The Smithereens will team up with Patty Smyth and Scandal for a Jan. 13 “club” concert at the Count Basie Theatre.
[Dec. 15 UPDATE: Following the death of Pat DiNizio, ticket sales for this show were suspended, but the theater says it will make an announcement about the show at 10 a.m. Dec. 18]
The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, which broke ground on a $23 million expansion in September, will debut a new “club” format for its Jan. 13 concert by The Smithereens and Patty Smyth and Scandal.
The double bill will be part of the Little Steven’s Underground Garage at the Basie series, and Van Zandt himself will serve as host. According to the theater’s web site: “With a stage built over the theater seats to create an intimate, open-floor atmosphere, the idea is to give fans a peek of what’s to come when the Basie completes its expansion and opens doors to an all-new, 800-capacity performance space to complement the venue’s historic theater.”
Tickets, priced at $45, go on sale Dec. 15 at noon.
Both The Smithereens and Scandal had their biggest hits in the 1980s. The Smithereens feature original members Pat DiNizio (vocals), Jim Babjak (guitar) and Dennis Diken (drummer). Original bassist Mike Mesaros joins them at some shows, though that instrument is usually handled by Severo Jornacion. It has not been announced yet who will be on bass in Red Bank.
Scandal’s original singer Smyth and original guitarist Keith Mack are joined in the band by bassist Tom Welsch and drummer Eran Asias.
