Pat DiNizio chat

SunSpot: We're chatting with Pat DiNizio, who is the subject of the documentary "Mr. Smithereen Goes to Washington," which has its debut at the Maryland Film Festival this weekend.

Pat: Greetings from Washington, D.C.

Tara, Baltimore: Do you still play any clubs in Jersey like the Court Tavern?

Pat: We haven't played the Court Tavern in a while but we did a residency there back in 1999 to develop new song material for our sixth album, "God Save the Smithereens." We played the Stone Pony in Asbury Park and the Tradewinds in Sea Bright, N.J. The Court Tavern is in serious danger of being demolished, which is a serious concern for all of.

Popkid, Washington, D.C.: Which Smithereens tune means the most to you and why? And, pray tell, what made you decide to run for Senate?

Pat: There is a recent Smithereens song entitled "She's Got A Way," which has particular significance for me as it's about my seven-year-old daughter, Liza, however, it is written in such a way that it is open to lyrical interpretation. That is the beauty of songwriting, because lyrics should have different meaning to different people on all sorts of levels.

I first got involved in politics when I was 18 years old. I was a Republican party committeeman serving two terms in my hometown of Scotch Plains, N.J. Public service was always something that interested me. However, disenchanted and frustrated and disturbed by the corruption I witnessed in the political system, I decided to pursue music instead. It was while watching my daughter grow and seeing society change around us, I wanted to become politically active again and make some sort of real contribution to society, and to try to make our country and the world a better place for kids like my daughter Liza to grow up. Thank you Popkid!

Paul, Towson: Why did you agree to let a film crew follow you around during your campaign? Have you seen the movie yet?

Pat: I agreed to let documentary filmmaker Josh Tunick follow me around for several weeks during my living room tour, which was a concert tour of the homes, backyards and living rooms of some '90s Smithereens fans and their families all across the United States. It was at some later point, or at some point during that original music documentary idea that Josh became aware of my Senate campaign and suggested combining both elements. Being followed around by a camera is not something I feel particularly comfortable with. And at times I regretted having made the decision. But once having made that decision I had no choice but to honor my commitment. I have not seen the final edit of the film. I don't have a lot of objectivity regarding a film about myself, and I'm not certain if I'll really be able to watch it, but I have heard that it is a good and interesting documentary.

Robert, Owings Mills: Are you glad you ran for Senate even though you didn't win?

Pat: Yes, I am glad that I ran for Senate and that I didn't back down and saw it through to its conclusion. The campaign has put me heavily in debt, unfortunately, as it was mostly self-financed. As only four percent of the population contributes to candidates and campaigns, I couldn't in good conscience ask people for money. Especially, since one of the issues I felt strong about was campaign finance reform. I have been approached by several political parties to do it again, and it's tempting, but I'm not ready to throw my hat in the ring again. Maybe in a few years.

Mark, Baltimore: Do you see any Smithereens influence in bands that are popular today? Do you think your band would be successful if it were starting out now?

Pat: If the Smithereens were starting out now we would most definitely not be successful. The sort of three-minute traditional pop songs that we specialize in are not especially popular these days, although we are now back in the area of the appalling pop ballad, as evidenced by artists like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and the Backstreet Boys. But we simply persevere, and continue to write and record music we love playing, and we are grateful that after 21 years together as a band (all four original members still intact) we can still do this for a living.

Jill, Baltimore: What have you been doing since the election?

Pat: The election ended Nov. 7, and I kind of took a step back and looked at my life and needed to make a decision about what I wanted to do with it. I moved back into my old apartment in New York City and attempted to get back into the swing of the old life I'd known. Just as I was feeling comfortable with the ebb and flow of life in New York City, I found myself on a train to Washington, D.C., to audition for a DJ position at XM Satellite Radio. However, instead of getting the DJ gig, they gave me an entire radio station to build from the ground up. My station will be called XM Unsigned and we will play only unsigned artists and independent record labels, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. XM Unsigned will be one of 100 channels available through XM Satellite Radio. I truly feel that XM will revolutionize radio as we know it, and that is why, after getting the offer to be program director of XM Unsigned on a Wednesday, I had moved to Washington, D.C., by Monday. Go to www.xmradio.com for more details.

Jennifer, Baltimore: How would your life be different now if you had been elected to the Senate?

Pat: It wouldn't change me personally, in terms of my feelings for people, my passion for life and my viewpoints. I would certainly have to learn to play that game, unfortunately, but that goes with the territory. It seems to me that usually it's the wrong people who are elected to office, people who are doing it for the wrong reasons; for power, for money, for position, people who are in it for selfish reasons, and not to reflect the will of the people. It seems as though you have to be rich or very well-connected to gain or buy entry into the political process. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, but in general, this seems to be the case. This is a real problem for all Americans, and for political activists. I believe in the original ideals of the Reform Party before it was destroyed by Pat Buchanan, and I was a Reform Party candidate before he joined, and at a certain point I publicly disassociated myself from him. I do believe we need a third party where average American citizens will step forward and serve their fellow Americans with passion, conviction, honesty and caring and then when their term is up, they'll go back home to their normal lives. It's important to have average people run for office, people who are not beholden to corporations with special interests. People who cannot be bought at any price.

Pat: Thanks for your questions. I hope I've answered them in a satisfactory manner. Check out XM Satellite Radio, go to the Smithereens official Web site (www.officialsmithereens.com) for news about the band and thank you for your thoughtful questions. I hope you enjoy the documentary "Mr. Smithereen Goes to Washington."