Once in a while, a band casts a shadow much greater than anyone may have thought possible. That’s the story of the Smoking Popes.

“After Naked Raygun, Chicago was the Smoking Popes. They were Alkaline Trio before Alkaline Trio; they were Fall Out Boy before Fall Out Boy. This band is one of the reasons that Fall Out Boy even exists.” – Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy.

Before there was post-pop-emo-whatever punk, the Smoking Popes were one of the first artists to wrap love - both its fragile beginnings and devastating endings - in a comforting blanket of bouncy drumbeats and bombastic power chords.

Now, nearly a decade since their last studio album, brothers Josh, Matt and Eli Caterer – collectively known as the Smoking Popes - return with Stay Down, released summer of 2008 through Appeal Records. With their signature style of power-pop-punk, Stay Down is an album that grabs the band’s spirit, but also hints of a maturity and confidence that reflects the lives of the band members.

“Did you ever hear Born to Quit? It’s by the Smoking Popes. I thought that album was extraordinary, the most lovable thing I’d heard in years.” – Morrissey

The Smoking Popes first burst onto the scene with Born to Quit on Chicago indie label Johann’s Face. Prior to that album’s re-release on Capitol Records in the summer of 1995, their single “Need You Around” quickly became a favorite spin on Chicago’s Q101 and Los Angeles’s KROQ, with both stations putting it in heavy rotation. Suddenly it seemed like everyone sitting on the 405 during rush hour was singing, “Crazy as it sounds, I need you around,” trying to emulate Josh Caterer’s smooth Rat Pack-esque voice, while banging their fists on the steering wheel in time to the song’s frenetic drumbeat. Praise from NME, Melody Maker, SPIN, Alternative Press, Rolling Stone and Billboard met with the band touring with the likes of Goo Goo Dolls, Tripping Daisy, Jawbreaker, Dinosaur JR, and Morrisey, and “Need You Around” was featured in the movie Clueless.

In 1997, the Smoking Popes released Destination Failure, which may be considered their masterpiece. Earning an 8.8 from Pitchfork Media, the album challenged the idea of what a pop punk band could do, with songwriting that didn’t always adhere to verse chorus verse progression and lyrics that told tales of love and longing with heartbreaking detail.

“The Smoking Popes were a good band that only wrote good songs. They have always been a big influence on Alkaline Trio and are a huge reason a lot of us started bands in the first place. I can’t wait to see them again-I hope they play ‘Brand New Hairstyle’” – Matt Skiba, Alkaline Trio

There is no denying that the Smoking Popes, however unknowingly, created a wave of bands and fans in its wake, many of whom never saw the band play live. Now that is changing.

After performing a reunion show, the band decided to regroup on a permanent basis. The result is Stay Down. From the first few notes of Welcome to Janesville, it is evident that the band is back in fine form. Now joined by drummer Neil Hennessy, Stay Down is a collection of twelve clever and catchy songs. With big summertime melodies and Josh’s distinct vocal stylings that the Chicago Sun-Times states, “the new tracks sound clean and crisp and classic Popes.”

Stay Down is sure to continue the Smoking Popes legacy as forefathers and influencers in the pop-punk scene.