Mike Mesaros, anyone?

**Blackbird** · #1 12-08-2005, 08:20 PM

I just bought a copy of the Smithereens's Green Thoughts and got so into it I bought Eleven the following day. I find that the Smithereens were a very underrated band, as was their bassist Mike Mesaros, in my opinion as much of a bass stylist as Sting. Very tasteful and concise.

Any other Smithereens/Mesaros fans? Favorite lines? I'll post mine later.

fenwickbacker · #2 12-09-2005, 01:52 PM

I don't have much of their stuff, just 11. But Mesaro's lines are pretty good - I like "Girl Like You" and "Wipe Your Tears Away."

I like his tone as well. Good call.

Somewhat similar style (ok, maybe not) - but how about Michael Been of The Call. Unique tone and some real melodic lines. I like his attack in some of their "harder" songs - a nice trebly bite.

**Blackbird** · #3 12-09-2005, 06:24 PM

If you liked 11, you really should look for Green Thoughts. It's in the same vein, but a bit lighter and more melodic. Songs are more varied too.

I've never heard The Call. I'll look into them.

James Hart · #4 12-09-2005, 06:32 PM

another fan here...

I remember when I first saw the video for "Blood & Roses"... I thought David Gilmour had a new band!

Girl like you is a great tune... my favorite I think. It's been a while, I'll need to dig my cassettes out

The Golden Boy · #5 12-09-2005, 07:47 PM

They effin' rule! Mesaros is a whole lot of badass in one spot. His playing is more reminiscent of an aggressive McCartney to me. I love the Blood and Roses line, now because you mentioned Green Thoughts- I really love the tone on "Only A Memory." A lot of really great records. I loved everything up to Blow Up. I've seen them a couple times- I saw 'em about 2-3 years ago at Fish Day- it was a really great show and Mesaros was great.

jerry · #6 12-14-2005, 04:46 AM

A couple bands I really like, but I forget about from time to time....The Call and the Smithereens...thanks guys!! I'll go dig some vinyl out.

p.s. you hear Michael Been's voice in older movie soundtracks from time to time.

bigtexashonk · #7 12-14-2005, 09:01 AM

Mike and the Smithereens are fantastic.

Isn't he the originator of the Rickenbacker Blackstar? One of the coolest basses ever.

fenwickbacker · #8 12-14-2005, 12:18 PM

I pulled out the "11" cd and its a good listen. Girl Like You is a great pop/rock song. Which album had "Only a Memory"?

I had alot of the earlier Call albums on vinyl/tape - some good songs on them - "Walls Came Down", "Everywhere I Go", "Into the Woods". I think one of their better albums is "Let the Day Begin".

I think you can judge a band by the other musicians that sit in w/ them on albums - the Call had Peter Gabriel, Bono, T-Bone Burnett, Robbie Robertson - not bad company to keep.

The Golden Boy · #9 12-14-2005, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtexashonk

Mike and the Smithereens are fantastic.

Isn't he the originator of the Rickenbacker Blackstar? One of the coolest basses ever.

I'm pretty sure you're correct. http://www.rickenbacker.com/news_ite..._id=8&news=old

I've heard he's got SN#1. Number two belongs to Keith Brammer's brother.

**Blackbird** · #10 12-18-2005, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenwickbacker

I pulled out the "11" cd and its a good listen. Girl Like You is a great pop/rock song. Which album had "Only a Memory"?

Green Thoughts.

Fawkes007 · #11 12-18-2005, 09:47 PM

Green Thoughts is great, but "A Date With The Smithereens" is probably their best album front to back. Much better than 11 IMO. I saw them at the Fillmore around 11 years ago and they were great. They had this back up band, The Grays, who were also fantastic. If you can find their CD (it is out of print, but maybe you can find it on the net) do so...called Ro Sham Bo.

The night I saw them Mike was playing a Precision. In fact, the entire band was playing Fenders.

The Golden Boy · #12 02-16-2008, 12:36 PM

Just bumping this thread-

I ripped all my Smithereens albums onto my iPod, and there's some great songs and some really great playing by Mike.

Right now, my favorite line is "Cut Flowers" off 11.

Hamrhed · #13 02-16-2008, 03:50 PM

I would go so far as to say that Mesaros is one of pop music's great underrated bassists... One of my great regrets is that I never got the chance to catch Mike live, and he is no longer w/ the Smithereens (at least in performances). My favorite bass line is 'Blood and Roses' (both as a Smits track and to personally play), and I would be hard pressed to pick one album (their greatest collection and the lesser known but great 'Date w/ the Smithereens' come to mind)...

The recent release "Meet the Smithereens" (which has the Smithereens covering the "meet the beatles" album) is outstanding w/ Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion on Bass. I am still holding out hope that I will catch the Smithereens live someday soon as they are still very much alive and well...