The Smithereens

The Smithereens are a band I grew up with and have always loved. They're part of the soundtrack to my childhood! They were some of the moodier 80s music that I was allowed to listen to growing up - The Who was just a little to dark for my family. I've always loved their brand of 80s rock, I wouldn't even call it pop unless making the top 40 puts a band in that category willingly or not. Listening to them always brings me way, way back to my elementary school days and those were good times.

I had the opportunity recently to catch them at the B. B. King Club up in New York back in January. It's a tiny venue, very personal, and perfect for the likes of the Smithereens. They did rock the crowd, but they also settled them down so quiet you could almost hear a pin drop. They had the crowd's emotions in the palm of their hands. It's awesome to hear how after more than 20 years a band this epic still has the stage presence and mastery of the crowd the way they still have it. I hope they keep on playing, and draw another generation into their music that's standing the test of time.