The Smithereens - Top of the Pops

What this video is

Released as the lead single from Blow Up (Capitol Records, September 1991), 'Top of the Pops' arrived at a historically turbulent inflection point: Nirvana's Nevermind hit shelves the same month, beginning a rapid reorientation of alternative radio and MTV programming away from the polished power-pop idiom The Smithereens had mastered. A New Jersey band with deep roots in 1960s British Invasion, Buddy Holly, and…

Why it matters

Represents a late-period power pop mainstream bid within the Capitol Records alternative rock roster, documenting the aesthetic and commercial pressures on melodic, riff-based American rock at the precise moment grunge redefined genre hierarchies. The video preserves the band's signature…

The director

American filmmaker born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Attended Northeastern University before completing an MFA at the University of Southern California film school. Began career collaborating with music video director Jack Cole, then built a solo catalog…