Alkaline Trio
Encyclopedia
Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock
band that formed in McHenry, Illinois
, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba
(vocals, guitar), Dan Andriano
(vocals, bass), and Derek Grant
(drums). Their eighth studio album, Damnesia
, was released July 12, 2011.
), originally consisting of Matt Skiba
(guitar/lead vocals), Rob Doran
(bass/vocals), and Glenn Porter
(drums/vocals). They all hailed from McHenry, Illinois
, in Chicago's Northwest suburbs. 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, which began to build them a sizable fanbase in the American Midwest. Later 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.
on Vagrant Records
. This album inspired music videos for the singles "Stupid Kid" and "Private Eye." The album was the bands first album to reach above Billboard
top 200 mark and the first to gross six figures in sales.
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 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 2 split EPs: one with Hot Water Music
in 2000 and the other with One Man Army
in 2004.
In 2004, Dan became a member of The Falcon
, a supergroup
of sorts consisting of The Lawrence Arms
' bassist Brendan Kelly
, previously of Slapstick
(alongside Dan) and The Broadways
, and drummer Neil Hennessy
. The Falcon also saw contributions from Todd Mohney
of The Killing Tree
and formerly Rise Against
. The band released an EP, God Don't Make No Trash / Up Your Ass With Broken Glass in 2005 and its first full length, Unicornography
in September 2006.
, 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.
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 September 2006, Patent Pending
, the debut album by Matt Skiba
's side project Heavens was released. The band consisted of Skiba on guitar and vocals, and Josiah Steinbrick (of hardcore punk
outfit F-Minus
) on bass. On the album, the duo were joined by The Mars Volta
's Isaiah "Ikey" Owens on organ and Matthew Compton
on drums and percussion. Skiba was playing with Heavens during a short tour in the fall of 2006.
In October 2006, it was announced that Alkaline Trio had signed with V2 Records
. 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. 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 Saturday, February 9, 2008, the band posted a message on their MySpace
page explaining that they had been in the studio for three weeks working on the new album without revealing a release date or title. The band later announced via their fan club, the Blood Pact, that their upcoming album, titled Agony & Irony
, would be released on July 1, 2008. As a gift for members, they made a new song titled "In Vein" available as an exclusive. On April 4, they posted the song on their MySpace for 24 hours.
A contest ("Settle The Score"), was announced May 6, 2008, that encouraged fans to download sheet music of "Love Love Kiss Kiss" from the official website and send Alkaline Trio footage of their interpretation of the song before it was released by the band.
As expected, the band released Agony & Irony on July 1, 2008. First week sales for the album placed Alkaline Trio at #13 on the Billboard album charts.
.
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
. In the same article, Skiba also confirmed that the new album would be released on February 23 in 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. The band worked hard to go back to their roots with the album, Atlas Studios being the place they recorded their first three albums.
On December 1 Alkaline Trio confirmed to Rock Sound
that the title of their new album would be This Addiction
:
, making it the highest the band has ever charted to date.
Alkaline Trio's eighth studio album, Damnesia
, was released July 12, 2011. Consisting 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 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". The band has planned a fifteenth-anniversary United States tour in support of the album.
); Sean Seeling (currently in Apocalypse Hoboken
, ex-Tommyrot); and, Jeremiah Klinger (currently in Gregor Samsa
), as well as the Chicago punk outfit The Traitors. Former drummer Glenn Porter played in Tommyrot and 88 Fingers Louie
. Stemming from Andriano's previous bands, Slapstick
and Tuesday
, other artists in this family tree include: The Broadways
, The Lawrence Arms
, The Honor System
, Smoking Popes
(Rob Kellenberger from Slapstick, Tuesday and Smoking Popes side project Duvall briefly played drums for part of the Popes reunion tour before being replaced due to scheduling differences. Ironically, Kellenberger replaced original Smoking Popes drummer Mike Fellumlee, who played drums for Alkaline Trio on their album, From Here to Infirmary, after the Smoking Popes broke up, and now plays with Squirtgun
). With the addition of drummer Derek Grant, Alkaline Trio's family tree has grown to include ties with bands such as The Suicide Machines
, Thoughts of Ionesco, Walls of Jericho, and Gyga. In 2004 Dan Andriano joined the newly assembled group, The Falcon. The band reunites Andriano with fellow former Slapstick member Brendan Kelly (guitar and vocals) (currently in The Lawrence Arms) and expands the family to Neil Hennessy on drums, (also in The Lawrence Arms). Todd Mohney, former member of Rise Against
, played guitar on the first EP but could not attend the recording session for the band's first full length Unicornography, and his spot was temporarily filled in by Kelly and Hennessy.
In 2006 Skiba started the side-project Heavens
with Josiah Steinbrick, previously of F-Minus
. Their debut album, Patent Pending
was released on Epitaph Records
.
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 The Emergency Room. The band announced on twitter
that Andriano will be releasing his debut solo album under the same name in summer 2011. The album, "Hurricane Season
", was released on August the 9th, 2011 under the moniker 'Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room'.
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. The album's name is Demos
.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band that formed in McHenry, Illinois
McHenry, Illinois
McHenry is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. In 2005, its population was estimated to be 24,631. McHenry was at one time the county seat of McHenry County...
, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba
Matt Skiba
Matthew Thomas Skiba is the lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio.-Early life and family:...
(vocals, guitar), Dan Andriano
Dan Andriano
Daniel Michael Andriano is the bassist and co-vocalist of the punk rock band Alkaline Trio.-Education and early bands:...
(vocals, bass), and Derek Grant
Derek Grant
Derek Grant is the drummer for punk band Alkaline Trio, where he replaced Mike Felumlee. He was previously a member of The Suicide Machines, Telegraph, Gyga, Thoughts of Ionesco, Remainder, Walls of Jericho, The Exceptions and Broken Spoke, a side band with Royce Nunley and Jay Navarro...
(drums). Their eighth studio album, Damnesia
Damnesia
Damnesia is the eighth studio 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...
, was released July 12, 2011.
Early years, Goddamnit and Maybe I'll Catch Fire (1996–2000)
Alkaline Trio was formed in December 1996 (see 1996 in music1996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
), originally consisting of Matt Skiba
Matt Skiba
Matthew Thomas Skiba is the lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio.-Early life and family:...
(guitar/lead vocals), Rob Doran
Rob Doran
Rob Doran was the original bassist of the Chicago punk band Alkaline Trio, formed in 1996. He quit the Trio in 1997 to focus on visual arts. He also played bass in Pit er Pat.-References:...
(bass/vocals), and Glenn Porter
Glenn Porter
Glenn Porter is an American drummer from Chicago, Illinois most famous for forming Alkaline Trio with fellow bike messenger Matt Skiba and Rob Doran, which he later left in 2000 after recording two albums with them. He is also a former 88 Fingers Louie member...
(drums/vocals). They all hailed from McHenry, Illinois
McHenry, Illinois
McHenry is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. In 2005, its population was estimated to be 24,631. McHenry was at one time the county seat of McHenry County...
, in Chicago's Northwest suburbs. 1997 saw the release of the band's first EP, Sundials
Sundials (Alkaline Trio EP)
"Sundials" is the debut single by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released in 1997 by Johann's Face Records. It is the band's only studio release to include original bassist Rob Doran, who left the group after the single's release and was replaced by Dan Andriano...
. This was followed shortly after by the departure of Rob Doran, after which Dan Andriano
Dan Andriano
Daniel Michael Andriano is the bassist and co-vocalist of the punk rock band Alkaline Trio.-Education and early bands:...
, former singer of Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
band Tuesday
Tuesday (band)
Tuesday was a pop punk/emo band formed by three ex-members of influential Chicago ska punk band Slapstick after the latter's 1996 breakup. Dan Andriano , Matt Stamps , and Rob Kellenberger released their first EP Early Summer on Asian Man Records in 1997...
and bassist for Slapstick
Slapstick (band)
Slapstick was a punk-ska fusion band formed in Chicago by a group of friends from the Elgin area. The group took some cues from the seminal ska/punk outfit Operation Ivy and the guttural punk vocals of Crimpshrine, but developed their own unique style. The group was active from 1993 to 1996 on...
, took his place and they began recording. The band released their second EP entitled For Your Lungs Only
For Your Lungs Only
For Your Lungs Only is the debut EP by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released May 26, 1998 through Asian Man Records. The song "Southern Rock" was re-recorded for their debut album Goddamnit later that year...
, in 1998, which began to build them a sizable fanbase in the American Midwest. Later that year, the band released their first full length album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Goddamnit
Goddamnit
Goddamnit is the debut album by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released October 13, 1998 through Asian Man Records.- Reception :...
, followed by Maybe I'll Catch Fire
Maybe I'll Catch Fire
Maybe I'll Catch Fire is the second album by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released March 14, 2000 through Asian Man Records...
in 2000 (both on Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
). Also in 2000, the band released a collection of their previously released EPs
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
on their self-titled album.
From Here to Infirmary, Good Mourning and Dan Andriano's side project (2001–2005)
In 2001, the band released From Here To InfirmaryFrom Here to Infirmary
From Here to Infirmary is the third album by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released April 3, 2001 through Vagrant Records. It was their first album for Vagrant and their only album with drummer Mike Felumlee, who replaced previous drummer Glenn Porter. It was also their first...
on Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
. This album inspired music videos for the singles "Stupid Kid" and "Private Eye." The album was the bands first album to reach above Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
top 200 mark and the first to gross six figures in sales.
Their next full-length album was Good Mourning
Good Mourning
Good Mourning is the fourth studio album by Alkaline Trio, released May 13, 2003 on Vagrant Records. The album marks the first appearance of drummer, Derek Grant, described by vocalist/guitarist, Matt Skiba, as "a whole new influence." During recording, both Skiba and vocalist/bassist, Dan Andriano...
, released in 2003, with the album's launch single "We've Had Enough" seeing much the same success as the previous single "Stupid Kid
Stupid Kid
"Stupid Kid" is a song by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released as the first single from their 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...
". 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
Rock Against Bush
Rock Against Bush was a project mobilizing punk and alternative musicians against the 2004 U.S. Presidential re-election campaign of George W. Bush...
Vol. 1. Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano have both independently recorded split records, Skiba with Kevin Seconds
Kevin Seconds
Kevin Seconds is a singer/songwriter/musician, born in Sacramento. As a teen, he moved with his family to Reno, Nevada where he lived until 1988 when he relocated back to Sacramento and has been based ever since....
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
Common Rider
Common Rider were a ska punk band, formed in 1999 by Jesse Michaels , Mass Giorgini and Dan Lumley . The band's name is taken from a 1970s Japanese TV show, Kamen Rider...
. They recorded 2 split EPs: one with Hot Water Music
Hot Water Music
Hot Water Music is a punk rock band from Gainesville, Florida. The members of the band are Chuck Ragan, Chris Wollard, Jason Black, and George Rebelo. HWM first formed in 1993...
in 2000 and the other with One Man Army
One Man Army
One Man Army is an american punk rock band that was formed in San Francisco, California, in 1996 and separated in 2005 and reunited in 2011. The band was discovered by Billie Joe Armstrong while playing in an East Bay club, and their debut album Dead End Stories was the first release on Adeline...
in 2004.
In 2004, Dan became a member of The Falcon
The Falcon (band)
The Falcon is a Chicago-based punk rock supergroup. The band features The Lawrence Arms members Brendan Kelly and Neil Hennessy on drums, as well as Alkaline Trio's Dan Andriano...
, a supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
of sorts consisting of The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms are an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. They have released five full-length albums and toured extensively.-Pre-history:...
' bassist Brendan Kelly
Brendan Kelly
Brendan Kelly may refer to:*Brendan Kelly *Brendan Kelly *Brendan Kelly...
, previously of Slapstick
Slapstick (band)
Slapstick was a punk-ska fusion band formed in Chicago by a group of friends from the Elgin area. The group took some cues from the seminal ska/punk outfit Operation Ivy and the guttural punk vocals of Crimpshrine, but developed their own unique style. The group was active from 1993 to 1996 on...
(alongside Dan) and The Broadways
The Broadways
The Broadways were a short-lived punk band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1996 after the dissolution of the influential ska-punk band Slapstick. The latter's vocalist Brendan Kelly and trumpet player Dan Hanaway assumed the roles of bassist and guitarist, joined by Rob DePaola on drums and Chris...
, and drummer Neil Hennessy
Neil Hennessy
Neil Kevin Hennessy is a musician and music producer/engineer from Chicago, Illinois.Hennessy currently plays in The Lawrence Arms, Colossal, The Falcon, The Smoking Popes and Demon Beach. He has also been a member of Noise By Numbers, Baxter, The Killing Tree, and Quattro.Hennessy works at Atlas...
. The Falcon also saw contributions from Todd Mohney
Todd Mohney
Todd Mohney is an American guitarist, who formerly played guitar for the melodic hardcore band Rise Against. He is from Joliet, Illinois and currently resides in Los Angeles. He was active in The Killing Tree side-project band with Rise Against vocalist Tim McIlrath. The Killing Tree hasn't played...
of The Killing Tree
The Killing Tree
The Killing Tree was a post-hardcore band from Chicago, Illinois. They were another band of Tim McIlrath , and also contain a former guitarist from Rise Against, Todd Mohney....
and formerly Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
. The band released an EP, God Don't Make No Trash / Up Your Ass With Broken Glass in 2005 and its first full length, Unicornography
Unicornography
Unicornography is the critically acclaimed debut album by the Chicago-based punk rock supergroup The Falcon which was released on September 26, 2006 in the United States...
in September 2006.
Crimson, Remains, and Matt Skiba's side project (2005–2007)
Alkaline Trio released their fifth studio album on Vagrant Records, titled CrimsonCrimson (Alkaline Trio album)
Crimson is the fifth album by Alkaline Trio, released May 23, 2005. The record is produced by Jerry Finn.A 'Deluxe Edition' was released on November 28, 2005. The first disc contains the original album, while the added second disc features the album as demos, home demos and acoustic songs...
, on May 24, 2005, which featured the single "Time to Waste." The single for this song also included bonus tracks produced by Squirtgun
Squirtgun
Squirtgun is an American punk rock band from Lafayette, Indiana formed by record producer Mass Giorgini in 1993.-1993-1998:Squirtgun originally consisted of Mass Giorgini , Matt Hart , Flav Giorgini , and Dan Lumley .The band signed to Lookout! Records and their first release was the EP...
and Common Rider
Common Rider
Common Rider were a ska punk band, formed in 1999 by Jesse Michaels , Mass Giorgini and Dan Lumley . The band's name is taken from a 1970s Japanese TV show, Kamen Rider...
bassist Mass Giorgini
Mass Giorgini
Mass Giorgini is an Italian-American bassist and record producer, who rose to fame when several of the bands he produced experienced huge gains in popularity during the pop-punk boom on the mid-90's. Among these bands was Giorgini's own Squirtgun, which received minor MTV rotation and several...
. The tracks "Mercy Me" and "Burn" have also been released as singles from the album.
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 September 2006, Patent Pending
Patent Pending (album)
Patent Pending is the debut album by Heavens, a side project formed by Matt Skiba, vocalist and guitarist for Alkaline Trio, and Josiah Steinbrick....
, the debut album by Matt Skiba
Matt Skiba
Matthew Thomas Skiba is the lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio.-Early life and family:...
's side project Heavens was released. The band consisted of Skiba on guitar and vocals, and Josiah Steinbrick (of hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
outfit F-Minus
F-Minus
F-Minus was a hardcore punk band formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, California. Started by Jen Johnson and Brad Logan. F-Minus was known for their dueling male and female vocals in songs that were sometimes as short as 12 seconds . One of their noted primary influences is Nausea, where the vocal...
) on bass. On the album, the duo were joined by The Mars Volta
The Mars Volta
The Mars Volta is a Grammy award winning American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas. Founded in 2001 by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band incorporates various influences including progressive rock, krautrock, jazz fusion, Latin American music, and...
's Isaiah "Ikey" Owens on organ and Matthew Compton
Matthew Compton
Matthew Stuart Compton is a former Welsh cricketer. Compton is a left-handed batsman who bowled left-arm medium pace....
on drums and percussion. Skiba was playing with Heavens during a short tour in the fall of 2006.
In October 2006, it was announced that Alkaline Trio had signed with V2 Records
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
. On January 12, 2007, the North America branch of the label announced that they were undergoing restructuring
Restructuring
Restructuring is the corporate management term for the act of reorganizing the legal, ownership, operational, or other structures of a company for the purpose of making it more profitable, or better organized for its present needs...
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
Remains (Alkaline Trio Album)
Remains is a compilation album from Alkaline Trio that was released on January 30, 2007. The album is a collection of 22 tracks that the band has recorded for various compilations, EPs, B-sides and international releases. The disc also includes three new live tracks from a 2006 concert at Avalon in...
an album of B-sides, rarities and live performances. An accompanying DVD contained performances from The Occult Roots Tour. This marked the end of their association with Vagrant Records.
During late May 2007 the band began listing Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
as its label on their MySpace.
Agony & Irony (2008–2009)
In February 2008, Asian Man Records released a 10th Anniversary reissue of the band's 1998 full length, Goddamnit. The disc was remixed and remastered, with 4 bonus tracks from their 1996 demo tape added, and the album was repackaged with new artwork and a feature length DVD documentary about the band's early days. Predictably, the release caused quite a bit of excitement for long-time followers of the group.On Saturday, February 9, 2008, the band posted a message on their MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page explaining that they had been in the studio for three weeks working on the new album without revealing a release date or title. The band later announced via their fan club, the Blood Pact, that their upcoming album, titled Agony & Irony
Agony & Irony
Agony & Irony is the sixth studio album by Alkaline Trio, released on July 1, 2008 on Epic Records. Regarding this album, vocalist and guitarist Matt Skiba stated that the band set out to record an "anthemic hard rock record."...
, would be released on July 1, 2008. As a gift for members, they made a new song titled "In Vein" available as an exclusive. On April 4, they posted the song on their MySpace for 24 hours.
A contest ("Settle The Score"), was announced May 6, 2008, that encouraged fans to download sheet music of "Love Love Kiss Kiss" from the official website and send Alkaline Trio footage of their interpretation of the song before it was released by the band.
As expected, the band released Agony & Irony on July 1, 2008. First week sales for the album placed Alkaline Trio at #13 on the Billboard album charts.
This Addiction and Damnesia (2009–present)
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. 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 DaySaves the Day
Saves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera....
.
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
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
. In the same article, Skiba also confirmed that the new album would be released on February 23 in 2010, with another new song announced, entitled "The American Scream." The trio went back to their home in Chicago to record This Addiction
This Addiction
This Addiction is the seventh studio album by the punk 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...
after recording their last few albums in L.A. The band worked hard to go back to their roots with the album, Atlas Studios being the place they recorded their first three albums.
On December 1 Alkaline Trio confirmed to Rock Sound
Rock Sound
Rock Sound is a British magazine which champions rock music. The magazine aims at being more "underground" and less commercial, whilst also giving coverage to more well known acts.-History:...
that the title of their new album would be This Addiction
This Addiction
This Addiction is the seventh studio album by the punk 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...
:
"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 & IronyThe album debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200Agony & IronyAgony & Irony is the sixth studio album by Alkaline Trio, released on July 1, 2008 on Epic Records. Regarding this album, vocalist and guitarist Matt Skiba stated that the band set out to record an "anthemic hard rock record."...
] 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."
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, making it the highest the band has ever charted to date.
Alkaline Trio's eighth studio album, Damnesia
Damnesia
Damnesia is the eighth studio 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...
, was released July 12, 2011. Consisting 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 included two new songs, "Olde English 800" and "I Remember a Rooftop", as well as a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes were an American alternative rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, initially active between 1980 and 1987 and again from 1988 to 2009...
' "I Held Her in My Arms". The band has planned a fifteenth-anniversary United States tour in support of the album.
Related bands
Alkaline Trio is part of a very large circle of Chicago punk/hardcore bands. Skiba played drums for Jerkwater (with Rob Doran, currently in Pit er PatPit er Pat
Pit er Pat is an Experimental band from Chicago Illinois. They formed in 2004 as the trio of Fay Davis-Jeffers on keyboard and vocals, former founding member of Alkaline Trio Rob Doran on bass, and Butchy Fuego on drums. Their sound is very atmospheric and has a dark ambience that is similar to...
); Sean Seeling (currently in Apocalypse Hoboken
Apocalypse Hoboken
Apocalypse Hoboken was an American punk rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois which toured the US and Europe and released seven albums on various labels, including Rocco Records and Dyslexic Records...
, ex-Tommyrot); and, Jeremiah Klinger (currently in Gregor Samsa
Gregor Samsa (band)
Gregor Samsa is a band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis....
), as well as the Chicago punk outfit The Traitors. Former drummer Glenn Porter played in Tommyrot and 88 Fingers Louie
88 Fingers Louie
88 Fingers Louie is a band from Chicago, Illinois which was formed in 1993.They play a style of hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, and punk rock. In 1993 they released their debut 7", Go Away. After disbanding in 1999, members Joe Principe and Dan Wleklinski went on to form the punk rock band Rise...
. Stemming from Andriano's previous bands, Slapstick
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
and Tuesday
Tuesday (band)
Tuesday was a pop punk/emo band formed by three ex-members of influential Chicago ska punk band Slapstick after the latter's 1996 breakup. Dan Andriano , Matt Stamps , and Rob Kellenberger released their first EP Early Summer on Asian Man Records in 1997...
, other artists in this family tree include: The Broadways
The Broadways
The Broadways were a short-lived punk band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1996 after the dissolution of the influential ska-punk band Slapstick. The latter's vocalist Brendan Kelly and trumpet player Dan Hanaway assumed the roles of bassist and guitarist, joined by Rob DePaola on drums and Chris...
, The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms are an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. They have released five full-length albums and toured extensively.-Pre-history:...
, The Honor System
The Honor System
The Honor System is a punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois that formed after the breakup of The Broadways.- History :The band initially consisted of former Broadways members Dan Hanaway and Rob DePaola , along with Nolan McGuire , and Tim McIlrath...
, Smoking Popes
Smoking Popes
The Smoking Popes are an American pop punk from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1991. They play punk-influenced pop music with crooning vocals...
(Rob Kellenberger from Slapstick, Tuesday and Smoking Popes side project Duvall briefly played drums for part of the Popes reunion tour before being replaced due to scheduling differences. Ironically, Kellenberger replaced original Smoking Popes drummer Mike Fellumlee, who played drums for Alkaline Trio on their album, From Here to Infirmary, after the Smoking Popes broke up, and now plays with Squirtgun
Squirtgun
Squirtgun is an American punk rock band from Lafayette, Indiana formed by record producer Mass Giorgini in 1993.-1993-1998:Squirtgun originally consisted of Mass Giorgini , Matt Hart , Flav Giorgini , and Dan Lumley .The band signed to Lookout! Records and their first release was the EP...
). With the addition of drummer Derek Grant, Alkaline Trio's family tree has grown to include ties with bands such as The Suicide Machines
The Suicide Machines
The Suicide Machines were an American punk rock band formed in March 1991 in Detroit, Michigan and disbanded in May 2006. During the course of their career the band released six full-length albums on the labels Hollywood Records and Side One Dummy Records...
, Thoughts of Ionesco, Walls of Jericho, and Gyga. In 2004 Dan Andriano joined the newly assembled group, The Falcon. The band reunites Andriano with fellow former Slapstick member Brendan Kelly (guitar and vocals) (currently in The Lawrence Arms) and expands the family to Neil Hennessy on drums, (also in The Lawrence Arms). Todd Mohney, former member of Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
, played guitar on the first EP but could not attend the recording session for the band's first full length Unicornography, and his spot was temporarily filled in by Kelly and Hennessy.
In 2006 Skiba started the side-project Heavens
Heavens
Heavens was an independent rock band featuring Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio and Josiah Steinbrick. The duo signed to Epitaph Records and released their debut album, Patent Pending, on September 12, 2006....
with Josiah Steinbrick, previously of F-Minus
F-Minus
F-Minus was a hardcore punk band formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, California. Started by Jen Johnson and Brad Logan. F-Minus was known for their dueling male and female vocals in songs that were sometimes as short as 12 seconds . One of their noted primary influences is Nausea, where the vocal...
. Their debut album, Patent Pending
Patent Pending (album)
Patent Pending is the debut album by Heavens, a side project formed by Matt Skiba, vocalist and guitarist for Alkaline Trio, and Josiah Steinbrick....
was released on Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
.
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 The Emergency Room. The band announced on twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that Andriano will be releasing his debut solo album under the same name in summer 2011. The album, "Hurricane Season
Hurricane Season (album)
Hurricane Season is the first studio album by Alkaline Trio bassist Dan Andriano, released on August 9, 2011 through Asian Man Records. The album is primarily acoustic, and was met with generally good critical reception, being given a 4.5/5 by PunkNews, and a 4/5 by Alternative Press.- Track...
", was released on August the 9th, 2011 under the moniker 'Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room'.
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. The album's name is Demos
Demos (Matt Skiba album)
Demos is the first full length album by Alkaline Trio singer/guitarist Matt Skiba. It is composed of demos Skiba has recorded into his computer. Skiba released the project on Asian Man Records which was Alkaline Trio's label for their first two full length albums, Goddamnit, and Maybe I'll Catch Fire...
.
Current
- Matt SkibaMatt SkibaMatthew Thomas Skiba is the lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio.-Early life and family:...
– lead vocals, guitars (1996–present) - Dan AndrianoDan AndrianoDaniel Michael Andriano is the bassist and co-vocalist of the punk rock band Alkaline Trio.-Education and early bands:...
– lead vocals, bass (1997–present) - Derek GrantDerek GrantDerek Grant is the drummer for punk band Alkaline Trio, where he replaced Mike Felumlee. He was previously a member of The Suicide Machines, Telegraph, Gyga, Thoughts of Ionesco, Remainder, Walls of Jericho, The Exceptions and Broken Spoke, a side band with Royce Nunley and Jay Navarro...
– drums, percussion, backing vocals (2001–present)
Former
- Rob DoranRob DoranRob Doran was the original bassist of the Chicago punk band Alkaline Trio, formed in 1996. He quit the Trio in 1997 to focus on visual arts. He also played bass in Pit er Pat.-References:...
– bass, backing vocals (1996–1997) - Glenn PorterGlenn PorterGlenn Porter is an American drummer from Chicago, Illinois most famous for forming Alkaline Trio with fellow bike messenger Matt Skiba and Rob Doran, which he later left in 2000 after recording two albums with them. He is also a former 88 Fingers Louie member...
– drums, percussion (1996–2000) - Mike FelumleeMike FelumleeMike Felumlee, a native of Crystal Lake, Illinois , is chiefly known as the former drummer for the influential rock band The Alkaline Trio...
– drums, percussion (2000–2001)
Discography
Studio albums- GoddamnitGoddamnitGoddamnit is the debut album by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released October 13, 1998 through Asian Man Records.- Reception :...
(1998) - Maybe I'll Catch FireMaybe I'll Catch FireMaybe I'll Catch Fire is the second album by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released March 14, 2000 through Asian Man Records...
(2000) - From Here to InfirmaryFrom Here to InfirmaryFrom Here to Infirmary is the third album by the Chicago-based punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released April 3, 2001 through Vagrant Records. It was their first album for Vagrant and their only album with drummer Mike Felumlee, who replaced previous drummer Glenn Porter. It was also their first...
(2001) - Good MourningGood MourningGood Mourning is the fourth studio album by Alkaline Trio, released May 13, 2003 on Vagrant Records. The album marks the first appearance of drummer, Derek Grant, described by vocalist/guitarist, Matt Skiba, as "a whole new influence." During recording, both Skiba and vocalist/bassist, Dan Andriano...
(2003) - CrimsonCrimson (Alkaline Trio album)Crimson is the fifth album by Alkaline Trio, released May 23, 2005. The record is produced by Jerry Finn.A 'Deluxe Edition' was released on November 28, 2005. The first disc contains the original album, while the added second disc features the album as demos, home demos and acoustic songs...
(2005) - Agony & IronyAgony & IronyAgony & Irony is the sixth studio album by Alkaline Trio, released on July 1, 2008 on Epic Records. Regarding this album, vocalist and guitarist Matt Skiba stated that the band set out to record an "anthemic hard rock record."...
(2008) - This AddictionThis AddictionThis Addiction is the seventh studio album by the punk 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...
(2010) - DamnesiaDamnesiaDamnesia is the eighth studio 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...
(2011)