Alkaline Trio on DeBaser: reviews, records, and the fine art of dark pop‑punk

The Profile

Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band from the Chicago area, known for blending pop-punk hooks with dark, melancholic themes and shared vocals between Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano.

Publicly known and echoed in the reviews: the band formed in 1996 and is associated with the Chicago, Illinois punk scene; core members include Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano, with various drummers over time.

Across these reviews, Alkaline Trio are framed as a distinctive Chicago/Illinois pop‑punk band mixing dark, melancholic themes with catchy hooks. Multiple reviewers praise peak-era records like "From Here To Infirmary" and "Crimson," while later albums get more mixed but generally respectful takes. "Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs" is described as a near-new beginning with fluid, captivating listening and tighter convergence between Skiba and Andriano. There is one strongly negative, comedic takedown of "Crimson," contrasting with otherwise high ratings.

Notable Quotes

❝ Ultimately, an album that establishes Alkaline Trio as one of the best bands in the American pop-punk scene and beyond, with "From Here To Infirmary" standing as one of the best pop-punk albums ever produced.

❝ Having clarified these points, let's start the review.
Let's start by saying that the group in question has been active since '96 and is currently composed of Matt Skiba, vocals and guitar, Dan Andriano, vocals and bass, and Derek Grant on drums.

❝ "Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs" is a comforting album, an intelligent decision to change tactics, a demonstration that one can never be alone if they have Alkaline Trio.