Alkaline Trio | SotanLIFE

Alkaline Trio
by John Ehrmanntraut

Catastrophe happens, and for one band, it only strengthened their triumphant return to the stage.

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Catastrophe happens, and for one band, it only strengthened their triumphant return to the stage. Booze fused punk rockers Alkaline Trio had been missing from the limelight for months with a delayed record release and injured misfortunes, only to return with a new album, lineup, and raucous punk rock mentality.

“God bless catastrophe!” lead singer Matt Skiba cries on their latest album, Crimson. His positive, yet sinister outlook on the future permeates the album. The life changes he has undergone have given him a new world perspective, if not new musical stylings. The Trio have taken their bittersweet memories and tangled them up in a soothing yet strident sound. Think of a band that has seen heaven, been through hell, and narrated such an experience. Such is the experience of listening to the emotionally driven album, Crimson, by Alkaline Trio.

Formed in 1997, ex-Jerkwater drummer Matt Skiba was searching for an angst-worthy lineup that fell into his aesthetical abyss of music from the other side. On his journey, he found no other than drummer Glenn Porter formerly of 88 Fingers Louie, and former bassist Rob Doran. Alkaline Trio has melded together many of the mantelpieces of several successful Chicago bands to form one super group. Their talent pool has drawn from tributaries such as Slapstick, The Smoking Popes, Suicide Machines, Jerkwater, and 88 Fingers Louie. The name-recognition of these smaller bands makes Alkaline Trio something of an all-star group.

Alkaline Trio soon released an EP entitled For Your Lungs prior to the departure of bandmate Rob Doran in late ‘97. Setting the stage with an unprecedented arrival to the punk rock scene, the Trio have high hopes of taking over, one punk kid at a time. While they currently have rocked the ears of millions of fans, they are becoming rapidly recognized at an alarming rate.

With their first full length LP and fan favorite Goddamnit, the band introduced newest bassist Dan Andriano, and finally carved their niche amongst headlining punk bands. By the following decade, the Alkaline Trio needed to find a quick fix for the exit of former drummer Glenn Porter. The invitation of ex-Smoking Popes drummer Mike Felumlee solved this conundrum. Recording one of their most successful releases to date From Here to Infirmary, left an indelible mark upon Trio fans. Just two years later in 2002, the Trio said goodbye to yet another drummer and welcomed newest member, ex-Suicide Machines drummer Derek Grant.

Taking the Midwest by storm, Skiba and the boys added fuel to the fire with each additional album release. However with an ever changing lineup, Alkaline fans hope their current lineup remains the same, as the production process for the group has been painstakingly slow. The impatience experienced by fans and band members alike is not good for the music making process. Hopefully the band can solve the revolving door membership issues, and keep Skiba off his skateboard for a while (he broke first his hand, then his arm, in the last few years, both injuries preventing touring possibilities.)

Currently the Trio are touring once again for The Occult Roots of Alkaline Trio Tour, and they’ve brought along friends Against Me!. To get caught up in all the manic mayhem, you can catch them live at the Quest (also making a triumphant return) the 29th of April. Black nail polish not required.

Wanna hear more Alkaline Trio? Visit their site at www.alkalinetrio.com/

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