?Meet the Smithereens?

The band?s newly released album, a track-by-track cover of the classic “Meet the Beatles,” is no hackneyed imitation of the Fab Four. Instead, the Smithereens, which came to prominence in the mid-1980s, breathe new life into the recording, while approaching it with ample amounts of reverence and respect.

“We played this wonderful event in Louisville and did a show of all Beatles tunes to a terrific response,” said Pat DiNizio, the band?s lead singer and songwriter since its inception. “I was deluged with e-mails from folks urging us to consider doing an album of Beatles material.”

It?s interesting that DiNizio and his band mates pursued the idea after drawing criticism for emulating the Beatles? sound on their 1988 breakout hit “Only a Memory.”

“We wear that label proudly and nobly, believe me,” said DiNizio of the comparisons between The Smithereens and British Invasion bands. “When you consider ?Meet the Beatles? you realize the album gave them a voice, and a face and an identity which spawned thousands of rock ?n? roll garage bands.”

The album, released in 1964, became the soundtrack for a generation ? including DiNizio and the other band members ? reeling from the late 1963 assassination of President John F. Kenney, acclimating to President Lyndon B. Johnson?s plan for a “Great Society,” and weathering other major political and social changes.

“There was no turning back after hearing this LP and seeing the Beatles on the ?Ed Sullivan Show,? ” said Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken. “We were instantly hipped to the fact that there can never be anything cooler than playing in a rock ?n? roll band.”

Paying homage to the Beatles is commendable, but what about baby boomers who look at Smithereens classics, such as “Behind the Wall of Sleep” and “Drown in My Own Tears,” as anthems of their own youth?

DiNizio promises the tour includes all of the band?s classics ? and then some.

“We made this album to preserve a way of life we know and love,” said DiNizio. “We also give that experience to our fans by doing faithful renditions of Smithereens songs as they remember them.”

If you go

The Smithereens

» Venue: Rams Head Tavern, Annapolis

» Times: 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday (two shows)

» Tickets: $33.50; www.ramsheadtavern.com; 410-268-4545