Smash Mouth
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Smash Mouth was formed in 1994, and is composed of guitarist and lead vocalist Steve Harwell, bass player Paul DeLisle, guitarist Greg Camp and drummer Jason Sutter. Smash Mouth scored its first major hit in 1997 with the 50's-influenced single Walkin' On The Sun.
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About
Smash Mouth was formed in San Jose, California by lead-vocalist and former rapper of the group F.O.S., Steve Harwell. After F.O.S. disbanded, he began jamming with Kevin Coleman and told him of his plans of forming a rock band. Coleman introduced him to friends Greg Camp and Paul De Lisle, who were in a local punk band called Lackadaddy.
The band name Smash Mouth is taken from the football term used by Chicago Bears coach, Mike Ditka. They recorded demos and got their songs played on a local radio station. After a summer festival they performed with national acts such as No Doubt and Beck. Their first full-length studio album, Fush Yu Mang, was released in 1997 on Interscope Records, Fush Yu Mang and spawned the number one hit 'Walkin' On The Sun.
In 1999 the band released their follow-up album, Astro Lounge, which sounded more like pop and has driven away some of the original fans. His childhood friend Kevin Coleman decided to quit the band after the release of Astro Lounge due to severe back pain. Kevin was replaced by Michael Urbano.
Astro Lounge featured the single 'All Star which became popular and was featured on the soundtracks for the movies, Rat Race, Mystery Men, and Shrek. The album solidified the band is not just a one-hit-wonder by receiving triple platinum certification.
In 2000, Smashmouth's version of The Monkees hit I'm a Believer was featured on the soundtrack of the hit 3D animation movie, Shrek. With the success of the single, they released the self-titled album Smash Mouth, which became a certified gold record.
Three years later, Smash Mouth released Get The Picture? which had disappointing sales of only 33,000 copies. Because of the low sales and creative control, they were dropped from the Interscope label. Smashmouth eventually landed a recording contract with Universal Records and released their greatest hits album All Star Smash Hits in 2005. The album features popular songs from previous Smashmouth albums, as well as songs from soundtraks on which they appeared.
A Christmas album was released in 2005, Gift Of Rock, and features songs from different artists such as The Ramones and The Kinks. Their fifth studio album Old Habits was delayed a couple of times due to the guest appearance of Steve Harwell on The Surreal Life and was never released. Instead, it was replaced by the album Summer Girl, released September 19, 2006, and includes new songs and remixed singles from Old Habits.
Michael Urbano left the band on February 14, 2006, months before Summer Girl was released. The band found a new drummer, Jason Sutter who is known for his work with The Rembrandts and American Hi-Fi.
Smashmouth has also returned to soundtracks, as Sony Pictures featured two of their singles on the soundtrack for the movie Zoom.
Band Members
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Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Top 40 | US Adult Top 40 | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Walkin' On The Sun | ~ | 1 | 2 | 1 | Fush Yu Mang |
| 1998 | Why Can't We Be Friends? | ~ | 28 | ~ | ~ | Fush Yu Mang |
| Can't Get Enough Of You Baby | ~ | 30 | 18 | 14 | Astro Lounge | |
| 1999 | Then The Morning Comes | 8 | 26 | 5 | 2 | Astro Lounge |
| All Star | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Astro Lounge | |
| 2000 | I'm A Believer | 25 | ~ | 15 | 4 | Smash Mouth |
| 2002 | Pacific Coast Party | ~ | ~ | 37 | ~ | Smash Mouth |
| 2003 | You Are My Number One | ~ | ~ | 40 | 25 | Get The Picture? |
| 2006 | Story Of My Life | ~ | ~ | 26 | 33 | Summer Girl |
| 2006 | So Insane | ~ | ~ | 34 | 32 | Summer Girl |
Tours & Concerts
No tours to date
Discography
Albums
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Singles
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Walkin' On The Sun | Fush Yu Mang |
| 1998 | Why Can't We Be Friends? | Fush Yu Mang |
| Can't Get Enough Of You Baby | Astro Lounge | |
| 1999 | Then The Morning Comes | Astro Lounge |
| All Star | Astro Lounge | |
| 2000 | I'm A Believer | Smash Mouth |
| 2002 | Pacific Coast Party | Smash Mouth |
| 2003 | You Are My Number One | Get The Picture? |
| 2006 | Story Of My Life | Summer Girl |
| 2006 | So Insane | Summer Girl |
Other artists
Similar artists
Influences
Contemporaries
Trivia
- Satellite from the album Astro Lounge has a story of meeting an attractive girl that the writer thinks that he is out of her league and wishing someday, somewhere he could meet and know this person.
- Their songs The Fonz talks about insecurity in form or in another, and admiration.
- Then The Morning Comes from the album Astro Lounge tells the story of how happy they are in going on tour, then after the performance having a party with fans and getting tired, and then doing it all over again.
External Links
Categories: Artist | Ska Punk | Rock | Pop
