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Smithereens are a musical duo consisting of composer / producer / bass player Peter Smid and singer Wendy Sheridan.

7-track Album. Released in 1985. Click on album cover to go to the iTunes Store

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Peter Smid got his first guitar on his 10th birthday. Inspired by musical heroes Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers and The Shadows, he became musically active himself. In 1975 he formed the house orchestra for Amsterdam’s famous pop temple, Paradiso, a band later integrated into VPRO Radio’s music department. As VPRO’s Houseband they worked with the legendary Dr. John, who was quite impressed by the combo’s virtuosity. The Houseband also recorded the albums Numero Uno, Sympatico and Hot Enuff, featuring the hit songs “Dancing Shoes” and “Don’t Lose Your Love.”

In 1981 Peter Smid once again found himself in the pop charts, this time as leader of Time Bandits, one of the few Dutch groups with success abroad. Time Bandits’ hits include “Live It Up,” “I’m Specialized in You” and “The Man With the Golden Voice.” Because of musical differences, Peter left the group in late 1982.

Wendy Sheridan was born in New York, moving to Ashbury Park, N.J. – Springsteen country – as a teenager. There she started her singing career, accompanying herself on guitar or banjo. In the late seventies Wendy moved to sunny Key West, Florida, where she became a top attraction. She worked in clubs and theatres, teaming up with a host of musicians playing blues, country, rock, soul and even jazz. She appeared in two films about Key West and lent her voice for countless jingles and commercials, some of which are still being played by Florida radio stations today. 

In 1983 Wendy took a plane to Europe – someone had promised her a contract with a German record company. In Germany she found this to be an empty promise. Possessing little but a Eurail pass, she ended up in Amsterdam, where she made a living by performing in clubs and even in the street. One lucky day she was discovered by Frank Sutherland, who invited her to sing in in a VPRO radio program about the ‘Sound of New Orleans.’ Sutherland played Wendy’s tapes for Peter Smid – and the rest is history: Smithereens was born.

Smithereens’ first joint project was a six-track mini album for Idiot Records simply called 1234 and featuring the single “Guarantee for Love.” The selections were written by Peter Smid together with either J.P. den Tex or Wendy Sheridan. The album was produced by Peter Smid and Jakob Klaasse.

In 1986 Smithereens were forced to change their name since another group (recording for the American Enigma label) was also active under the name Smithereens. As Wendy and the Sensations the duo recorded the single “He’s a Sucker for a Lady.” Flip van der Enden

Arranged, played and produced by Jakob Klaasse and Peter Smid • All vocals Wendy Sheridan • Recorded & mixed at Zeezicht studios Haarlem by Janpiet Exalto • Mixing engineer John Tilly • Additional musicians Frans Hendriks & Joris Alberda drums • Hugo de Bruin Guitar • Tineke Schoenmaker & Anneke van der Poll Backing vocals • Wouter van Bemmel trumpet • Original sleevedesign Johan Visser • Photography Willem Wisselink • Artwork Yvet Anna & Tanja de Vries, Ronald Mulder en regine Mateman • Thanx to Nederland Muziek, Eus, Frank, Maruca Beek, Joyce, Mag & Maggie, Rob van Donselaar • All songs published by Idiot Songs/Warner Chappell, The Netherlands • Digitally remastered by Johan Visser & Emile Elsen at CSP, Bocholt, Belgium.