Alkaline Trio

Alkaline Trio, a punk band active since the mid-1990s, have issued forceful punk tracks defined by a somber, propulsive intensity that allowed sustained commercial reach while retaining their wild core energy. Advancing step by step via Warped Tour bills into the early 2000s, the group attained a Billboard Top 20 placement through the 2003 commercial breakthrough Good Mourning. Their zenith arrived with the seventh release This Addiction, which led the rock, alternative, and indie charts in 2010. After frontman Matt Skiba paused to join blink-182 later in the decade, Alkaline Trio delivered their ninth LP, 2018's Is This Thing Cursed?, followed by Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs in 2024.

Matt Skiba (vocals/guitar), previously of Jerkwater and Traitors on drums, linked with former 88 Fingers Louie drummer Glenn Porter and bassist/vocalist Rob Doran to form Alkaline Trio in late 1996 amid shared heartbreak, angst, and drinking camaraderie. The initial lineup released the brief EP For Your Lungs Only shortly before Doran's exit in late 1997, then issued Sundials one year later on Johann's Face Records. Dan Andriano of Slapstick assumed bass duties, introducing a complementary vocal and songwriting approach alongside Skiba that soon defined the band's signature interplay. With this configuration established, and with Skiba and Porter employed as bike messengers, Alkaline Trio issued their debut full-length Goddamnit! in 1998; its heartbreak narratives and anti-cop rants built a modest audience.

Maybe I'll Catch Fire and a self-titled singles collection both appeared in early 1999. Glenn Porter departed early the next year; ex-Smoking Popes drummer Mike Felumlee replaced him, restoring Alkaline Trio to a three-piece. The third album From Here to Infirmary emerged on Vagrant in spring 2001 and became their first chart entry, reaching number 199 on the Billboard 200. Tracks such as "Private Eye" and "Bloodied Up" appeared on Infirmary, which preceded a split EP with Hot Water Music featuring mutual originals and covers.

Two years later came the mainstream breakthrough Good Mourning, the first album featuring drummer Derek Grant (ex-Suicide Machines, Thoughts of Ionesco). Good Mourning reached number 20 on the Billboard 200 while topping Independent Albums and included the first charting single "We've Had Enough," leading to late-night television spots and summer tours. Crimson arrived in 2005, prompting summer road work both headlining and supporting My Chemical Romance.

Marking their ten-year point, Alkaline Trio toured in 2006 with sets centered on early material, including complete performances of the fan favorite Goddamnit!. By fall they had signed with V2 Records and begun their next album, yet January 2007 label restructuring prompted their release from V2 before any tracks appeared. That month Vagrant released the CD/DVD compilation Remains gathering B-sides and rarities, after which the band secured a deal with Epic Records and completed Agony & Irony, issued that summer and debuting at number 13, their highest placement then. Lead single "Help Me" reached number 14 on the alternative chart. One year later they exited Epic, started their own Heart & Skull imprint, and used it for This Addiction in 2010. The album peaked just outside the Top Ten and reunited them with early producer Matt Allison. The following year they released their eighth album Damnesia, offering acoustic versions of fan favorites plus two new songs. In 2013 Alkaline Trio issued My Shame Is True, produced by the Descendents' Bill Stevenson.

During 2015 Skiba stepped away to record and promote blink-182's seventh album California. He rejoined Alkaline Trio at the close of 2017, performing two pre-New Year's shows with the Misfits. The concert video and LP box set Past Live appeared in early 2018, one month before Skiba underwent throat surgery that sidelined him until summer. Despite the interruption they tracked another album and began touring in August. Their ninth effort Is This Thing Cursed? arrived that month and charted in both the U.S. and U.K. Early 2023 brought Derek Grant's departure after his longest tenure as drummer; Atom Willard replaced him ahead of the Rise Records release Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs in January 2024. The band's tenth studio album, and Grant's final studio appearance, was produced by Cameron Webb and reached number 188 on the Billboard 200.