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.
Next To You
Matt Skiba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Between here and out of control
You kept me in mind
You got the paper cuts to prove it
Your sea sick smile
Screams sweet nausea
'76 was a good year for me
It's been uphill since then
We crashed out the thunder
On the floor down from the ceiling
It was nice waking up next to you
Then you crossed the line
Between here and out of this world
You blow my mind
Like a colt '45 every time
Don't cry or stop to wonder why
We crossed out our thunder
On the floor down from the ceiling
It's been nice waking up next to you
Don't cry or stop to wonder why
We crossed out our thunder
On the floor down from the ceiling
It's been nice waking up next to...
You...
And our sea sick smiles
Screaming home sweet home.
The song 'Next To You' by Matt Skiba seems to be about a relationship that is on the brink of destruction. The first two lines of the song indicate that one person is walking a thin line between control and chaos, and the other person is being affected by it. The line "You kept me in mind, you got the paper cuts to prove it" seems to suggest that the other person has been trying to hold on to the relationship but has been hurt in the process. The sea sick smile of the first person is juxtaposed with the word "sweet" indicating that there may still be some attraction between the two, but it may not be pleasant.
The line "Don't cry or stop to wonder why we crashed out the thunder" implies that something big has happened, possibly a fight or an argument, and now the aftermath is being dealt with. The use of the word 'thunder' also adds to the chaos and intensity of the situation. The repeated lines of "It's been nice waking up next to you" seem to be a nostalgic look back at the good times in the relationship, before things became difficult. The last lines of the song suggest a possible resolution as the two seem to have found their way back to each other, with "our sea sick smiles screaming home sweet home".
Overall, the song's lyrics are complex and layered, with multiple interpretations possible. It touches on themes of love, pain, and nostalgia, and gives the listener a glimpse into a tumultuous relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You're walking the thin line
You are currently in a difficult situation with little margin for error
Between here and out of control
You are in a precarious state where you could easily lose control
You kept me in mind
You were considerate of me
You got the paper cuts to prove it
Your dedication was so strong that it physically hurt you
Your sea sick smile
Your smile was disorienting and evokes nausea
Screams sweet nausea
Your smile, although disorienting, is also strangely sweet
'76 was a good year for me
1976 was a positive year in my life
It's been uphill since then
Things have been more difficult for me since that year
Don't cry or stop to wonder why
Do not dwell on the past or negative emotions
We crashed out the thunder
We experienced a tumultuous event
On the floor down from the ceiling
This event was intense and affected every aspect of our surroundings
It was nice waking up next to you
I enjoyed sharing close moments with you
Then you crossed the line
You went too far and took things too quickly or intensely
Between here and out of this world
You have gone beyond what is acceptable or reasonable
You blow my mind
Your behavior has shocked and surprised me
Like a colt '45 every time
Your behavior is always intense and powerful, like a weapon
Don't cry or stop to wonder why
Do not dwell on the past or negative emotions
We crossed out our thunder
We had a falling out or disagreement
On the floor down from the ceiling
This disagreement had a profound effect on our environment
It's been nice waking up next to you
I once enjoyed sharing close moments with you
Don't cry or stop to wonder why
Do not dwell on the past or negative emotions
We crossed out our thunder
We had a falling out or disagreement
On the floor down from the ceiling
This disagreement had a profound effect on our environment
It's been nice waking up next to...
I once enjoyed sharing close moments with you
You...
You are the person I shared these moments with
And our sea sick smiles
Our disorienting smiles
Screaming home sweet home.
Despite our disagreements and falling outs, we still find comfort in each other's company.
Contributed by Logan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sindragozer
Matt Skiba singing harmonies and backing vocals for himself is a beautiful thing
dailymanny
Sindragozer yeah man you get it
Jake S
Matt Skiba has the uncanny ability to blow my mind like a colt 45 every time. The man is one of the best lyric writers I have ever heard....Isaac Brock is a close one but no one I know of touches Skiba!!!
KImmy Badd
i <3 him. never ever gets old...lyrical genius and often relating...
keybladeguy776
All their old songs always work for me XD
69kutulu
His words are like scripture to me like the bible is to the most hardcore christian.
Emmanuelle Lopez
this song bring me some good memories at highschool...
keybladeguy776
That's just the way it is on the CD. It sounds kinda cool :)
ihaveastapler
Sing me a ballad, Mr. Skiba.
MDGolfaddict
Th guys class, such a haunting voice. Much better vocalist than Tom will ever be. Whether he fits in properly with Blink is the only issue, if he does they are onto a winner with Matt