: Alkaline Trio: A New Addiction

ALKALINE TRIO ROCK THE TROC

Back in Philadelphia for the first time in a LONG time, Alkaline Trio hit the Trocadero Theater with a dose of their special brand of goodness supporting their latest release "ThisAddiction" (Epitaph) on Thursday, 3/11/10. Philadelphia has always been a "Trio" town, and you could tell by the anticipation on the faces of the people in line that this record and show had been a long time coming. It's been 2 years, in fact, since we've heard new music from the Trio, and many of the longtime fans (myself included) herald this album as the band's return to its early sound: less production, more angst

and anger. It's a more raw sound than we've heard from this band in a while. With this in mind, and bands on the bill including Omaha's Cursive and Orange County's The Dear and Departed, it was no surprise that the show was completely sold out. This was one of those shows that you tell yourself you absolutely cannot miss.

The Trio took the stage around 10pm, with their trademark moody red lighting and heart skull banner in the background, and the place went wild. Opening with "This Addiction," the title track from the latest record, the band whipped through a setlist that surprisingly included very little new material, focusing largely on 2003's Good Mourning (which I didn't mind...).

Setlist included: This Addiction Armageddon Emma Mr. Chainsaw Dine, Dine My Darling Lead Poisoning Goodbye Forever Fuck You Aurora We’ve Had Enough Mercy Me Dead On The Floor Time to Waste This Could Be Love Continental One Hundred Stories Crawl In Vein Sadie ‘97

Throughout the set, the band remarked about how Philadelphia always gives them so much love, and how happy they were to be able to return to play the Troc again. They added that perks of Philadelphia included cheesesteaks, and of course, Wawa. A superfangirl who'd been perched on the railing for the entire night had been overzealously singing along and gesturing with her arms with every single lyric caught the attention of lead singer/guitarist Matt Skiba, so much so that he pointed her out in between songs. Though she was yelling unintelligibly at him, he smiled and said, "Yeah, I like you... you're alright," and leaned as far over the edge of the stage as he could to give her a guitar pic. Someone's night was made perfect just then.

The encore included a three song set that saw the members of the band switch instruments - this time putting singer Matt Skiba on drums, drummer Derek Grant on bass, and bassist Dan Andriano on guitar and lead vocals. Beginning with This Addiction's "Fine," the band went on to play a cover of the Misfits' "Attitude" before switching back to their normal instruments. And finally, just like every single Trio show that this photographer's ever seen, the band closed with "Radio," off of 2000's Maybe I'll Catch Fire. All in all it was a terrific show, and a total crowd pleaser.

The band is currently on tour with upcoming stops in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and then they're off to the UK. This Addiction is out now and belongs in the collection of any and all Trio fans. If you haven't heard it yet, go ahead and snap it up. You'll be glad you did.