Formed in New Jersey in 1980, The Smithereens have been delivering electrifying rock 'n' roll for over four decades. Originally from Carteret, guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken, and bassist Mike Mesaros grew up together, while lead singer Pat DiNizio hailed from Scotch Plains. Known for their high-energy, no-holds-barred sound, The Smithereens’ music has struck a chord with fans worldwide across 17 albums and over 2,500 live performances. Their catalog includes classic records like Especially for You, Green Thoughts, 11, A Date with The Smithereens, and 2011, with hits such as “Blood and Roses,” “Only a Memory,” “Behind the Wall of Sleep,” and “A Girl Like You.” Their most recent release, COVERS, is an album of 22 of the band’s favorite songs originally recorded by other artists. Collectively, The Smithereens’ albums across labels like Capitol, RCA, Sony, Koch, and eOne have sold over 5 million copies globally.

The band initially cut their teeth performing in clubs across the New Jersey/New York City area, from the iconic Kenny’s Castaways in Greenwich Village to the Court Tavern and Stone Pony in New Jersey. Their extensive touring has taken them from coast to coast, with memorable performances at venues like the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, and the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey, as well as international stops in Europe and Australia. Over the years, The Smithereens have shared the stage with acts such as Tom Petty, Squeeze, The Pretenders, Lou Reed, and The Ramones.

Widely regarded as one of the architects of the alternative rock scene, The Smithereens have influenced generations of musicians, including Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, who named them as a major inspiration in his diaries. The band’s music also gained significant exposure through frequent rotation on MTV, and they made numerous appearances on major TV shows like The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and MTV Unplugged. Their songs have been featured in popular films such as Bull Durham, Backdraft, Encino Man, Time Cop, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Boys Don’t Cry, and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. Additionally, The Smithereens made a cameo in the cult classic Class of Nuke’em High, and their music has been used in commercials for brands like Dairy Queen and Nissan Maxima.

In addition to their musical achievements, The Smithereens have supported a wide range of charitable causes, raising funds and awareness for organizations focused on 9/11 families, food banks, homeless shelters, HIV/AIDS, pediatric cancer, Parkinson’s, and more. They’ve also been active in supporting the Pat DiNizio Music Performance Scholarship at the Count Basie Center for the Performing Arts.

After the passing of Pat DiNizio in 2017, the remaining members made the decision to continue The Smithereens’ legacy, performing with guest vocalists such as Marshall Crenshaw, John Cowsill of The Cowsills, and Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms. With this unique approach, The Smithereens have kept the spirit of the band alive, entertaining fans across the U.S. and around the world.

In 2019, The Smithereens were inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, in recognition of their musical achievements. Prior to that, Babjak and Diken were inducted into the White Castle Hall of Fame for their performance of “White Castle Blues,” written by Babjak and Bob Banta.

In 2025, The Smithereens re-released their album 2011 on vinyl and CD. A deluxe addition of the album was released on all streaming services.

Today, The Smithereens are featured in the Grammy Museum’s New Jersey Legends exhibit and continue to tour, with new music planned for release in 2026. The Smithereens will proudly mark their 46th year in ‘26, an extraordinary milestone as one of the longest-running bands in rock history.