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Popes: Smoking Popes
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Smoking Popes' first album, Get Fired, was released on a small indie label in 1994 and the recordings aren't the best, but it's fast and furious and the songs are great. They were signed to a major label (Capitol) shortly there after and released their second album and major label debut, Born To Quit. The lead single, "Need You Around," got huge airplay on the big alternative rock radio stations, such as KROQ (in LA), and the Popes toured the country. Life on the road, travelling and partying, took its toll. A follow up to Born To Quit was recorded with some hardship and their label wasn't happy. The album was released with no support from the label, and while touring for the label Josh Caterer had a dramatic conversion to christianity.
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Chicago, IL - Seven years after breaking up, seminal Chicago rock band the Smoking Popes are pleased to announce their reunion performance at Flower 15, November 11 at the renowned venue The Metro (3730 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL). The line-up for the band has been confirmed, including brothers and original members Josh Caterer (vocals, guitar), Matt Caterer (bass), and Eli Caterer (guitar) along with Rob Kellenberger from the band Duvall on drums. Flower 15 commemorates Flower booking’s 15th anniversary, and raises funds for P.L.A.Y. (Possibilities in Life: Art for Youth).
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To the heartbreak of many, the Popes called it quits in December 1998. Their appropriately titled final effort, Party's Over, was recorded in 1998 for Capitol but was not released until 2001 by Double Zero. This label ... released two compilation albums of theirs -- Smoking Popes 1991-1998, a collection of many previously hard to find songs, and 2000's Live. In November 2005, however, the brothers Caterer reunited with new drummer Rob Kellenberger for the Flower 15 Festival in Chicago. This performance was captured on tape and released by Victory in February 2006 as the CD/DVD At Metro. A two-month North American headlining tour with Bayside followed.
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The Smoking Popes first burst onto the scene with "Born To Quit" on Chicago indie label Johann's Face. Prior to that album's re-release on Capitol Records in the summer of 1995, their single, "Need You Around," quickly became a favorite spin on Chicago's Q101 and Los Angeles' KROQ, with both stations putting it in heavy rotation. Praise from NME, Melody Maker, SPIN, Alternative Press, Rolling Stone and Billboard arrived with the release of "Born To Quit" as the band toured with Goo Goo Dolls, Tripping Daisy, Jawbreaker, Dinosaur Jr. and Local H. Later that year, "Need You Around" was ... featured in the hit movie "Clueless."
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The Smoking Popes are the epitome of an alternative rock one hit wonder but their unique style, wonderful songwriting, and raw energy make them The Greatest Band of All Time. Three brothers and one friend from the sububran Chicago make the Popes. Bringing together a power pop/pop punk sound with a real crooner man on the vocals the Smoking Popes had the wonderfully urgent youthfullness that is so important in music but ... combined with a certain classy nostalgia vibe. Josh Caterer (vocals, guitar, songwriting) is a great songwriter with a keen sense for melancholy melody.
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The Smoking Popes began playing throughout Chicago in 1991 and quickly developed a solid, loyal underground fanbase. Josh’s crooning vocals melded with the band’s energetic pop punk musical style, setting the group apart from other bands in their genre. The band eventually gained national attention, a deal with Capitol Records, and a spot on movie soundtracks such as Clueless and Tommy Boy.
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