Grammy-nominated phenomenon Smash Mouth reached pop-rock stardom unlike any other band in the 90s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With hits like All Star, Then The Morning Comes, Can\u2019t Get Enough of You Baby, <\/em>and I\u2019m a Believer <\/em>(later featured in the film Shrek<\/em>), the band is easily recognized amongst all ages for its catchy tunes and fun lyrics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the band’s longtime frontman Steve Harwell, 56, died in September, the band continues to bring their megahits to the stage with as much vigor and fun – as if nearly 30 years hasn’t passed since they stepped out into the pop-rock spotlight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul Delisle, original co-founder, bass player, and songwriter, chatted with Backstage SoCal before they perform the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 6. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Early years:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n How did each of you get started in music, and what led to the formation of Smash Mouth? What original members are still in the band? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We all played in different cover bands growing up in the San Jose Bay Area so we all knew each other. Steve started the idea of forming an original band and recruited Greg and I. Right after we got signed we added Michael Klooster on Keyboard so he\u2019s basically an original member along with myself. Sean Hurwitz on guitar and Randy Cooke on drums have been in the band for over 10 years now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can you share any early musical influences that have shaped your sound? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Greg and I liked punk and surf stuff along with 80s Modern Rock and Steve liked Van Halen and stuff like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The number one question all will want to know is how are you holding up after the loss of Steve Harwell? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We are doing good because we were sorta told a year ago this was on the forefront. He retired from the band late 2021 so we\u2019ve been moving full throttle keeping the Smash Mouth brand alive in his honor. At the same time it still feels totally weird he\u2019s gone and we\u2019ll cherish the moment we meet-up again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How are your shows pivoting without Steve\u2019s presence? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Super weird at first but really the credit goes to Zach our new singer. He totally \u201cgets it\u201d and because he\u2019s so prepared it\u2019s been seamless. Zach is a tad younger than us too so we\u2019ve been injected with new energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cerritos Center For the Performing Arts:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What is your audience going to experience at Cerritos Center? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A very fast-paced set with a ton of recognizable hit songs. We released the classic cover song by Rick Astley \u201cNever Gonna Give You Up\u201d in 2022 with Zach on vocals and it\u2019s been a nice addition to our live show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “All Star” is one of your most iconic songs. What was the inspiration behind it, and did you anticipate it becoming such a cultural phenomenon? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our original Guitar Player and my great friend Greg Camp wrote that. As he explains, it\u2019s a song about the kids who get bullied and how the odds are against them and it\u2019s an anthem for them to say F it and go for it antways. He then correlated that with the environment and how as humans we are treating it like bullies and how it must rise above the abuse because there\u2019s no choice. As far as it\u2019s success, we knew we had a hit song but had no idea it would become one of the most popular songs ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All Star<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n How has the success of “All Star” impacted your career and the band’s identity? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s been a financial windfall and continues to be and the song put us on a level most 90s bands can\u2019t even see. The songs remains cool and fresh and that\u2019s very difficult to accomplish. Just like THE CARS, you listen to their first LP and it\u2019s still super fresh to the ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your music has evolved over the years. How would you describe the progression of Smash Mouth’s sound from your early days to now? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The songwriting method is the same. What has changed is production, current sounds etc,. Our new song \u201cUnderground Sun\u201d carries all the early Smash Mouth elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Live Shows<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n