Our very favorite punk rockers, the world-famous Smoking Popes fronted by Elgin’s own Josh Caterer (above), are scheduled to play Dundee’s Clearwater Theater on Friday, February 29th. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $13.

The Smoking Popes’ take on punk-pop is centered around lead singer Josh Caterer, whose obsessions with big-band records and black-and-white movies on the American Movie Classics channel have led him to develop a vocal style unique in punk — the Popes sound like a familiar loud-guitar band fronted by a lounge singer, mixing up-tempo rock with laid-back vocals and lyrics with an old-time romantic feel. The rest of the band, formed in the Chicago area, consists of Josh’s brothers Matt and Eli, on bass and guitar, respectively, and drummer Mike Felumlee. While Caterer doesn’t think of the band’s music as punk, their supporters include the respected punk indie label Johann’s Face and Green Day’s Billie Joe. Johann’s Face released the Popes’ debut album, Get Fired, in 1993, and their strange style is even more refined on their second album and first major-label effort, 1995’s Born to Quit. Destination Failure followed in 1997.
~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

I just looked at Clearwater’s calendar and was so bummed when I found that I missed a Lawrence Arms show in January. The Lawrence Arms is an ex-Slapstick band fronted by distinguished Slapstick vocalist Brendan Kelly.

Here’s one of their videos:

I’m still looking to the day when we don’t have to go to Dundee to see shows that should be playing in downtown Elgin…

Filed under: arts, events, music.
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