Aside from having the coolest name of any punk-leaning Chicago-area band since Big Black, Smoking Popes have been blessed with core fan base that refused to quit on the outfit. When leader Josh Caterer pulled the plug on the Popes in 1998, it came little more than a year after releasing what might have been the group’s best album, Destination Failure, perplexing many but apparently offending few. Seven years later, a sold-out reunion show in the Popes’ hometown was all it took to get Caterer back in a creative mood. From there, Josh and brothers Matt (bass) and Eli (guitar) pretty much picked up where they left off, releasing Stay Down in 2008 and compilation It’s Been A Long Day last year. The new This Is Only A Test (Asian Man) is a concept album that only occasionally comes across as such, with the 38-year-old Josh taking on the role of an angsty teenager to convincing effect. Josh and Matt will be guest-editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new Q&A with Josh.
Josh: The first time I saw Iggy Pop in concert, I was 17 years old. He played at the Metro in Chicago. My brother Matt and I got there early, way before doors, and when they let us in, we went right down front by the stage. When it was show time, his band came out first and started playing, and then Iggy came running out onto the stage and immediately dove into the crowd right on top of us. It was intense. His performance that night was explosive, captivating, life-changing. I’ve seen him in concert several times since then, and it’s always a totally inspiring experience. He performs like his life depends on it, like there’s nothing in the universe that matters more than giving himself completely to that performance. I saw him again a few months ago with the Stooges when they were touring for the re-release of Raw Power. He’s 63 and still putting on an electrifying show. I’ve seen some of the greats in concert, but nobody puts it out there like Iggy Pop. Nobody.
Video after the jump.
