ALKALINE TRIO ****

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). To date, the band has released seven studio albums, including their newest, This Addiction, released on February 23, 2010.

Alkaline Trio este o formatie americana de punk rock care a luat fiinta in McHenry, Ilinois, in 1996. Componenta formatiei este alcatuita din Matt Skiba (vocal, chitara), Dan Andriano (vocal, bas) si Derek Grant (baterie). Pana in prezent, trupa a scos pe piata sapte albume de studio, inclusiv ultima lor realizare, This Addiction, lansata pe data 23 februarie, 2010.

 History / Povestea trupei

Early years, Goddamnit and Maybe I'll Catch Fire (1996–2000) 

Primii ani, Goddamnit si Maybe I'll Catch Fire (1996-2000)

Alkaline Trio was formed in December 1996 (see 1996 in music), originally consisting of Matt Skiba (guitar/lead vocals), Rob Doran (bass/vocals), and Glenn Porter (drums/vocals). They all hailed from McHenry, Illinois, except Porter who is from Crystal Lake, Illinois both of which are 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 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.

Alkaline Trio s-au format in decembrie 1996, initial alcatuita din Matt Skiba (chitara/ vocal principal), Rob Doran (bas/vocal) si Glenn Porter (baterie/ vocal). Cu totii se trageau din McHenry, Ilinois, cu exceptia lui Porter, originar din Crystal Lake, Ilinois, ambele fiind suburbii ale orasului Chicago. In 1997 apare primul EP al formatiei, Sundials. Acesta este urmat la scurt timp de plecarea din trupa a lui Rob Doran, dupa care locul sau este luat de Dan Adriano, fost vocal in trupa Tuesday si basist in Slapstick si incep inregistrarile. Formatia scoate pe piata cel de-al doilea EP intitulat For Your Lungs Only, in 1998, de la care au inceput sa apara un numar semnificativ de fani din Midwest. Spre finalul aceluiasi an, trupa lanseaza primul album adevarat, Goddamnit, urmat de Maybe I’ll Catch Fire in 2000 (ambele editate sub egida casei de discuri Asian Man Records). De asemenea, in 2000, trupa lanseaza o colectie cu piesele de pe EP-urile anterioare pe albumul Alkaline Trio.  

From Here to Infirmary, Good Mourning and Dan Andriano's side project (2001–2005) 

From Here To Infirmary, Good Mourning si proiectul solo al lui Dan Andriano (2001-2005)

In 2001, the band released From Here To Infirmary 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.

In 2001, trupa lanseaza From Here to Infirmary la Vagrant Records. Acest album inspira videoclipurile la piesele “Stupid Kid” si “Private Eye”. Albumul este primul dintre realizarile discografice ale formatiei care intra in top 200 Billboard si primul care obtine incasari cu sase cifre.

Their next full-length album was Good Mourning , released in 2003, with the album's launch single "We'veHad 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.

Cel de-al doilea album este Good Mourning, realizat in 2003, avand ca single de lansare “We’ve Had Enough” si care are parte de acelasi succes ca precedentul single “Stupid Kid”. Albumul reprezinta o indepartare de stilul anterior, avand o valoare de productie mai ridicata.

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.

Formatia apare pe mai multe albume compilatii, mai notabile fiind Plea for Peace Vol. 1, Vagrant Records: Another Year on the Streets Vol. 1, 2 si 3 si Rock Against Bush Vol. 1. Matt Skiba si Dan Andriano inregistreaza separat, Skiba impreuna cu Kevin Seconds la Asian Man Records, iar Andriano cu Mike Felumlee la Double Zero Records, precum si vocea a doua pe albumul This is Unity Music al celor de la Common Rider. Ei inregistreaza doua EP-uri separate: unul cu Hot Water Music in 2000 si celalalt cu 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 Mohneyof 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.

In 2004, Dan devine membru al trupei The Falcon, un supergrup alcatuit din basistul Brendan Kelly de la The Lawrence Arms, anterior in Slapstick (impreuna cu Dan) si din bateristul de la Broadways, Neil Hennesy. The Falcon beneficiaza, de asemenea, de contributia lui Todd Mohneyof de la The Killing Tree si fost membru in Rise Against. Trupa lanseaza un EP, God Don't Make No Trash/ Up Your Ass With Broken Glass in 2005 si primul album adevarat, Unicornography, in septembrie 2006.   

Crimson, Remains, and Matt Skiba's side project (2005–2007)

Crimson, Remains si proiectul solo al lui Skiba (2005-2007)

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.

Alkaline Trio lanseaza cel de-al cincilea album de studio la Vagrant Records, intitulat Crimson, pe data de 24 mai, 2005, album din care face parte piesa "Time to Waste". Single-ul pentru acest cantec include de asemenea piese bonus produse de basistul Mass Giorgini de la Squirtgun si Common Rider. Piesele "Mercy Me" si "Burn" sunt de asemenea lansate ca single de pe acest 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 decembrie, 2005, apare pe rafturile magazinelor o editie speciala a dublului album Crimson relansat. Pe acest album apare varianta originala a melodiei Crimson inregistrata la inceputul acelui an, in timp ce al doilea disc cuprinde versiuni demo si acustice/live ale unora dintre piese. In plus, este disponoibila pe site o versiune imbunatatita a versurilor si notitelor impreuna cu mesaje personale de la membrii formatiei in legatura cu povestea si inspiratia care a a stat in spatele cantecelor.

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 septembrie, 2006, apare Patent Pending, albumul de debut al trupei personale a laui Matt Skiba. Formatia este alcatuita din Skiba la chitara si voce si Josiah Steinbrick (din trupa hardcore punk F-Minus) la bas. Pe acest album, celor doi li se alatura claparul Isaiah "Ikey" Owens de la Mars Volta si bateristul Matthew Compton. Skiba canta pentru o scurta perioada impreuna cu Heavens in toamna lui 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.

Alkaline Trio scot un album de B-sides/raritati, live-uri si un DVD cu concertele din timpul turneului Occult Roots Tour la inceputul lui 2007, intitulat Remains care este scos la Vagrant Records.

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.

During late May 2007 the band began listing Epic Records as its label on their MySpace.

In octombrie, 2006, este anuntat ca Alkaline Trio au semnat cu V2 Records. Pe 12 ianuarie, 2007, sucursala nord americana a casei de discuri anunta ca trece printr-o restructurare pentru a se concentra asupra catalogului si distributiei digitale. Drept consecinta, angajatii sunt dati afara. Spre finele lunii mai, 2007, formatia posteaza pe MySpace logoul casei de discuri Epic Records. 

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.

In februarie, 2008, Asian Man Records lanseaza re-editarea albumului aniversar de 10 ani, Goddamnit, din 1998. Discul este remixat si remasterizat, beneficiind si de 4 piese bonus adaugate de pe demoul lor din 1996 si albumul este resigilat cu o noua grafica si cu un documentar pe DVD despre inceputurile formatiei. Cum era de asteptat, lansarea reuseste sa-i incante pe fanii vechi ai trupei.  

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.

In ziua de sambata, 9 februarie, 2008, formatia posteaza un mesaj pe pagina lor de pe MySpace in care explica faptul ca lucreaza de trei saptamani in studio la un nou material discografic, fara sa dezvaluie insa data lansarii sau titlul albumului. Mai tarziu, formatia anunta prin fan clubul ei, the Blood Pact, faptul ca viitorul album, intitulat Agony & Irony va fi lansat pe data de 1 iulie, 2008. Ca un cadou pentru membrii fan clubului, ei scot o piesa noua intitulata “In Vein” disponibila in exclusivitate. Pe data de 4 aprilie, posteaza cantecul pe pagina de MySpace pentru 24 de ore.  

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.

Pe data de 6 mai, 2008 este anuntat un concurs (“Settle the Scores”) care incuraja fanii sa downloadeze melodia "Love Love Kiss Kiss" de pe site-ul oficial si sa trimita apoi coverul la aceasta piesa dupa propria lor interpretare inainte ca ea sa fie lansata de formatie. 

Asa cum era de asteptat, formatia lanseaza Agony & Irony pe data de 1 iulie, 20008. In prima saptamana vanzarea albumului ii plaseaza pe Alkaline Trio pe locul 13 in clasamentul Billboard pe albume.  

This Addiction (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 Day.

In timpul unui concert din mai, 2009, formatia anunta ca a incheiat contractul cu Epic Records si ca va edita noul material discografic la propriul lor studio in acel an. Inregistrarea incepe in iulie. Debuteaza patru piese de pe album (“This Addiction”, "Dead On The Floor", "Dine, Dine My Darling" si "Dorothy") in turneul cu Saves the Day.

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.

Pe 18 noiembrie, 2009, formatia anunta ca va edita noul album la casa lor de discuri proaspat infiintata, Heart & Skull, in colaborare cu Epitaph Records. In acelasi articol, Skiba confirma si faptul  ca noul album va fi lansat pe 23 februarie, 2010, cu alte piese anuntate, intitulat “The American Scream”. Formatia revine in orasul de origine, Chicago pentru a inregistra This Addiction dupa ce in prealabil inregistrase albumele anterioare in L.A. Trupa se straduieste sa se intoarca la origini pe acest album, Atlas Studios fiind locul unde inregistrasera primele trei albume.  

On December 1 Alkaline Trio confirmed to Rock Sound that the title of their new album would be This Addiction:

"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 & Irony] 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."

 The album debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest the band has ever charted to date.

Pe data de 1 decembrie, Alkaline Trio confirma in revista Rock Sound faptul ca titlul noului album va fi This Addiction:

„Este prima piesa de pe album si numele noului nostru album”, afirma vocalistul Matt Skiba. ,,Cantecul compara dependenta de heroina cu o metafora a dragostei. Tot albumul este cu adevarat personal, toti trei am trecut printr-o gramada de la ultimul nostru album (Agony & Irony, 2008) si totul este redat prin acest album, toate cantecele sunt despre relatiile in care ne-am implicat, prin urmare discul are o tema constanta”.

Albumul debuteaza pe locul 11 in top 200 Billboard, fiind cea mai ridicata pozitie in top de cand activeaza trupa.

 Band members: Membrii formatiei:

Current: Actuali

• Matt Skiba – lead vocals, guitars (1996–present)


• Dan Andriano – lead vocals, bass (1997–present)


• Derek Grant – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2001–present)

Former: Fosti

• Rob Doran – bass, backing vocals (1996–1997)


• Glenn Porter – drums, percussion (1996–2000)


• Mike Felumlee – drums, percussion (2000–2001)

Touring: In turneu

• Atom Willard – drums, percussion (2000)


• Pete Parada – drums, percussion (2001)


• Nolan McGuire – guitars (2003–2007)