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Alkaline Trio

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Alkaline Trio

Alkaline Trio are a band from Chicago consisting of Matt Skiba on guitar/vocals, Dan Andriano on bass/vocals, and Derek Grant on drums/back-up vocals. Their music is characterized by dark lyrics, catchy choruses, fast tempos and recurring subjects of alcoholism, depression, fire, drugs, blasphemy, and death.

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 hailing from McHenry County, 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 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 by Vagrant Records, a record label much larger 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 - 2005

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 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 and ex-member of fellow Chicago punk band, The Honor System, 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.

In 2004 Dan became a member of The Falcon, a supergroup of sorts consisting of The Lawrence Arms' bassist Brendan Kelly, previously of Slapstick and The Broadways, and Neil Hennessy, drummer from The Lawrence Arms. The Falcon also saw contributions from Todd Mohney, formerly of Rise Against. The band released an EP titled "God Don't Make No Trash or Up Your Ass With Broken Glass" in 2005 and released its first full length "Unicornography" in September of 2006.

2005 - Present

Alkaline Trio released their fifth studio album on Vagrant Records, titled Crimson, 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 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. 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 12, 2006.

Alkaline Trio released an album of B-sides/Rarities, Live Performances, and a DVD with Performances from The Occult Roots Tour in early 2007 called Remains and 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 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.

In October of 2006, it was announced that Alkaline Trio had signed with V2 Records [1]. On January 12, 2007, 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.

Just recently, Asian Man Records has announced plans to reissue the Alkaline Trio's 1998 full length, Goddamnit. According to the label, the disc will be repackaged with new artwork, remixed and be packaged with a feature length DVD documentary of the band's early days. Word of the reissue first began to trickle out last April and the band embarked on a headlining tour in which they frequently performed the entirety of the record. Alkaline Trio's song "Cringe" from the same album has also been released on a recent various artist compilation by Asian Man Records back in the just passed April called Plea For Peace, Volume 2.

During late May 2007 the band began listing Epic Records as its label on their MySpace. Punknews.org has now also reported that band is on the Epic roster.

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 Pat); 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), and, more tenuously, Florida's Less Than Jake. 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 and Walls of Jericho. In 2004 Dan Andriano formed somewhat of a supergroup called 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, the band's website announced that Matt had started a side-project called "Heavens" with Josiah Steinbrick, previously of F-Minus. Their debut album, Patent Pending was released on Epitaph records.

To view bands/members that are related to Alkaline Trio, spanning back to the Slapstick days, go here.

Heather Gabel (formerly Heather Hannoura)

File:Heatherhannouraandart.jpg
Heather Hannoura at solo gallery opening at OnSix Gallery, Feb. 2006.

Heather Hannoura is an artist by trade, best known for her work on Alkaline Trio's merchandise.

Hannoura has been close friends with Alkaline Trio for many years. Hannoura is regularly on tour with Alkaline Trio working at their merchandise table. The artwork Hannoura uses for Alkaline Trio's merchandise is similar to the fine art work of hers - which combines painting, collage, and photography. Her work is themed around classical subjects with a twist of dark humor.

Hannoura is the woman who speaks the last verse of the song "Sadie" from Crimson. Matt Skiba has also written a song about her that was released on the debut album Patent Pending by Skiba's side project Heavens.

Apart from her work for Alkaline Trio, Hannoura has also been part of several solo and group art exhibitions and has designed merchandise and album art for several other bands. She also is married to Against Me! frontman, Tom Gabel.

Discography

Full-length albums

Title Year Label Format US Chart UK Chart
Goddamnit October 13, 1998 Asian Man Records CD DNC DNC
Maybe I'll Catch Fire March 24, 2000 Asian Man Records CD DNC DNC
Alkaline Trio April 18, 2000 Asian Man Records CD DNC DNC
From Here to Infirmary April 3, 2001 Vagrant Records CD #199 #95
Good Mourning May 13, 2003 Vagrant Records CD #24 #32
Crimson May 24, 2005 Vagrant Records CD #25 #34
Remains January 30, 2007 Vagrant Records CD/DVD Collection of b-sides and rare tracks. #67

EPs and LPs

Title Year Label Format Other information
Demo Tape 1996 Self Released Cassette
Sundials 1997 Johann's Face Records 7"
For Your Lungs Only May, 1998 Asian Man Records CD
I Lied My Face Off June 25, 1999 Asian Man Records CD
Hell Yes March 31, 2001 Lookout! Records 7"
Halloween 7" October 31, 2002 Asian Man Records 7" Features two Misfits covers.
New Years Eve 7" January 1, 2007 Self Released MySpace Downloads / 7" Tracks could be downloaded off the bands MySpace page.
Scraps February 14, 2007 Self Released Online Download

Splits

Album Cover Title Year Label Format Other information
Blue Meanies/Alkaline Trio Split 7" January 18, 2000 Thick Records LP
Alkaline Trio/Hot Water Music Split CD January 22, 2002 Jade Tree Records EP
Alkaline Trio/One Man Army Split CD April 20, 2004 BYO Records EP

Appearances on compilations

Year Album Label Song(s)
1997 "Marc's A Dick And Gar's A Drunk: The Johann's Face Story" Johann's Face Records "'97"
1998 "Mailorder is Fun!" Asian Man Records "For Your Lungs Only"
1999 "Mailorder is Still Fun!" Asian Man Records "Cringe"
1999 "Anti-Racist Action" Asian Man Records "Cooking Wine"
1999 "Cinema Beer Belly" Hopeless Records "Goodbye Forever"
2000 "Plea for Peace" Asian Man Records "Tuck Me In"
2000 "Another Year on the Streets" Vagrant Records "Crawl" Demo, "Bloodied Up" Demo
2001 "Living Tomorrow Today: A Benefit for Ty Cambria" Asian Man Records "Dead End Road"
2001 "Another Year on the Streets, Vol. 2" Vagrant Records "The Metro" (Berlin cover)
2001 "Plea for Peace/Take Action" Asian Man Records "My Standard Break From Life"
2002 "Mailorder for the Masses" Asian Man Records "As You Were"
2002 "Atticus: Dragging the Lake Vol. 1" Side One Dummy Records "Jaked on Green Beers"
2003 "Atticus: Dragging the Lake Vol. 2" Side One Dummy Records "Crawl (live)"
2003 "The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show" Springman Records "Over At The Frankenstein Place" (Rocky Horror Picture Show cover)
2003 "Oil: Chicago Punk Refined" Thick Records "Old School Reasons"
2003 "Tony Hawk's Underground" Vagrant Records "Armageddon"
2004 "Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1" Fat Wreck Chords "Warbrain"
2004 "Another Year on the Streets, Vol. 3" Vagrant Records "Heaven" (The Psychedelic Furs cover)
2004 "Cursed Original Soundtrack" Image Records "Fine Without You (Carmen Rizzo Remix)"
2005 Masters of Horror Immortal Records "We Can Never Break Up"
2005 Tony Hawk's American Wasteland Vagrant Records "Wash Away" (T.S.O.L. cover)
2005 Underworld: Evolution soundtrack Lakeshore "Burn" (Alleged Remix)
2005 The Suicide Girls - Black Heart Retrospective Epitaph "Lucretia My Reflection" (The Sisters of Mercy cover)
2007 Warped Tour 2007 Compilation SideOneDummy Records "Fire Down Below"

Video/DVDs

Year Title Label
2001 "10 Minutes to Ogikubu Station DVD" Asian Man Records
2001 "Cinema Beer Belly DVD" Hopeless Records
2002 "Another Year on the Screen DVD" Vagrant Records
2002 "Warped Tour Live DVD" Side One Dummy Records
2003 "Halloween at the Metro DVD" Kung Fu Records
2007 "The Remains of 2005/2006" Vagrant Records

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Mainstream Rock UK Singles Chart
2001 "Stupid Kid" - - - 53 From Here to Infirmary
2001 "Private Eye" - - - 51 From Here to Infirmary
2003 "We've Had Enough" - 38 - 50 Good Mourning
2003 "All on Black" - - - 60 Good Mourning
2005 "Time to Waste" - 40 - 18 Crimson
2005 "Mercy Me" - - - 29 Crimson
2006 "Burn" - - - 40 Crimson
2007 "Hell Yes" - - - - Remains

Music videos

Year Title Album
2000 "Goodbye Forever" Alkaline Trio
2002 "Private Eye" From Here to Infirmary
2002 "Stupid Kid" From Here to Infirmary
2003 "We've Had Enough" Good Mourning
2005 "Time To Waste" Crimson
2005 "Mercy Me" Crimson
2006 "Burn" Crimson
2007 "Warbrain" Remains

See also

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