2008 Woodie Awards
Return of Smoking Popes
By: Linda Merrick
Issue date: 1/22/07 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
"We wanted to make something worthy of being called Smoking Popes material," said Josh Caterer in reference to the reunited band's forthcoming new album.
Smoking Popes have been on hiatus for seven years, after Caterer left the band in early 1999. Now the Chicago- based band is back together and poised to release a new album, "Absolute Breakdown" sometime around April of this year.
Smoking Popes is the Caterer brothers- Josh (vocals, guitar), Eli (guitar, backing vocals) and Matt (bass). Rounding out the band is drummer Ryan Chavez.
Before the hiatus, the Popes were taking the Chicago alternative rock scene by storm. The song "Let's Hear It for Love" appeared on the first Q101 "Local 101" CD. They also released two full-length albums- "Get Fired" and "Destination Failure."
Caterer says he doesn't know yet if the "Absolute Breakdown" has a theme. With all the work and putting together the bits and pieces of an album, it's sometimes hard to tell until the final product is ready.
"There might be [a theme]. I just haven't examined the lyrics on a whole," said Caterer in a phone interview.
Much of the bands previous material deals with heartbreak, relationships and those ever-pestering growing up years with song titles like "Pretty Pathetic" and "Brand New Hairstyle."
In 2005 the band had a "coming out" party of sorts- celebrating the newly reunited band with a concert at the Metro in Chicago. The show was recorded and released as what ended up as a "greatest hits" CD and DVD titled "At Metro."
It's not a coincidence that the comeback show was at the Metro. The Caterer brothers grew up in the Chicago area and were part of the Chicago music scene for years. Josh Caterer has strong ties to the venue itself.
"It's my favorite club in the US," said Caterer.
Caterer said not only is the staff, sound and set-up the best in the country but he also has emotional ties to the club. At age 17, Caterer saw Iggy Pop play at the Metro in what he calls the best show he ever saw.
"The effect was indescribable," said Caterer. Caterer said playing the same stage years later was a great feeling.
Other bands composed of brothers are notorious for their arguments. According to Josh Caterer, the brothers in Smoking Popes are great friends and always have been.
"We aren't like Oasis," he said.
Chavez, a relatively new addition to the band is also a good fit both stylistically and personally, according to Caterer.
Smoking Popes seem to be back, despite growing pains in the past.
Smoking Popes have been on hiatus for seven years, after Caterer left the band in early 1999. Now the Chicago- based band is back together and poised to release a new album, "Absolute Breakdown" sometime around April of this year.
Smoking Popes is the Caterer brothers- Josh (vocals, guitar), Eli (guitar, backing vocals) and Matt (bass). Rounding out the band is drummer Ryan Chavez.
Before the hiatus, the Popes were taking the Chicago alternative rock scene by storm. The song "Let's Hear It for Love" appeared on the first Q101 "Local 101" CD. They also released two full-length albums- "Get Fired" and "Destination Failure."
Caterer says he doesn't know yet if the "Absolute Breakdown" has a theme. With all the work and putting together the bits and pieces of an album, it's sometimes hard to tell until the final product is ready.
"There might be [a theme]. I just haven't examined the lyrics on a whole," said Caterer in a phone interview.
Much of the bands previous material deals with heartbreak, relationships and those ever-pestering growing up years with song titles like "Pretty Pathetic" and "Brand New Hairstyle."
In 2005 the band had a "coming out" party of sorts- celebrating the newly reunited band with a concert at the Metro in Chicago. The show was recorded and released as what ended up as a "greatest hits" CD and DVD titled "At Metro."
It's not a coincidence that the comeback show was at the Metro. The Caterer brothers grew up in the Chicago area and were part of the Chicago music scene for years. Josh Caterer has strong ties to the venue itself.
"It's my favorite club in the US," said Caterer.
Caterer said not only is the staff, sound and set-up the best in the country but he also has emotional ties to the club. At age 17, Caterer saw Iggy Pop play at the Metro in what he calls the best show he ever saw.
"The effect was indescribable," said Caterer. Caterer said playing the same stage years later was a great feeling.
Other bands composed of brothers are notorious for their arguments. According to Josh Caterer, the brothers in Smoking Popes are great friends and always have been.
"We aren't like Oasis," he said.
Chavez, a relatively new addition to the band is also a good fit both stylistically and personally, according to Caterer.
Smoking Popes seem to be back, despite growing pains in the past.
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