Chicago’s Smoking Popes have a new album in the wings with the upcoming LP Lovely Stuff (Mar 2025, Anxious and Angry). However the results of the recent presidential election in the United States struck a chord, and prompted the band to write and put out a new, stand-alone single commenting on how it all turned out. Vocalist/guitarist Josh Caterer shares:
Two days after the election, I was filled with anger and disgust over the result, so I picked up a guitar and poured some of those feelings into a song, which turned into this two-and-a-half-minute punk protest tune called ‘Allegiance’. It was written and recorded really quickly and we wanted to release it as soon as possible because it speaks to this moment we’re living in. And we’re excited that Scott was able to be part of it. He’s such a great singer…I think having his voice in there adds to the urgency of the message.
In another case of a great duet, the Popes bring in Local H‘s Scott Lucas to share some verses with, as well.
We don’t have exact dates or preorder links for that new album just yet, but will have them to you as soon as they’re available. In the meantime, the band has added more spring dates to their 2025 touring schedule. Check out the single below and, underneath, find details for those gigs.
w/ Camp Trash and Rodeo Boys
Friday, Feb 28 – Off Broadway, St. Louis MO
Saturday, March 1 – Growlers, Memphis TN
Sunday, March 2 – The Earl, Atlanta GA
Tuesday, March 4 – Handlebar, Pensacola FL
Wednesday, March 5 – Loosey’s, Gainesville FL
Thursday, March 6 – Conduit, Orlando FL
Friday, March 7 – Orpheum, Tampa FL
Saturday, March 8 – Gramps, Miami FL
Spring tour dates
Tuesday, April 22 – Turf Club, Minneapolis MN
Wednesday, April 23 – High Noon Saloon, Madison WI
Thursday, April 24 – X-Ray Arcade, Milwaukee WI
Friday, April 25 – Castle Theatre, Bloomington IL
Saturday, April 26 – The Space, Champaign IL
Sunday, April 27 – Hi-Fi, Indianapolis IN
Wednesday, May 14 – Madison Live, Covington KY
Thursday, May 15 – Ace Of Cups, Columbus OH
Friday, May 16 – Bottlerocket, Pittsburgh PA
Saturday, May 17 – Ukie Club, Philadelphia PA
Sunday, May 18 – Songbyrd, Washington DC
Tuesday, May 20 – TV Eye Queens, NY
Wednesday, May 21 – The Space, Hamden CT
Thursday, May 22 – Arts At The Armory, Somerville MA
Friday, May 23 – Rec Room, Buffalo NY
Saturday, May 24 – Mahall’s, Lakewood OH
Sunday, May 25 – The Sanctuary, Hamtramck MI
the white drew carey (aka – Jeff Sorley) is the founder and head editor of TGEFM. He’s lived (outside of) Chicago, Madison WI, (ugh) Penn State, Lyon FR, Oxford UK, central New Jersey, and now within earshot of SFO in the Bay Area. When not scouring the web for more great bands and labels to post about, he also spends time drawing (mostly) silly sci-fi and anime stuff under the name Asplenia Studios.
