After 12 years together as a band and nearly 10 years after emerging on the national scene with their first number one hit, Walkin on the Sun, all three co-founding members Steve Harwell, Greg Camp, and Paul DeLisle are as tight today as they were the day they first jammed together in their hometown of San Jose.
Thats probably the thing Im most proud of, says DeLisle. Were brothers. Were all very close, especially Steve and Greg and I cause weve been together for so long, but also (keyboardist Michael) Hippy (Klooster) and (percussionist) Mark (Cervantes).
Collectively the band has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. Along with their number one hits Walkin on the Sun and All Star they have consistently impacted radio with other recognizable hits like Then the Morning Comes, Cant Get Enough Of You Baby, and a cover of The Monkees classic Im a Believer, which was prominently featured on the Shrek soundtrack (#4, Billboard Adult Top 40).
A quick listen to their music and you realize the multi-platinum Smash Mouth is a 60s influenced garage band with a keen pop sensibility that maintains a timeless qualitya style they have created and that is all their own.
Having long since established itself as the ultimate true-to-life California party-band the vibe surrounding Smash Mouth is indeed at its core about having fun.
When we play its a nonstop party, Harwell said.
The band has grown over the years and has reached a level of maturity and clarity, according to Harwell, who is also launching a kids clothing line Mr. Mouth along with a line of kids tennis shoes next spring called Smashers. This is what we do and were going to keep doing it. We can still go out and throw a party every night only now we do it without the hangover the next day.
I still firmly believe that music can be the way it used to be, Harwell adds. Like Van Halen said, Where have all the good times gone? Its like what happened to that? Well, were bringing that back!
Fans will no doubt have a chance to share the good times with Harwell and the rest of his colorful cast of cronies as Smash Mouth traipses across the country from coast to coast in support of their latest album Summer Girl.
You cant miss the live show, states DeLisle, who later declares, The live show completes the entire package. Recordings are only one part of the whole. This band must be seen to be believed. Its a nonstop party that we put on nightly. If were coming to your town its a party you wont want to miss. Its unique, its ours, we created it and theres no one else like us.
