts, throw in some covers. , the entire concept is to have enjoyable.

When Jimmy and I take the stage, we actually really feel like the youngsters we have been in his storage after we have been working towards taking part in Who songs, Kinks songs and Beatles songs. We really feel like youngsters once more. And I feel it’s that angle and that really feel that we have now that comes by and interprets to the viewers. And we’re fortunate that our followers and our viewers has remained so loyal and loving and supportive all these years. It’s actually unbelievable. We definitely couldn’t have made it 45 years with out them being there.

Do you’ve gotten a favourite tune you wish to play reside? Is there a sure tune that you just look ahead to or that the viewers responds to greater than others that you just like?

For me, I assume it relies upon. My reply would rely upon once you ask me. However I’ve a sure fondness for a tune known as Spellbound from the Inexperienced Ideas album. I simply love the temper. I really like the groove on that. And it’s one of many songs the place I attempt to truly replicate what I did on the document. And I don’t try this with each tune.

However I similar to what I did on the recording so I do play the identical means I did on the document each time. There’s one thing about that sample that I exploit that basically speaks to me. And I simply dig it a lot. And it’s a little bit of a departure too. It’s a bit softer. It’s a ballad so it’s slightly extra downhead. Nevertheless it’s a tune that folks dig. In order that’s the one which involves thoughts. There’s lots of them. However that’s the one which springs to thoughts once you ask that query.

In 2022, you place out the Misplaced Album, which was your first studio document in 11 years. However this was one thing you guys had accomplished over 25 years in the past. I feel, 1993? What made you guys resolve to lastly launch it? What are you able to inform me about that?

Yeah, in 1993, we have been between labels. We have been now not with Capitol. And later that 12 months, we did signal with RCA. However within the interim, we had a bunch of tunes. About 24 songs, truly, thereabouts. So, we dipped into our pockets and went to a studio in New York Metropolis known as Crystal Sound on West nineteenth Road. And we arrange camp there for 2 totally different units of classes, truly, a couple of month at a time, and recorded all these tunes, 12 of which we ended up re-recording for the Date with the Smithereens album.

However the different 12, we didn’t launch or re-record. They simply sat in our vault for all these years. And I assume it was round COVID time after we have been all hanging out at dwelling. We have been going by our cabinets. And I’ve a DAT tape. You keep in mind DAT tapes? Digital Audio Tapes. Possibly among the youthful listeners don’t know what I’m speaking about. However that was the best way you’ll, earlier than you could possibly burn a CD, this was the best way you could possibly digitally archive or grasp, in some instances, your document. So, I had a DAT of those 12 songs. And sadly, the DAT performed, typically they have been a bit temperamental. However the tunes held up, we thought.

They have been well-recorded, and so they have been good songs, and our performances have been fairly good, we thought. So, we thought it held collectively as an album. We had lots of pictures from these classes. We put collectively a bundle and determined to place it on the market. And lo and behold, it acquired a very wonderful response. However we have been fairly shocked.

We thought it was a high quality album. However some individuals have been saying, it’s our greatest album, and why’d you wait so lengthy? We have been very, very shocked and happy on the response that that album acquired. Yeah, it was enjoyable to see that album come to life in any case these years.

Is there anything within the archives you assume you would possibly put out? 

Yeah, there’s tons of stuff. It’s simply acquired to make the time to cope with it. However there are lots of archival releases that can come out from us. And we’re gearing as much as make a brand new studio album of all authentic new materials.

When can we anticipate that?

Subsequent 12 months, in ’25. We began recording just a few tracks already, and we’ll be doing extra. And it’s only a matter of discovering the time proper now. It’s been type of a busy 12 months for us, professionally and personally. So, we’re hoping to clear the deck and refocus on it early within the new 12 months.

Are you going to have Marshall or Robin singing?

Yeah, we hope to have each of them. And Jimmy and I might be singing. And likewise, we’re going to be doing a little reveals in ’25. We’ve performed one already with John Cowsill of the Cowsills singing lead with us. So, he would possibly take part on that as properly. So yeah, we’re enthusiastic about it.

You guys have been iNFLuenced by many artists – The Beatles, The Who, Kinks, Springsteen. However for you as a drummer, who do you look as much as as a drummer?

Oh, my goodness, there’s so many. I imply, I all the time must say Ringo. He’s nonetheless any individual I hearken to for inspiration. I really like the best way he addresses a tune. I really like his really feel, his sense of swing, and his sense of his type. He’s actually the final word rock and roll drummer. Then there’s guys like Earl Palmer from New Orleans who invented rock and roll drumming. Hal Blaine, one other nice studio drummer.

Buddy Saltzman, a New York Session drummer who performed on the 4 Seasons data. Roger Hawkins from Muscle Shoals, the large inspiration to me. Dino Danelli from The Rascals.

Kenny Jones from The Small Faces. Charlie Watts, Keith Moon, Mitch Mitchell. I can go on and on. We might in all probability speak for an hour about that.

Just about everyone you grew up with.

That’s proper. And naturally, the Motown drummers, you recognize, and Al Jackson. Yeah, precisely. It’s who I grew up with as a result of we’re all self-taught. We admire the individuals who taught us, which have been the individuals who performed on the data we listened to after we have been youngsters.

Had been you one in all these youngsters who stayed in your bed room or in your basement working towards every single day?

After I was a child, yeah, man. I couldn’t wait to get dwelling from faculty and throw my books down, run within the basement, placed on a Gary Lewis and the Playboys document or no matter, and play together with it. It’s, I imply, I actually began educating myself once I was about two or three years previous. I picked up again then. There have been these toys known as Lincoln Logs, these wood sticks that you could possibly construct like log cabins with, little toy log cabins or Tinker Toys. I don’t know in the event you keep in mind these, however I’d take these and play on espresso cans.

And American Bandstand, a terrific TV present that was on every single day that Dick Clark would spotlight the highest songs of the day. And so, as slightly child from watching TV, I used to be turned on to this. I gravitated in direction of the rhythm of the songs. And actually, once I was very younger, I knew I used to be going to be a drummer. So, that is only a lifelong ardour for all of us.

Is there something in life that you just haven’t performed but or that you just’d wish to attempt? Or are there any hobbies you do moreover music?

Is there something? It’s principally music associated. I imply, once I was a child, in the event you requested me, what do you need to be once you develop up? I wished to play drums. And I wished to be a disc jockey. That was an enormous factor for me once I was slightly child. And I did get to do this. And I nonetheless get to do it from time to time. I’m a employees member at WFMU, Freeform Listener Supported Station in New Jersey.

And I’ve been doing fill-ins on that station since 1996. After which through the lockdown, through the pandemic, I acquired to have my very own present known as Denny’s Den on one in all their streams. It was a streaming present on the Rock and Soul stream. The archives are nonetheless up. If anyone goes to WFMU.org and goes to the Rock and Soul archives, you could find Denny’s Den there and listen to all my reveals.

I should go test it out.

Yeah. So these have been the issues that I wished to do. And, you recognize, I by no means have been into Sports activities or looking, or issues like that. However my spouse is mostly a nice prepare dinner and he or she’s a gardener. When she retires, I feel I’d wish to spend time together with her doing that type of stuff. However these, you recognize, these are my ambitions.

I wish to play drums. I like to write down songs. And I wish to play data. That’s actually what I dig do. I wish to learn. However I don’t have any lofty ambitions past that, actually.

I reside on the Canadian facet, as I stated earlier. Do you guys have any plans on coming over right here?

I want. Nothing proper now. However I’ve all the time liked taking part in in Canada. We began, I feel the primary time we performed in Canada was 1985 or perhaps 86. We performed Lee’s Palace in Toronto. Do not forget that place?

And on our first main tour, our first tour to advertise Particularly For You, we did a fairly wild tour of Canada. We began on the East Coast and this was wintertime and we drove by the Rockies, making stops heading west. That’s a wonderful drive, man. We had an RV. It was slightly dodgy. However I keep in mind loving spending time in Canada.

And my spouse and I spent a very good a part of our honeymoon there. We went to Niagara Falls and went to Toronto and Montreal and some different locations. I’ve an actual delicate spot in my coronary heart for Canada. I actually do find it irresistible. I do hope we get to come back again there.

We hope so too, as a result of that may be nice to see you guys coming over and even when it’s only a small tour of Southern Ontario or one thing, as a result of there’s lots of locations you could possibly nonetheless play at. We’d like to have you ever guys.

Properly, that’d be nice. Do you keep in mind a spot, I don’t know if that is earlier than your time or not, however a spot in Oshawa known as The Star Membership. Do you do not forget that?

I’ve heard of it, however I’ve by no means been there, so I couldn’t let you know if it’s nonetheless there or not.

Yeah, I’ve a sense it’s not as a result of I do know the proprietor handed away just a few years in the past…Lee’s Palace and The Star Membership have been our first gigs in Canada. I feel that was 85 or 86. So these have been adventures for us again within the day. , it was crossing the border and all that and going into it.

Thanks on your time. I’m trying ahead to seeing you guys subsequent Wednesday on the Riviera Theatre. 

Oh, nice. Come by and say hi there.

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