Alkaline Trio Biography
This Chicago, Illinois, USA-based punk band was formed in 1996 by Matt Skiba (Matthew Thomas Skiba, 24 February 1976, Chicago, Illinois, USA; guitar/vocals), Glenn Porter (drums) and Rob Doran (bass/vocals). This line-up recorded a demo CD and the "Sundials' 7-inch single, released on Johann's Face Records, prior to Doran's departure. He was replaced by Dan Andriano (b. 27 June 1977, USA), who debuted on 1997"s For Your Lungs Only EP, featuring the live favourite "Snake Oil Tanker'. The trio's debut long-player, Goddamnit, was the band's second release on the independent label Asian Man Records. Porter helped record the band's second long-player Maybe I'll Catch Fire, but left prior to its release in February 2000 He was replaced by Mike Felumlee, who made his recording debut on March 2001"s "Hell Yes!" single.
The band's growing status necessitated a switch to major label status with Vagrant Records for the release of their third album. From Here To Infirmary proved to be the band's mainstream breakthrough, although many critics lazily associated their intense, melodic punk with the in vogue "emo" movement. Further personnel changes saw Felumlee replaced by Derek Grant (b. 24 April 1977). The new drummer made his recording debut on a split EP with Hot Water Music, released in January 2002. New album Good Mourning was another excellent outing, although the bleak lyrical content was a far cry from the rather juvenile concerns of the band's earlier work. The success of the album on the mainstream charts underlined Alkaline Trio's burgeoning commercial standing. The 2005 release Crimson built on this status by debuting in the US Top 30. A major label contract with V2 Records followed, but restructuring at the label meant that the band was left without a deal at the start of 2007.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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