Girl at the Rock Shows

I don’t know what set me off on Tuesday, but it was a bad day for me. I was just a bit on edge all day. I couldn’t concentrate on work, and every incoming email hit me like a migraine. Maybe it was lack of sleep, perhaps it was stress, maybe it was just one of those days. I couldn’t tell you but what I can tell you is that I was relieved when I stepped foot into The Fine Line come Tuesday night. I was instantly surrounded by familiar faces, had time to catch up with an old buddy I hadn’t seen in a hot minute and got treated to the music of my teenage years. It may have been a crap day for me, but Smoking Popes and The Get Up Kids were quick to turn it all around.

Chicago pop-punkers Smoking Popes are one of those bands that never got the recognition they deserved, yet never let it get them down. These rockers have been around since 1991 and haven’t stopped putting out their signature sound, other than a small break between 1999 and 2005. The thing that really stands out about this band is the vocals. They are distinct yet comforting. They fit the sound perfectly and honestly kind of sound a bit like every other band from the pop-punk world, yet there’s something about them that, when you hear them, you know it’s Smoking Popes. It’s in the tone of Josh Caterer’s voice. It’s comforting and calm yet has this edge about it that makes it perfect for a pop-punk band. Add their infectious music and the way they can go from a super bouncy song into one that leans a bit more into the tender side of the genre and you are left with a dynamic and flawless performance.

From their cover of “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory to an homage to legendary Twin Cities punk rock group The Replacements, Smoking Popes absolutely nailed their performance on Monday night. I know they weren’t the headliners of the night, and, personally, I was super excited to see The Get Up Kids close out the night, but they treated their set like it was their show, as they didn’t miss a single note or beat. The more that I think about it, the more I realize that this group is just as legendary as the headliners. I know the show was billed as Smoking Popes opening for The Get Up Kids, but after reflecting on the night, it felt more like a co-headlining show. By the time Smoking Popes were wrapping up their set, I was honestly a bit sad to see them go, but I am hopeful that I will get another chance to see this iconic band live this year. I have no proof of that other than my gut, and, as you know, I always go with my gut (and it’s usually right).

Has it been ten times that I’ve seen The Get Up Kids at this point? I’ve lost count, but this is one of those bands that I could see night after night and not get bored with it. Their live shows aren’t anything exciting. Okay, that seems rude, but the truth is, The Get Up Kids really don’t move much on stage. They just kind of get up there, do their thing, tease the audience with an encore, and then leave. Nothing exciting, right? Wrong. The Get Up Kids, like Smoking Popes, are legendary, and they are a band that soundtracked part of my life. Some of their songs are comforting and chill. Others are angsty and full of life. Regardless of what style of song it is, one thing remains constant with this band, and that is the heart and fire that radiates from them. That comes through in a recording, but seeing it live is one of those things that will keep me coming back time and time again. It’s subtle, almost unassuming, but it leads to a perfect performance every time, with Tuesday night no exception.

Tuesday night’s show was a celebration of 25 years of their 1999 album, ‘Something to Write Home About.’ (I know that we are at 26 years since 1999, but this show was initially supposed to take place last year. Unfortunately, iconic vocalist Matt Pryor got sick the day the “actual” show was supposed to take place, so they canceled, and this was the make-up show.) This isn’t my album. My album from this band is their 2004 release, ‘Guilt Trip.’ That being said, there’s no denying the legendary tracks that live on ‘Something to Write Home About’ including the opening track, “Holiday.” The second the band kicked into their set with this song, my heart filled with so much joy, so many memories, and just this overall feeling of warm fuzzies that never really left until I was walking back to my car. Even then, I felt like I was walking on clouds.

I wasn’t surprised that after playing through the twelve-track album and a short break, the band returned to play a few more songs. What did surprise me were the songs that they played. I’m not going to give them all away, but a few highlights were hearing “Stay Gold, Ponyboy” from the band’s debut 1997 album ‘Four Minute Mile’ and “Martyr Me” from the aforementioned ‘Guilt Trip’ album. Although I definitely didn’t hear all of the tracks I wanted to, I feel like the band did a great job of picking some standards while throwing in some curveballs when it came to their encore, and, at the end of the day, I didn’t care what they play– I was just thankful to be experiencing their magic again.

Tuesday was a crappy day for me, and I’m optimistic that Wednesday will be a bit better. Even if it’s not, at least I have the magic of seeing The Get Up Kids and Smoking Popes on Tuesday to help me get by.

Line Up:

Smoking Popes

The Get Up Kids

Venue: Fine Line

Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable

Average Age of the Crowd: 39

Crowd Surfers- None

Stage Divers- None

Mosh-ability- 2 out of 10

Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- 0

Broken Bones- None Noticed

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None Witnessed

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Idiots Taken Out By Security – 0

How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-

Smoking Popes – 3

The Get Up Kids – 10? 11? 12? Who knows?

Celebrity Sightings – Members of: Pilot to Gunner; Motion City Soundtrack; Unstable Shapes; Lamaar; Whiskey Rock N Roll Club MPLS

Overall Score – 8.9 out of 10

Show on Deck — Burning Blue Rain / Saltydog / Lighter Co. // Tim Heidecker & the Very Good Band / Neil Hamburger

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