Smith Westerns, everyone’s favorite former Nobunny backing band (though Bad Sports and Rock ‘n Roll Adventure Kids might just take the cake), have gone from doing just that to playing large festivals and receiving pretty widespread ‘indie’ acclaim. They’ve always been well-versed in pop hooks and judging from the Chris DeCarlo obsession “Varsity,” their next album Soft Will (Mom + Pop, June 25) will feature that kind of good stuff.

There is a video out there now for “Varsity” and while I’d normally post it, I’ll link to it: HERE. Maybe I’m just jealous of the Cameron Omori look-a-like or maybe it is simply a ridiculously cheesy music video. I’ll stick to the MP3 version, thanks.

The Smiffs are playing at The Sinclair on Saturday July 27 as part of a tour in the wake of the album’s release.

Here are the other dates:

7/21 Nashville, TN – Exit In
7/23 Washington, DC – Black Cat
7/24 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
7/26 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
7/27 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
7/28 Montreal, QC – Cabaret Mile End
7/29 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
8/2 Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
8/5 Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room
8/6 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
8/7 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
8/9 San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands Festival
8/10 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
8/11 Pomona, CA – The Glass House
8/12 San Diego, CA – Casbah
8/15 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
8/16 Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
8/17 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl
8/20 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
10/4-6 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Festival
10/11-13 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Festival

Here is a video of them playing “My Heart” in New York City back in 2009: