Alkaline Trio / Hot Toddies / Kepi Ghoulie / The Atom Age at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco

Alkaline Trio / Photo by Jason Duarte

So last night's show at the Bottom of the Hill was Alkaline Trio with the Hot Toddies, Kepi Ghoulie (electric) and The Atom Age. This show was mostly awesome. Let me explain.

The Atom Age was awesome. Those guys sounded tight, and made me want to check out more by them. They were full of energy and had a saxophone player, which I thought added a cool dynamic to the standard rock formula.

After the Atom Age was Kepi Ghoulie with a full band. Kepi is awesome as always. His music; his stage show; everything. This was the first time I've ever seen the full-suited monsters dancing around at a Kepi show. For his last song, "Freaks On Parade," he had Mikey Erg go through an obstacle course of sorts. First, Merg had to take the bass from Dino, play that for a while, then play the tambourine for a while. Then, he took over on drums mid-song, and then played Kepi's guitar. It was pretty entertaining. He also had at least 6 large garbage bags full of balloons, which everyone was hitting around in the 240-person venue. He also threw out streamers, danced around like crazy (along with everyone else) and made it one hell of a party. Everyone was having a blast. During "Chupacabras," one of the fully-suited monsters came out, who was a CHUPACABRA! A few songs after that, an ape guy came out and was dancing around and kneeling and moving around with his fists like a real ape. It was awesome.

After Kepi Ghoulie were the Hot Toddies, which was the low point of the night for me. I understand the whole surf-influenced girl pop thing, but they just didn't do it for me. The vocals were pretty monotoned and the music was just too soft and low-fi for me. They did a creepy song called "Matt Skiba Sandwich." They were over, then it was time to see my favorite band in San Francisco.

Alkaline Trio took the stage and killed it the entire. fucking. set. I mean, they didn't practice and it was slightly noticeable cause Skiba would concentrate a little more than usual on the songs, but it was so loose and relaxed and awesome that it didn't matter. Plus they weren't using their own gear or anything either, and they played fantastically. They opened with the first song they released under Asian Man Records; "Cringe." What followed was amazing. At the end of their set, people rushed the stage and started bringing everyone they could on stage to sing along (though scarcely anyone knew the words to the Nomeansno cover). It was a great show and Alkaline Trio always pleases me when I see them.

Alkaline Trio Set List:

Cringe

Armageddon

Emma

Cooking Wine

Clavicle

Crawl

Nose Over Tail

Goodbye Forever

Mercy Me

You've Got So Far To Go

Snake Oil Tanker

Maybe I'll Catch Fire

This Addiction

I'm Dying Tomorrow

My Friend Peter

Bleeder

Trouble Breathing

San Francisco

Encore:

97

Radio

Two Lips, Two Lungs and One Tongue (Nomeansno)

The Atom Age / Photo by Jason Duarte

Kepi Ghoulie / Photo by Jason Duarte

Kepi Ghoulie / Photo by Jason Duarte

The Hot Toddies / Photo by Jason Duarte

The Hot Toddies / Photo by Jason Duarte

Alkaline Trio / Photo by Jason Duarte

Alkaline Trio / Photo by Jason Duarte

Alkaline Trio's 'Damnesia' album cover and details

From the band's Facebook page:

High energy melodic cult rockers Alkaline Trio will be releasing a brand new album entitled Damnesia this July 12th via Epitaph Records/Heart & Skull. The new record features a selection of beloved fan favorites selected from the group’s extensive catalogue and presented in an intimate-semi unplugged format. Also included will be a cover of the song “I Held Her In My Arms” by influential indie rock trio The Violent Femmes as well as two brand new Alkaline Trio songs entitled “Olde English 800” and “I Remember A Rooftop.”

Also, on sale this week are tickets for the first leg of the group’s special 15th anniversary tour which kicks off July 10th. The band plans to make the tour something special for fans. As singer/bassist Dan Andriano explains, “We’re looking forward to our 15th anniversary tour this summer. We’re going to really try to put together a set that encompasses everything the band has done over the past 15 years and plan to play some songs that rarely find their way in to the set list. We will also play some songs in an unplugged style similar to what we’ve recently recorded on Damnesia. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Since forming in Illinois, in 1996, Alkaline Trio has continued to amass a devoted cult following with their infectious punk hooks and darkly dramatic tongue-in-cheek lyrics, Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba, bassist/vocalist Dan Andriano and drummer Derek Grant, the band has created some of punk's most memorable songs with favorites like “Radio” from the 2000 album Maybe I’ll Catch Fire, “Mercy Me” from the 2005 album Crimson, “Blue In The Face” from 2003’s Good Mourning and “The American Scream” from 2010’s This Addiction.

Presale Bundle For 15th Anniversary Tour and New Album Damnesia

A limited number of tickets for the upcoming tour have been held for Alkaline Trio fans and will be available through an exclusive Ducat King presale beginning Monday, May 9th at 12PM local!

By buying tickets through this presale, fans will be able to get tickets before anyone else AND save money on service charges. This special presale also includes an option to purchase a digital or physical copy of the band’s new record Damnesia, in stores July 12. Fans who pre-order the new record will also receive an e-mail with a link to immediately download the band's new version of "Clavicle" off Damnesia. Those who purchase the digital version ($7) will receive an additional e-mail just prior to the release date, with instructions on how to download a copy of the album. Those who purchase the physical version ($10) will receive the CD in the mail upon its release.

To pre-order tickets go to: http://alkalinetrio.ducatking.com/

Alkaline Trio West Coast Tour Dates

Sat 9 Milwaukee, Summerfest

Sun 10 Omaha, NE. Slowdown

Mon 11 Denver Summit Music Hall

Tuesday 12th Salt Lake City, In The Venue

Thursday 14 Seattle, El Corazon

Friday 15 Portland, Hawthorn

Sat 16 San Francisco Slims

Sun 17, San Francisco, Bottom Of The Hill

Tue 19 Los Angeles, Troubadour

Friday 22 Las Vegas, Hard Rock Café

Sat 23 Pomona Ca, The Glass House

Sun 24 Mesa Arizona, Nile

More dates coming soon…

Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day, Death in the Park at the Metro (4.20/21.09):

First off, what the hell is wrong with this weather? The e-mail I got for the Alkaline Trio meet and greet said to be there at three, and I didn't go inside till about five. Anyways, I'm not complaining because it was all totally worth it. I go in, and I hear them playing something, so being the fanboy that I am, I run up the stairs and they were just ending a song that I didn't hear enough of to recognize. Then they dicked around a lot with pickslides and effects and then played "Into the Night" off their latest album, "Agony & Irony."


^"Into the Night" at the Meet and Greet^

After the song, they came down and hung out with us lucky 15 members. It was kind of like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Only way cooler and none of us got kicked out for being douches.


^Matt Skiba and I. Look behind us, there's Chris Connelly from Saves the Day!^

Anyway, I'm not gonna lie, I brought a lot of LPs. I brought two posters I have had for a long time that will finally go in a frame and on my wall. I have the Halloween at the Metro poster that Paul Frank did and one from their Metro shows withg Against Me! a couple years ago. I think those ones were the ones where they played Goddamnit from start to finish. Maybe? No, I think those were three other shows. I'm not sure. I've seen them too many times to remember. Jeez, I'm only 22, I hope I remember all this cool stuff when I get old.
Anyway, it was cool. They signed my Maybe I'll Catch Fire LP too (Original pressing - orange wax/1000!) So I'm gonna put that one in an LP frame next to my signed Goddamnit LP. Man, my room is gonna look cool once it's together.
Anyway, here's Alkaline Trio's setlist for Monday's 18+ show:

1. My Friend Peter
2. If We Never Go Inside
3. Burn
4. Fatally Yours
5. Continental
6. Love Love, Kiss Kiss
7. I Found Away
8. Queen of Pain
9. Cooking Wine
10. The Poison
11. Calling All Skeletons
12. Sadie
13. 100 Stories
14. The KKK Took My Baby Away (Ramones Cover)
15. San Francisco
16. This Could Be Love
17. Time To Waste
18. Every Thug Needs a Lady
19. All on Black

I couldn't find a setlist posted for last night's yet, but they did a new song which was fast, kind of aggressive and had Dan singing. It was awesome. They also played Cringe, Radio, Cooking Wine, Tuck Me In, Calling All Skeletons, My Friend Peter, If We Never Go Inside, Burn, Fatally Yours, I Found Away, Into The Night, The Poison, Sadie, 100 Stories, This Could Be Love, Every Thug Needs a Lady, I'm Dying Tomorrow, Donner Party (All Night)...I think that's it.
Anyway, it was an all-around great night. Met up with some friends afterwards next door for a beer and then hit the road and basically sat in Cubs traffic for a while, which sucked.
Oh, Ed (Kobanes drummer) and I handed out a bunch of fliers for our Gasthaus and Underground Lounge shows coming up. I'm stoked about both of those. Especially the Elgin one because that place is just fun. At least from what I remember of going there a year and a half ago. Last night was a great time. Oh, Death in the Park - not worth checking out. Bunch of hipsters playing bad music. The lead singer was one of those guys that would be emo, but then extra emo by putting his hand out like a "stop" signal. It was weird and a bit too lame for me. Even the all-agers didn't seem to care too much for them. They were selling their CDs for $5 while everyone was walking out, but then a half hour later, I'm standing outside of the Gingerman and they are walking up and down the sidewalk trying to sell their CDs to people. It was a bit weird and the guitar player's freaky mustache probably didn't help their album sales. Alkaline Trio kicked ass. Saves the Day was OK because they played some old stuff I used to listen to. The first band sucked.
Anyone know where I can get semi-cheap poster frames by the way? Preferably a store and not the Internet?


^Saves the Day 4/21/09^


^Alkaline Trio 4/21/09^


^Alkaline Trio 4/20/09^


^Saves the Day 4/20/09^


^Me and Dan before the show on 4/20/09 at the Gingerman. We were watching the Bulls lose to the Sonics. Well, he was. I was too busy drinking and trying to get the balls to ask him to take a photo with me^

Heather Gabel to exhibit Alkaline Trio artwork

On October 7, Heather Gabel, who has done artwork for Alkaline Trio throughout the past 15 years, will host a hometown Chicago show called "Black & White & Red All Over," showcasing the work she's done for Chicago's punk trio. It'll take place at Johalla Projects. Gabel will also release a limited edition book, detailing her history with Alkaline Trio at the show. On a personal note, I've been a fan of hers since 2001, the year I first saw Alkaline Trio live, and the year they became my favorite band. I've followed her ever since, and have attended a show of hers in the past. I'm looking forward to this one, especially since Alkaline Trio will be more intertwined with her artwork. I know the turnout for this will be well.

Them Krooked Vulvas/A Perfect Circus featuring members of Alkaline Trio and Kill Hannah with The Coldspace at Debonair (8.18.09)

It was a nice Tuesday night in the city and I didn't expect to see my favorite band. The day before, 97.9 The Loop went to commercial so while I was driving, I switched over to Q101 and to my surprise, found Matt Skiba and Derek Grant of Alkaline Trio, Scott Lucas of Local H and Greg Corner and Jonny Radtke from Kill Hannah being interviewed by one of Q101's DJs. They were talking about forming a cover band for Tuesday night for RedHairMatt's birthday party. RedHairMatt is a bartender at Debonair in Chicago and has bright red hair.
So the DJ says call in to talk to any of them so I gave it a shot and after a minute or so of ringing, the DJ answers and I ask him, "Hey, can I like...talk to Matt Skiba or something?" Little did I know they were all listening in and Matt says, "This is Matt Skiba or something."
"Hi Matt Skiba or something!" I said like a stupid girl.
I asked him what covers they were going to play at Debonair and they chattered and said you had to show up to be there. They said something about liking Alkaline Trio and I was like, "You are my favorite band. See you there" or something along those lines.
Anywho, I get to the venue and get the $5 PBR and Jameson shot special to ease my nerves. The first band of the night consisted of Scott Lucas from Local H and three other guys and they were called The Coldspace.



They did all covers by Black Sabbath, Kings of Leon, Iron Maiden, Kelly Clarkson, Daft Punk, The Stone Roses and finished with Local H's "Wolf Like Me." They put on a great set - not so much if you came to see punk but what a bunch of talented musicians. Scott Lucas remains to be one of my favorite musicians/entertainers to this day.



Another beer and shot of Jameson later, Matt Skiba takes the stage with Derek Grant and Greg and Jonny of Kill Hannah. They start to play "Dancing With Myself" by Billy Idol and Matt Skiba even does a little dance. The set continued as follows:

-Dancing With Myself (Billy Idol)
-Waiting Room (Fugazi)
-Reach For My Revolver (Originally by Mission of Burma and covered by Moby but this was the Pegboy version-Larry Damore from Pegboy came and sang it)
-Then they gave Red Hair Matt a birthday cake and sang happy birthday
-She Sells Sanctuary (The Cult)
-Lucretia My Reflection (Sisters of Mercy)
-People Who Died (Jim Carroll)
-Skulls (Misfits)



During "That's When I Reach For My Revolver," Larry Damore from Pegboy came up and sang it, a big influence of Skiba's. It was a lot of fun - as Pegboy always is live. After that song, everyone sang happy birthday to RedHairMatt and gave him a cake. He was jumping around having himself a good old time. How could you not with Matt Skiba singing happy birthday to you? There was only one other time I heard Skiba sing happy birthday to someone and that was at the Metro at a Trio show - the whole crowd sang happy birthday to his dad who was sitting up in the VIP balcony.

Anyways, "She Sells Sanctuary" by The Cult was next, followed by "Lucretia My Reflection," which Alkaline Trio actually covers on a Suicide Girls compilation CD that I believe was released in 2005. I think that was the first time I've ever seen them play that live thought, which was awesome. Oh and I almost forgot to mention - after the cake business, Matt and Derek traded places so Derek sang and played guitar to "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Lucretia My Reflection."



Matt took the drums - not everyone knows he was actually a drummer before he was a singer or a guitar player in Chicago bands like Blunt, Jerkwater and The Traitors.
Anyways, Scott Lucas came up and sang "People Who Died" by Jim Carroll with Matt Skiba. Scott was his usual self, climbing shit and rocking out. After the song, Skiba said, "So that's what punk rock feels like."
They finished their set with a cover of The Misfits' "Skulls," which is covered a lot by The Methadones and The Lawrence Arms as well.

Strangely, Greg and Jonny stepped off the stage and what I wished to myself came true. Out of the corner of my eye, Dan Andriano took the stage with his bass and the crowd of about 200 went nuts and I was within an arm's reach of Skiba. Not even a stretch of a reach. They played "Cringe," the first song off their first album, "Goddamnit." Which is just as well, taking it back to the roots, especially since the Trio is in town recording a new album at Atlas Studios with Matt Allison.
After the crowd (and RedHairMatt) urged them to play just one more - they did, and it was "My Friend Peter" off the band's self-titled 2000 release. The crowd went insane. If they had played a full set, the venue would have surely collapsed, leaving only the energetic crowd standing amidst the rubble rocking out and singing along to their favorite band, Alkaline Trio.

I dunno if there's a better picture of Matt out there than this one:

Alkaline Trio/Smoking Popes at The Metro, Chicago this August

According to the Metro's site, Alkaline Trio will be playing two nights with The Smoking Popes and River City Extension on Monday, August 1 and Tuesday, August 2. Tickets will be available here at noon on Thursday, June 2 or you can get them now here.

Monday, August 1:
Alkaline Trio/Smoking Popes/River City Extension
$27 advance/$30 day of
Doors 6 p.m./Show 6:30 p.m.
All ages

Tuesday, August 2:
Alkaline Trio/Smoking Popes/River City Extension
$27 advance/$30 day of
Doors 7 p.m./Show 8 p.m.
18+

These are totally going to sell out June 2. I can't wait to see my favorite band, Alkaline Trio, with another one of my favorite bands, the Smoking Popes. These shows are going to be great!

Alkaline Trio announces New Years at the Metro

Been thinking about what you're going to do this year to ring in 2012? The Metro announced today that Alkaline Trio will take the stage on December 31 before midnight. The show starts at 10:30 p.m. (doors at 9 p.m.) and openers have not yet been announced. Tickets are $61 in advance and will go on sale Saturday, November 5 at noon. The show is restricted to 18+, and 21+ show-goers will ring in the new year with 'The Champagne of Beers' at midnight. Those who attend will also receive an exclusive limited edition poster commemorating the event. This will be the first time Alkaline Trio has played the Metro since August 2, when the Trio shared the stage with the Smoking Popes and River City Extension. Check the link above for pictures and the night's set lists (Alkaline Trio and Smoking Popes). This'll also be some way to ring out the band's 15-year anniversary and ring in their 16th. What do you think they'll close with?

Mike Felumlee reflects on Alkaline Trio, Smoking Popes, his label and talks about new EP and what's to come

Shortly after doing his split with Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio, ex-Alkaline Trio and Smoking Popes drummer Mike Felumlee quit music.
“I spent 5 or 6 years without touching a musical instrument of any kind,” Felumlee said. “I decided I was just going to be a fan of music rather than play music.”
He simply got burnt out on it and if he wanted to make a career out of it, he'd have to tour a lot; something he didn't want to do.
“I have a son and I wanted to spend more time with him,” Felumlee said. “There have been a lot of ups and downs through the whole thing and I kinda just said, 'Fuck it, I don't want to do it anymore.'”
Around the turn of the century, Felumlee had a record label he started and managed called Double Zero Records which featured his own releases (his 2001 full-length, “64 Hours” and his 2002 split with Andriano of Alkaline Trio) as well as releases by fellow Chicagoans Split Habit, Amazing Transparent Man, the Smoking Popes, Duvall the Honor System and others.
“We had that Smoking Popes '1991-98' release and we did a Smoking Popes live album, which is funny because it's almost the exact same set list as the Victory (Records) live album that they did years later,” Felumlee said. “We had a lot of stuff that sold pretty well, but we ran into a couple problems early on – I had a distributor go bankrupt on me, so that kind hurt.”
Back in 2001, Felumlee played drums in Alkaline Trio on the band's “From Here To Infirmary” album.
“We were touring a ton the last year; we played 250 shows or more and we were kind of in the process of like setting up what we were gonna do the next year and Matt and Dan both wanted to go really on a stretch without having very much of a break at home,” Felumlee said. “It was something that I couldn't really do and I can see where they were coming from. They were gonna do the entire Warped Tour and the Plea For Peace tour - both of which are really good tours, but it was something I just couldn't commit to, based on my family situation. I think Derek fits with them really well.”
In January 2009, seven years after his last release, Felumlee came out with a split with Travis Brown from Split Habit's new band, Friendly Enemies. Felumlee and Friendly Enemies each have four songs on the split.
When he writes songs at home, Felumlee uses nothing but a guitar and computer software.
He uses Cubase Studio 4, Ezdrummer and Guitar Rig 2 to create drums, bass and guitar parts and then uses a microphone for laying down the vocals.
For guitar, he uses an audio interface called a Firebox.
While the demos were recorded at home, the four songs that appear on his split were done in a studio.
Felumlee plays drums on “Sing With Me” and “My Favorite Ghost.” Kevin Baschen played on “From Where You Are” and “I Hope It's Alright.”
Felumlee also plays the rhythm guitar on all of the songs. But when he's at home recording demos, he does everything.
As of now, the EP is only available online through iTunes and www.cdbaby.com. Felumlee and his fellow musicians currently lack the funds to press any CDs or vinyl.
“It's totally a budget thing,” Felumlee said. “I don't really have the money to front a bunch of CDs right now. If there was a label that wanted to press vinyl, I would be all for it. That would be really cool, but I definitely don't have the budget to record the stuff to press vinyl or discs at this point.”
Felumlee is considering doing a full-length this year as well. He's got over 60 demos at home that he's sitting on and a handful of cover songs as well, including Gloria Jones' “Tainted Love” and Alanis Morrisette's “Hand In My Pocket.”
“I've thought about doing a double album. Then I'm thinking, it's kind of funny for a guy nobody really listens to or isn't very popular to be making a double album, but I guess who gives a shit,” Felumlee said. “If I have the songs to do it, then what the fuck - who cares? Then the 10 people that like me can get my double album.”
Anyone who's listened to Felumlee's heart-quenching tunes know that most of them are about girls - “probably about 90 percent of them,” he said. “Eighty percent of them are about one girl in particular.
The one girl in particular he's referring to is a girl he dated in high school.
“When I go into lyric-writing mode, it's just easier to bring up thoughts from that time period. I don't quite know why. I think cause maybe when you're a teenager and experiencing feelings of love and all that kinda stuff, it's a lot more intense at that age so everything seems way more dramatic than it really is, even when you're thinking back on it.”
Even though he has no romantic feelings for her anymore, it's easy to go back to that point in time to write songs.
Felumlee was also married for 11 years, but he hasn't written any songs about that.
“Maybe it's too - It's totally too fresh. I rarely write about anything that's currently happening to me.”
Lucky for him, current girlfriends don't get jealous.
Check out Mike Felumlee and his band at 5 p.m. this Saturday at Mad Maggie's, 51 S. Grove Ave. in Elgin, Illinois with The Takeouts, The Dyes and Copper Harbor. Check him out on MySpace at www.myspace.com/mikefelumleemusic and PureVolume at www.purevolume.com/mikefelumlee.
His new EP is available at www.cdbaby.com/cd/felumlee, iTunes and by picking up a digital download card at one of his shows, which lets you download the entire EP online.

Interview with DEREK GRANT of ALKALINE TRIO:

Derek Grant, drummer of Alkaline Trio, in rare form playing guitar at Debonair in Chicago (8.18.09). Photo by Jason Duarte.


Interview with Derek Grant of THE ALKALINE TRIO (August 6th, 2009):


Squid Pro Quo: All right! I guess first - I spoke with Matt in a club in Chicago not long ago and he had mentioned you guys are working on a new full-length. How is that coming and do you know when we can expect its release?


Derek Grant: We actually start recording this week, so there's no real progress to report. As for a release date, hopefully November.


SPQ: Do you guys plan to keep on the same track as you did with “Agony & Irony,” kind of keeping it stripped down and straightforward?


DG: Perhaps more straightforward even but we will do whatever is best for the songs.


SPQ: Where are you guys going to record this one?


DG: In Chicago, back to our roots.


SPQ: Is that Atlas Studios with Matt Allison?


DG: I can't really discuss the details at this point; top secret stuff!


SPQ: Right on. I know Screeching Weasel was a big influence for you guys. How's it feel to be playing with 'em - or Ben and Dan anyways - at Riot Fest?


DG: It's a huge thrill for us, and there are so many other great bands on that show as well. It's sure to be a blast.


SPQ: Awesome man. Back to what you guys are doing now - I heard you guys play a song I never heard before at the Metro in April, it was pretty fast and blew me away. Is that one of the new ones?


DG: Yeah, I'm not sure which one you heard; we played four new ones on the last tour. Usually one a night.


SPQ: How many tracks will be on the new album?


DG: Most likely 12 or so.


SPQ: Cool cool. Usually there's a longer waiting period between Trio albums. After “Agony & Irony,” did you guys just keep that creative momentum going or how does that work especially since you guys are scattered across the country? (Matt Skiba in California, Dan Andriano in Florida and Derek in Indiana).


DG: We definitely kept the momentum with no desire to have a long gap in between albums. Creatively, we just write separately and E-mail ideas back and forth until we have enough material to merit getting together.


SPQ: Nice. Where do you draw influence from, especially when you write a lot in a short period of time? Do you ever get "writer's block" so to speak?


DG: I think we've all dealt with writer's block at one point or another. Inspiration comes from so many different places, you can never be certain where it will arise next.


SPQ: How about with the newest songs?


DG: That question would be better suited for Matt or Dan as they've written the bulk of the new material.


SPQ: Do you ever write songs, or lyrics?


DG: I've only ever written music for the band. Matt and Dan are two of my favorite songwriters so it's hard for me to compete, lyrically speaking.


SPQ: Understandable. You diggin' any new bands or music out there today?


DG: I just listened to a band called The Avett Brothers the other day, pretty cool Americana. Also a band called Black Anvil plus a ton of old stuff, which is the bulk of what I listen to.


SPQ: Right on, man. What are some of those moments in your life that you'll never forget with music or bands you love? Like, what was the first show you went to see?


DG: The first show I saw was a band called Fastway, then it was ZZ Top.


SPQ: Cool. Are you still playing with The Vandals or working with them?


DG: Of course, I'm going to Japan with them next month.


SPQ: Right on! I'm actually going to Japan with my band in September. Never been, but I'm stoked on it. How long will you guys be out there for?


DG: The 4th-8th or something. I'm going to have to split soon.


SPQ: That's awesome man. Well hey, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me.


DG: No problem, take care.


Since August, I unofficially-but-very-reliably heard Alkaline Trio's new album will be called "Seven" and will be released in January 2010.

Alkaline Trio/Smoking Popes/River City Extension at Metro, Chicago 8/1/2011

Let me just start out by saying that this show last night was awesome, though it was the biggest pain in the ass to get to and here's why: Paul McCartney. Right across the street, Sir Paul was playing Wrigley Field, and traffic and parking were both nightmares. Even though we walked two miles each way to avoid parking fees, it was worth it. We walked in just as the Popes played through a couple songs, and they were great as usual. I love seeing them headline though, because they are so much more into it and relaxed and into doing their own jamming. A year or so ago, I saw them at some old church-turned-venue in Naperville and Josh did a sweet acoustic solo rendition of Duvall's "Racine."
Anyway, the Smoking Popes were great as always; Neil Hennessy's stellar drum performance, Matt Caterer's choice of T-shirts, Eli Caterer's sweet lead guitar noodling and Josh's voice, always on target. Check out some photos Amy Meyer contributed to Squid Pro Quo. Thanks, Amy!














All photos by Amy Meyer for Squid Pro Quo

Alkaline Trio came on and played about a 90 minute set, half of what Paul McCartney was playing across the street (I heard that guy went for three hours straight. Stamina!).
Matt Skiba came out sporting a Cubs hat, which looked brand new. A little bit into their set, some random kid wandered up on stage with a Sox hat, and Skiba took off his Cubs hat, put the Sox hat on (to which the audience roared with applause), then when the kid was about to get escorted off stage, he took the Sox hat off and put his Cubs hat back on. More applause. It was a mixed audience and somehow, that kid managed to find his way back on stage a couple more times, and he stage-dove off before security could escort him. Skiba told him, "You've got balls, kid." He couldn't have been older than 9. So Alkaline Trio just released Damnesia, and so part of their set was broken up and stripped down to fit the Damnesia thing, so this is how it went:

Alkaline Trio Set List:
Cringe
In Vein
Private Eye
Nose Over Tail
Goodbye Forever
Another Innocent Girl
Old School Reasons
Mr. Chainsaw
Maybe I'll Catch Fire
Blue Carolina
Mercy Me
San Francisco
This Could Be Love
[Damnesia banter]
If You Had a Bad Time [Dan solo acoustic]
Clavicle [Matt Skiba acoustic with Dan's electric bass and Derek on drums]
You've Got So Far To Go [Dan acoustic]
Blue In the Face [Matt acoustic]
Olde English 800 [Skiba said he wrote this jingle 13 years ago]
I Held Her In My Arms [Violent Femmes cover/Hennessy on drums, Skiba on vocals, Eli on lead guitar, Dan on bass, Matt and Josh on backup vocals, Derek on acoustic guitar]
[Encore]
My Friend Peter
Crawl
97


















All photos by Amy Meyer for Squid Pro Quo

Best Releases Of 2008

Teenage Bottlerocket - "Warning Device"

I was so into "Total" from the time I got that album, that the three years (give or take) in between that and "Warning Device," were torture. Talk about wearing down an album. Those guys released it at the perfect time. Colored vinyl would have been cool though. I dig the gatefold LP and I can't wait to hear more by them soon.

Shot Baker - "Take Control"

I like to think of Shot Baker as Chicago's best kept secret. These guys blend old school Chicago punk and hardcore perfectly on their new album, "Take Control." Their music is introspective, raw and genuine and something anybody with any sort of internal struggle can empathize with.

The Ergs! - "Hindsight is 20/20, My Friend"

Yeah, I know it's a collection, but it's a fucking good collection of awesome songs. I just wish they didn't break up. The Ergs! are kinda like Tupac. They break up and yet keep on releasing splits and 12''s. If you're reading this, Ergs!, get back together and come to Chicago. And play a show.

The Copyrights - "Learn the Hard Way"

These guys are a truly great pop-punk machine, operating at full throttle, releasing material left and right. "Learn the Hard Way" is 14 songs in about 25 minutes, to give you an idea of it's pace. It's fast-moving, it's fun and its themes jump from girls to I-57, an interstate I'm actually very familiar with, to shit being straight up FUCKED. I can't wait to hear what The Copyrights come up with this year. Aside from the picture discs of "We Didn't Come Here To Die," which I'm excited to check out.

The Copyrights/The Methadones split

Besides the fact that The Copyrights and The Methadones are two of the best pop-punk bands today, they started their own label just for this split. Transparent Records, as Dan Schafer and Adam Fletcher call it, is their label, which is just that...a label of a jellyfish. I think it's brilliant though. Not naming any names here, but who would want to release an album under a shitty label that will take most of your money and not even promote your awesome band? Fuck that horse shit. The Methadones and The Copyrights completely CUT that middleman motherfucker out, and have released an amazing split embodying only the best of today's power pop, punk rock and pop punk sound. Oh yeah, and straight up pop as well. It's goooood. In fact, I think I'll do more than _____ Records ever did for them and post a MySpace bulletin right now promoting this amazing split.

The Steinways - "Gorilla Marketing"

And now for something NOT from Chicago...The Steinways are a pop-punk band, but unlike the cookie-cutter Ramonescore leather jacket crap (which I love, don't get me wrong), The Steinways kind of come off as a bunch of wussies. I mean, they are great, but they don't puff out their chest and sing about how tough they are. Rather, songs about school, weed, girls, unemployment and uh...did I say girls? Girls girls girls hey hey hey girls girls girls. I talked to Ace a while back and promised him I'd review this album, and having just ripped my LP to MP3 a month ago, I will uphold that promise. It's a truly great release by a truly FUN band. Seriously, you'll be singing along and feeling young and infantile again in no time, it's great.

Alkaline Trio - "Agony and Irony"

This one's an oddball. Epic Records, 10 different releases for the album, etc...etc...But Alkaline Trio is STILL my favorite band of all time. There is so much to empathize with in both Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano's vocals, and as overproduced and uh...I don't know "different" as "Crimson" and "Good Mourning" were, "Agony and Irony" really redeems them as the Trio I used to know. They really strip it all down in this record and despite all the special editions, digital only MP3 tracks and bonus 7'' songs, this album really acted as a bellow to my eternal Alkaline Trio flame (not to be misinterpreted as homoerotic love).

Mike Hale - "Broken With No Hope"

Mike Hale is fucking awesome, let me just say that. OK, now that that's out of the way, I want to talk about how amazing his voice is. It's SO amazing (HOW AMAZING IS IT?!) It's so amazing that when he opens his mouth, his guitar wants to play HIM. He's got a soothing voice, a real different sound than heard in his other bands, Gunmoll and In the Red. They're not bad either. But Hale's solo stuff is great. His guitar-playing is intricate and relaxing, a whole different side of him than he shows in his other bands. For fans of Chuck Ragan, Chris Wollard and uh...it doesn't matter, check this guy out.

Kepi the Band/Kepi and Friends - "American Gothic" and "Hanging Out"

This was a fun one. I got the double gatefold vinyl release of these two albums, on green and purple vinyl. Kepi and Friends released "American Gothic," which is acoustic, very mellow and fun, much like an acoustic version of the Ghoulies. Imagine that! There's songs about girls and the like, and he does a really Western take on these tracks. He even covers "Take a Look" from The Methadones' first album, which is really good. "Hanging Out" is by Kepi the Band, an all-electric band sounding even MORE like the Groovie Ghoulies. Wowie zowie, imagine that! These are mostly new songs. A couple of them, "It's You" and "A Kiss For You" were featured on his Valentine's Day card release with a 2-track CD inside. The rest (I think) are all originals - all very good. I especially like "Red Bat." If only bats could be kept as pets...sigh.

The Riverdales - "Phase 3" re-issue

I know this isn't a new album, but I believe it is worthy of mention because of the three unreleased Riverdales tracks, deeming this release (in my mind), worthy of making it to THE LIST. As if the first album re-issued wasn't good enough, now we have Phase 3 (that's right, numerals, not the word three) to listen to, with songs all rearranged out of order with new ones thrown in between. "Countdown" makes for a cool opener. It's not easy to count down from 10 and keep a rhythm at the same time. I tried it on my own, it was weird. Also on this are "Total Blockhead," "You Know You Do" and "Out For Myself." The latter of that list could totally be a Methadones song. Anyways, I look forward to the new Riverdales album in '09 er-this year and can't wait to hear more by 'em. Side note-anyone know where "I Can't Pretend" is from? I have heard that track and like it, but have never seen it on any sort of track listing. Maybe one of their 7''s?

Off With Their Heads - "From the Bottom"

This one is worthy of mention on many levels. It's a hard, gritty tale of life in the dumps and not being able to get straight. The music follows traditional pop-punk chords, but are much harder, with much more gruff vocals. This album paints a picture of desperation, heartache, frustration and sorrow with a hint of hope. Anyone feeling like shit can listen to this, and feel better or at least not so alone. Off With Their Heads are a great band not only on albums, but live as well. I've seen 'em three times and love it more every time. See 'em if they roll through your town and pick this one up, because it's their best release to date.

Shorebirds - "S/T" 7''

Shorebirds was born following the breakups of Jawbreaker and Latterman. While the 7'' was originally pressed in I think, 2007, it was repressed in 2008, deeming it totally worthy of making the list. Four songs about being outcast and upset with the world really are good. Matt C., the lead singer of Latterman sings on this release and Chris B. from Jawbreaker plays bass. Seriously, if you like either of those bands, you will love Shorebirds. They have a full-length release as well, which I have, but have yet to listen to. I'm sure that is great as well.

Chris Wollard and The Ship Thieves - "S/T"

Two hundred LPs were pressed for The Fest 7 this year, and there were a few left over, so I was lucky enough to grab one from No Idea Records. The LP is a rough version of the upcoming full-length by Chris Wollard and The Ship Thieves. I'm not sure who else plays on this, as the record is literally a blank-labeled LP with just a square of cardboard, but it is really good, and I can't wait for the polished-up release. On it are "No Exception" and "Reason In My Rhyme" from the Chris Wollard/Mike Hale split 7''. Eight other songs grace the album, and all of them are acoustic, mellow and just add to my love of everything Hot Water Music.

Chuck Ragan - "Ole Diesel" 7''

Speaking of Hot Water Music, Chuck Ragan released a 7'' in February on Rat Patrol records (UK). Two songs - Ole Diesel, an original Ragan tune about trains illustrates his southern roots with a real folk influence. "The World Turned Upside Down" is a cover Ragan did, originally a Digger's Song from a couple hundred years ago, actually. Billy Bragg did it, and then Ragan covered him. This one's a good release.

Mischief Brew/Joe Jack Talcum - "Photographs From the Shoebox" split

I'm a huge Dead Milkmen fan, so when I saw Joe Jack Talcum (Milkmen's lead singer) release solo stuff, I jumped on that. He re-did "Dean's Dream" with an acoustic and I think steel guitar as well. It sounds really good, and he follows his traditional songwriting techniques of writing songs that are kind of silly and weird, but pull you in till you're in love. The Mischief Brew side was great as well. I always like it when I buy a split for one band and it turns out the other one is great. They are an anarcho-punk band, but not in an Anti-Flag "let's see how many times we can get the crowd to chant 'Fuck Bush'" kind of way. They reminded me of old Against Me! and the World/Inferno Friendship Society. Kinda folk, kinda punk but really great. I swear, I've heard "Gather Ye Acorns" somewhere before, I just can't think of where. Anyway I heard the Dead Milkmen reunited for a show in Texas and plan on touring. I hope this is true and I hope that if it is, they come through Chicago so I can see them. Check out this release if you too have been wondering what Joe Jack Talcum has been up to lately. It's really good. (See: Mischief Brew's "Jobs in Steeltown" 7'' review).

Smoking Popes - "Stay Down"

In June, the Smoking Popes did a show at the Metro for an advanced release of their album, "Stay Down." It was an amazing show, with Neil Hennessy of the Lawrence Arms on drums. Well, the album is great. Not since 1997 have the Popes put out a studio-recorded album of new material (unless you count the Duvall stuff, which I'm not). It sounds like Josh's voice hasn't changed a bit. They picked up right where they left off, Josh found God and yadda yadda. But this album is seriously great. It's lyrics are full of hope, sincerity and meaning and while Neil didn't record with them, his strong presence on drums is seen in their live shows, which are something not to be missed. "Stay Down" is way up there on the Best of 2008 list. (See: "Stay Down" review).

Last but not least I want to mention Mike Felumlee, former drummer of Alkaline Trio and the Smoking Popes. While he has not officially released anything in 2008, he recorded and put up a slew of new tracks via MySpace and PureVolume. He has a split coming out this year, but I want to mention the new songs, because they are great. I'm a big fan of "64 Hours" and his split with Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio. He's got a sincere, mellow voice, and a real knack for writing catchy, poppy guitar parts to accompany his heartfelt lyrics. I am really looking forward to his new material and anything else he does in the future.