You know the song. Everyone does. That opening organ riff of "All Star" is basically the "Happy Birthday" of the late 90s—ubiquitous, inescapable, and weirdly comforting. But if you look at a photo of the Smash Mouth band members from 1999 and compare it to the guys on stage today, you might get a little confused.
The San Jose outfit has had a wilder ride than their sunny, radio-friendly pop-rock suggests. It wasn't just beach parties and Shrek soundtracks. There were deep tragedies, very public meltdowns, and enough lineup changes to make your head spin.
Honestly, the story of this band is really the story of two different eras defined by two very different frontmen.
The Steve Harwell Era: From Skatala to Superstars
Most people think Smash Mouth started as a pop band. They didn't. Back in 1994, Steve Harwell, who had actually been a rapper in a group called F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech), teamed up with drummer Kevin Coleman. They eventually pulled in guitarist Greg Camp and bassist Paul De Lisle.
The early sound was gritty. It was ska-punk. Think less "I'm a Believer" and more "Walking on the Sun." That first hit, which basically put them on the map in 1997, was almost a fluke. It didn't sound like anything else on the radio, and it certainly didn't sound like the rest of their debut album, Fush Yu Mang.
Steve Harwell was the face of the brand. He had that spiked hair, the soul patch, and an aggressive energy that felt like a permanent backyard BBQ. But behind the scenes, the Smash Mouth band members were dealing with a lot.
Kevin Coleman left the group early on due to back issues. He was replaced by Mitch Marine, and then eventually by Michael Urbano. It’s important to realize that while Harwell was the voice, Greg Camp was the "secret sauce." Camp wrote almost all the big hits. When you’re humming "All Star" or "Then the Morning Comes," you’re humming Greg’s brain.
The Tragedy of 2001
It’s easy to joke about meme culture, but Steve Harwell’s life had some incredibly dark chapters that most casual fans completely missed. In 2001, at the height of the band's fame, Harwell’s infant son, Presley Scott Harwell, died from acute lymphocytic leukemia.
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He was only six months old.
That kind of loss changes a person. Forever. Harwell created a medical research fund in his son's name, but the internal toll was massive. Many fans point to this period as the beginning of a long, slow decline in Harwell’s health and stability. He struggled with alcohol for years, which eventually led to a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and Wernicke’s encephalopathy—a condition that can severely impact motor functions and memory.
That Infamous New York Performance and the End of an Era
Fast forward to October 2021. The Big Sip festival in Bethel, New York.
This was the moment everything broke.
If you saw the TikTok clips, you know it was rough. Harwell was slurring, yelling at the audience, and even appearing to give a Nazi salute—though his representatives later claimed he was just gesturing to the crowd. It was a disaster. It was painful to watch. Shortly after that show, Harwell announced his retirement from the band.
He passed away on September 4, 2023, at the age of 56.
The world mourned the voice of their childhood, but the Smash Mouth band members who remained had a choice to make. Do they pack it in, or do they find a way to keep the "All Star" legacy alive?
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Enter Zach Goode: A New Voice for the "All Stars"
The current lineup looks a lot different than the one that filmed the "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" video.
Paul De Lisle is the sole remaining original member. He’s the anchor. He’s been there through every single high and every soul-crushing low. If Paul leaves, the band is basically a cover group. But as of now, he’s still holding down the low end.
In 2022, the band introduced Zach Goode as their new lead singer.
Goode has a different vibe. He’s a veteran of the Southern California music scene, having played in bands like Ghoulspoon and Divided by Zero. He can actually hit the notes—Steve’s voice had become notoriously shot in his final touring years—and he brings a sort of "respectful revivalist" energy to the setlist.
Current Smash Mouth band members (as of 2024/2025):
- Paul De Lisle: Bass, backing vocals (The OG).
- Zach Goode: Lead vocals (The new guy).
- Michael "Hippy" Klooster: Keyboards (He’s been around since 1997, so he’s practically an original).
- Randy Cooke: Drums (A seasoned session pro who has played with everyone from Ringo Starr to Five for Fighting).
- Sean Hurwitz: Guitar (He’s had a couple of stints with the band, also known for his work with Enrique Iglesias).
Why the Lineup Changes Actually Mattered
When Greg Camp left the band (multiple times, actually, but most permanently around 2011), the songwriting DNA changed. Smash Mouth tried to pivot into a more "adult contemporary" sound, but the world just wanted them to stay in the 60s-inspired-surf-pop lane.
The revolving door of drummers and guitarists—guys like Leroy Miller and Greg Camp’s various replacements—meant the band became more of a touring machine than a creative powerhouse. They haven't had a massive radio hit in decades, but they don't really need one. They are the kings of the "nostalgia circuit," playing county fairs, festivals, and corporate gigs where everyone just wants to hear the hits.
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There is a weird tension in being a "legacy" band. You want to make new music, but you know 10,000 people are waiting for you to play the song from the green ogre movie. Zach Goode has been leaning into this, releasing a cover of "Never Gonna Give You Up" and new tracks like "Underground Sun" to prove they aren't just a museum exhibit.
The Reality of Being an "All Star" in 2026
If you’re going to see Smash Mouth today, you aren't seeing the garage band from San Jose that wanted to be the next No Doubt. You’re seeing a professional, highly polished pop-rock show.
Is it the same without Steve? No. His gravelly, "hey-now" delivery was singular. But the current Smash Mouth band members are arguably better musicians than the original lineup was at their peak. They are tighter, more consistent, and—honestly—a lot less chaotic.
They’ve managed to survive the death of their iconic frontman, the departure of their primary songwriter, and the transition from "cool alternative band" to "internet meme." That’s not easy. Most bands would have folded after the Bethel incident.
How to Keep Up With the Band
If you want to track where the members are now or see them live, here is what you need to do:
- Check the Official Site: They are surprisingly active on tour. They hit a lot of "lost 80s/90s" festivals.
- Follow Paul De Lisle: If you want the real history, Paul’s interviews are the only ones that give the full, unvarnished picture of the 90s heyday.
- Listen to "Underground Sun": If you want to see if the new lineup has any chemistry, this track is the best barometer. It’s got that classic Smash Mouth "California sound" without feeling like a parody.
- Acknowledge the Legacy: Don't just meme them. Read up on Steve Harwell’s charitable work and the band’s early ska roots to appreciate that they were more than just a soundtrack for a movie.
The lineup might be a ship of Theseus at this point, but as long as Paul De Lisle is holding the bass, the heart of the San Jose sound is still beating. Sorta. Kinda. Mostly.