Before I talk about the show I saw a couple weeks ago at the Double Door, I would like to inform you about another review I saw...from the Dude on the Right. These guys currently do reviews on E-Ave.com. Between the two of them, they have enough musical talent and knowledge to play a kazoo. They are 2 overweight 30-year-old virgins who lived at a fraternity until they were 28 years old. The only thing they are qualified to review is beer. How do I know?, I went to school with them, even wrote a few reviews for the college paper with them. They are nice enough guys, but their musical knowledge and taste is severely lacking. Their recent reviews and favorite bands include Neil Diamond and Def Leppard...enough said.
Anyhow, onto the Smoking Popes. They played a Chicago show on December 19, 1998. I have been a Smoking Popes fan for a while now...ever since they opened up for a band I was seeing...I can't remember, but it was with Tripping Daisy. It was at the Metro and the crowd was going nuts for some band I never heard before. All I can saySmoking Popes are incredible live. I like the CD's, but the live show is just incredible, what else can I say. The show was at a small bar called the Double Door. Million Yen opened and tortured the audience for half an hour, even the bands parents had their fingers in their ears the whole set. At about 1:00 am the popes came on playing the theme song from Charlie Brown in Smoking Popes style. They welcomed everyone to their "Christmas Show" and played alot of christmas songs like "Silent Night" and "Little town of Bethlehem", and quite a few songs off of Born to Quite, like Ruebella. In fact, there were only a couple of songs off of Destination Failure. Capital Christine was one. There were even some songs I didn't recognize. But what really made it great was the way they worked remakes of christmas hymns between songs. Silent Night just blew me away. I had never heard an upbeat, rock version of any of these hymns, and with Josh Caterer singing, it was very cool. Even though they aren't fans, my brother and friends came along with me (for $8, who can turn that down). Even they enjoyed the show and would go again to see them live. Thats says alot about their live show.
My only complaint was about the crowd, it was full of late-20-30-somethings with their penny-loafers or their high-mall-hair. There was no moshing, or even dancing. Too many tucked in polo shirts and penny loafers for me. But I had missed the last 3 Smoking Popes shows and was not about to miss this one. Even for someone who isn't a fan, the show will not disappoint.
I appreciate the opportunity to babble,
