MRM recently spoke to Jim Babjak of The Smithereens ahead of their show in Duluth, Georgia on Saturday, September 12. Babjak spoke about his origins, solo accomplishments, history of The Smithereens and much more.

The Smithereens will play a free show in Downtown Duluth at 6:30pm during “Off the Rails – Duluth’s Big 150.” Then stick around for Grand Funk Railroad at 8:30pm. For more information, please visit HERE.

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MRM: Where are you “calling” from?

Babjak: I am calling from deep in the heart of Jersey! There is a debate here amongst people that live in New Jersey where the dividing line is between North and South Jersey. I’m actually in what I consider to be Central Jersey, in Monmouth County. I’m about an hour and 15 minutes from New York City and about an hour and 15 minutes from Philadelphia. I think that puts me in Central Jersey.

MRM: How did you first get into performing music?

Babjak: I took accordion lessons when I was 7 years old and then I had violin lessons at 10 years old. I suppose that was the beginning. Then I got a guitar for Christmas in 1969 when I was 12. I met Dennis Diken on the first day of high school in 1971 when I was 14 years old and we’ve been playing together ever since!

MRM: Could you speak about coming up with that killer riff for “A Girl Like You”?

Babjak: That riff started out as an idea Pat had. We worked on it together and I perfected it by changing the chords.

MRM: Is there any friendly rivalry with Edwyn Collins? Haha

Babjak: Well, there was a song by the Troggs called, “With a Girl Like You” in 1966 and there was a song called “A Girl Like You” by the Rascals in 1967, so Edwyn Collins should have it out with them! If I did some research, they would probably be a dozen more songs with a similar title.

MRM: What kind of music did you produce for soap operas?

Babjak: Mainly instrumentals, but a couple of songs from my solo album, “Jim Babjak’s Buzzed Meg”, “It Was a Pretty Dream,” “South of the Sun” and “Lost in Love” were used often.

MRM: Is it true you worked as a banker?

Babjak: Yes, this is true. After grunge music hit the radio airwaves, we lost our record deal and I had to get a job to keep my house, have health insurance and raise my 3 kids. It was humbling to sit in a cubicle for 20 years, but I did what I had to do. Nobody knew I was in a band till many years later. I didn’t want them to know. I just wanted to do my job and be anonymous. I was still able to play shows on the weekends along with vacation time and record 8 albums during that time.

MRM: What is it about the chemistry between the original members that has allowed The Smithereens to endure for so long?

Babjak: It’s exactly like a marriage. It has its ups and downs, but ultimately we’re all brothers and love each other. It was us against the world.

MRM: The Smithereens were inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2019. What did that recognition mean to you, especially considering the band’s roots in New Jersey?

Babjak: It’s an honor to be recognized as an influence and inspiration to other musicians. I always felt like we were the underdogs, so it is very satisfying!

MRM: Pat DiNizio was such an important part of the Smithereens’ identity. How do you approach performing these songs today while honoring Pat’s legacy but also allowing the band to continue moving forward?

Babjak: We had many offers from singers that sounded like Pat, but we didn’t want that. All of the guest singers are friends of ours and bring their own energy with distinct voices to the songs. It keeps things fresh for us and to the audience.

MRM: John Cowsill has been performing with the band as lead vocalist. What was it about John that made him such a good fit for the Smithereens, and how has he brought his own personality to the songs?

Babjak: He’s a natural, a professional singer since he was a kid. I mean, he was on the Ed Sullivan show with the Cowsills when he was 11 years old!

MRM: You’re coming to the Duluth Festival Center on September 12 for a free show. What can fans expect from the Smithereens’ set, and what would you like someone seeing the band for the first time to take away from the experience?

Babjak: You will get 100% passion from a band that really enjoys playing and not just going through the motions. We are having a blast and we want the audience to have an enjoyable evening out! Music is healing for the soul.

MRM: Thanks for the interview. Anything else you would like to add?

Babjak: Support live music, we are 100% live!