Stereo Embers The Podcast 0107: Mike Mesaros (The Smithereens)

“Keep Your Hands Loose And Beat Out The Time With Your Feet”

That’s Mike Mesaros’ advice for any aspiring bass player. In this conversation the Smithereens bassist talks to Alex about how watching Pete Townsend informed his playing style and taught him to keep his hands loose and beat out the time with his feet–in other words, he learned to play with his whole body. In this thoughtful conversation Mesaros reflects on the lifelong friendships that are the foundational elements of The Smithereens. He also talks about his love of Jack Bruce, how being on stage overrode his initial shyness and what it’s like to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Mesaros also talks about missing late singer Pat DiNizio, seeing Johnny Thunders and the Ramones and what’s next for the Smithereens.