Alkaline Trio Ringtones

Formed by ex-Jerkwater drummer Matt Skiba (vocals/guitar), Glenn Porter (drums/vocals) -- formerly of 88 Fingers Louie -- and Rob Doran (bass/vocals), Alkaline Trio were brought together in 1997 by heartbreak, angst, and the companionship of drinking. They issued the For Your Lungs EP just prior to Doran's departure in late 1997, later releasing Sundials the following year on Johann's Face Records. Slapstick's Dan Andriano filled in on bass, and the three started making a name for themselves all throughout the Midwest with their emotion-fueled, angst-ridden pop-punk.

With this lineup in full force, all while Skiba and Porter were working as bike messengers full-time, their first full-length, Goddamnit!, was released in 1998 to the praise of a following who related to their heartbreak tales and anti-cop rants. Both Maybe I'll Catch Fire and a self-titled singles collection followed in early 1999. The new millennium also included a series of changes: Glenn Porter exited in early 2000 and ex-Smoking Popes drummer Mike Felumlee made Alkaline Trio a three-piece again.

From Here to Infirmary followed on Vagrant in spring 2001, and Good Mourning was released two years later. The lineup for the latter included Skiba, Andriano, and new drummer Derek Grant. Mourning did well, grazing the Billboard charts and scoring Alkaline Trio spots on late-night TV and summer tours. Crimson followed in 2005. ...read more