Born in Chicago on February 24, 1976, he moved to the suburb of McHenry, Illinois at the age of three. Playing drums at an early age, his first concert was Public Image Ltd. But in 1996, while working as a bike messenger, he decided to take up the guitar. Skiba dropped out of art college to form Alkaline Trio with drummer Glenn Porter and bassist Rob Doran. Matt Skiba is a vegetarian and holds a membership card to the Church of Satan. His central influences include punk groups such as The Ramones, The Misfits, and The Damned, Naked Raygun, Pegboy and Jawbreaker as well as 1980s new wave/gothic rock groups like as The Cure, Sisters Of Mercy and The Psychedelic Furs.
He now resides in California.
Skiba's latest project Heavens released their debut album "Patent Pending" on Sept. 12, 2006.
His mother, Joan Skiba, is a 4th Grade teacher in Crystal Lake, Illnois.
Skiba remains the only original member of the Trio (they suffered several lineup changes that ultimately resulted in the addition of bassist Dan Andriano and drummer Derek Grant). Alkaline Trio signed with Vagrant Records in late 2000 and released From Here To Infirmary in 2001, Good Mourning in 2003 and Crimson in 2005 to mixed reviews.
Skiba is also an active solo artist; in addition to the split with 7 Seconds' Kevin Seconds, he contributed to Fat Wreck Chords' 2005 compilation Protect: A Benefit For The National Association To Protect Children with the song Demons Away.
In September of 2006, his side project "Heavens" was released and started to tour.
Also in 2006 Skiba contributed to the "Rock 'n' Roll High School" track that appears on the "Brats on the Beat: Ramones for Kids" tribute album released on Go-Kart Records.
Into Thin Air
Matt Skiba Lyrics
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I can almost hear you breathe
And the stabbing pains of hunger
Have us dropping like flies fallen down to our knees
There's a killer that's inside of you but I didn't know
Something that you (?)
Cut you down like a tree make you believe
Cut you down to the ground now and nobody can hear it at all
I think I got your number
I can almost smell your fear
In the ignorance you slumber
But your better off with bullets when your trying with me
Now the creatures inside me they poison my brain
Now they're sinkin' and they're drinkin' they're drivin' me insane
Run me down to the ground and your never gonna hear it at all
Please take us away
We've been waiting for so long
Can't take another day
Of not knowing right from wrong
Our memories destroyed past recognition and repair
All sense of joy has been deployed
For our sorrows and despair into thin air
Into thin air
I know your out there somewhere
I can almost feel you breathe
And the stabbing pains of hunger
Have us dropping like flies but there stinging like bees
And the blender inside you is outta control
Gotta (?) that you're thinkin' about drinkin' (?)
Cut you down like a tree gonna make you believe somebody scream
Please take us away
We've been waiting for so long
We can't take another day
Of not knowing right from wrong
Our memories destroyed past recognition and repair
All sense of joy has been deployed
For our sorrows and despair into thin air
Into thin air
The lyrics of Matt Skiba's song Into Thin Air express the feelings of desperation and confusion of people who have been subjected to a traumatic event, possibly violence or abuse. The artist seems to be reaching out to someone who is also struggling with similar emotions and is looking for a way out. The singer acknowledges that there is a killer within, but is unaware of what it is that's causing the destruction. The pain from hunger and the killing instincts within are powerful enough to render the person numb and helpless.
The artist seems to be suggesting that there is a need to break out of a cycle of ignorance, fear, and violence, and that action is required to do so. This might involve taking risks or using violence, but anything is better than continuing to wait for something to change. Matt Skiba asks for help, for someone to take him and the others away, and for their memories and sense of joy to be repaired. The song expresses a deep sense of hopelessness and isolation, but also a willingness to fight back and overcome.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you're out there somewhere
The singer is aware that someone else is present or watching
I can almost hear you breathe
The singer can sense the other person's presence and is listening for any indication of their presence
And the stabbing pains of hunger
The singer is experiencing intense hunger pains which make them feel weak and vulnerable
Have us dropping like flies fallen down to our knees
The hunger is making the artist and others with them feel physically weak and forcing them to fall to the ground
There's a killer that's inside of you but I didn't know
The artist suspects that the other person has a dark, dangerous side that was previously unknown to them
Something that you (?)
The meaning of this line is unclear and may be intentionally vague or mumbled by the singer
Cut you down like a tree make you believe
The killer inside the other person has the power to destroy them emotionally and make them believe something untrue or harmful
Cut you down to the ground now and nobody can hear it at all
The other person may be attacked or harmed in some way and there may be no one around to witness it or help them
I think I got your number
The artist believes they understand the other person's true nature or intentions
I can almost smell your fear
The artist can sense the other person's fear and uses this to their advantage
In the ignorance you slumber
The other person is unaware or naive about their situation
But your better off with bullets when your trying with me
The artist is dangerous and it would be better for the other person to face bullets rather than confront the artist
Now the creatures inside me they poison my brain
The singer is struggling with inner demons or negative thoughts that are affecting their mental state
Now they're sinkin' and they're drinkin' they're drivin' me insane
The singer's inner demons are causing them to spiral out of control and engage in destructive behaviors
Run me down to the ground and your never gonna hear it at all
The singer may be harming themselves or in danger and there may be no one around to hear or help them
Please take us away
The artist and others with them are desperate for escape or help
We've been waiting for so long
The artist and others with them have been suffering or struggling for a long time
Can't take another day
The singer and others with them feel they cannot endure their current situation any longer
Of not knowing right from wrong
The singer and others with them are confused about what is the morally right thing to do
Our memories destroyed past recognition and repair
The artist and others with them have experienced trauma or pain that has damaged their memories irreparably
All sense of joy has been deployed
The artist and others with them have lost their ability to experience joy or happiness
For our sorrows and despair into thin air
Their pain and struggles seem insurmountable and may feel like they are disappearing into nothingness
And the blender inside you is outta control
The other person is also struggling internally or emotionally and may be in danger of losing control
Gotta (?) that you're thinkin' about drinkin' (?)
This line is unclear and may refer to the other person engaging in self-destructive behavior such as drinking or drug use
Cut you down like a tree gonna make you believe somebody scream
The other person may be emotionally or physically harmed and forced to believe something harmful or untrue, possibly accompanied by screams or cries for help
Contributed by Charlie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.