by Smoking Popes

Victory has announced that it will be releasing an upcoming CD/DVD live release from recently reunited Chicago act, The Smoking Popes. Due out February 28th, 2006, the as-yet untitled live release will be supported with the previously confirmed tour this winter. The bill will include Bayside and will run from February 22nd to March 12th.

The band included Josh, Eli and Matt Caterer and Mike Felumlee who went on to Duvall, Colossal and Alkaline Trio. They broke up in 1999 shortly after releasing their second Capitol release, Destination Failure. A posthumous release of the covers collection titled The Party's Over followed in 2001. Bands like Fall Out Boy, Alkaline Trio and tourmates Bayside claim the band as a seminal influence. Their full length, Born to Quit even drew accolades from Morrissey who said: "I thought that album was extraordinary, the most lovable thing I'd heard in years."

The band announced their reunion in August and performed at the Flower15 charity festival last month.