The Road Less Traveled

Pat DiNizio figured he might raise a few eyebrows with the eclectic cast he assembled to make his first solo album, “Songs and Sounds.”

The lead singer and songwriter of the Smithereens broke from the world of catchy power-pop in recruiting jazz saxophonist Sonny Fortune, Stranglers’ bassist J.J. Burnell and ex-Lou Reed drummer Tony Smith.

Unbeknownst to DiNizio, one of his skeptics--at least initially--was his producer, Don Dixon.

“This collection of musicians, at least on paper, made no sense to him at all,” DiNizio, 42, recalled recently from a Dallas tour stop. “But he made no mention of it prior to the start of the recording. Around the halfway point of the sessions, he finally confided in me, saying, ‘Pat, I really didn’t think this was going to work. But you were right.’

“I wanted to try something at least slightly different than what the Smithereens might have done, and I think [using] the diverse musicians on ‘Songs and Sounds’ was an honest attempt to lead me down that road,” said DiNizio, who plays the Coach House tonight backed by Burnell and Smith.

Though sonically a departure with its mix of jazz, blues, punk and pop-rock, “Songs and Sounds” finds the New Jersey-based musician in some familiar thematic territory.

Two songs, however, were inspired by DiNizio’s love / hate relationship with the movies: his cover of composer Bernard Herrmann’s “Where I Am Going,” from David O. Selznick’s “Portrait of Jennie,” and “I’d Rather Have the Blues,” a steamy, slow burner from Robert Aldrich’s “Kiss Me Deadly.”

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In 1992, DiNizio had a bit part in Cameron Crowe’s “Singles,” a comedic look at the twentysomething Seattle crowd. His scene was cut, but he found the experience to be inspiring nonetheless.

“I had aspirations to get into film, as either an actor and / or screenwriter, because I really like the group effort . . . that spirit of camaraderie that exists on the set. There’s a real bond that builds.”

But lately, he’s soured on that idea because, “There isn’t a hell of a lot that’s spiritually uplifting or positive-minded on the screen today. In fact, I had a personal moratorium on film last year--I just simply didn’t go. I remember reading an interview with the pope where he talked about the Hollywood community’s obligation to provide society with nurturing things. I think Hollywood’s been greatly remiss in that area.

“I mean, I’m a dad now, and I’m trying to contribute something meaningful to society,” he continued. “I just don’t want to be a part of the moral malaise that seems to exist these days.”

DiNizio now believes that music-making--even when it’s difficult--bears the greatest rewards.

“I’ve realized that my real strength lies in my ability to write songs. When the work is truly inspired, the words and melodies seem to just come out of nowhere.

“At other times . . . you simply have to sit down and grind it out. Still, the ultimate moment of satisfaction is when I know I’ve written a decent song . . . that I’ve risen to the challenge of taking what I’m doing to new places.”

DiNizio’s guitar work in the Smithereens is largely limited to rhythm work, but on this tour, he has, by default if not choice, been promoted to lead guitarist.

“Being the only guitar player in this trio, I’ve had to step up to the plate. Honestly, I’ve put a lot of work into my playing, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m still playing only three chords, but man, they sure sound big.”

* The Pat DiNizio Trio, Kerry Getz and Paleface Jack play today at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 8 p.m. $13.50-$15.50. (714) 496-8930.