alkaline trio

Band history

1996 - 2000

The band formed in December of 1996 (see 1996 in music), originally consisting of Matt Skiba (guitar/lead vocals), Rob Doran (bass/vocals), and Glenn Porter (drums/vocals), all from McHenry, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago. 1997 saw the release of the band's first EP, Sundials. This was followed shortly after by the departure of Rob Doran. After the departure, 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, which began to build them a sizable fanbase in the American Midwest. Later on that year, the band released their first full length album, Goddamnit, followed by Maybe I'll Catch Fire in 2000 (both on Asian Man Records). Also in 2000, the band released a collection of their previously released EPs on their self-titled album.

2000 - 2003

Soon after, Alkaline Trio was signed up Vagrant Records, a record label much larger and more renowned than their previous label, Asian Man Records. Joined by new drummer Mike Felumlee (previously of the Smoking Popes, now of Squirtgun), From Here to Infirmary was released in 2001 on Vagrant Records. Recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio, this was their first album to see any interest from alternative radio and the mainstream media, with the semi-hit punk single "Stupid Kid" and the inclusion of the song "Armageddon" on the Tony Hawk's Underground video game. Their cover of "Over at the Frankenstein Place" was included in the compilation "The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show", an album made to pay tribute to The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

After the release, Mike Felumlee left the band, to be replaced by drummer Derek Grant, previously of The Suicide Machines, Telegraph, Thoughts of Ionesco, Remainder, and Broken Spoke.

2003 - Present

Their next full-length album was Good Mourning, released in 2003, with the album's launch single "We've Had Enough" seeing much the same success as the previous single "Stupid Kid." The album was a significant departure from earlier works, featuring greater production value and a move toward the mainstream.

The band has also 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 Felumlee's label Double Zero Records, as well as jointly performing backing vocal duties on the album This is Unity Music by Common Rider. They have also recorded 2 split EPs with bands who are no longer together: one with Hot Water Music in 2000 and the other with One Man Army in 2004.

After the release of Good Mourning in 2003, a curious outcry was heard by Alkaline Trio fans when it was noticed that a second guitar player was hidden beside the speakers during the band's live performances. Fans worried there was a fourth member of Alkaline Trio, which would contradict the name of the band. Alkaline Trio responded that this guitar player, Nolan McGuire (who is also the tour manager), was not a member of the band and never would be, but with the growing complexity of their music, a second guitar player was needed on tour to fulfill the sound Skiba had written/recorded on the album. As of the release of Crimson, McGuire no longer hides behind the speakers but appears on stage with the band. It seems that since there is definitely no change to the band lineup being made, fans have embraced McGuire. It should also be noted that McGuire only plays with the band on certain songs live.

Alkaline Trio released their third album on Vagrant Records, titled Crimson, on May 24th, 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.

In December of 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 from Crimson. 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.

On June 29th, 2006, the band's website announced that Matt had started a side-project called "Heavens" with Josiah Steinbrick, previously of F-Minus. The band signed to Epitaph Records and released their album "Patent Pending" on September 12th, 2006. Alkaline Trio has recorded an unrelease single titled "We Can Never Break Up" for ATV Offroad Fury Pro and ATV Offroad Fury 4 video games available exclusively on the PlayStation 2 (PS2) and PlayStation Portable (PSP)consoles.

Alkaline Trio will be releasing an album of B-sides/Rarities, Live Performances, and a DVD with Performances from The Occult Roots Tour on Halloween that will be called Remains put out on Vagrant Records, In 2007 they are planning on releasing an anniversary edition of Goddamnit, which will contain the original songs, plus old video footage of older Trio concerts, as well as older photos of the band.

According to Aversion.com, Drummer Derek Grant revealed that the band had started writing its next album, and plans to head into the studio in February to lay the songs to tape. The still-untitled album is tentatively planned for a spring release. "The first notes of the new album have been written, for those in doubt," he reported in a brief update on his blog.

On October 11, 2006, both Punknews.org and Absolutepunk.net reported the band has signed with V2 records.

Related Bands

Alkaline Trio is part of a large circle of Chicago punk/hardcore bands. Skiba played drums for the Chicago punk outfit The Traitors. Stemming from Andriano's previous bands, Slapstick and Tuesday, other artists in this family tree include: The Broadways, The Lawrence Arms, The Honor System and, more tenuously, Florida's Less Than Jake. Matt Skiba has also stated on "Steven's Untitled Rock Show", on Fuse, that it has always been him and two other guys until now.

Trivia

• "Mercy Me" from the album "Crimson" was downloadable on winamp.com as a part of Winamp 5 bundle.

• Most of the illustrations on Alkaline Trio's merchandise are designed by longtime friend of the band, artist Heather Hannoura. Hannoura is the woman who speaks the last verse of the song "Sadie" from Crimson.

• "Time to Waste" was added to the B-List at BBC Radio 1, and was also Colin & Edith's record of the week (as was Mercy Me).

• Vocalist/Guitarist, Matt Skiba and drummer, Derek Grant claim to be members of the Church of Satan.

Discography

Full Length

Compilations

EPs/Singles

Singles

Samples

• Listen to "97" at epitonic.com
• Listen to or download "Queen of Pain" at jadetree.com
• Listen to "Dead and Broken" at byorecords.com
• Matt Skiba solo song "In Your Wake" at asianmanrecords.com
• More MP3s at vagrant.com
• Free, Legal Download "Mercy Me" at Rocklouder.co.uk
• Free, Legal Download "Private Eye" at Rocklouder.co.uk

External links

• Alkaline Trio Official Page (Flash plug-in required)
• Interview With Derek Grant
• Alkaline Trio on PureVolume.com
• Alkalinetrio.org
• Alkaline Trio lyrics on BreadForMusic
• Alkaline Trio Lyrics
• Alkaline Trio UK Fan Site
• The Blood-Pact - The official Alkaline Trio Fan Club

See Also

Slapstick Family Tree