Smash Mouth - Astro Lounge (1999) POLL

I had this “what if” thought years back where I wanted to believe they were actually like Steely Dan in the studio - unbelievably meticulous in achieving this precise Smash Mouth sound.

Production on the album is indeed great. I remember thinking, "Hey, what's up with all the sounds going around in my headphones? I LOVE IT!!" when I first heard it on headphones. Oh, the joys of technology...

ok I kinda want to see them live now

I absolutely can not wait to see @smashmouth now pic.twitter.com/l7FAsiHuSK

— 🩸🗡Kristi🪓YamagucciSlain🔪🩸 (@wapplehouse) October 11, 2021

I'll kill your whole family

i'm the singer here

Ok, that video made me laugh

I really like this band even tho I only know the singles from this album & 'walking on the sun', and even though they're kinda the musical equivalent of an oversized retro/kitsch bowling shirt. Agree with whoever said the guitarist and guitar sounds are fantastic, the production too, the keyboard and organ sounds are also great, can't believe they don't have a real keyboard player.

I wouldn't have touched this with a 10 foot pole in 1999, of course, which is a real shame.

I always suspected this was a manufactured band, like some A&R rep got them together ("at last, the missing link between Sugar Ray and Fastball!") but watching that clip they really seem more like they started organically as a 2-bit punk band in the drummer's basement.

I liked Walking on the Sun when it came out and recall a very early web interview where they seemed to have some skate punk roots that they were quite consciously rejecting because they wanted to be big and have a real career and said that could only happen if you played along with the label’s plan.

So that's who "Sell Out" by Reel Big Fish was about

oh i missed this because i always thought smash mouth was one word

That was quick...

https://variety.com/2021/music/news/smash-mouth-singer-steve-harwell-retires-1235087184/

The video is hilarious and he's clearly wasted, BUT I learned today that he's apparently been battling various addictions since his son died from leukemia at like 6 months old, so the whole thing is just sad.

ok so regarding their origins, steve was a big ol drug dealer (might've been just pot) in oc and its not that far of a reach to get your demo to the right people when you're selling large quantities of contraband in so cal. i learned this from the vh1 behind the music iirc.

Bummer, I wanted to see em. Would have guessed the guitarist shopped his demo around then teamed with Harwell at the label's suggestion. Maybe I'll hear the album one of these days.

lol the Eve 6 guy has had "PROSPECTIVE LEAD SINGER OF SMASHMOUTH" in his Twitter bio for a few weeks

Very depressing. I wish Harwell nothing but the best, alcohol/drug addiction is an uphill battle of the worst kind.

TikTok really is changing the music industry

The “Rockstar” singer, 54,