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.
Take Lots With Alcohol
Alkaline Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's a really nice suit
This is a really comfortable chair
See I don't know if you can help me or not
Cause I don't feel sick
But the pains in my head have almost put me
Underground
Just clean my head up doc
I'll give you anything you want
See I don't know why I don't fall in love
Well maybe I know why and maybe you could make it stop
Then we'll cut it up and bury it and leave it
Underground
And I'll take to wishing and fall under
Sleeping safe and sound
Just give me medicine prescribe me anything
Just knock me out and walk me through the door
I have no desire to see through my own eyes anymore
Hello what the hell are you doing here
You made a really strange face
This is a really uncomfortable air
I see I'm boring you, maybe I bore myself too
That's why I need help, I'm cleaning blood off dusty shelves
I been cut up in this room so many times it might take days
And those stress cracks in the wood
How nicely the soak up the stains
Been telling myself these jokes for so long well so long
I'm a has been who is heckled on the stage
"Take Lots With Alcohol" by Alkaline Trio is a song that reflects the struggles of addiction and depression. The opening lines of the song set the stage for a conversation between the singer and a doctor whom he is seeking help from. He expresses disdain and confusion about his current state and seeks relief from the doctor, who he hopes can alleviate his pain. The singer's desire for relief is so intense that he is willing to offer the doctor anything in his possession.
The song continues to explore the singer's need to escape reality and numb his senses with alcohol and drugs. He has no desire to see the world through his own eyes anymore and wishes to be medicated to a state of unconsciousness. The singer's downward spiral has left him feeling like a "has-been who is heckled on the stage." He has lost his sense of identity and is seeking help and escape in any form possible.
The song's title references the combination of alcohol and medication, which can be a dangerous and lethal combination, especially when consumed in excess. The lyrics suggest that when taken excessively, substances can provide temporary relief from emotional pain, but ultimately lead to more harm than good. The singer's plea for help highlights the emotional turmoil that comes from addiction and depression.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello what the hell am I doin' here
Questioning why they're in a certain place or situation
That's a really nice suit
Commenting on the appearance of someone or something
This is a really comfortable chair
Noticing the comfort of an object
See I don't know if you can help me or not
Expressing uncertainty or doubt about receiving assistance or help
Cause I don't feel sick
Acknowledging that physically, they feel okay
But the pains in my head have almost put me Underground
Describing severe mental struggle or emotional pain
I don't really care if I'm healthy or not
Showing a lack of concern for their own well-being
Just clean my head up doc
Simplifying the request for professional help and treatment
I'll give you anything you want
Offering any means necessary to receive assistance
See I don't know why I don't fall in love
Confessing a lack of understanding about why they struggle with love
Well maybe I know why and maybe you could make it stop
Hinting that the root cause of their problem may be deeper and seeking external help to overcome it
Then we'll cut it up and bury it and leave it Underground
Using metaphor to express the idea that they want to get rid of their problems or relationship issues
And I'll take to wishing and fall under Sleeping safe and sound
Describing a desire for escape or relief from their troubles and finding comfort in sleep or fantasy
Just give me medicine prescribe me anything
Requesting medication or drugs to cope with their issues
Just knock me out and walk me through the door
Willing to do whatever it takes to find relief from their struggle
I have no desire to see through my own eyes anymore
Expressing a sentiment of hopelessness or despair, perhaps due to depression or trauma
Hello what the hell are you doing here
Addressing someone who has seemingly appeared out of nowhere
You made a really strange face
Noticing and remarking on someone's odd or unexpected facial expression
This is a really uncomfortable air
Commenting on the awkward or tense feeling in the room or situation
I see I'm boring you, maybe I bore myself too
Being self-aware of their own dullness and how it affects others
That's why I need help, I'm cleaning blood off dusty shelves
Using metaphor to describe the need to fix or address deep-rooted problems or wounds
I been cut up in this room so many times it might take days
Illustrating a sense of exhaustion, frustration, or hopelessness with how long their troubles have persisted
And those stress cracks in the wood
Noticing minor imperfections in the surroundings
How nicely they soak up the stains
A bit of dry humor in observing how the environment can be twisted to serve a greater purpose
Been telling myself these jokes for so long well so long
A sign of coping mechanism, perhaps trying to lighten their own mood or deflect attention away from their worries
I'm a has been who is heckled on the stage
A statement of self-deprecation, suggesting they feel like they've fallen from grace or that they're no longer relevant or respected
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL MICHAEL ANDRIANO, MATTHEW THOMAS SKIBA, MIKE FELUMLEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind