New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Our Favorite Stories In Music: Makin Waves with The Smithereens: 'Nothing More Precious than Friendship and Family'

originally published: 01/24/2022

New Jersey Stage published its 25,000th story in December 2021. As the site approached the milestone, we posed the question on social media as how we should celebrate.  One response was to highlight our favorite stories from over the years.  We liked this idea, but could not narrow things down to just 25 favorites so we will present a favorite each day from different genres. Every Monday we feature one of our favorite stories in music. This week's choice is Bob Makin's deep dive interview with The Smithereens in 2019.

The interview was published October 3, 2019 and is available here. It took place a few weeks before the legendary band would be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and a few months before they would begin celebrating their 40th anniversary. 

During a three-hour tour of Carteret (their original hometown) followed by a sit-down interview with Dennis Diken and Jim Babjak, who still live in Jersey – Bergen and Monmouth counties respectively -- then a phone interview with Mike Mesaros from his residence in the San Francisco area, Bob chatted about the band’s history, loss of Pat DiNizio, bright future with Robin Wilson of The Gin Blossoms and Marshall Crenshaw (as lead singers), and, of course, their NJHOF induction. 




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Indigenous

Indigenous

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's Part 2

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Bria

Bria Skonberg

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

KC

KC and the Sunshine Band

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

The

The Hit Men: The Ultimate Rock Concert

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

City

City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour

(NEW YORK, NY) -- City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. Join them for an immersive 8-glass wine tasting perfectly paired with the revolutionary sounds of Sly & The Family Stone—featuring special guest Vernon Reid, legendary guitarist and founder of Living Colour. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night where rhythm meets the vine.



Blue

Blue Curtain presents Fabiola Méndez and Her Band on July 19th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Blue Curtain's free summer concert series continues on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 8:00pm with a performance by trailblazing Puerto Rican cuatrista, singer, and Emmy-nominated composer Fabiola Méndez at the Pettoranello Gardens Amphitheater in Princeton.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Hanson

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Hanson on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 7:00pm. Over their first 28 years as the band Hanson, brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson have made a significant mark in music.



A

A Brother's Revival: Celebrating the Legendary Sound of the Allman Brothers Band Live at Drew University

(MADISON, NJ) -- Get ready to experience the timeless legacy of the Allman Brothers Band like never before, as A Brother's Revival takes the stage at Drew University Concert Hall on Thursday, September 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. This high-caliber tribute band honors the spirit and soul of one of America's most iconic rock groups with a performance brimming with power, precision, and heart.



Lizzie

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 7:30pm. Griffin is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller. Touring and making records for over 20 years, House has a discography that includes over 13 albums.