Founded in late 1996 by Skiba, bassist Rob Doran, and drummer Glenn Porter, Alkaline Trio released its debut single, "Sundials", in 1997. Following its release, Doran departed from the band and was replaced by Andriano, who occupied the role of co-lead vocalist alongside Skiba. The band subsequently recorded an EP, For Your Lungs Only (1998), and its debut studio album, Goddamnit (1998). Following the release of the band's second album, Maybe I'll Catch Fire (2000), Porter left the band and was replaced by Mike Felumlee for its subsequent album, From Here to Infirmary (2001).
Backed by the singles "Stupid Kid" and "Private Eye", From Here to Infirmary significantly increased the band's exposure, and its follow-up, Good Mourning (2003), charted highly on the Billboard 200. Good Mourning marked the recording debut of longtime drummer Derek Grant. In 2005, the band released Crimson which expanded upon the band's punk rock influences, with prominent overdubs and additional instrumentation, and continued with this direction on Agony & Irony (2008), which was released on Epic Records.
In 2010, the band released This Addiction on its own label Heart & Skull and Epitaph. Recorded in the band's home town of Chicago, with early producer Matt Allison, the album was a conscious effort by the band to return to their punk rock roots; it became the highest-charting album of their career, debuting on the Billboard 200 at No.11. In 2011, the band celebrated its 15-year anniversary with the release of Damnesia, which featured new, acoustic-based recordings of songs from across the band's career. The band's eighth studio album, My Shame Is True, was released on April 2, 2013, while their ninth album, Is This Thing Cursed? was released on August 31, 2018, followed by a three track EP titled E.P. on March 19, 2020.
In June 2023, Grant departed from the band after twenty-two years, with Atom Willard being announced as his replacement soon thereafter. Their tenth album (and their final one with Grant), Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, was released on January 26, 2024.
History
Early years, Goddamnit and Maybe I'll Catch Fire (1996–2000)
Alkaline Trio was formed in December 1996, originally consisting of Matt Skiba (guitar/lead vocals), Rob Doran (bass/vocals), and Glenn Porter (drums/vocals). 1997 saw the release of the band's first EP, Sundials. This was followed shortly after by the departure of Rob Doran, after which Dan Andriano, former singer of Asian Man Records band Tuesday and bassist for Slapstick, took his place and they began recording. The band released their second EP entitled For Your Lungs Only, in 1998. Later that year, the band released their first full-length album, Goddamnit,[1] followed by Maybe I'll Catch Fire in 2000, both on Asian Man Records).[6] In 1999, the band released the I Lied My Face Off EP on Asian Man Records and filmed their first music video, directed by Link 80 guitarist Matt Bettinelli-Olpin. Also in 2000, the band released a collection of their previously released EPs on their self-titled album.
From Here to Infirmary and Good Mourning (2001–2004)
In 2001, the band released From Here To Infirmary on Vagrant Records.[7] This album inspired music videos for the singles "Stupid Kid" and "Private Eye." The album was the band's first album to reach above Billboard top 200 mark and the first to gross six figures in sales.[8]
Their next full-length album was Good Mourning, released in 2003,[9] with the album's launch single "We've Had Enough" seeing much the same success as the previous single "Stupid Kid". The album was something of a departure from earlier works, featuring greater production values.
The band appeared on various compilation albums, notably Plea for Peace Vol. 1, Vagrant Records: Another Year on the Streets Vol. 1, 2, and 3, and Rock Against Bush Vol. 1. Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano have both independently recorded split records, Skiba with Kevin Seconds on Asian Man Records and Andriano with Mike Felumlee on Double Zero Records, as well as jointly performing backing vocal duties on the album This is Unity Music by Common Rider. They recorded two split EPs: one with Hot Water Music in 2002[10] and the other with One Man Army in 2004.[11]
Alkaline Trio released their fifth studio album on Vagrant Records, titled Crimson,[2] on May 24, 2005, which featured the single "Time to Waste." The single for this song also included bonus tracks produced by Squirtgun and Common Rider bassist Mass Giorgini. The tracks "Mercy Me" and "Burn" have also been released as singles from the album.
Alkaline Trio performing in 2005
In December 2005, a dual-disc special edition re-release of Crimson hit store shelves. This album features the original cut of Crimson released earlier in the year, while the 2nd disc has demo and acoustic/live versions of some of the songs. Additionally, an enhanced version of the lyrics and liner notes are available for download with personal messages from the band members on the history and/or inspiration(s) behind the songs.
In October 2006, it was announced that Alkaline Trio had signed with V2 Records.[12] On January 12, 2007, the North America branch of the label announced that they were undergoing restructuring to focus on their back catalogue and digital distribution. As a result, their employees were let go and their roster of artists left as free agents.
January 30, 2007, marked the release of Remains an album of B-sides, rarities and live performances. An accompanying DVD contained performances from The Occult Roots Tour and all the band's music videos to date. This marked the end of their association with Vagrant Records.
During late May 2007 the band began listing Epic Records as its label on their MySpace.
On April 4, 2008, "In Vein" was made available for streaming through the band's Myspace profile. On April 7, the album's title Agony & Irony and track listing was revealed.
During a concert in May 2009, the band revealed that they were no longer signed to Epic Records and that they would be releasing new material through their own label later in the year. Recording began that July.[13] Four songs from the album ("This Addiction", "Dead On The Floor", "Dine, Dine My Darling", and "Dorothy") were debuted on that tour with Saves the Day.
On November 18, 2009, the band announced that they would be releasing their new album on their own newly formed label, Heart & Skull, a joint venture with Epitaph Records.[14] In the same article, Skiba also confirmed that the new album would be released on February 23, 2010, with another new song announced, entitled "The American Scream." The trio went back to their home in Chicago to record This Addiction after recording their last few albums in L.A.[15] The band worked hard to go back to their roots with the album, Atlas Studios being the place they recorded their first three albums.[16]
On December 1, Alkaline Trio confirmed to Rock Sound that the title of their new album would be This Addiction:
"It is the first song on the record and the title of our new album," said vocalist Matt Skiba. "The song takes heroin addiction as a metaphor for love. The whole record is really personal, all three of us have been through quite a bit since our last album [2008's Agony & Irony] and it is all expressed through this, all the songs are about the relationships we've been in and so the record has a constant theme."[17]
The album debuted at No.11 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest the band has ever charted to date.[18]
Alkaline Trio released an LP, Damnesia, on July 12, 2011.[19] Consisting of "a selection of beloved fan favorites selected from the group's extensive catalogue and presented in an intimate semi-unplugged format", the LP also included two new songs, "Olde English 800" and "I Remember a Rooftop", as well as a cover version of the Violent Femmes' "I Held Her in My Arms".[19] The band went on a fifteenth-anniversary United States tour in support of the album.[19]
On July 14, 2012, in an interview with The Punk Site, it was confirmed by Dan Andriano that the band would begin recording their next studio album that October.
"We're going to go work with Bill [Stevenson] at Fort Collins at the Blasting Room. Bill and Jason [Livermore]. We've all wanted to work with Bill for a long time and this is kind of the time to do it. So we're going to go hang out there in October. Make a new record."[20][21]
On October 27, 2012, Skiba confirmed that the band had completed the album.[22] On February 1, 2013, the band released a lyric video for the album's lead single, "I Wanna Be A Warhol". On February 5, the band released the artwork and track-listing for the album, titled My Shame Is True, as well as the artwork and track-listing for an EP called Broken Wing. Both My Shame Is True and Broken Wing were released on April 2, 2013.[23] The album peaked at #24 on the Billboard charts[24] The band toured to support the album during 2013.
In 2014, the band conducted an anthology tour dubbed the "Past Live" tour, in which they performed all eight studio albums in their entirety over four consecutive shows in several cities.[25]
In an interview on July 20, 2015, Dan Andriano was quoted saying, "We need to make a new record, pretty much. We're gonna go to England and play some shows with NOFX, do a couple festivals this fall, but it's time for us to make a new record. But I'm doing some Emergency Room stuff and I'm not sure what Matt's gonna be up to with the Sekrets, if he's gonna tour on that, but I think by early next year we're gonna be recording another record."[26]
While the production of the ninth album was postponed by Matt Skiba's work with Blink-182, in an interview on July 3, 2016, Skiba assured that the album would move forward, saying, "I'll be writing for a new Alkaline Trio record while on this summer tour so once things with Blink cool down a bit, the Trio can go in and make a new record and start touring again while Blink is on break. [...] It's such a unique and wonderful position to be in, having two full time bands that people – myself included – are big fans of."[27]
Alkaline Trio opened for the Misfits on December 28 and 30, 2017. On January 11, 2018, the band announced that the Chicago stop during their 2014/15 Past Live Tour (all eight studio albums performed in four nights) will be released in its entirety on Blu-ray, and as an eight-LP box set. Past Live will be released in February 2018. In addition to this announcement, the band also hinted at new music coming soon. Andriano stated that "There's not an inch of me that feels like we're done making music, or we're done making new stuff. I wanna be a band that people want to hear new stuff from. Because I feel like I'm still in a band that wants to write good, new music."[28]
Alkaline Trio was slated to perform at the Self Help Festival on March 3, 2018. However, they were forced to back out after Skiba went through throat surgery. The band shared on Instagram: "Matt's recovery from throat surgery is not healing as quickly as planned and, per his doctor, he can't perform. Everything went well, he just needs more time to heal so he can play many shows in the future. Thank you for understanding."[29]
On July 19, 2018, Alkaline Trio announced their ninth studio album, Is This Thing Cursed?, along with the release of the lead single, "Blackbird."[30][31] The band also went on a North American tour to support the album with opening act, Together Pangea.[32] On August 2, 2018, it was announced on Skiba's Instagram that Grant would not be drumming on the tour due to ongoing health problems. Skiba and Andriano recruited former My Chemical Romance touring drummer, Jarrod Alexander, to fill in for Grant on the tour, which began the next day in Dallas, Texas and ended on October 18 in Santa Cruz, California, while the album was released on August 31.
E.P., Grant's departure, and Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs (2020–present)
In January 2020, the band posted a picture of Andriano in a recording studio with the subtitle "New Jams!" (as well as some pictures with Skiba and Andriano in vocal booths) on Instagram, indicating that work on new material was on its way.[33]
On March 19, 2020, the band released a three-song EP entitled E.P. after postponing a planned tour with Bad Religion due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the songs being recorded before the pandemic. Drummer Derek Grant returned to the band around this time, after taking a lengthy break.[34] Skiba announced in Instagram comments in April 2020 that he is currently writing more music for the band. In June 2021, the tour with Bad Religion was rescheduled with the first show taking place in Riverside, California, on October 15, 2021.[35]
In March 2022, the band went on a UK co-headlining tour with Taking Back Sunday. During an interview on the tour, Grant discussed their plans for new music, stating that new songs had mostly been played at soundchecks, but that "things are starting to kind of take shape, and I think we're at the stage now where we're ready to start actually kind of committing to tape somehow, even if it's just on an iPhone at you know, soundchecks." Grant also discussed plans for a 20th anniversary celebration for Good Mourning, explaining that he had some ideas for what they may want to do, such as shows or a rerelease of the album.[36]
On June 8, 2023, Grant announced his departure from the band after 22 years, citing mental health reasons and a desire to pursue music production and graphic design.[37] On June 15, the band announced Atom Willard (who had previously served as a touring replacement in 2001) as their new drummer.[38]
On October 17, 2023, the band officially announced their next album Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs with a release date of January 26, 2024. This was accompanied by the release of the album's title track and the announcement of a 2024 headlining tour with Drug Church.[39][40] In the following weeks, the band also released the album's second single, "Bad Time" on November 30, 2023.[41] The album features the last contributions from Grant, as he had completed his drum parts prior to his departure.[42] The album's third single, "Versions of You", came out on January 5, 2024.
In support of the Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, Alkaline Trio embarked on multiple headlining tours with support from Drug Church, Worries, Spanish Love Songs, and Slomosa, while also supporting Dropkick Murphys on their 2024 Australian tour.[43][44][45] Later that year, the band also released a joint single "The Sacrifice / At Sickness." The band initially recorded the songs in the same sessions for Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, but cut them from the final track list for time reasons.[46]
Music style, influences, lyrics, related bands, and similar bands
Alkaline Trio's lyrical themes have included alcoholism, women, love, and depression.[65][66] Dan Ozzi of Differuser wrote that Alkaline Trio's "lyrics combine the macabre imagery of the Misfits with the clever turns of phrases of Jawbreaker."[67]
Related bands and similar bands
Alkaline Trio is part of a very large circle of Chicago punk/hardcore bands. Skiba was previously a member of Jerkwater, Blunt, and Traitors.[68] Former drummer Glenn Porter played in 88 Fingers Louie.[3] Andriano's previous bands were Slapstick and Tuesday.[69]Mike Felumlee (drums) has also performed with Duvall and Smoking Popes.[70] Derek Grant, who joined the band after the From Here to Infirmary album, has also played for Laughing Glass, Skolars, Telegraph, The Suicide Machines, Thoughts of Ionesco, Dan Zanes, The Sugar Pup and Sean Madigan Hoen.[71] In 2004 Dan Andriano joined the newly assembled group, The Falcon, with Andriano performing with fellow former Slapstick member Brendan Kelly (guitar and vocals), Neil Hennessy (drums), and Todd Mohney, a former member of Rise Against.[72] Mohney played guitar on the first EP but did not appear in the band's debut album Unicornography, and his spot was filled in by Kelly and Hennessy.[73]
On September 16, 2009, bassist and co-vocalist Dan Andriano announced he would be playing a series of solo shows across the US under the name "Dan Andriano In The Emergency Room".[77] The band announced on Twitter that Andriano will be releasing his debut solo album under the same name in summer 2011.[78] The album, Hurricane Season, was released on August 9, 2011, under the moniker 'Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room'.[79] A second album followed in 2015 named Party Adjacent.[80][81]
Skiba was set to release his debut solo album on February 14, 2010, but it was delayed until the summer of 2010 due to the new Alkaline Trio album.[82] The album's name is Demos. In May 2012 Skiba released his second solo album (featuring his backing band, The Sekrets) entitled Babylon.[83] In June 2015 Skiba released his third solo album with The Sekrets entitled "KUTS".[84]
From 2015 to 2022, Skiba performed and recorded with rock band Blink-182. He began performing with the group starting with three shows in March 2015 filling in for long-time guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge who departed the group for the second time earlier that year. Skiba eventually became an official member and recorded two full-length albums with the band, before DeLonge rejoined.
Band members
Current members
Matt Skiba – guitar, lead and backing vocals, bass (1996–present)
Dan Andriano – bass, lead and backing vocals, guitar (1997–present)
Atom Willard – drums, percussion (2023–present; touring substitute 2000–2001)
Maybe I'll Catch Fire is the second studio album by the American punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released on March 14, 2000 on Asian Man Records. Produced by Matt Allison, it was the band's final studio album with founding drummer Glenn Porter and their last album with Asian Man Records.
Goddamnit is the debut album by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released October 13, 1998, through Asian Man Records.
From Here to Infirmary is the third studio album by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio. It was their first album for Vagrant and their only album with Mike Felumlee, who replaced their previous drummer, Glenn Porter. When Felumlee left the band shortly after the album's release, Atom Willard filled in on tour and appeared in the music video for "Private Eye", before Derek Grant became their new permanent drummer.
Good Mourning is the fourth studio album by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released May 13, 2003 on Vagrant Records.
Matthew Thomas Skiba is an American musician. He is best known as the co-lead vocalist and guitarist of the punk rock band Alkaline Trio, and served as the co-lead vocalist and guitarist of Blink-182 from 2015 to 2022. Skiba's lyrical content commonly involves dark romantic themes.
Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music is a split EP by Alkaline Trio and Hot Water Music, punk rock bands based in Chicago and Gainesville, Florida respectively. The EP was released on January 22, 2002, through Jade Tree.
"Hell Yes" is a song by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released as a single in 2001 through Lookout! Records. Both tracks of the single, "Hell Yes" and "My Standard Break from Life", were recorded in 2000 at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota during sessions for the band's 2001 album From Here to Infirmary. The single was the band's final release to include drummer Mike Felumlee, who left the group shortly after From Here to Infirmary's release. Both tracks were reissued in 2007 on the compilation album Remains.
"Stupid Kid" is a song by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released as the first single from the group's 2001 album From Here to Infirmary. Two different versions of the single were released in the United Kingdom, where it became the band's first charting song by reaching #53 on the UK Singles Chart
"Burn" is a song by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released as the third single from their 2005 album Crimson. It peaked at #34 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was released as both a compact disc and a pair of vinyl 7-inches, each containing different demo, remix, and alternate versions of the song as B-sides. An additional remix version, the "Alleged remix", was released on the Underworld: Evolution: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
"Private Eye" is a song by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released as the second single from their 2001 album From Here to Infirmary. Two different versions of the single were released in the United Kingdom, where it reached #51 on the UK Singles Chart
"Time to Waste" is a song by Chicago punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released as the first single from their 2005 album Crimson. "Time to Waste" was released to radio on May 24, 2005. It peaked at #40 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart, #32 on the UK Singles Chart, and #97 on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. It was backed with the B-side songs "We Can Never Break Up" and "Don't Say You Won't" from the album's recording sessions.
This Addiction is the seventh studio album by Chicago-based rock band Alkaline Trio, released February 23, 2010 as the first release by their newly formed record label Heart & Skull, a joint venture with Epitaph Records. Described as a return to the band's punk rock roots, it was recorded at Atlas Studios in their hometown of Chicago with Matt Allison, the same location and producer used for much of their early material. The album draws lyrical inspiration from the band members' personal lives, addressing themes such as love, addiction, death, divorce, grief, suicide, politics, and war. It became the highest-charting album of the band's career, debuting on the Billboard 200 at #11 and also reaching #1 on the Rock, Independent, and Alternative Albums charts.
"This Addiction" is a song by the punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released as the first single from their 2010 album This Addiction. The single was released as a digital download through online retailers on January 12, 2010, and as a 7" single exclusively through Hot Topic stores on February 9, 2010.
Damnesia is an album by the punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released July 12, 2011 through their label Heart & Skull, a joint venture with Epitaph Records. A primarily acoustic album, it consists of "a selection of beloved fan favorites selected from the group's extensive catalogue and presented in an intimate semi-unplugged format". The album also includes two new songs, "Olde English 800" and "I Remember a Rooftop", as well as a cover version of the Violent Femmes' "I Held Her in My Arms". A music video consisting of studio footage was released for the song "Clavicle", and the band has embarked a fifteenth-anniversary United States tour in support of the album.
Broken Wing is an EP by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released on April 2, 2013 on Epitaph and Heart & Skull. Produced by both Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore, Broken Wing was recorded during the same sessions that yielded the band's eighth studio album, My Shame Is True, and consists of songs that were written for the album but didn't fit the album's theme of catharsis.
My Shame Is True is the eighth studio album by Chicago-based rock band Alkaline Trio, released on April 2, 2013 on Heart & Skull and Epitaph Records. Produced by both Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore, the album was preceded by the single, "I Wanna Be a Warhol", and was released with an accompanying EP, Broken Wing, featuring four additional songs recorded during the same sessions.
Is This Thing Cursed? is the ninth studio album by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released on August 31, 2018 on Epitaph Records. Produced and mixed by Cameron Webb, the album was announced alongside the release of the lead single, "Blackbird".
"Sadie" is a song by American rock band, Alkaline Trio. The song was initially released on April 20, 2004, as part of band's split album with One Man Army, and is notable for being included on multiple major releases throughout their discography. The song was written by Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano, and Derek Grant.
"Blackbird" is a song by American rock band Alkaline Trio. It was released on July 19, 2018, as the first single from their album, Is This Thing Cursed? (2018). The song was written by Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano, and Derek Grant.
Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs is the tenth studio album by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released on January 26, 2024, on Rise Records. It is the band's final album with longtime drummer Derek Grant, who departed from the group prior to the album's announcement.
↑ Wood, Mikael (July 2008). "2008: A Rock Odyssey". Spin. Vol.24, no.7. SPIN Media LLC. p.92. ISSN0886-3032. Retrieved March 27, 2018. Alkaline Trio have always played a bracing strain of emo in which anxiety doesn't just seem spackled on line MAC makeup.
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