Classic retro-rockers The Smithereens will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a special homecoming concert next month in their birthplace of Carteret, N.J., as well as with a retrospective performance at frontman Pat DiNizio’s fifth-annual Halloween bash in late October.
On Sept. 4, the band — original members DiNizio, Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken, plus bassist Severo Jornacion, who replaced Mike Mesaros in 2006 — will be honored by the borough of Carteret at its Children’s Chairty Carnival and Ethnic Day Festival. The band is slated to perform at 5 p.m., following an opening set by the Carteret High School Show Band.
Then, on Oct. 30, DiNizio will host his annual Halloween party at the Italian American Hall in his hometown of Scotch Plains, N.J., with a special appearance by Graham Parker and the Smithereens “performing their greatest hits, deep album tracks, selections from Tommy and songs from their two great Beatles’ tribute albums.”
The Smithereens reportedly are working on their first album of all-new material since 1999’s God Save the Smithereens; in recent years, the band has instead focused on tribute albums, releasing two collections of early-period Beatles covers and a full-album recreation of The Who’s classic rock opera Tommy.
