Pat DiNizio Fri., May 27 There aren't many bands currently pushing a ...

Fri., May 27

There aren't many bands currently pushing a 22-CD box set-and, come to think of it, neither are the Smithereens. All the copies of The Smithereens MegaBox have already sold, via PatDinizio.com. They went quick, too, since the factory-made CDs were produced in a limited edition of 500, priced at a very reasonable $100. Maybe you can still get the upcoming 4-CD This Is Pat DiNizio. Order fast, though. Again, there'll only be 500 copies of the Smithereens frontman's collection of standards and originals as performed on piano or guitar.

DiNizio's finding time for these projects when he isn't developing a televised sports show, playing summer festivals with the Smithereens or doing solo dates like the upcoming show at Ace of Clubs-aka the former Under Acme, aka one of the few locales DiNizio hasn't played in this city.

"But it's kind of my old stomping ground," says DiNizio. "It's not far from Kenny's Castaways, and I still maintain a residence over on 7th and Avenue A. I've been renting there since 1980. I'm embarrassed to tell you how cheap it is, but it comes in handy."

Lucky fans who got their hands on the MegaBox already know that Smithereens demos have always been exceptionally great, which also hints at the quality of DiNizio solo. That same professionalism explains why DiNizio settles for scant pressings of box sets that would sell out four times over.

"I just think it's more fun that way," he explains. "I'm not out to get rich. I just want to provide for my family. Some of the things I attempt to do are ridiculous, but some are 10 years ahead of their time. I'm still waiting for some of my peers to catch up on the living-room concert idea. I've been doing those regularly for five years."

DiNizio notes that fans can also trust their collectibles to stay collectible. "There's great temptation to keep items in print which I've promised to keep limited editions-but if your audience loses faith or begins to mistrust you, then you're done for. What I do is about pioneering a business model and finding a niche. I believe in an honest day's work for an honest day's dollar. Nothing more, nothing less."

Ace of Clubs, 9 Great Jones St. (Lafayette St.), 212-677-6963; 7, $15, $12 adv.