Smoking Popes have always occupied a unique space in the punk rock landscape. They have always effortlessly merged the raw energy of punk with a crooner’s sensibility and their music has never been just about the fast beats and crunchy guitars. There’s always been a sense of melody and heart that sets them apart. 2025 will see the band marking the 30th anniversary of their seminal 1995 album Born to Quit. To celebrate, the band did a live session recording in front of a live audience and the result is Born to Quit Live Session. It’s not just a rehash of old tracks, but a vibrant and updated take on the album that first catapulted the band to cult status. It reminds one why Smoking Popes still matter today.
This live session strips the record down to its core. The chemistry between Josh Caterer’s smooth and earnest vocals, the sharp riffs of Eli Caterer’s guitar, and the powerful rhythms of bassist Matt Caterer and drummer Mike Felumlee are evident and while the original album was notable for its clean production and tightly crafted songs, in this live setting, the band lets loose a little more, adding a fresh layer of grit and spontaneity that injects new life into these beloved tracks. Songs like “Midnight Moon” and “Rubella” still hit with the same youthful urgency, but there’s a maturity in the performances that comes from three decades of playing together.
One standout moment is the reimagined version of “Gotta Know Right Now,” featuring guest vocals from Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer. Her presence adds a new dimension to the track. Elevating it to a duet feels both nostalgic and entirely new. It’s moments like this that highlight why this live session is more than just a trip down memory lane. It’s a reinvention that keeps the spirit of Born to Quit alive while offering something fresh for old fans and newcomers alike.
“Need You Around,” perhaps the most well-known track from the original album, takes on a new weight in this live setting. The song has always been a perfect example of the Smoking Popes’ ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with punk energy, but the live version captures a rawness that’s compelling. Josh’s vocals feel more immediate, more impassioned, as if he’s still living the heartbreak at the song’s centre.
Tracks like “My Lucky Day” and “Just Broke Up” come across as short bursts of catharsis, their brevity making them feel like snapshots of emotional highs and lows, while the album’s closer, “On The Shoulder,” extends the narrative with its slower, more contemplative pace. The extended live rendition adds a sense of finality and wraps the album in a way that is intimate and powerful.
Born to Quit Live Session is a testament to Smoking Popes’ enduring appeal and their ability to bring new depth to their classic sound. The band’s unique blend of punk aggression and tender melodies remains timeless and proves that even after 30 years, they can still pull at your heartstrings while making you want to move. Fans of the original will love the raw energy of this re-recording, and new listeners will find plenty to appreciate in this updated take on a classic album.
