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.
Over at the Frankenstein Place
Alkaline Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the blackest night,
Burning bright,
There's a guiding star
No matter what or who you are
There's a light
Over at the Frankenstein place
Burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light
In the darkness of everybody's life
The darkness must go down the river of night's dreaming
Flow morphia slow, let the sun and light come streaming
Into my life
Into my life
There's a light
Over at the Frankenstein place
There's a light
Burning in the fireplace
There's a light, a light
In the darkness of everybody's life
The lyrics to the Alkaline Trio's song "Over at the Frankenstein Place" depict a scene of darkness and uncertainty, with the reference to the "velvet darkness" and "blackest night". The opening lines suggest that there is hope and guidance even in such darkness and that this hope shines like a star, regardless of one's identity. The line "There's a light over at the Frankenstein place" could be interpreted as a metaphor for finding hope even in unconventional or unexpected places. The fact that the light is coming from a "Frankenstein place" could be seen as referencing the unconventional and often taboo nature of the Frankenstein story itself.
As the lyrics progress, the singer suggests that the darkness must be overcome and that light must be allowed to enter one's life. The line "The darkness must go down the river of night's dreaming" could be viewed as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The use of "morphea" suggests a kind of sleep or trance-like state, through which the darkness must flow in order for the light to enter. The repetition of the line "there's a light" emphasizes the importance of hope and the possibility of a way out of the darkness.
Overall, the lyrics to "Over at the Frankenstein Place" convey a message of hope and perseverance in the face of darkness. While the reference to the Frankenstein story may be seen as unsettling or dark in itself, the message of finding hope in unconventional places suggests that there is always a way out of the darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
In the velvet darkness,
Even in the darkest times, when everything is obscure and uncertain, there is still hope.
Of the blackest night,
Even in the pitch-dark, when the possibilities look bleak and impossible, there is still a chance of finding light.
Burning bright,
Despite the darkness, this light is shining with a spectacular intensity and is capable of illuminating everything around it.
There's a guiding star
This light represents an unwavering beacon of hope that can lead uncertain or lost souls to a safe harbor.
No matter what or who you are
Irrespective of one's beliefs or identity, this light is available for everyone to find solace or guidance.
There's a light
The song emphasizes the presence of a noticeable illumination that transcends the darkness.
Over at the Frankenstein place
The song references the Frankenstein place, which traditionally represents a metaphorical place of horror or uncertainty.
Burning in the fireplace
The light's essence is portrayed as warmth and comfort, emanating from a fireplace, which also indicates the presence of home and shelter.
There's a light, light
The song reiterates the fact that there is indeed light in the midst of darkness, ensuring that everyone is aware of it.
In the darkness of everybody's life
The presence of darkness is portrayed as something universal, as everyone goes through difficult times.
The darkness must go down the river of night's dreaming
This line emphasizes how darkness is transient and can eventually go away, like a river that slowly transitions through the night.
Flow morphia slow, let the sun and light come streaming
This phrase refers to the idea of welcoming light and positivity, much like a sunrise or a burst of energy after a long rest.
Into my life
The singer expresses their desire to have this light shine brightly into their life, possibly to guide them towards a better future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICHARD O'BRIEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BrostinNelson
THEY NEED TO DO THE WHOLE RHPS SOUNDTRACK.
Brad Miller
Stop yelling.
rdchili69
Alkaline Trio kicks ass.
DanteInferno87
RHPS+Alkaline Trio=Beyond Epic
GinnyxoxoDawn
Wow! Alkaline trio covers a song from rockyhorror. Probaly the best shit ever!!<3
Christian Perez
This is my preferred version. I love the film and remember watching it for the first time. The moment I realized Dan and Matt did it better, I was sold.
DanteInferno87
OMG!!!!! Alkaline Trio did a cover for RHPS??!! I knew they were my favorite band for a reason.
LifeGivingLemons
great cover. one of my favorites from RHPS
PsychoCheese11
As if I didn't know this existed! Two of my favourite things <3
Nunaya Fugginbusiness
Love it.