Tribute and Rant: Steve Harwell: (1967-2023) Why Smash Mouth Deserves a Better Legacy

I'll be honest. I never loved Smash Mouth. I do, however think they probably deserve a different and better legacy.

The omni-presence of "All Star" (which isn't necessarily a bad song, but kind of suffers from being over-played in the same way, say, as the Spin Doctors' "Two Princes") hampered them. Yes, the "Shrek" of it all, matters. It is amazing to me, for instance that somehow, "Accidentally in Love," is Counting Crows' second biggest song in the streaming era, eclipsing much better songs from their discography. While no one is Smash Mouth was ever even close to possessing Adam Duritz's unique artistry, like Counting Crows, better songs in their discography were overshadowed by "All Star." At least on their first two albums, the strong, happy, sometimes bubblegum retro-sixties vibe that showed up, was interesting.

On the song “Then the Morning Comes” and the VERY Doors-influenced "Walkin' on the Sun," they also merged a tad hint of psychedelia into their sound. In the case of "Then the Morning Comes," look beyond the goofy, semi-embarrassing "dude-bro" video and actually listen to what is happening musically. Fascinating shifts and melodic turns. While it might be the "dude-bro" side that cemented their often maligned cultural place, it is their skill at merging a bubblegum, sixties pop vibe into a nineties, ska-punk-infused framework that should be their claim to fame.

Steve Harwell was not a great singer, but like the Kool-Aid man breaking through the wall of a party, he brought a likable level of undeniable charisma. Again, these guys arose from the ska-punk side of things. While not possessing the finesse of the bellow of Dicky Barrett of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Harwell's vocal approach came from a similar place. I also think that in the nineties we were musically spoiled by an embarrassment of riches. The earnestness and the craft in the work of the bands of the early nineties, made the light-eared sound of late-nineties alternative pop sound infinitely less impressive. In hindsight, it was fun, almost mirroring the musical evolution of the sixties in chronological reverse.

Smash Mouth knew who they were, too. They were never a cool band. Their willingness to admit that on record (see "The Fonz,") and their tendency to unflinchingly lean into occasionally hokey cover-versions with confidence prove that point.

The band Smash Mouth still exists with a new singer but like them or not, they will never be the same without Steve Harwell. Sure, lots of embarrassing "dude-bro" energy was all around, but the band had their place. Smash Mouth had their own unique sound.

Rest in peace, Steve Harwell.

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