Scotch Plains

There are, probably, some trivia fanatics out there who can tell you that MTV’s “Unplugged” series — you know, the one that has made it necessary for virtually all arena rock tours to this day to have an unplugged segment — debuted in November 1989, with an episode featuring Squeeze, Syd Straw and Elliot Easton of The Cars. But you’d have to be the type of trivia nut who only comes along once in a lifetime to tell you who performed on the second episode, in January 1990. It was New Jersey’s own Smithereens, double billed with Graham Parker. The Smithereens, who hailed from Scotch Plains (frontman Pat DiNizio) and Carteret (guitarist Jim Babjak, bassist Mike Mesaros and drummer Dennis Diken) had formed a decade earlier and, by 1990, were virtually rock veterans, with three well-regarded albums behind them. They are still active (though Mesaros has been replaced by Severo Jornacion), and will perform at a benefit concert at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair on Nov. Continue Reading →

Filed under: 350 Jersey Songs, 350 Jersey Songs, Carteret, Scotch Plains