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3/25/2008
Guitar fans will want to check out a new interview with Jim at GuitarVibe.com. Jim discusses his musical influences, shares some interesting gig stories, and talks about his guitars and his sound. Check it out HERE!
10/10/2007
A message from Jim for folks who purchased the new CD from the band web site:
The Christmas CD is here and the CD-only orders have been sent out. However, we're still waiting for the postcards to arrive, so those of you who ordered this option will get the CD and postcard as soon as they become available.
Thanks for your patience!
Jim
9/22/2007
October 9, 2007 - Mark your calendars! It's the release date of the NEW Smithereens Christmas CD! Get that and other goodies right HERE!
6/6/2007
Jim and The Smithereens have contributed a track to the Sandinista Project, a tribute to the Clash's Sandinista. The boys cover "Up In Heaven", and you can purchase the CD HERE!
4/15/2007
Check out a Quicktime video of a performance of "Only A Memory" from San Francisco HERE.
3/29/2007
The Smithereens appearance on NPR's "World Cafe" will be broadcast starting on Wednesday, April 11th, 2007. For a station and broadcast time in your area, check out the World Cafe Web Site.
1/4/2007
Happy New Year! Just days away from the release of "Meet The Smithereens" and news shows added. More information at the Show Page!.
11/23/2006
Three new shows added for 2007 in California! More information at the Show Page!.
11/8/2006
Here's the press release for the NEW band release coming in 2007.
NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) --
November 07, 2006 -- KOCH Records announces the release of "Meet
The Smithereens!," the new album by New Jersey's The Smithereens in
January 2007. Paying homage to The Beatles' groundbreaking album,
"Meet The Beatles!," the Smithereens have rerecorded the album
in its entirety, and the result is a fun and nostalgic trip through 12
classic songs done Smithereens style. The CD also features liner notes
by legendary promoter Sid Bernstein, musician (and some would say
musicologist) Lenny Kaye, Beatles historians Bruce Spizer, Dennis
Mitchell and Andy Babiuk, author of the fantastic book, "Beatles
Gear."
Having
released 7 albums -- and reaching Gold and Platinum status along the way
-- during their career, the Smithereens spawned several Top 40 radio
hits, including, "A Girl Like You," "Too Much
Passion," "Blood and Roses" and more.
The
Smithereens return with an affectionate tribute to one of their favorite
bands, The Beatles. "Meet The Beatles!" influenced not only
their musical style, but arguably influenced the style of every rock
band since the album's initial release in January of 1964.
"Meet
The Beatles!" was the Fab Four's second album, but their first
official U.S. release. But unlike its British counterpart "With The
Beatles!," which was comprised mostly of cover songs, "Meet
the Beatles!" featured songs written by John Lennon and Paul
McCartney, and proved to be mind-shattering to music fans in an age in
which artists rarely wrote their own material.
Smithereens
drummer Dennis Diken says, "'Meet the Beatles!' was a call to arms
to an army of musically-inclined kids across the nation. There was no
turning back after hearing this LP and seeing the Beatles on the 'Ed
Sullivan Show.' We were instantly hipped to the fact that there can
never be anything cooler than playing in a rock n roll band."
The
tracklisting:
1. I Want to Hold Your Hand 7. Don't Bother Me
2. I Saw Her Standing There 8. Little Child
3. This Boy 9. 'Till There Was You
4. It Won't Be Long 10. Hold Me Tight
5. All I've Got To Do 11. I Wanna Be Your Man
6. All My Lovin' 12. Not A Second Time
About KOCH Records
KOCH
Records is a division of KOCH Entertainment, the fastest-growing music
company and the market leader among independents in North America. The
KOCH Entertainment corporate umbrella encompasses the KOCH Records
label, KOCH Vision home video, KOCH Music Publishing and KOCH
Entertainment Distribution with operations in both the U.S. and Canada.
KOCH Records proudly claims the largest number of Billboard charting
albums among independents for each of the last five years (2001-2005).
For additional info on the KOCH Records label and its roster of artists,
please visit www.kochrecords.com
8/8/2006
UPDATE The 8/16 show on the Blues Cruise NY is scheduled for 7:00PM. One show only, so be there when the S.S. Smithereens sails! More information at the Show Page!.
6/24/2006
Jim and Pat will be performing at the GREAT "Concerts In The Studio" series in Freehold, NJ. Tickets are limited so get them NOW! It will be an event NOT to miss.
5/6/2006
Two new Smithereens shows added for the summer! Details at the Smithereens Show Page! DON'T FORGET- Jim will be appearing at the 1st Annual Pat Dinizio Memorial Day Weekend House Concert, Picnic, & Fan Jam at the Dinizio Homestead in Scotch Plains, NJ. Details can be found HERE.
4/25/2006
New Smithereens shows added for the summer months. See Jim and the Smithereens in your town this summer! Details at the Smithereens Show Page.
3/20/2006
New show in Wisconsin announced. See Jim and the Smithereens in your town this summer! Details at the Smithereens Show Page.
2/26/2006
Smithereens rock Norfolk Harborfest in June and Chicago in October! Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
1/24/2006
New Smithereens show added for April in Pennsylvania! Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
1/17/2006
New Smithereens show added for August in Aurora, Illinois! Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
11/22/2005
A message from Jim:
Thanks to everyone who attended our show in Tacoma, WA at
Jazzbones! I had a wonderful time. The audience and staff at the venue
were outstanding. I know some of you traveled from a great
distance to see the show. We truly appreciate it!
I hope to see you again soon.
11/4/2005
My friend David Kamp, who penned "The Rock Snob's Dictionary" wrote a wonderful article in the November issue of GQ magazine. The story is called "My Father the Car." Check it out if you can. This heartfelt story takes place in New Brunswick, NJ in the same town where I once owned a record store.
In White Castle news...To kick off the 2006 celebration of White Castle's 85th Anniversary, they've released a new recipe cook book called "By the Sackful: A Scrapbook with Recipes from 85 Years of White Castle Craving." Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Turkeys 4 America, Inc. - a charity dedicated to proving holiday turkeys to families in need across the country.
The
recipe book is a compilation of recipes, Cravers Hall Of Fame
stories (mine is on page 55 if you happen to see it) and nostalgic
photos from years gone by.
If you think you would enjoy this recipe book, you can buy it online at www.whatyoucrave.com, or you can purchase the book at your local White Castle.
10/16/2005
A review Jim, Kurt and Kristen's house concert appeared in The News Transcript: Trio's First Performance a Winner at House Show by Clare Marie Celano. Also in the news is a review of Rhino Records "Children of Nuggets" collection featuring some tracks by the Smithereens, check it out HERE.
9/23/2005
A message from Jim:
I’d like to thank everyone who came to my first house concert on September 17th featuring Kurt Reil and Kristen Pinell. It was a real blast and the turnout was fantastic. The pot luck dinners were great and the hospitality couldn’t be beat. We played original songs by the Grip Weeds, The Smithereens, Buzzed Meg. Of course we had to throw in a few choice cover songs including “No Expectations” by the Rolling Stones. It was a real gas for me to play slide guitar on that one.
We will definitely be doing more of these intimate shows in the future.
The show was taped for a possible CD release, so I will keep you updated with that information as soon as Kurt, Kristen and I listen to the tape.
I haven’t forgotten about Buzzed Meg Part 2. I will be working on that as well.
Thanks again for your support.
To be continued….
9/14/2005
An article about Jim's upcoming house concert appeared in today's News Transcript: Concert series to continue with Smithereens guitarist by Clare Marie Celano. There's still time to make plans to attend this very special afternoon! Contact Mark & Elaine Costanzo at 732.462.4828 for more info. Reservation price is $20.00
8/23/2005
New Smithereens show added for September in NJ! It's EARLY so bring the WHOLE family! Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
"Hi everyone.
On Sunday, September 18th at 4 pm I will be playing my first house concert with Kurt Reil and Kristen Pinell of the Grip Weeds. The show will take place in Freehold NJ and you can contact Mark or Elaine Costanzo at 732 462 4828 for details. There will be a pot luck dinner and refreshments also.
We will be playing songs from our respective catalogs and a few choice covers.
I hope you can make it. I’m really looking forward to this show.
A good time is guaranteed!"
7/23/2005
New Smithereens show added for November in the Pacific Northwest! Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
7/1/2005
New Smithereens show added for August! Details at the Smithereens Show Page! Watch for info on a cool show in NJ with Kurt Reil. Kristen Pinnell and Jim for September.
6/17/2005
New Smithereens shows added for July, August and beyond! Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
6/4/05
The Smithereens mourn the passing
of actor Leon
Askin, who was most famous for his role as Gen. Albert Burkhalter in
Hogan's Heroes. Mr. Askin was especially near and dear to the band's
heart because he joined them for the original shoot of "A Girl Like
You," playing the club owner in the video that was banned from
being played on MTV (a 2nd video was eventually shot and aired). Mr.
Askin not only did a professional job on the set, he was a heck of a lot
of fun--the band admired his wit and talent even more after such a
wonderful personal experience with the actor.
5/25/2005
Jim will be appearing with Danny Adlerman for a kids show in Red Bank, NJ on June 5, at 3:30PM. Check out the LINKS page, new new cool Tex approved sites added!
5/6/2005
New Smithereens shows added for June in Virginia, July in New York and September in California! Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
3/9/2005
New Smithereens shows added! Check back often as shows are being added for the summer season. Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
3/2/2005
New Smithereens shows added for Colorado in April! Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
2/24/2005
New Smithereens shows added with more to come! Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
2/4/2005
Two new Smithereens shows scheduled and a new date for the snowed out January 22, 2005 show. Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
12/29/2004
For those of you attending the New Year's Eve SMITHEREENS show at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, the band will be playing from approximately 10:15PM until 11:45PM. Details at the Smithereens Show Page!
12/23/2004
Check out the article by Richard J. Shelly which appears today online on the PrincetonInfo site: Jersey’s Smithereens Still Rockin’ - Year in, Year Out. And if you haven't made plans yet for New Years Eve, hopefully this piece will remind you why you should be at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ to see THE SMITHEREENS on December 31st!
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12/20/2004 ASBURY LANES~December 17, 2004 Show Review by Rich Firestone
Jim Babjak's BUZZED MEG from left: Jim Babjak, Kurt Reil, Dennis Diken, Kristin Pinell, Vince Grogan (and keyboardist Arne Wendt to left of drums hidden behind Kurt) A big thank you to the many fans who braved the cold during the busy holiday season to catch the BUZZED MEG show this weekend. And cheers to both The Anderson Council and The Safes who shared the stage and rocked the Lanes! |
It was hardly a typical show by anyone's standards. Bowling balls and pins flying to either side, Brando and Lee Marvin in The Wild One on a giant screen at the back, and in the middle, on a square stage stood Jim Babjak's Buzzed Meg, cranking up the amps in the band's first gig in around three years. --Rich Firestone |
12/17/2004
Back in stock and now available through TexMart--a new edition of Jim Babjak's Christmas CD which was compiled in 2001. (see NEWSFLASH from yesterday to see artwork--these CDs will also be available for sale at the gig tonight.).
If you missed out on getting one of the original editions of this special Christmas CD by Jim, here's your second chance! The 3 songs are the same from the first issue, but new artwork has been used for the 2004 edition. So even if you did pick up the original, maybe you still need this re-release for your collection of Tex memorabilia! All signed and numbered, this 2004 release was a very limited DIY production run so grab one while supplies still last! Guaranteed to boost your holiday spirit!
ORDERING deadline for Christmas Delivery: we are shipping immediately on our Christmas merchandise in hopes it lands under your tree in time. Our last shipment will be 12/23. If you want to be certain you have it by Christmas, order right away through PayPal (see TexMart page for more info on using PayPal). We will continue to ship 1st class unless you wish to pay for overnight and then we'd be glad to ship Express Mail for you. Of course, orders will continue to be accepted throughout the holiday season and into the new year until our stock is all gone!
ORDERING deadline for Christmas Delivery: we are shipping immediately on our Christmas merchandise in hopes it lands under your tree in time. Our last shipment will be 12/23. If you want to be certain you have it by Christmas, order right away through PayPal (see TexMart page for more info on using PayPal). We will continue to ship 1st class unless you wish to pay for overnight and then we'd be glad to ship Express Mail for you. Of course, orders will continue to be accepted throughout the holiday season and into the new year until our stock is all gone! |
Also available now through TexMart!
An oldie, but goodie from the band's Archives! THE SMITHEREENS 1995 CHRISTMAS CD If you're tired of hearing the same old holiday stuff, The Smithereens 1995 Christmas CD will be a festive addition to your music collection. For the first time anywhere, three holiday tracks by The Smithereens have been compiled on one CD:
Pressed as the second release on the Smithereens' own D-Tone label, this Christmas CD replicated the 45 label design used for the band's first EP Girls About Town. (Look for the bolt of electricity inside!) The CD includes a color cover and tray card designed by Jim Babjak & Co. especially for this project and is packaged in a jewel box. Now a collectible, this limited edition CD was produced for the 1995 holiday season by The Smithereens Fan Club and is not available anywhere else. If you haven't grabbed one of these to spin during your holidays, now is the time to pick up this exclusive release! |
12/16/2004
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DON'T FORGET...Tomorrow NIGHT! Buzzed Meg makes its triumphant return on Friday 12/17 with the only show of 2004 at Asbury Lanes with The Anderson Council and The Safes. The pins are going to fly at this super cool venue when these bands get together...BE THERE!
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Be the first on your block to have one of these gems in your stocking! All signed and numbered, these CDs will be available for sale at the gig on Friday night. |
12/13/2004
New Smithereens show announced for January
in the Washington DC area -- check it out on our show page!
11/22/2004
We've updated the Links
Page with some new Tex favorites.
11/11/2004
Buzzed Meg makes its triumphant
return with the only show of 2004 at Asbury
Lanes with The Anderson
Council and The Safes.
The pins are going to fly at this super cool venue when these bands get
together...BE THERE! Details right at the Show
Page.
11/10/2004
Tex kicks off the holiday season by adding two song samples from his FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS Christmas EP to the Jukebox Page!
10/15/2004
TV ALERT THIS WEEKEND! On Wednesday 9/22 the band made the rounds of some media outlets promoting the new record "From Jersey It Came". Watch and listen for the band on VH1 Classic, VH1 Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio and the ABC Radio Network in the near future! UPDATE: The VH1 Classic segment is currently scheduled to air on Sunday October 17 at 11:00AM, 12:00 Noon, 11:00PM and 12:00 MIDNIGHT.
8/21/2004
New Smithereens show announced for October in New York City with special guests--check it out on our show page!
7/29/04
URGENT! We regret to announce that the Smithereens show on August 28, 2004 in Washington, DC has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond the band's control. We regret the inconvenience and the band is looking forward to playing in the Washington, DC area in the near future.
7/28/2004
Not Just Any Kind |
The longtime Smithereens cult classic "White Castle Blues" is getting yet another moment of fame!
When the soundtrack for Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle is released this Tuesday 7/27, fans will find a brand new version of "White Castle Blues" on the CD. The entire song was recently re-recorded & re-mixed at the House of Vibes in Highland Park, NJ under the watchful ear of Jim Babjak. As a result, Smithereens aficionados will get a freshly vamped version of WCB for their collection! Written by Jim Babjak & his pal Bob Banta way back in 1977, "White Castle Blues" was a staple on the earliest of Smithereens set lists and later appeared on the band's 1992 re-release of their '86 debut album ESPECIALLY FOR YOU. Fans have craved it many times over the years and the song remains a favorite concert staple today. Writer Dave Hoekstra included this nugget of Smithereens lore in his article "30 things to know about White Castle" which appeared in today's edition of the Chicago Sun Times. It is most unfortunate, however, that while "White Castle Blues" was kept for the soundtrack, it was cut from the final edited version of the film (which opens this Friday 7/30). So we'll have to keep waiting for WCB to make its big screen appearance...maybe it will somehow creep into the DVD release? Let's hope... But for now at least, grab a sack of sliders (or if you want to be official...slyders) and wash 'em down with this new version of a classic Smithereens anthem!
You may recall that Bob Banta submitted the story of this song to White Castle for consideration in their annual contest to induct new members into their Cravers Hall of Fame. That year, over 1800 stories of crave dedication were submitted, but White Castle took note of Jim & Bob's contribution to White Castle history and awarded them one of six spots in 2002's induction class to the Cravers Hall of Fame! In a ceremony held that May 9th at the White Castle home office in Columbus, Ohio, both Bob and Jim were present to accept the esteemed honor in person and entertain the crowd, accompanied by Dennis Diken, with their impromptu version of the song! |
7/22/2004
New Smithereens shows announced for July, August and beyond--check it out on our show page!
5/26/2003
MORE SHOWS FOR 2003! Jim's schedule with the Smithereens has been updated--several new shows are now slated for July and a new date has been added to the band's fall itinerary as well. Also note that the band will appear at an upcoming benefit in early June for NYC club owner Pat Kenny. All details updating previously scheduled shows and announcing new shows are posted on our show page.
NEW ON THE SITE! A brief biography has been added to the site with more features to come this summer.
3/27/2003
NEW ON THE SITE! Visit Jim's new LYRICS page for words to over 30 of his songs.
3/2/2003
NEW ON THE SITE! Visit Jim's new LINKS page for some great web sites to check out!
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NEW IN STORES!
The Smithereens appear on SONGS FROM THE MATERIAL WORLD: A Tribute To George Harrison (KOCH/KOC-CD-8390) covering "I Want To Tell You." Click on the link to hear a song sample of the Smithereens track as well as the other tracks on the album.
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12/26/2002
Jim Babjak's version of his song "[Waking Up On] Christmas Morning," (with bandmates Dennis Diken & Mike Mesaros), originally released on his Christmas EP last year, now appears on another Christmas release for charity: Dan Pavelich's compilation HiFi CHRISTMAS PARTY (on Vandalay Records...yes, it's from SEINFELD!) benefits the Blood Center of Milwaukee and features19 songs by artists including Don Dixon, Ted Ansani (Material Issue), Bill Lloyd, The Spongetones, and Dan's band The Bradburys & many more. The CD is just $12.00 and is available through Not Lame Recordings. You can add another great pop title to your holiday collection and help an important cause at the same time.
The full track listing for the upcoming George Harrison tribute album to be released by KOCH next year is now available online along with the proposed album cover artwork. SONGS FROM THE MATERIAL WORLD, which will feature the track "I Want To Tell You" by the Smithereens, is now scheduled for release 2/25/2003. Click the link on Koch's MAIN page under THE NEWS for more info on this release
12/16/2002
MAILING ADDRESS CHANGE! Please note that as of December 1, 2002, a new mailing address with a different PO Box is in effect for Jim Babjak & the Tex Remy Music Group. All correspondence for Jim or the Smithereens, and all merchandise orders should be sent to: TEX REMY MUSIC GROUP, PO Box 273, Herndon, VA 20172. Be sure that your mail reaches us by using this updated address!
12/10/2002
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New features have been added to the site about Jim's self-released Christmas EP "From My House to Yours" which was issued last year. Been wondering about that cover pic? Jim tells the story of getting his first guitar on that Christmas back in 1969, plus he reminisces about how Dennis Diken ended up demolishing his brother's drum set! Other info about the three tracks is now posted including Jim's songwriting notes and the lyrics. You can also tune in to audio clips of all three songs! Check out the newly-revised page for a good dose of holiday cheers!
The FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS Christmas EP is still available this season, but copies are limited since they are all signed and numbered. Order online or through the mail. |
Jim Babjak has contributed to a new Christmas compilation titled "Ho Ho Ho Spice" which was just released by Volunteer Records. The project is a 2-CD/49-song collection of "alternative-ish" holiday tunes with a wide variety of artists including Graham Parker, NRBQ, Better Than Ezra and Chris Stamey & The dB's. Jim contributed his original "It's Love On Christmas Day" for the compilation that intends to help raise awareness about HOSPICE and benefit HOSPICE patients. "Ho Ho Ho Spice" is currently available online at CDBaby.com, a bargain at just $15.98 for the double CD. Some song bytes are available on the CD Baby site along with a full track listing. By adding this collection to your holiday library, you'll have lots of new songs to spin plus you can also help others at this special time of the year.
12/6/2002
The Smithereens will contribute a track to an upcoming George Harrison tribute which will be released by KOCH records on February 25, 2003 which would have been Harrison's 60th birthday (For the trivia buffs, Jim notes that George said that his birthday is actually the 26th, but he never bothered to correct the mistake during the height of Beatlemania!) The Smithereens are covering "I Want To Tell You"--Pat, Dennis and Jim started recording the track on November 26th at the House of Vibes in Highland Park, NJ. Mike will add his part in California this month. To put a personal twist on the track, Dennis came up with the approach to do it like The Who would have in 1966. Peter Frampton and Bill Wyman will also be featured on the release among others. An early press release on the project can be found on the Friday Morning Quarterback site.
12/1/2002
TUNE IN! Check out the new JUKEBOX on Jim's site! You can listen to Smithereens tunes, Jim's solo work with BUZZED MEG and his children's work as well. Copies of Jim Babjak's BUZZED MEG and ONE SIZE FITS ALL are still available through our TexMart along with other CDs and items.
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© 2008 TEX REMY MUSIC GROUP~All rights reserved
jimmybabjak@aol.com
Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle [soundtrack]
