The band formed in December of 1996, originally consisting of Skiba, Rob Doran (bass/vocals), and Glenn Porter (drums/vocals). 1997 saw the release of the band's first EP, Sundials. This was followed shortly after by the departure of Doran. He was replaced by Andriano, who had been the singer for Tuesday and bassist for the ska band Slapstick. The band released their second EP, entitled For Your Lungs Only, in 1998, which began to build them a sizable fan base in the American Midwest. Later that year, they released their first full-length album, Goddamnit, followed by Maybe I'll Catch Fire in 2000. Both were released on Asian Man Records. Also in 2000, the band released a collection of their previously-released EPs on a self-titled album.
Following the success of their Asian Man releases, Alkaline Trio signed to Vagrant. Joined by new drummer Mike Felumlee (previously of the Smoking Popes), From Here to Infirmary was released in 2001. It was their first album to see any interest from alternative radio and the mainstream media, with the semi-hit punk single "Stupid Kid" and the inclusion of the song "Armageddon" on the Tony Hawk's Underground as well as Tony Hawks American Wasteland video games. Their cover of "Over at the Frankenstein Place" was included in the compilation The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show, an album made to pay tribute to the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
After the release, Felumlee left the band too and was replaced by Grant, previously of The Suicide Machines.
Their next full-length album was Good Mourning, released in 2003, with the album's launch single "We've Had Enough" seeing a considerable amount of commercial success. The album was a significant departure from earlier works, featuring greater production value and a noticeable move toward a more mainstream sound.
The band has also appeared on various compilation albums, notably Plea for Peace Vol. 1 and Rock Against Bush Vol. 1. Skiba and 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 have also recorded two split EPs with bands who are no longer together: one with Hot Water Music in 2000 and the other with One Man Army in 2004.
Alkaline Trio released their fifth studio album on Vagrant Records, entitled Crimson, on May 24, 2005, which featured the single "Time to Waste." The single for this song also included bonus tracks produced by Mass Giorgini. The tracks "Mercy Me" and "Burn" have also been released as singles from the album.
In 2004 Andriano became a member of The Falcon, a super-group of consisting of The Lawrence Arms' bassist/co-vocalist Brendan Kelly (with who he had played with in Slapstick), and Neil Hennessy, drummer from The Lawrence Arms. The band released a 5-song EP in 2004, and its first full-length Unicornography in September of 2006.
In 2006 Matt Skiba collaborated with Josiah Steinbrick for the band Heavens.
In 2008 Alkaline Trio released Agony & Irony on Epic Records. The album charted at #13 on the Billboard 200.
Alkaline Trio's 7th studio album, This Addiction,was released on February 23rd 2010. This was their first album under their own label, Heart & Skull, an offshoot of Epitaph, and the album debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest the band has ever charted to date.
Alkaline Trio's eighth studio album, Damnesia,, was released July 12, 2011. Consisting of "a selection of beloved fan favorites selected from the group's extensive catalogue and presented in an intimate semi-unplugged format", the album also included two new songs, "Olde English 800" and "I Remember a Rooftop", as well as a cover version of the Violent Femmes' "I Held Her in My Arms".
On April 2nd, 2013, Alkaline Trio released "My Shame Is True".
On August 31st, 2013, Alkaline Trio released "Is This Thing Cursed?".
On June 8th, 2023, longtime drummer Derek Grant left the band due to mental health reasons and intentions to pursue music production as well as graphic design. He was replaced by Atom Willard, formerly of bands such as Rocket from the Crypt and Against Me!. The band then released the single, "Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs" on October 17th, 2023, and announced an album of the same name due for a release date of January 26th, 2024.
Bloodied Up
Alkaline Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When questioned of your whereabouts
And I just can't see through the evidence
It's evident
It's right in front of me in black and white and red
And I don't believe in much of anything
I'm glad I have people I call friends
If it was up to me I'd never have to miss you
You have every right to be
This appalled with me
Join the club
I signed up a long time ago and I know how you feel
And when you decked me
You left me knocked out on the floor
I came to bloodied up, but you weren't around
I picked my teeth off the ground like they'd been there before
The lyrics to Alkaline Trio's song "Bloodied Up" speak to themes of infidelity, betrayal, and the pain that comes from losing someone you love. The lead singer expresses a sense of frustration with his partner's lack of transparency about their comings and goings. He remarks that the evidence of their wrongdoing is "right in front of me in black and white and red." Despite his suspicions, he still struggles to come to terms with the reality of the situation, admitting that he doesn't "believe in much of anything."
The song takes a dark turn in the second verse, as the singer reveals that his partner has physically assaulted him, leaving him "knocked out on the floor." He laments the fact that he still misses and longs for the person who hurt him so badly, acknowledging that "it's for the better in the bitter end." He concludes with a note of resignation, saying that he understands why his partner might be "appalled" with his behavior and that he feels the pain of their separation acutely.
Overall, "Bloodied Up" is a deeply personal song that grapples with themes of love, loss and betrayal. The lyrics are poignant and raw, and the instrumentation is tight and forceful, underscoring the emotional intensity of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't say much of anything
You hardly speak whenever asked about your activities
When questioned of your whereabouts
When asked where you've been or where you're going
And I just can't see through the evidence
I can't ignore the obvious clues
It's evident
It's clear and obvious
It's right in front of me in black and white and red
There are clear indications of your misdeeds
And I don't believe in much of anything
I don't have much faith in anything or anyone
I'm glad I have people I call friends
I'm grateful for the friends I have to rely on
If it was up to me I'd never have to miss you
I wouldn't mind not having you around
It's for the better in the bitter end I guess you'd know the best
It's probably best for both of us in the long run
You have every right to be
It's understandable that you feel
This appalled with me
Surprised and upset with me
Join the club
You're not the only one feeling this way
I signed up a long time ago and I know how you feel
I've been in your shoes before and I understand
And when you decked me
When you hit me hard
You left me knocked out on the floor
I was unconscious and on the ground
I came to bloodied up, but you weren't around
I woke up injured, but you were nowhere to be found
I picked my teeth off the ground like they'd been there before
I collected the pieces of my broken teeth as if it's something I've done before
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL MICHAEL ANDRIANO, MATTHEW THOMAS SKIBA, MIKE FELUMLEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind