ABOUT THIS SMAX SHOW:
This live concert took place on Friday, October 31, 1997 at Barrington Banquets in Barrington, IL, and the entire show was actually organized by Smax lead singer Tory Pennacchio (the late John Emerson did sound). In this set, the Apple Smacks performed a lot of material from their new album "Christina Molest Me" (1997) produced by Sean Seeling of Apocalypse Hoboken. For the studio version, go here: petewulff.bandcamp.com/album/christina-molest-me-1997-for-more-pics-click-on-each-track

Apart from their 2005 reunion show featuring a four-person lineup of Ben/Tory/Cory/Pete, this was one of the last Smax shows and the final one with all five band members.

SMAX MEMBERS:
Ben Kane: drums & backup vocals
Brad McMahon: guitar & backup vocals
Tory Pennacchio: lead vocals
Cory Verblen: guitar & backup vocals
Pete Wulff: bass & backup vocals

ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL:
Jerry Rinard: alto saxophone on Track 4 & Track 9 (i.e., "C.M.M." Part 2) & backup vocals on Track 7 (i.e., verse 1 & the choruses)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: A special thanks to Jerry Rinard for preserving the audio tape from this show and digitizing, EQing & mastering it!

BANDS ON THIS BILL:
1) Apocalypse Hoboken (headliner)
2) Oblivion
3) Luke Skawalker
4) Apple Smacks
5) New Left Standard
6) Nincompoops
7) Gadget 45
8) Trinity

ADDITIONAL 1997 HALLOWEEN FOOTAGE:
Here's some live video footage of Oblivion and Apocalypse Hoboken from this show: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRXAfXVHD_Y

For Oblivion's discography, go here: oblivionuk.bandcamp.com

For Apocalypse Hoboken's official website, go here: www.apocalypsehoboken.org

HOBOKEN HALLOWEEN CONCERT MEMORY:
One indelible moment from Hoboken's set was eternally tattooed to an audience member's hippocampus:

"My main memory of that Halloween show was standing next to a girl who threw a whole unopened bag of Oreos at Apocalypse Hoboken guitarist Scott Hoffman. There was a note attached that said, 'Please play me.' Scott picked it up, read the note then chucked the Oreos behind him. Hoboken did not play 'Oreo' that night. I still can’t believe that stunt didn’t work." --Anthony

RELATED SHOW AT KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:
Prior to this Halloween show, the Apple Smacks also played a show with Apocalypse Hoboken on April 4, 1997 at the Arlington Heights Knights of Columbus Hall with the following bill:
1) Apocalypse Hoboken (headliner)
2) Rustweiler
3) Apple Smacks
4) The Fosters
5) Nostralsaurus?

ATTENDEE MEMORY OF KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SHOW:
Tom Stedman, a close friend of the Smax, was at this show and vividly remembers a fight breaking out while the Smax were playing and Smax guitarist, the late Cory Verblen, started playing REM "Everybody Hurts.”

Smax lead singer, Tory Pennacchio, recalls the following: "When the fight broke out [John Emerson who also did sound for that show] got on the mic and started yelling at everyone. It was amazing. Cuz he was this old guy and he said 'Alright, alright! I don't put up with this shciff!' He tried to say 'shit' but said 'schiff.' Cory and Pete and I were dying."

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE LATE JOHN K. EMERSON (1949-2015):
According to Ben Kane, apart from the Barrington Banquets (Barrington, IL) and Knights of Columbus (Arlington Heights, IL) shows that the Smax played with Apocalypse Hoboken, "The Smacks didn't do a ton of shows that John Emerson did sound for. But John did sound at a ton of Nymb and Apocalypse Hoboken shows. That's how Nymb ended up recording with him. Just a ton of punk and punk adjacent shows all over the area for years."