THE SMITHEREENS WINTER TOUR 2012

Band Available For Interviews In Advance of Shows, Which Feature Special Guest Keyboardist Andy Burton!


The Smithereens are kicking off the new year with something special for their fans. From January 13-21, The Smithereens Winter Tour 2012 will feature special guest Andy Burton on keyboards! Singer/guitarist Pat DiNizio, guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken, and bassist Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion are excited to share the stage with Andy, who's played with Ian Hunter, Robert Plant and Southside Johnny (to name just a few). It's the first time The Smithereens have had a keyboard player in the band, and they're going to take advantage of their expanded sound by digging deep into their catalog for some rarely heard tracks to complement their fan-pleasing set that features 30 years of hits and songs from their critically acclaimed current album "SMITHEREENS 2011."

The new album, "2011" reunited the Smithereens with producer Don Dixon (R.E.M.) who helmed the group's first two albums, the power-pop masterpiece ESPECIALLY FOR YOU and GREEN THOUGHTS. USA TODAY's BRIAN MANSFIELD wrote, "From start to finish, '2011' is classic Smithereens: Marshall-amped post-mod power-pop."  Little Steven's Underground Garage channel on Sirius XM dubbed the single "Sorry" "as the coolest song on the planet."  FRESH AIR & NPR commentator Ken Tucker, said, "'2011' is hypnotic...everything in Smithereens world is like a film noir shot in psychedelic colors.  A great Rock 'n' Roll band!"  And the Chicago Sun Times declared, "The Smithereens haven't aged a day."

The Smithereens first performed in March 1980 in Hillside, N.J. Over the next five years, the group played both in the States and overseas, and released the EPs: GIRLS ABOUT TOWN (1980) and BEAUTY AND SADNESS (1983), and did a stint as Otis Blackwell's backup band.  Pat sent a cassette of the band’s material to Enigma Records, which was distributed by Capitol/EMI. The executive, who signed them, was a fan of the band's when he was in college radio. The Smithereens finally had a record deal.  ESPECIALLY FOR YOU was released in July 1986.  GREEN THOUGHTS, 11 followed, all netting top 40 hits.  It's said that Nirvana's Kurt Cobain listened to the Smithereens as he wrote 'NEVERMIND."

In all, the group's releasd nine albums, with titles that include GOD SAVE THE SMITHEREENS, ATTACK OF THE SMITHEREENS (RARITIES), A DATE WITH THE SMITHEREENS. The Smithereens have two gold albums, have sold 6 million albums worldwide. They have appeared on every major television show including SNL, Tonight Show, Arsenio Hall, and live on National Public Radio.  Such memorable Smithereens songs as "Girl Like You," "Blood & Roses," and "Only A Memory" have become FM staples.


THE SMITHEREENS' EAST COAST DATES

Fri., Jan. 13:  Rams Head Tavern, Annapolis, MD   
Sat., Jan. 14: The State Theatre, Falls Church, VA  
Fri.,  Jan.  20: World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
Sat., Jan. 21: BB King Blues Club, New York, NY  

The Smithereens on the road in January

I'm promoting shows for the Smithereens' January 2012 tour. Leadsinger Pat Dinizio, drummer Dennis Diken, guitarist Jim Babjak, and bassist Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion will be available for interviews. Dates are: Rams Head (1/13), The State Theater (1/14), World Cafe Live, Philly (1/20), and BB King Blues Club (1/21).

(Our friends in Las Vegas should check out Pat's Confessions of a Rock Star, Wednesdays through Mondays at the Riviera Hotel Casio. http://www.rivierahotel.com/las-vegas-entertainment/confessions-of-a-rock-star/)

The Smithereens - Jim, Dennis, Pat, The Thrilla


A new video from the Smithereens' called "Sorry."

http://www.officialsmithereens.com

I'm seeking funding for a video teaser of an episodic documentary I'm producing called BECOMING AMERICAN.

Attached to it are: Pete Seeger and members of the Smithereens, and Jann Klose.

The focus is on musical immigrants and their contribution to the United States. The show fuses music and civics.

Generally I fund my own projects or am paid to create books, magazines, events, marketing campaigns, or do speeches.  This project is something I've initiated and have gotten far enough to realize that we have a shot, and it includes folks in the TV industry willing to look at it. My track record of successful projects through the years and my multi-media history is support that my team and I can make BECOMING AMERICAN happen.

The next level requires specialty work--especially from TV production people (camera, sound and editing: folks who are masters at creating quality TV work, including field production). Thus the budget calls for $3500.  Anything over that will help with marketing, legal, and office expenses.
  
Please donate to the BECOMING AMERICAN, THE TEASER.  There are some intriguing fan exclusives at
http://thecomingofbecomingamerican.blogspot.com/

(Help fund my TV project to get the Smithereens all over your TV.)

THE SMITHEREENS 30TH ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING CONCERT, IN CARTERET SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Contact: Anne Leighton
718-881-8183
LeightonMedia@aol.com
www.officialsmithereens.com
http://www.myspace.com/officialsmithereens

Contact for Children's Charity & Ethnic Day Festival
732-541-3801
732-541-3817
www.carteret.net

THE SMITHEREENS 30TH ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING CONCERT, IN CARTERET SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
(Hometown Favorites to Perform and Receive Keys to Borough at Children's Charity Carnival & Ethnic Day Festival)

Carteret, NJ Mayor Dan Reiman and the Carteret Business Partnership will be presenting the Smithereens' 30th Anniversary Homecoming Concert in true New Jersey style at Carteret Park, Elmora Ave, in Carteret, on September 4 at 8 PM.

The concert is part of the Children's Charity Carnival & Ethnic Day Festival, which begins at 5 PM with special guest performances. Fireworks will follow The Smithereens. The event is free to the public.

In conjunction with the Festival, the group and their parents--many immigrants--will be honored. Very heartfelt is the story of The Smithereens' guitarist Jim Babjak and his parents who struggled in a Hungarian refugee camp.

Mayor Daniel J. Reiman will present the hometown heroes, The Smithereens with keys to the borough of Carteret. Says Mayor Reiman, “As some of New Jersey’s homegrown rock n’ roll heroes, the Smithereens will provide for a very special highlight to our already popular Ethnic Day festival, and allow for a memorable evening that will join them as a part of our local history." The phone numbers for the Festival are 732-541-3801 and 732-541-3817.

It all started at Carteret Park for the Smithereens 30 years ago with Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken, and original bassist Mike Mesaros (who is now living in San Frncisco and invited to the ceremony). Singer/guitarist Pat DiNizio joined a few weeks later. Bassist Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion joined the group four years ago.

Recently the group released "The Smithereens Play Tommy," a tribute to the landmark rock opera The Who's Tommy.

The Smithereens has released 7 albums -- and reaching Gold and Platinum status along the way -- during their career, spawned several Top 40 radio hits, including, "A Girl Like You," "Too Much Passion," "Blood and Roses" and more. It's said that Nirvana's Kurt Cobain listened to the Smithereens as he wrote 'NEVERMIND."