Interview with punknews

Long before Matt Skiba helped found Alkaline Trio or became the pensive, prolific artist he is today, the 37-year-old, like many of us, was conscripted into the childhood duty of piano lessons. 

“My mom forced me and my sister to play piano for three years when we were like six or seven years old, maybe a little older,” he says. “Yeah, I played piano before guitar. But I first started playing guitar because my mom would play acoustic and I’d try to bang around and play on her guitar a little.” 

As the seed of punk rock was just starting to germinate in the young Skiba, he learned that guitar lessons weren’t for him either. 

“I took one-and-a-half guitar lessons and my music teacher was this total dick,” he recalls, “And he was trying to show me scales and all this technical stuff and I was like, ‘I don’t need this to play “Richard Hung Himself” by D.I.’ I just wanted to learn how to play punk songs, which you can do at home and figure out on your own so I opted for that.” 

After flying back home to L.A. from New York where he had collaborated on an art exhibition with friend and artist Heather Gabel (who designed the Alkaline Trio heart-and-skull logo), Skiba spoke to Punknews interviewer Gen Handley about his musical roots, as well as the story behind the song “Radio” and how Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 lost its virginity to the HELL. 

He talks about the possibility of another Sekrets record (which he is apparently in the process of writing) and tour, how a 20 year anniversary Goddamnit tour is “possible,” and writing a screenplay. 

Read the full interview @ the source

( 12 ) 4 weeks ago - Reblog

2014 Overseas dates: 15/04/14 U.K - Oxford @ Academy  16/04/14 U.K - Norwich @ Waterfront  17/04/14 U.K - Nottingham @ Rock City  19/04/14 U.K - Leeds @ Metropolitan University  20/04/14 U.K - Newcastle @ Academy  21/04/14 U.K - Glasgow @ ABC  22/04/14 U.K - Manchester @ Ritz  24/04/14 U.K - Birmingham@ Institute  25/04/14 U.K - Bristol @ Academy  26/04/14 U.K - London @ Forum  27/04/14 U.K - Portsmouth @ Pyramids  29/04/14 GERMANY - Cologne @ Luxor/ Stollwerck  30/04/14 SWITZERLAND - Zurich @ Loud Festival  02/05/14 BELGIUM - Meerhout @ Groezrock Festival  03/05/14 GERMANY - Munich @ Monster Bash Festival  05/05/14 ITALY - Milan @ Factory  06/05/14 ITALY - Bologna @ Zona Roveri  07/05/14 AUSTRIA - Vienna @ Flex/ Arena  08/05/14 GERMANY - Leipzig @ Conne Island  10/05/14 SWEDEN - Malmo @ KB  11/05/14 SWEDEN - Gothenburg @ Pustervik  12/05/14 NORWAY - Oslo @ John Dee/ Rockefeller  13/05/14 SWEDEN - Stockholm @ Debaser Medis  15/05/14 FINLAND - Helsinki @ Nosturi

2014 Overseas dates:

  • 15/04/14 U.K - Oxford @ Academy 
  • 16/04/14 U.K - Norwich @ Waterfront 
  • 17/04/14 U.K - Nottingham @ Rock City 
  • 19/04/14 U.K - Leeds @ Metropolitan University 
  • 20/04/14 U.K - Newcastle @ Academy 
  • 21/04/14 U.K - Glasgow @ ABC 
  • 22/04/14 U.K - Manchester @ Ritz 
  • 24/04/14 U.K - Birmingham@ Institute 
  • 25/04/14 U.K - Bristol @ Academy 
  • 26/04/14 U.K - London @ Forum 
  • 27/04/14 U.K - Portsmouth @ Pyramids 
  • 29/04/14 GERMANY - Cologne @ Luxor/ Stollwerck 
  • 30/04/14 SWITZERLAND - Zurich @ Loud Festival 
  • 02/05/14 BELGIUM - Meerhout @ Groezrock Festival 
  • 03/05/14 GERMANY - Munich @ Monster Bash Festival 
  • 05/05/14 ITALY - Milan @ Factory 
  • 06/05/14 ITALY - Bologna @ Zona Roveri 
  • 07/05/14 AUSTRIA - Vienna @ Flex/ Arena 
  • 08/05/14 GERMANY - Leipzig @ Conne Island 
  • 10/05/14 SWEDEN - Malmo @ KB 
  • 11/05/14 SWEDEN - Gothenburg @ Pustervik 
  • 12/05/14 NORWAY - Oslo @ John Dee/ Rockefeller 
  • 13/05/14 SWEDEN - Stockholm @ Debaser Medis 
  • 15/05/14 FINLAND - Helsinki @ Nosturi

( 14 ) 1 month ago - Reblog

Illinois punk band Alkaline Trio formed in 1996, broke through in 2001 with their From Here to Infirmary album and have consistently rocked loyal fans ever since.

So when Fuse caught up with Alkaline Trio at Voodoo Music Experience 2013, we got their thoughts on how things have changed since they first got together.  

"The industry itself has changed a lot," drummer Derek Grant says. "The way people release and record music has changed a lot with the technology. But thankfully, people are still coming to shows. That’s the one aspect that hasn’t changed. People still want to see a good live show, and that’s always been our focus."

To find out how the mostly vegetarian band handled New Orleans cuisine, watch the full interview above.

Watch Atom and Matt riding through the hills while you listen to bad ass rock music.
"Southern Medicine" the title song from the new EP self released by theHELL

Fork in the Road - 10-15-13
With Matt Skiba!

Interview with Matt starts at about 18 minutes in. It’s a long one. 

Interview with Alkaline Trio  Though their popularity sprouted in the middle of ‘00s, punk rockers Alkaline Trio have been playing together for nearly 17 years. The band first gained notoriety in 2003 with their albumGood Mourning, and continued their upward ascent with follow upsCrimson(2005) andAgony and Irony(2008). Currently touring behind their most recent release this past April,My Shame is True, Alkaline Trio’s vocalist/lead guitarist/song writer Matt Skiba sat down withWhere Y’atto discuss their upcoming Voodoo Fest performance. WY: How’s latest tour been going for My Shame is True? Skiba:It’s been great. We’ve been out for the past 2 months touring the whole U.S., with the exception of New Orleans, of course, which we’ll be playing during Voodoo Fest. The response to the new songs has been amazing. As far as us as a band, we have hit a point in our career where this is one of the best tours we have done in the states. We are about to come see you guys, and then we’re off to Russia. WY: Most of your songs deal with dark subject matter, particularly heartbreak and personal issues. Is it hard to relive these songs on stage? Skiba:Song writing is sort of the catharsis – the performance is a celebration of those things being a thing of the past. When you are performing you kind of get lostnot thinking about the things you are singing about; then, seeing people singing along and smiling to what you have written – how they respond positively to it – that makes it rewarding, it turns it into a positive thing for you. This last album I was going through a hard time during the writing phase. When you are writing about something personal and something that hurts, you tend to go down some dark roads. Playing it live, though, we just love that people are in to it. It’s hard to get bummed out on stage when people are enjoying what you do. That’s not to say there aren’t times performing when things cross my mind, but I don’t think anyone notices. For the most part, I’ve gotten it off my chest by the time it is written, or recorded in the studio.   WY: Everyone in the band is involved in multiple side-projects. How does this bring energy to the creative process for Alkaline Trio? Skiba:I think our side projects are sort of a subconscious way of exploring something new. Song writing is a process – it’s like meditation, or a martial art – you are reaching for some form of enlightenment that you may not otherwise reach. But with music, or anything creative, whether its a side projects or working with other people, you pick things up that you wouldn’t otherwise. I think when you try something new you always take something away from it – hopefully positive. As it relates to Alkaline Trio, whenever you play music you are refining your craft, you’re building on your experience. The other day I was sitting around my house and picked up my guitar, just playing around, and got an idea for a new song in about three minutes. I don’t think anything you do artistically is insignificant. I think all our outside endeavors are healthy – there are no egos, we aren’t trying to compete with each other. My band mates are friends and people I love and look up to, and I encourage whatever they involve themselves in. WY: Year’s ago you got into meditation. How does this affect your writing? Has it helped take you from that darker place, or in a different direction? Skiba:I don’t think it’s taken things in a new direction. It really helps to focus your life – and, in that way, it focuses the music. I got into it partly from reading “Catching the Big Fish” (by writer/director David Lynch). Lynch has been a hero of mine for some time. I love his movies – he just writes some dark, twisted, f#$ked up, wildly creative stuff. In this book, he says if you have an edge, it (meditation) sharpens it. Therefor, if you have darkness in you, meditation doesn’t turn you into a flower child, it amplifies those emotions. At the same time, it allows you to control them; it helps you to confront your emotions without fear. In that way, it’s had a profound effect on me for the five years I’ve been doing it. In that time, I have found the darkness I feel hasn’t gone away, but it has allowed me to explore it alongside other emotions, creating a duality. I’m now a more positive person, and respond more positively to negative situations. As an artist, it allows you to navigate fear and ego, which destroy creativity. Writing comes way easier to me now. WY: A few years ago, Alkaline Trio released Damnesia, and album of acoustic renditions of classic songs. Can we expect any acoustic renditions during Voodoo Fest? Skiba:We’ll still definitely roll a few out – after the release of (Damnesia) we did it much more often. On the current tour, we’ve performed a few older songs in this vein for fans that aren’t necessarily fully acoustic, but in that same cadence. We’ve found with festivals, it’s a challenge because you are faced with more of a time constraint, as well as a lot of people who have never heard your band before, so you want to have as memorable a set as possible. You want to deliver them the best smorgasbord of your musical history that you can. WY: What is your favorite song from the new album? Skiba:I can’t say that. I don’t have children, but I fell it’s like picking your favorite child. “She lied to the FBI” is the lead track and has been getting great feedback when we do it live. For me, the best songs are those that are a bit calmer and allow you to interact with the audience. Also, if the audience is having as much fun as you are you know you are doing your job right. I’ll say “She lied to the FBI” just for the sake of answering your question. WY: What young bands excite you today? Do any different styles of music influence your writing? Skiba:We just toured with Off With Their Heads, a great young band, a great punk band. We couldn’t ask for a better band or a nicer group of guys to tour with.I really listen to a little bit of everything, to tell you the truth. I’ll do ghost writing from time-to-time, some for pop-singers, some hip-hop acts, so I do listen to a lot of different things. That said, those songs are not Alkaline Trio; it’s not like it’s my primary thing and I’m making millions of dollars making Britney Spears hits…not that I’d be objected to that. It’s fun to do, because many of these people are figureheads, so you need to approach the writing from their perspective, and how they are perceived. A lot of times, I won’t event meet these people. We’ll submit the song to their manager, and they’ll either approve it, or it’s back to the drawing board. You won’t ever see my name on any of these songs…that’s why it’s “ghost writing.” WY: What bands are you most excited to see at Voodoo Fest? Skiba:Nine Inch Nails, for sure. They are one of my favorite bands. I think they are going to be one of those timeless bands, you know?…and the new stuff is great. Trent lived in New Orleans for the longest time, so it’s a pseudo-homecoming of sorts for him. We have family in New Orleans as well, so it will be a homecoming for us as well. We love New Orleans. - source

Interview with Alkaline Trio

 Though their popularity sprouted in the middle of ‘00s, punk rockers Alkaline Trio have been playing together for nearly 17 years. The band first gained notoriety in 2003 with their albumGood Mourning, and continued their upward ascent with follow upsCrimson(2005) andAgony and Irony(2008). Currently touring behind their most recent release this past April,My Shame is True, Alkaline Trio’s vocalist/lead guitarist/song writer Matt Skiba sat down withWhere Y’atto discuss their upcoming Voodoo Fest performance.

WY: How’s latest tour been going for My Shame is True?

Skiba:It’s been great. We’ve been out for the past 2 months touring the whole U.S., with the exception of New Orleans, of course, which we’ll be playing during Voodoo Fest. The response to the new songs has been amazing. As far as us as a band, we have hit a point in our career where this is one of the best tours we have done in the states. We are about to come see you guys, and then we’re off to Russia.

WY: Most of your songs deal with dark subject matter, particularly heartbreak and personal issues. Is it hard to relive these songs on stage?

Skiba:Song writing is sort of the catharsis – the performance is a celebration of those things being a thing of the past. When you are performing you kind of get lostnot thinking about the things you are singing about; then, seeing people singing along and smiling to what you have written – how they respond positively to it – that makes it rewarding, it turns it into a positive thing for you. This last album I was going through a hard time during the writing phase. When you are writing about something personal and something that hurts, you tend to go down some dark roads. Playing it live, though, we just love that people are in to it. It’s hard to get bummed out on stage when people are enjoying what you do. That’s not to say there aren’t times performing when things cross my mind, but I don’t think anyone notices. For the most part, I’ve gotten it off my chest by the time it is written, or recorded in the studio.

 

WY: Everyone in the band is involved in multiple side-projects. How does this bring energy to the creative process for Alkaline Trio?

Skiba:I think our side projects are sort of a subconscious way of exploring something new. Song writing is a process – it’s like meditation, or a martial art – you are reaching for some form of enlightenment that you may not otherwise reach. But with music, or anything creative, whether its a side projects or working with other people, you pick things up that you wouldn’t otherwise. I think when you try something new you always take something away from it – hopefully positive. As it relates to Alkaline Trio, whenever you play music you are refining your craft, you’re building on your experience. The other day I was sitting around my house and picked up my guitar, just playing around, and got an idea for a new song in about three minutes. I don’t think anything you do artistically is insignificant. I think all our outside endeavors are healthy – there are no egos, we aren’t trying to compete with each other. My band mates are friends and people I love and look up to, and I encourage whatever they involve themselves in.

WY: Year’s ago you got into meditation. How does this affect your writing? Has it helped take you from that darker place, or in a different direction?

Skiba:I don’t think it’s taken things in a new direction. It really helps to focus your life – and, in that way, it focuses the music. I got into it partly from reading “Catching the Big Fish” (by writer/director David Lynch). Lynch has been a hero of mine for some time. I love his movies – he just writes some dark, twisted, f#$ked up, wildly creative stuff. In this book, he says if you have an edge, it (meditation) sharpens it. Therefor, if you have darkness in you, meditation doesn’t turn you into a flower child, it amplifies those emotions. At the same time, it allows you to control them; it helps you to confront your emotions without fear. In that way, it’s had a profound effect on me for the five years I’ve been doing it. In that time, I have found the darkness I feel hasn’t gone away, but it has allowed me to explore it alongside other emotions, creating a duality. I’m now a more positive person, and respond more positively to negative situations. As an artist, it allows you to navigate fear and ego, which destroy creativity. Writing comes way easier to me now.

WY: A few years ago, Alkaline Trio released Damnesia, and album of acoustic renditions of classic songs. Can we expect any acoustic renditions during Voodoo Fest?

Skiba:We’ll still definitely roll a few out – after the release of (Damnesia) we did it much more often. On the current tour, we’ve performed a few older songs in this vein for fans that aren’t necessarily fully acoustic, but in that same cadence. We’ve found with festivals, it’s a challenge because you are faced with more of a time constraint, as well as a lot of people who have never heard your band before, so you want to have as memorable a set as possible. You want to deliver them the best smorgasbord of your musical history that you can.

WY: What is your favorite song from the new album?

Skiba:I can’t say that. I don’t have children, but I fell it’s like picking your favorite child. “She lied to the FBI” is the lead track and has been getting great feedback when we do it live. For me, the best songs are those that are a bit calmer and allow you to interact with the audience. Also, if the audience is having as much fun as you are you know you are doing your job right. I’ll say “She lied to the FBI” just for the sake of answering your question.

WY: What young bands excite you today? Do any different styles of music influence your writing?

Skiba:We just toured with Off With Their Heads, a great young band, a great punk band. We couldn’t ask for a better band or a nicer group of guys to tour with.I really listen to a little bit of everything, to tell you the truth. I’ll do ghost writing from time-to-time, some for pop-singers, some hip-hop acts, so I do listen to a lot of different things. That said, those songs are not Alkaline Trio; it’s not like it’s my primary thing and I’m making millions of dollars making Britney Spears hits…not that I’d be objected to that. It’s fun to do, because many of these people are figureheads, so you need to approach the writing from their perspective, and how they are perceived. A lot of times, I won’t event meet these people. We’ll submit the song to their manager, and they’ll either approve it, or it’s back to the drawing board. You won’t ever see my name on any of these songs…that’s why it’s “ghost writing.”

WY: What bands are you most excited to see at Voodoo Fest?

Skiba:Nine Inch Nails, for sure. They are one of my favorite bands. I think they are going to be one of those timeless bands, you know?…and the new stuff is great. Trent lived in New Orleans for the longest time, so it’s a pseudo-homecoming of sorts for him. We have family in New Orleans as well, so it will be a homecoming for us as well. We love New Orleans.

- source

Tony Sly, longtime frontman of ’90s skate punk stalwarts No Use for a Name, was just beginning a solo career when he passed away in 2012 at the age of 41, leaving behind a young family and dedicated community of friends. Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba had this to say:

"Being a part of this tribute is an absolute honor. Tony was a beautiful human and an extremely talented songwriter. I first heard ‘Straight from the Jacket’ on a No Use for a Name record I bought as a kid and it has always been one of my favorite songs. To be able to cover this song in particular is very special for me and my band. We wanted to record the song in a different style than the original without taking away from its brilliance. We can only hope that Tony would approve."    

The Songs of Tony Sly features 26 covers of his songs by contemporaries Bad Religion, the Bouncing Souls, Simple Plan, NOFX, and more, and releases on October 29 to benefit his wife and two daughters via the Tony Sly Memorial Fund.



Read more: Exclusive: The Alkaline Trio Cover No Use for a Name - Esquire 

theHELL’s new EP is now available to purchase digitally via amazon and itunes. 

theHELL’s new EP is now available to purchase digitally via amazon and itunes. 

( 26 ) 2 months ago - Reblog

Transients by The HELL
1,266 plays

Tried to work out the lyrics:

I gave my faith up for lent
Along with all of the sins I repent
And all that I wish I’d forget
I can’t wrap my head around this

I can’t prescribe to both sides of this
Are you high?
All the hits I’ve missed

I can’t look away, it’s true
I can’t stand the sight of you
I won’t let you leave tonight
Without a dagger in your side

??? paying rent
No place to call home 
I don’t have the sense
There is nothing left in my head
But demons and ghosts
Demons and ghosts I don’t know

I can’t prescribe to both sides of this
Are you high?
All the hits I’ve missed

I can’t prescribe to both sides of this
Are you high?
Work as fucking transients 

There’s some reversed audio in this song which, when I played it forward, was this passage: 

Unspeakable beauty and unimaginable bedlam can be found together in the Trifid Nebula. Also known as M20, this photogenic nebula is visible with good binoculars towards the constellation of Sagittarius.

Taken from this article about the Trifid Nebula. 

The article in full reads:

Unspeakable beauty and unimaginable bedlam can be found together in the Trifid Nebula. Also known as M20, this photogenic nebula is visible with good binoculars towards the constellation of Sagittarius. The energetic processes of star formation create not only the colors but the chaos. The red-glowing gas results from high-energy starlight striking interstellar hydrogen gas. The dark dust filaments that lace M20 were created in the atmospheres of cool giant stars and in the debris from supernovae explosions. Which bright young stars light up the blue reflection nebula is still being investigated. The light from M20 we see today left perhaps 3000 years ago, although the exact distance remains unknown. Light takes about 50 years to cross M20.

Just for those that may be interested. :]

( 52 ) 2 months ago - Reblog

Singles Night by theHELL
2,552 plays

amorningofsleep:

theHELL - “Singles Night”

( 80 ) 2 months ago - Reblog