Thursday, August 18, 2011

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Smash Mouth

Artist:Smash Mouth
Song:All Star
Album:All Star Smash Hits





Back in 1999, you couldn't escape this song. It was everywhere. All Star was one of two top five hits for the group Smash Mouth but I think All Star is their most memorable song. I guess it's a sports anthem now. The group was formed in San Jose, CA in 1994. Lead singer Steve Harwell had been in a rap group called F.O.S. with drummer Kevin Coleman. Coleman knew guitarist Greg Camp and bassist Paul DeLisle from the Southern California ska punk scene. They harassed Camp until he agreed to work with him. He was Smash Mouth's main songwriter. So they started to get a lot of local buzz and signed with Interscope Records. Their 1997 debut CD Fush Yu Mang reached #19 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was certified 2XPlatinum. The single Walkin' on the Sun reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Smash Mouth second CD Astro Lounge went in a more mainstream pop direction. That turned out to be a smart move as it reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was certified 3XPlatinum. All Star reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also appeared in the film Mystery Men and then in the hit film Shrek along with Smash Mouth's cover of The Monkees I'm A Believer. That was on their 2001 CD Smash Mouth but it probably did more for the Shrek soundtrack. Kevin Coleman left Smash Mouth due to back problems and was replaced by Michael Urbano. Smash Mouth started to fade after 2001. You can get all their hits on this comp. Steve Harwell appeared on the MTV show The Surreal Life. Smash Mouth recorded the CD Old Habits which they claimed would return to their ska roots. But it appears that Interscope didn't like it and shelved it. They left Interscope and released the album as Summer Girl on their own label in 2006. Greg Camp left Smash Mouth in 2008 and recorded a solo CD and is in The Maids Of Honor. Mike Krompass was already touring with Smash Mouth so he replaced Camp. Urbano left and was replaced by Randy Cooke. Smash Mouth still tours and are supposed to be working on a new CD. Here's the video for All Star by Smash Mouth featuring the cast of the film Mystery Men.

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