They had their ups and downs, but Smoking Popes were always a good band. - Oh My Rockness

Rockness Recommends

They had their ups and downs, but Smoking Popes were always a good band.

June 2, 2008
After a long hiatus, Smoking Popes are back. You remember them? They were a little pop-punk band from the Chicago suburbs that were famous for a few days. These guys formed in 1991, but things really started hyping for them three years later when, after releasing Born to Quit on the tiny Johann's Face record label, they became 1994's version of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Improbably, they started playing "I Need You Around" on the radio every day and Green Day, Jimmy Eat World and Morrissey were suddenly asking if Smoking Popes wanted to tour with them. The crazy hype died down (as it almost always does) and eventually this band of the Caterer brothers called it quits in 1999.

But now they've reunited (they are family, after all) and will have their first new album out in ten years on Flameshovel Records (Make Believe, The Narrator, Chin Up Chin Up). I've always liked these guys (even if they toured with Goo Goo Dolls) and it's nice to have them around again. Josh Caterer has a good voice.

BUY TICKETS TO THIS SHOW!


Smoking Popes play Metro, on Saturday, June 7th.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!

Get new Chicago announcements, free show info, ticket giveaways and more...