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August 23, 2025

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The Smithereens, featuring John Cowsill on vocals, made a return appearance to the Music Box Supper Club on Friday night to an enthusiastic audience.

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Cowsill is the third guest singer to front the band since the passing of Pat DiNizio in 2017.  I have not seen Robin Wilson or Marshall Crenshaw at the helm, but I must say that Cowsill fit in perfectly with his tone and stage presence.

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The band was clearly having fun on stage as they ran through some classic tunes like "Behind The Wall of Sleep" and "Top Of The Pops" as well as some deep cuts like "Cut Flowers" and "Time and Time Again."

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Lead guitarist Jim Babjak told the story of meeting drummer Dennis Diken on the first day of 9th grade in first period back in 1971.  He said that Diken noticed he had picturs of The Who in his folder and asked if he knew how to play "I Can't Explain" on guitar.  He said that he did and they have been best friends ever since.  With that, the group launched into "I Can't Explain" complete with Pete Townshend windmills on the guitar.

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Cowsill told the crowd that Babjak was going to sing the next song, "Life Is So Beautiful" and that he was going to join the audience to take it in.  He promptly left the stage and found an empty seat at a table and enjoyed the song as a fan.  What a cool moment.

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Other hits were played throughout their set like "Miles From Nowhere" and "Blood and Roses."

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The band decided to honor some of their influences by playing great covers of The Beatles "Please Please Me" and "No Matter What" by Badfinger.

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The show closed with a rousing version of their biggest hit "Girl Like You."

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This was the first time that I have seen The Smithereens and I know for sure that it will not be the last.

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Review and photos by Greg Drugan

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