THE SMITHEREENS

Since their formation in Carteret, New Jersey in 1980, The Smithereens have earned a reputation as one of America’s most enduring rock bands. Founding members Pat DiNizio (vocals/guitar), Jim Babjak (guitar/vocals), Mike Mesaros (bass/vocals), and Dennis Diken (drums/vocals) built a distinctive sound rooted in the melodic punch of the British Invasion, fused with the raw energy of American garage rock. The result was a catalog of timeless songs that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

The band’s breakthrough came with the 1986 release of Especially for You, featuring the modern rock classics “Blood and Roses” and “Behind the Wall of Sleep.” Critical acclaim and radio success soon followed with Green Thoughts (1988) and 11 (1989), albums that delivered charting singles including “Only a Memory,” “A Girl Like You,” and “Too Much Passion.”  

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, The Smithereens became fixtures on MTV, college radio, and mainstream rock stations, while touring extensively with artists such as Tom Petty, Lou Reed, and The Pretenders. 

Celebrated for their muscular live performances, The Smithereens have always stayed true to their roots while expanding their reach. Their body of work includes not only original material but also acclaimed tributes to their musical heroes, including full-length homages to The Beatles and The Who, affirming their place in the lineage of classic rock. 

Following the passing of frontman Pat DiNizio in 2017, Babjak, Mesaros, and Diken made the decision to honor his memory by continuing to perform and record. Joined by guest vocalists such as Robin Wilson (Gin Blossoms), John Cowsill (from the Cowsills & Beach Boys) and Marshall Crenshaw, the band continues to bring their celebrated songs to both longtime fans and new generations. The band’s latest album is THE LOST ALBUM featuring previously unreleased sessions with Pat DiNizio.

Today, The Smithereens stand as a vital, influential force in American rock— defined by ringing guitars, unforgettable hooks, and a spirit of resilience that ensures their music remains as powerful and relevant as ever.

The Making of The Sonny Wilsons

and their debut album ‘Maybe’

Before there was a band, there was the setup for a classic joke format. It went something like this, “An airline pilot and a judge walk into a bar…”

Captain Adam D. Yancey and the Honorable Allen B. Couch, Jr., first met in college in the late 80’s when they were introduced by some mutual friends to form a band for a one-off show at a frat party. After graduation, Adam became a banker and continued to perform over the years, eventually gutting his way through flight school on “$100 a man (or less!) gigs” and tip jar money. Allen went on to a legal career that ultimately led to the bench.  While he didn’t perform in public, Allen remained a musical hobbyist, occasionally strumming a guitar or knocking around on the drums at home.

They kept up over the years, playing a few songs together here and there but nothing serious. That all began to change when they walked into that bar… Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis. 

The Posies were playing the venue as part of their 30th anniversary tour and offered a number of fan experiences, including the opportunity to be a “Posie for a song.” That became Allen’s 50th birthday present to himself. Adam was in the audience.

Afterwards, Allen thought he made a great memory but nothing more. However, within a few months, he was arranging a house show for Jon Auer followed by doing guitar tech work for a Big Star Third performance in late 2019 which included Jon, Jody Stephens, Mike Mills and Mitch Easter among others. It was immediately after the show that Adam approached Allen with the idea of putting on a power pop festival.  But that’s its own story…  During the conversation he suggested the two write some songs and form a band to play in this one off show. 

As those projects started to move forward, the Covid pandemic intervened. With the festival put on hold, they used the downtime to work on their music. Adam had collected a number of songs over the years, but Allen was essentially starting from scratch. The two set up home studios and started recording and sharing demos. Adam provided vocals and guitar while Allen played guitar in addition to being a one man rhythm section. 

This is the point in the story where things take an unlikely turn. The original intent was to work up enough original songs for a short live set and find some musicians to fill out a band. At no point was an album ever discussed. Ever! As the demos progressed, they felt like they were onto something and Allen suggested they run some of their songs by Jon. Acutely aware that the pandemic shutdown was keeping musicians off the road, it was an opportunity to show support to the industry while gaining insight from a musical influence. 

Those initial consultations, really meant to get nothing more than feedback, inspired them to keep writing and the decision was made to move forward on an album with Jon at the helm. Jon’s role went well beyond producer though. For the album, he was a de facto member of the band, performing and co-writing throughout. There were a handful of guest musicians, including Jody Stephens of Big Star, Brett Harris and future Sonny Wilson members Danny McGregor (Lately David) and Chris Swenson (Megawhat, Black Oak Arkansas).  But the bulk of the album was performed by Adam, Jon and Allen. The live band would eventually include McGregor, Swenson and bassist Johnny Norris (Crash Into June, Your Academy). 

 Drum tracking was done at Ardent studio and several guitar tracks were recorded at High/Low Recording.  But most of the guitars and all of the vocals were recorded in their respective home studios over several zoom sessions and “homework assignments”.   

Adam and Allen had never experienced anything remotely close to studio work.  Jon led them through and provided an unbelievable experience.  Maybe you’ve taken the tour at Sun Studios and retraced the steps taken by Elvis, Johnny, Jerry Lee and Carl.  It’s pretty amazing to think you’re sharing the same space as those legends.  Now amplify that and actually perform at Ardent, a studio that has hosted our personal favorites Big Star, R.E.M. and The Replacements, not to mention dozens and dozens of other rock, blues and soul icons.  Imagine looking up from your guitar and seeing Jody Stephens playing YOUR song using the same kit that appears on the Big Star albums.  

Jon took a semi-novice and a complete novice and coaxed a really fun album out of them.

The Sonny Wilsons are:

Adam Yancey: Lead vocal and guitar

Allen Couch: Drums

Chris Swenson: Guitar and backing vocals

Danny McGregor: Guitar

Johnny Norris: Bass

Find us on the web at:

Facebook:  @sonnywilsons

Instagram: @the_sonny_wilsons

Streaming: https://thesonnywilsons.hearnow.com

thesonnywilsons.bandcamp.com/

koolkatmusik.com/

When semi-legendary Memphis power pop band crash into june acrimoniously split in 2005, founding member and bass player Johnny Norris clinged to hop that the band would one day regroup to make one more great album to compliment its critically acclaimed releases from blind to blue (1999) and Another Vivid Scene  (2002). While reunion shows in 2013 and 2016 sparked hope, a group commitment to record again never materialized. And, when Norris’ efforts to reform the band in August 2019 to celebrate his birthday were rebuffed by the latest incarnation of the group, it appeared that all hope of another CIJ- related recording was extinguished.

Enter guitarist Chris Gafford and drummer Dan Shumake, both who appeared on CIJ’s debut release, from blind to blue. Since leaving crash into june, Gafford and Shumake remained active in the Memphis music scene and had joined Stephen Burns’ most recent incarnation of The Scruffs. When approached, the two eagerly signed on to join Norris for an August 2019 performance of crash into june songs and other power pop classics. But, the question remained: who would sing?

Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Brandon McGovern cut his teeth on the soul and blues sound of the city. With a love for The Beatles and 60’s garage bands, he spent his early years playing in various bands, including Madison Treehouse, which played many shows with crash into june throughout the 90’s on Memphis’ famed Highland Strip. 

Enter Adam Hill. Hill is affectionately known in power pop circles as “The Big Star Archivist” having assisted Ardent Studios founder, the late John Fry, with locating, transferring and mixing long lost Big Star and Chris Bell tracks for inclusion on box sets released in the early 2000’s. Adam also plays guitar in The Scruffs and is an accomplished recording engineer having worked with Jack White, Cat Power, Klaus Voorman, Low Cut Connie, and, of course, Big Star. Adam signed on to play lead guitar and record Your Academy.

Under Hill's tutelage, Your Academy recorded and released in 2021 their debut self-titled album, which they self-describe as the resurrection of Memphis power pop. In 2024, the band followed up their self-titled release with the cheekily titled #2 Record, a not-so-subtle homage to Memphis legends Big Star's classic #1 Record.  At this year's Memphis PowerPop Festival, Your Academy is celebrating the release of their third full length album, which is available for purchase at the merchandise table along with other Your Academy goodies.

Joybomb is a fiery alt-rock band from Memphis, TN, blending pop-punk, indie, and post-hardcore into a sound that’s explosive and anthemic. With electrifying live shows and razor-sharp hooks, they tackle everything from consumer culture and political theatre to tragic romance.   

Since their 2022 debut album American Cult Candy, Joybomb has pulled no punches - the quartet has cranked up their punk-fueled energy with a new lineup and string of singles in ‘25.  

Their music delivers an emotive thrill-ride marked by urgent anthems, catchy riffs, and socially charged angst. 

Drawing from late '90s and early '00s Warped Tour vibes, think Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio, and Motion City Soundtrack, with a modern edge and attitude like White Reaper, Spiritual Cramp, and Amyl & the Sniffers.  

Recent Joybomb highlights  include opening for Third Eye Blind, being featured on Apple Music editorial playlists All New Punk and Negative Space, playing Riverbeat Music Fest 2025 alongside acts like The Killers and Cage The Elephant, being nominated Best Local Band by the Memphis Flyer for a third year running, and closing out the year with a third single from their upcoming sophomore LP .