The Smoking Popes are a Chicago-area pop punk band formed in 1991 by brothers Josh, Matt, and Eli Caterer, known for blending the raw energy of punk with crooning, melodic vocals and heartfelt lyrics about love and longing. Emerging from the Midwest punk scene in the early ’90s, the group gained widespread attention with their 1994 album Born to Quit, which featured the breakout single “Need You Around,” later included on the soundtrack to the hit film Clueless. Their distinctive sound—often described as punk rock delivered with the emotional intensity of a lounge singer—helped shape the melodic punk and early emo movements and earned them a devoted cult following. 

After a hiatus in the late 1990s, the band reunited in 2005 and has remained active ever since, continuing to tour and release new music, including recent material such as their 2025 album Lovely Stuff. Across decades of work, The Smoking Popes have influenced generations of alternative and punk artists with their mix of buzzsaw guitars, romantic melancholy, and timeless songwriting.