The Smithereens (General Seating Still Available)

The Smithereens formed in 1980 with members Pat DiNizio (vocals & guitar), Jim Babjak (guitar & vocals), Mike Mesaros (bass guitar & vocals), and Dennis Diken (drums & percussion). This lineup continued until 2006, when Mesaros left the band and Severo Jornacion took over on bass guitar. They released the near-perfect “Especially for You” in July 1986, and FM rock radio was quick to embrace the moody “Blood and Roses” and the hard-hitting “Behind the Wall of Sleep,” both of which reached Billboard magazine’s Album Rock Tracks chart. Produced by Jersey guy Ed Stasium, the muscular and melodic 11 would be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, and the powerhouse single “A Girl Like You” would peak at No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. The rest of the ’90s were a whirlwind of activity for the band: regular touring, changing record labels, more albums, some side projects as well as appearances on such TV staples as The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live.