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Smash Mouth | |
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 Smash Mouth performing in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Smashmouth (1994–1996) |
| Origin | San Jose, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels |
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| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | smashmouth |
Smash Mouth is an Americanrock band fromSan Jose, California.[2][3] The band was formed in 1994[4] and was originally composed ofSteve Harwell (lead vocals), Kevin Coleman (drums),Greg Camp (guitar), andPaul De Lisle (bass). Harwell's departure in 2021 left De Lisle as the sole remaining original member. They are known for their songs "Walkin' on the Sun" (1997), "All Star" (1999),[5] and "Then The Morning Comes" (1999), as well asa cover ofThe Monkees' "I'm a Believer" (2001).
The band adopted retro styles covering several decades ofpopular music. They have also performed numerouscovers of popular songs, includingWar's "Why Can't We Be Friends?",Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up",Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)",? & the Mysterians' "Can't Get Enough of You Baby",The Beatles' "Getting Better",Queen's "Under Pressure",House of Pain's "Jump Around", and "I Wan'na Be Like You" fromThe Jungle Book. They also composed two songs for the South Korean animated filmPororo, The Racing Adventure: "Beside Myself" and "Everything Just Crazy".
Smash Mouth's roots trace back to 1990 whenSteve Harwell and Kevin Coleman met. Smash Mouth was then formed in 1994 by Harwell, who had formerly played in arap group called F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech). Coleman, who was Harwell's manager, knew guitaristGreg Camp and bassistPaul De Lisle, who had both played in a localpunk band, and introduced the three musicians to each other. They began rehearsing together along with Coleman, who played as the drummer. They soon developed into a band, and named themselvesSmashmouth, anAmerican football term. During their early years, the band played largelyrock music.
The band's first publicity came when a demo of the song "Nervous in the Alley" was played by a San Jose radio station,KOME. Soon after,Interscope Records signed the band, and the group's debut album,Fush Yu Mang, was released in 1997, featuring another member: the keyboardist Michael Klooster. Also, upon signing to Interscope Records, the band changed their name from Smashmouth to Smash Mouth. The album saw commercial success peaking at number 19 on theUS Billboard 200 and number 23 inCanada.[6] It was led by the band's first major single "Walkin' on the Sun" which peaked at number 1 on the USAdult Top 40 andAlternative Songs charts and at number 3 in Canada.[7][8] The singles "The Fonz" and a cover of "Why Can't We Be Friends" from the 1998Kevin Bacon filmWild Things were also subsequently released. The album has since gonedouble platinum. During this time the band officially started touring regularly even opening forU2 on theirPopMart Tour and got their first television appearance as the musical guest on episode 157 ofOddville, MTV.[9]
The band's second album,Astro Lounge, was released in 1999 and marked a change in direction, as it had less of the previousska influence and more of a pop sound. It led to more publicity for the band, and ended up being one of the most critically acclaimed albums from the group. It peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard 200, the highest the band has ever charted in the states, and reached the top 20 in both Canada andNew Zealand.[10] Supported by the hit single "All Star" (which was featured in several film soundtracks, most notably inShrek (2001), although the officialmusic video referencesMystery Men) the song reached number 4 on both theBillboard hot 100 andAustralia it then charted even higher inCanada peaking at number 2.[11][12] "Then the Morning Comes" was also a hit for the band and peaked a number 11 on the Billboard hot 100.[11]Astro Lounge has since been certified as tripleplatinum. Due to the rise in popularity Smash Mouth started to perform at more notable events including the 1999Home Run Derby in July atFenway Park after the band finished playing, Greg Camp said "Save Fenway Park", referencing plans to demolish the stadium and replace it with a new facility; this elicited boos from the crowd.[13] On September 9, 1999 they performed in pouring rain, as the opening act of the1999 MTV Video Music Awards.[14] They also made appearances on theLate Show with David Letterman,The Tonight Show with Jay Leno andLate Night with Conan O'Brien.[15][16][17]
Also in 1999,The East Bay Sessions was released as a collection of early songs. Shortly after the release of the album, drummer Kevin Coleman left the band due to back problems. He was initially replaced byMichael Urbano, who was quickly replaced by Mitch Marine for the tour supportingAstro Lounge, who was subsequently replaced by Urbano after the tour.[18]
In 2000 the band was nominated for afor Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the42nd Annual Grammy Awards for the song "All Star".[19]
In 2001, Smash Mouth coveredthe Monkees' hit song "I'm a Believer".[20] It peaked at number 25 on the Billboard hot 100 and was featured on both the soundtrack forShrek (along with "All Star") and theirself-titled album which was released on November 21, 2001.[18][21] The album sold fewer copies than the band's earlier works peaking at number 48 on the Billboard 200, but it since been certifiedgold. Also in 2001, the group appeared as themselves in the climactic scene of the filmRat Race.
On September 26, 2001 the band appeared onDrew Carey's Back-to-School Rock 'n' Roll Comedy Hour. In 2002 the band played select shows as the opener forNSYNC on theirCelebrity Tour.[22]
In 2003,Get the Picture? was released, It is their last studio album to chart in the US. Peaking at number 100 on the Billboard 200. It featured the singles "You Are My Number One", "Hang On" and "Always Gets Her Way". Smash Mouth was dropped fromInterscope shortly after the release ofGet the Picture?. The songs "Hang On" and their cover of "Getting Better" both appearedThe Cat in the Hat. That same year, the band performed a cover of theSherman Brothers song "I Wanna Be Like You" for the animated filmThe Jungle Book 2. Also in 2003 the band appeared in animated form in the Television showKim Possible, in the episode "Queen Bee" where their animated counter parts played the song "Come On, Come On".[23][24]
Smash Mouth released the greatest hits compilationAll Star Smash Hits in 2005. The album contains some more popular songs from previous Smash Mouth albums, as well as songs from soundtrack albums that were not on the band's releases. On certain networks and time slots, the album was advertised as having 18 tracks, including an edited version of "Flo". Smash Mouth played atGumby's Birthday Celebration in August 2005. That same year the group once again appeared in animated form in an episode ofWhat's New, Scooby-Doo titled "Reef Grief".[25]
In December 2005, the band released a Christmas albumGift of Rock. It featured covers of Christmas songs by many artists, such asthe Kinks andthe Ramones, and one original song, "Baggage Claim".
Smash Mouth's fifth studio album, originally to be titledOld Habits, was recorded in 2005 and expected to be released in early 2006. The band had said that the album was much more like the ska punk featured onFush Yu Mang andThe East Bay Sessions. In September 2005, the band performed what was tentatively going to be the album's first single, "Getaway Car", onLast Call with Carson Daly. The album was delayed many times, in the hope of gaining publicity with Harwell's appearance on the reality showThe Surreal Life. Smash Mouth returned to the studio intent on improving the record.[26]Old Habits was shelved, replaced bySummer Girl, which included some remixedOld Habits tracks as well as new songs. After being delayed in much the same wayOld Habits was for several months, the album was released on September 19, 2006. Smash Mouth let Sony Pictures use much of their music fromSummer Girl and other songs for the movieZoom, whose opening titles credit the film's music to the band.
Before the release ofSummer Girl, drummer Michael Urbano left the band without warning on February 14, 2006 due to creative differences. He was initially replaced by former drummer Mitch Marine, and then by Jason Sutter, best known for his work withAmerican Hi-Fi andthe Rembrandts. The band released their new album,Summer Girl, later that year. In early 2007, one year after joining the band, Sutter left Smash Mouth to play drums for formerSoundgarden andAudioslave frontmanChris Cornell; fill-in drummer Marine returned to Smash Mouth.
Band members changed over the course of several years.[27] Greg Camp left the band in the summer of 2008 which was a big loss as he had written many of the band's biggest hits such asAll Star andWalkin' on the Sun.[28] Smash Mouth recruitedLeroy Miller to play guitar. Leroy left in 2009 and Camp returned to the band, but in 2011 Camp left once again and this time the band recruited Sean Hurwitz. Hurwitz stayed until 2012, and was replaced by Mike Krompass. Later in 2012, Hurwitz returned. In 2009 Mitch Marine left once again and was replaced by Urbano, who left again after only one year in 2010, and was replaced by Marine once again. Marine left yet again after a brief spell in 2010 and was replaced byRandy Cooke. Cooke was briefly replaced by Jason Sutter in 2011, then Charlie Paxson.
In June 2011, a writer atSomething Awful offered $20 if the band's lead singer, Steve Harwell, would eat 24 eggs.[29] Others on Twitter began offering additional sums, eventually targeted to various charities.[29] In July 2011, Harwell accepted the challenge if fans could gather pledges of $10,000 forSt. Jude Children's Hospital.[30] The fundraising goal was reached in less than a week.[31] A self-styled "reality TV fan", Harwell requested that his friend celebrity chefGuy Fieri prepare the eggs.[32] The event was held at Johnny Garlic's restaurant, inDublin, California, on October 11, 2011. With about 150 people attending, Harwell was able to finish the eggs with the help of audience members as well as theSan Jose Sharks mascot, Sharkie. $15,000 was raised for charity.[33]
On July 17th, 2011, Smash Mouth performed live at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Vegas Strip, airing a 60 minute concert simultaneously across the US & Canada on HDNet Television, CBS Radio, and CBS Digital.[34]
After parting ways withUniversal Records and signing with 429 Records, Smash Mouth released their sixth studio album titledMagic, on September 4, 2012. The album was primarily produced by new band member Mike Krompass. The first single, also entitled "Magic", debuted on theBillboard Adult Contemporary chart at No. 22.[35] The band spent the rest of 2012 touring behind the new project as well as promoting the release of their musical book of food recipes and things of the like —Recipes from the Road. Cooke temporarily left again toward the end of 2012, replaced by Paxson. In 2013 the band took part in the "Under the Sun" tour withGin Blossoms andSugar Ray.[36] Paxson left in July during the tour, and was initially going to be replaced by a returning Cooke; however, he was replaced by Sutter once again. Tod Burr, former drum tech ofDef Leppard and drummer of Merle Jagger, came on board in 2012 as drum and keyboard tech of Smash Mouth.
On February 1, 2013, Smash Mouth headlined theAutoNation Coast to Coast rebranding event (which combined all AutoNation dealerships into a single brand) atWayne Huizenga Park inFort Lauderdale, Florida with Michela Paige from Season 3 ofThe Voice. The event also served as a final round in the AutoNation Culture of Caring Contest. They also took part in the first "Under the Sun" tour alongside Sugar Ray,Gin Blossoms, andVertical Horizon.[37]
On October 6, 2014, Smash Mouth composed two songs for the English version of the South Korean animated filmPororo, The Racing Adventure, including "Beside Myself", and "Everything Just Crazy" which plays at the end credits.
In 2014, Smash Mouth was part of the second "Under the Sun" tour withUncle Kracker,Blues Traveler, and Sugar Ray.[38]
On June 14, 2015, Smash Mouth performed at the Taste of Fort Collins food festival inFort Collins, Colorado. Before the encore, in an incident that lasted about three minutes, singer Steve Harwell became angry, yelled profanities at the audience, and left the stage after bread that had been distributed by the festival was thrown in the air and a few pieces were reportedly thrown onto the stage.[39] Harwell later apologized for the incident in an interview withThe Herald-Mail.[40] Event organizer Jason Ornstein explained that he asked Harwell if he wanted him to have the DJs make an announcement instructing the crowd not to throw bread but according to Ornstein, Harwell "stormed on [stage] and took matters into his own hands". He continued "It wasn't like anyone was going to be getting hurt by throwing bread up in the air ... We just had to laugh at it, because he just really made a fool of himself."[41] Fort Collins Police Services stated laws prohibiting disorderly conduct, harassment, and "throwing of "missiles", i.e. objects, apply to event attendees.[41]
In May 2016, Smash Mouth released their firstlive album titledPlaylist: The Very Best of Smash Mouth throughSony Music. The recordings were harvested from shows inRapid City, South Dakota, andManila.
2016 saw the band gain a new member in Sam Eigen and the return of Cooke. Eigen is a long-time friend of both Steve Harwell and Paul De Lisle, and has played withAlanis Morissette,Janet Jackson, andJohn Fogerty. He can also be heard playing guitar on several of Harwell's solo recordings over the years.[42]
Smash Mouth performed at theUrbana Sweetcorn Festival on August 28, 2016; Harwell passed out in the middle of the set and was taken to a nearby hospital, but the band continued their set and performed the song without him. Harwell made a full recovery and they continued touring.[43]
Greg Camp rejoined Smash Mouth in early 2018.[44] An acoustic re-recording of Smash Mouth's first album,Fush Yu Mang, funded throughPledgeMusic was released in 2018 for the album's 20th anniversary.[45]
On November 1, 2018, Smash Mouth released the single "Unity". It features hip-hop artistsKool Keith andDarryl McDaniels ofRun-DMC.[46] They then toured Australia in the same year during November to sell-out crowds around the country, performing a mix of theater, festival, and pub shows. During the Arlie Beach Festival of Music inQueensland, Steve Harwell became ill and had to leave the stage. However, Nicky Bomba, Frankie J Holden, Wilbur Wilde fromMelbourne Ska Orchestra, and the remainder of Smash Mouth continued the set without him. Harwell recovered the next day and the Australian tour continued without any further incidents.[47] In 2019, the band released a cover ofthe Hollies' song, "Bus Stop".
On August 8, 2020, the band performed at the 2020Sturgis Rally and vocalist Harwell said things such as "fuck that COVID shit" during the performance.[48] A report from theIZA Institute of Labor Economics later cited the event as being asuperspreading event.[49]
In October 2021, the band performed at The Big Sip beer and wine festival inBethel, New York. Harwell appeared to be intoxicated, threatening audience members and performing what looked like aNazi salute.[50][51] Following the performance, Harwell announced his retirement due to ongoing health issues.[52] Prior to Harwell's last show, the band was already performing with a substitute singer ostensibly filling in while Harwell dealt with his health issues.[53]
In March 2022, it was announced upon Steve Harwell's departure, that the band has recruited new lead singerZach Goode (formerly of Ghoulspoon, Divided By Zero and The Secret Seven).[54][55] On March 2, 2022, the band released a cover ofRick Astley's song "Never Gonna Give You Up".[56][57][58] Smash Mouth released a new single, "4th of July", on July 1, 2022.[59]
In July 28, 2023, the band released "Underground Sun" as a single. The music video was created usingAI.
On September 3, 2023, it was announced that Harwell was receiving hospice care and was expected to have only days left to live.[60] Harwell died the next day at his home inBoise, Idaho, at the age of 56 from liver failure.[61] The band put out an official statement in his tribute "Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve will be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom."[62]
On November 6, 2023, the band announced their second Christmas album,Missile Toes, which released on November 17. The album consists of 10 songs, six of which are covers of classic Christmas songs, and four of which are originals. Featured artistsSusanna Hoffs and Sophie Grey make appearances.[63][64]
On April 12, 2024, Smash Mouth released the single and video "Ride On", and on July 12, the band released a cover of the iconic Brady Bunch song, "Sunshine Day" featuring Greg Brady's actor,Barry Williams.
Throughout summer 2024, the band embarked on the Ride On Tour with close to 100 shows, touring everywhere from Alaska to Hawaii with major festival stops in Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Malaysia along the way.[65]
The band joinedCleopatra Records in late 2024, and released a cover ofthe Beatles' "Love Me Do" in November. On December 4, 2024, the band confirmed a full length LP under the working titleFush Yu Too was in the works and was to be due by the end of February.[66][67] Prior to that in March, during the Ride On Tour, the band hinted going back to the studio to record an LP in the sameska style as "Fush Yu Mang".[68]
On January 21, 2025 the band released a cover of "Blinding Lights" bythe Weeknd, with which the band had received backlash for usingAI for the cover art. It was later confirmed that track, as well as "Love Me Do", would be included on Cleopatra's compilation album,Punk Rock Valentines, which released on February 7.[69]
On March 3, 2025, the band announced the Mercury Comet Tour.[70] A day later, on March 4, they announced their new LP was titledMercury Comet and would release in June,[71] before being delayed indefinitely. Much like "Blinding Lights", the cover art received backlash for its use of AI.
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.m.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding missing information.(January 2023) |
Earlier in their career, Smash Mouth was part of theska punk scene.[72][73] After the success of their single, "Walkin' on the Sun", the band began including more elements ofpsychedelic pop and other retro styles of the 1960s in their compositions. They would ultimately come to be known as apop rock,[74]power pop[75] andalternative rock band,[76] despite still retaining some elements of their ska and reggae roots.
Current members
Touring members
Touring substitutes
| Former members
Touring guests
|
Timeline
BMI Pop Awards
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | "Then the Morning Comes" | Award-Winning Song | Won | [79] |
Billboard Music Awards
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Smash Mouth | Top Adult Top 40 Artist | Nominated | [80] |
| 1999 | "All Star" | Top Hot Top 40 Track | Nominated | [81] |
| Top Soundtrack Single | Nominated |
Billboard Music Video Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "All Star" | Best Pop Clip | Nominated | [82] |
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Astro Lounge | Favorite Group - Modern Rock | Nominated | [83] |
Grammys
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | All Star | Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated |
California Music Awards (Bammie)
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Walkin' on the Sun" | Best single | Won[84] |
| 2000 | Astro Lounge | Outstanding Rock/Pop album | Won[85] |
| Steve Harwell | Outstanding Male Vocalist | Won |
Teen Choice Awards
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Smash Mouth | Choice Music Group | Nominated | |
| Astro Lounge | Choice Music Album | Nominated | ||
| "All Star" | Choice Summer Song | Nominated | ||
| 2000 | Smash Mouth | Choice Rock Group | Nominated | [86] |
Kids Choice Awards
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Smash Mouth | Favorite Band | Won |
| All Star | Favorite Song | Nominated | |
| 2002 | Smash Mouth | Favorite Band | Nominated |
| "I'm a Believer" | Favorite Song | Nominated |
Radio Music Awards
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Smash Mouth | Alternative Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2000 | Smash Mouth | Artist of the Year (Pop/Alternarive Radio) | Nominated[87] |
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Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
Data from Wikidata
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| National | |
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