From about a month ago until about 30 seconds ago, we were just sitting here counting down the days until Smoking Popes’ September show at Brighton Music Hall if only to hear the Chicago band’s forever unfuckwithable pop-punk yearner “Need You Around,” which stands firm as one of the true great songs of the ’90s. Now we have another must-hear for the Allston date, and it’s the Popes’ jumping decades in covering The Human League’s timeless ’80s anthem “Don’t You Want Me,” complete with duet vocals by Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer. The cover hits the streams tomorrow (June 30) but a video has surfaced early, and it’s viewable below.
“Don’t You Want Me” is part of two new Smoking Popes tunes arriving this summer, with the next, titled “Madison,” landing July 21, as the band celebrates the 30th anniversary of their debut album with a vinyl re-issue, out August 17. Their also prepping a new record set for release next year.
Turns out it’s the Summer of Smoking Popes (SoSP)!
“Don’t You Want Me” was recorded at Million Yen Studios in Chicago, engineered by Andy Gerber, Mixed by Jamie Woolford, produced by Smoking Popes. Fire it up below, and peep all their upcoming tour dates.
Smoking Popes Tour Dates:
August 17, 2023 Badger State Brewing Green Bay, WI %
August 18, 2023 Davenport, IA (Alternating Currents Fest)
August 19, 2023 Turf Club St Paul, MN %
August 20, 2023 High Noon Saloon Madison, WI %
August 30, 2023 Space Ballroom Hamden, CT #
August 31, 2023 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA *
September 1, 2023 Tellus360 Lancaster, PA *
September 2, 2023 Meadows Brooklyn, NY #
September 3, 2023 Brighton Music Hall Allston, MA #
% = w/ the Brokedowns
# = w/ Future Teens + Taking Meds