For Dennis Diken, drummer and founding member of The Smithereens, the death of frontman Pat DiNizio in 2017 was a deeply personal loss. Beyond being bandmates, Diken and DiNizio shared a decades-long friendship, rooted in their mutual love of music and creative collaboration. Yet, in the face of this devastating change, Diken and his fellow band members—Jim Babjak and Mike Mesaros—made the difficult decision to continue the band’s journey. For Diken, this choice was both a tribute to DiNizio’s legacy and a reflection of his own enduring commitment to the music they created together.
DiNizio’s passing marked the end of an era for the band, but Diken saw it as a challenge to preserve the heart of The Smithereens while embracing change. Reflecting on the situation, Diken emphasized the importance of staying true to the music they had poured their lives into. “Pat was such an integral part of what we were,” he often notes, “but the songs and the connection we’ve built with fans over the years demand to live on.”
Carrying the emotional weight of moving forward, Diken played a key role in ensuring the transition felt natural. As the backbone of the band’s rhythm section, his drumming remained a constant, anchoring the group through their reinvention. His powerful, dynamic style, a defining feature of The Smithereens’ sound, continued to drive their live performances, ensuring fans still felt the pulse of the music they loved.
To fill the gap left by DiNizio’s absence, the band turned to guest vocalists, including Marshall Crenshaw and Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms. While these singers brought their unique interpretations to the role, Diken viewed them as collaborators rather than replacements. Their involvement, he believed, allowed the band to celebrate their legacy while breathing fresh life into the performances. “It’s about honoring the songs and giving them the energy they deserve,” Diken remarked, underscoring his commitment to authenticity.
For Dennis Diken, the continuation of The Smithereens is not just about the band’s survival; it’s about healing and preserving the joy of playing music. Returning to the stage offered him a way to process the loss of his friend while connecting with fans who shared in the grief and celebration of DiNizio’s life. “Every time we play a song, we feel Pat’s presence,” Diken has said, reflecting the emotional resonance that remains central to their performances.
As a lifelong musician, Dennis Diken also appreciates the role of evolution in maintaining the band’s relevance. He recognizes that change, though challenging, can be an opportunity for renewal. In the years since DiNizio’s death, The Smithereens have struck a delicate balance between honoring the past and embracing the present, with Diken’s steady drumming serving as a touchstone through it all.
Ultimately, Diken’s perspective encapsulates the band’s enduring philosophy: music is a living force, and its power lies in its ability to connect people across time and space. For The Smithereens, moving forward is not just a necessity—it’s a tribute to the spirit of their music and the unbreakable bond they share with their fans.