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Matt Skiba
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Matthew Thomas Skiba (born February 24, 1976) is the lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio. He has previously been a member of various bands including Jerkwater (McHenry/Chicago, IL; Dyslexic Records), Blunt, and The Traitors (Johanns Face Records). In 2002, Skiba recorded a split EP with Kevin Seconds. In 2006 Skiba launched a new side project with F-Minus bassist Josiah Steinbrick. The band, named Heavens, debuted the album Patent Pending on September 12, 2006.
in Chicago on February 24, 1976, he moved to the suburb of McHenry, Illinois at the age of three.
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Encyclopedia
Matthew Thomas Skiba (born February 24, 1976) is the lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio. He has previously been a member of various bands including Jerkwater (McHenry/Chicago, IL; Dyslexic Records), Blunt, and The Traitors (Johanns Face Records). In 2002, Skiba recorded a split EP with Kevin Seconds. In 2006 Skiba launched a new side project with F-Minus bassist Josiah Steinbrick. The band, named Heavens, debuted the album Patent Pending on September 12, 2006.
Alkaline Trio
Born in Chicago on February 24, 1976, he moved to the suburb of McHenry, Illinois at the age of three. Playing piano at an early age, his first concert was Public image Ltd., but in 1996, while working as a bike messenger, he decided to take up the guitar. Skiba dropped out of Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois to form Alkaline Trio with drummer Glenn Porter and bassist Rob Doran.
After the group recorded their first compilation and demo, they recorded the For Your Lungs Only EP, during which Rob Doran left the group. Dan Andriano picked up from there and recorded the EP with them. The groups lineup changed again in 2000 when Glenn Porter left for unknown reasons. Mike Felumlee took over for the recording of From Here to Infirmary but lasted up until the third quarter of the tour for the album. Various drummers took up during this time until they recruited present member Derek Grant in 2002.
Matt also played drums for The Traitors before forming Alkaline Trio. Their self-titled album, which Skiba played drums on, was released on Joann's Face Records.
Side Projects and Solo
In 2001, he started his first large solo shows with The Plea For Peace Tour. These shows were mostly him performing Alkaline Trio songs on acoustic with backing drums and bass in a few shows.
His first solo release came in 2002 in the form of a split with Kevin Seconds. The songs were performed mostly on acoustic with backing drums, bass, and piano (all of which were played by Matt). The song Good Fucking Bye is sometimes performed live with the Alkaline Trio to this day.
In 2006, Skiba formed a side project called Heavens with Thieves Like Us and Flowers Of Doom guitarist Josiah Steinbeck. They released their debut album Patent Pending on Sept. 12, 2006.
During May 2007, Skiba performed five "special" shows with Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music).
Personal life
Skiba and Derek Grant (the drummer in his present band Alkaline Trio) have declared themselves card carrying members of the Church of Satan. Matt has previously stated in an interview with Guitar World magazine that he uses his membership card of the Church to "watch people squirm". In an interview with Rock Sound in 2008 he stated that he in fact considers himself an agnostic. He is also a vegetarian. In 2005 during the recording of their album, Crimson, Skiba had a problem with acid reflux because of his early troubles with alcohol and illicit drug use, wrong diet and not warming up before singing.
He now resides in California with his wife, Monica, whom he married on August 7th, 2005. He has "Love Song" tattooed on his knuckles and The Cure's "Lovesong" was his wedding song. He is a "big Cure fan" and a "huge Damned fan". He is also "an enormous David Lynch fan" and a "really big Nirvana fan".
Family
His mother, Joan Skiba, is a 4th-grade teacher at Woods Creek Elementary School, and his father is an oral surgeon, both working in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
He also has twin sisters.
Career
Skiba remains the only original member of the Trio (they suffered several lineup changes that ultimately resulted in the addition of bassist Dan Andriano and drummer Derek Grant). The Trio released their debut Goddamnit on Asian Man Records in 1998, followed by Maybe I'll Catch Fire & Alkaline Trio.
Alkaline Trio signed with Vagrant Records in late 2000 and released From Here to Infirmary in 2001, Good Mourning in 2003, Crimson in 2005, and Remains in 2007. In July 2008, the band released Agony & Irony, their first record on Epic Records.
Skiba is also an active solo artist; in addition to the split with 7 Seconds' Kevin Seconds, he contributed to Fat Wreck Chords' 2005 compilation Protect: A Benefit for the National Association to Protect Children with the song "Demons Away".
In September 2006, his side project Heavens released the album, Patent Pending and started to tour.
Also in 2006 Skiba contributed to the "Rock 'n' Roll High School" track that appears on the Brats on the Beat: Ramones for Kids tribute album released on Go-Kart Records.
Notable guest appearances
Discography
Studio Albums:
Compilations:
| Year | Title | Label | Info |
|---|
| 2000 | Alkaline Trio | Asian Man Records | Collection of EPs/b-sides/non-album tracks from 1996-2000 | | 2007 | Remains | Vagrant Records | Collection of EPs/b-sides/non-album tracks from 2001-2005. | |
EPs and Demos:
Note: Blood Pact members get access to downloadable EPs such as the Halloween 7" or Live Acoustic in London.
External links
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