“Ever wonder what a traditional lounge singer would sound like backed up by a punk band? The Smoking Popes take that concept one step further: They've created a unique kind of music that some listeners are describing as ‘hyperkinetic tear-jerkers’." Los Angeles Times. Bursting onto the Chicago punk scene in 1991, Smoking Popes built a relationship with their legion of fans by melding raw songs about bittersweet heartache with soaring melodies, power chords and infectious energy. From their early indie releases to their critically acclaimed major label albums, Smoking Popes developed a unique blend of buzzsaw guitars, caffeinated rhythms and heartfelt crooning vocals, combining the angst of punk with the smooth sophistication of Frank Sinatra, creating music both urgent and timeless, and influencing a generation of musicians in their wake. These days, the Popes are tighter and more inspired than ever, having reunited with drummer Mike Felumlee, from the band’s seminal recordings of the ‘90s, to record their first new material with their original lineup since 1998, a powerful two-song single – “Simmer Down” and “Someday I’ll Smile Again” – now available on Asian Man Records. Lead singer Josh Caterer describes the reunion, “We’ve been fortunate to have some really great drummers over the years, they’ve all brought something unique to the band, but as soon as we started playing with Mike again, we felt like ‘This is how it’s supposed to be!’ Mike is the one who helped create our sound in the first place. Having him back in the band brings a lot of energy and excitement to what we’re doing.” And that’s not their only reason to celebrate. 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Destination Failure, the Popes’ pop-punk masterpiece, originally released on Capitol Records in 1997. To commemorate this milestone, they’re partnering with Side One Dummy Records to create a special vinyl edition of the album, due out in early 2018. Caterer remarked, “It’s sort of hard to believe that Destination Failure is twenty years old! Listening back to the album, it doesn’t feel dated to me. I think there’s an immediacy to the music that still comes through. A lot of that has to do with Jerry Finn. He was such a brilliant producer. We were very lucky to work with him.” The band is also hard at work writing and arranging new material for a full-length album to be released in the fall of 2018. Look for some of those new songs to pop up in their live sets on the road this year. If their recent single is any indication, Smoking Popes are far from done making waves. “Why are the Smoking Popes important? Because they’ve written your favorite song, whether you know it or not.” – Kyle Kinane, Comedian & Smoking Popes Superfan

It's possible that you haven't heard of Red City Radio, so maybe a “band bio” is in order. We bring that point up because this punk band from the Heartland has flourished and grown in popularity without having any real help from the usual suspects. They've never been embraced by the hip websites, they've never had a big record label, and they don't have a fancy booking agent in NYC. None of that shit, just four good friends from Oklahoma City that keep getting better at writing songs and keep playing bigger and bigger shows. Yeah sure, we'll write you a band bio. RCR is all about inclusion, so it's never too late to get on board and come along for the ride. ​First off, as we've already noted, the band hails from the unlikely punk scene of Oklahoma City, OK. That right there probably explains why these kids have been fighting an uphill battle—or more likely—that struggle explains why their creative muscles keep getting stronger. Apart from the isolation, OKC is a funky and unique place, so maybe that's where Red City Radio is coming from with this latest SkyTigers project. Songwriter and vocalist, Garrett Dale, says, “The message with SkyTigers is a message of acceptance and love. Accepting control over your own universe and taking a stand against hate, fear, and confusion... We hope that these songs make our listeners feel like there is someone who feels the same as them. Because there is.” ​After forming the band in 2007, they had to fight their way out of the Sooner State. They've released EPs and LPs with independent labels here and there, but their big chance came recently in 2015, when they got an offer from newly-formed Vagrant/BMG imprint, Staple Records. They put fort their strongest effort yet, a self-titled album that blew us all away. Two months after its release, the label folded and the band was left once again to fend for itself. For a lot of bands, the story would end there, but this quartet forged ahead and did tours in support of New Found Glory, Strung Out, Less Than Jake, Anti-Flag, and more. It was also boom-time overseas, as the band's shows doubled in size and they were invited to join many of the big outdoor festivals in Europe. As bassist Jonathan Knight put it, “I can't say we have ever considered throwing in the towel, but we have always felt like an underdog.” ​Now after years of triumph in the face of the odds, we have the hyper-melodic 5-song EP, SkyTigers. When asked about the title, frontman Garrett says it means, “To be the absolute best version of yourself that you can be. That's what being a SkyTiger is. To be great and do great. Because you are great.” Far fucking out, man. Kinda makes you wanna... be a SkyTiger, right?!? Well, here's your big chance. The band has a new EP coming on Red Scare and it'll be followed up with a big tour in support of The Lawrence Arms. Bad luck be damned, 2018 is already shaping up to be a banner year for Red City Radio and we expect them to keep on surprising the scene.  

“It’s kind of like if Robyn Hitchcock was in Green Day” -- some guy on the internet.

Telethon is a band of boy friends who make rock and roll songs for the modern kids and adults.