Smoking Popes

Posted by: steve | From: May 06, 2004

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 also combined with a certain classy nostalgia vibe. Josh Caterer (vocals, guitar, songwriting) is a great songwriter with a keen sense for melancholy melody.

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. With new priorities, Josh Caterer broke up the Smoking Popes. Their have been numorous releases since the break up including a live album, a tribute album, a best of, a cover album. Josh took a few years off from rock, but is playing in a band called Duvall now.


The Smoking Popes got on the radio and then broke up because of diving intervention. Great sad songs and a bombastic sound make the Smoking Popes The Greatest Band of All Time.

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