Smash Mouth's Steve Harwell announced his retirement following a chaotic performance at Bethel, NY's Big Sip beer festival last October where he threatened the audience (among other things), making the future of the time-honoured rock outfit seem uncertain at best.
But now — perhaps just in time for the pending release of Shrek 5? — they've introduced the world to new vocalist Zach Goode with a cover of Rick Astley's classic Rickrolling roof-raiser "Never Gonna Give You Up."
As per Goode's website, he's a singer-songwriter, DJ and voice actor based in Los Angeles. He fronted San Diego bands Ghoulspoon, Divided by Zero and Secret Seven, as well as Geezer — a "mock-senior citizen Weezer/Beastie Boys performance art band."
The newly updated bio on Smash Mouth's website describes the singer's vocal style as having "instantly proved a perfect match."
"Several catchphrases come to mind with Smash Mouth at the dawn of 2022," the new "About" section of the band's website reads. "Onward and upward! Bigger and better! New and vastly improved!"
It continues on:
But here's the reality: Smash Mouth is now poised to consistently deliver the best live show you'll see in 2022.
And here's why: Ammunition. Smash Mouth has the best songs. And more of them than any of our friendly competitors. Period.
And in new recruit Zach Goode, Smash Mouth has landed the perfect commanding/veteran frontman who will return them to the top of the mountain. And keep them there.
So buckle your seatbelt and brace yourself for Smash Mouth in 2022.
It's guaranteed to be a thrilling and fulfilling top-billing super-thing.
You'll see...
...and hear.
Now, you may be wondering: is this Goode guy the unidentified stand-in that replaced the previous bandleader onstage last fall? It seems unlikely, so the mystery continues.
Harwell skipped out on a few of the band's touring stops last year before returning for the infamous Bethel performance. He decided to retire in light of worsening health conditions.
"I've tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn't able to," he told fans via TMZ, adding: "Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream. To my bandmates — it's been an honour performing with you all these years and I can't think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with."
Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming — and Smash Mouth is proving to be a near-equal constant.
Check out the cover to hear the first taste of the band's rebrand below.
Elsewhere in all-star news, the band were robbed of a spot on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs list and "Never Gonna Give You Up" reached one billion views on YouTube.
But now — perhaps just in time for the pending release of Shrek 5? — they've introduced the world to new vocalist Zach Goode with a cover of Rick Astley's classic Rickrolling roof-raiser "Never Gonna Give You Up."
As per Goode's website, he's a singer-songwriter, DJ and voice actor based in Los Angeles. He fronted San Diego bands Ghoulspoon, Divided by Zero and Secret Seven, as well as Geezer — a "mock-senior citizen Weezer/Beastie Boys performance art band."
The newly updated bio on Smash Mouth's website describes the singer's vocal style as having "instantly proved a perfect match."
"Several catchphrases come to mind with Smash Mouth at the dawn of 2022," the new "About" section of the band's website reads. "Onward and upward! Bigger and better! New and vastly improved!"
It continues on:
But here's the reality: Smash Mouth is now poised to consistently deliver the best live show you'll see in 2022.
And here's why: Ammunition. Smash Mouth has the best songs. And more of them than any of our friendly competitors. Period.
And in new recruit Zach Goode, Smash Mouth has landed the perfect commanding/veteran frontman who will return them to the top of the mountain. And keep them there.
So buckle your seatbelt and brace yourself for Smash Mouth in 2022.
It's guaranteed to be a thrilling and fulfilling top-billing super-thing.
You'll see...
...and hear.
Now, you may be wondering: is this Goode guy the unidentified stand-in that replaced the previous bandleader onstage last fall? It seems unlikely, so the mystery continues.
Harwell skipped out on a few of the band's touring stops last year before returning for the infamous Bethel performance. He decided to retire in light of worsening health conditions.
"I've tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn't able to," he told fans via TMZ, adding: "Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream. To my bandmates — it's been an honour performing with you all these years and I can't think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with."
Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming — and Smash Mouth is proving to be a near-equal constant.
Check out the cover to hear the first taste of the band's rebrand below.
Elsewhere in all-star news, the band were robbed of a spot on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs list and "Never Gonna Give You Up" reached one billion views on YouTube.
