SONG OF THE WEEK: 10/10/21

SONG:  "I Wanna Be A Warhol"

ARTIST:  Alkaline Trio

ALBUM:  "My Shame Is True"

YEAR:  2013

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Chicago, Illinois

YEARS ACTIVE:  1996 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"I Wanna Be A Warhol" appears to be a song about a now defunct relationship where the vocalist not only still has feelings for her, he wants his relationship with her to be a part of her history for all to see. Like a painting on a wall. Maybe he wants admiration or appreciation from her because he just can't seem to let her go.

ALKALINE TRIO DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - Goddamnit (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - Alkaline Trio (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - Maybe I'll Catch Fire (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - From Here To Infirmary (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #199 on the Billboard 200 on 4-21-01

2003 - Good Mourning (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 on 5-31-03

2005 - Crimson (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200 on 6-11-05

2007 - Remains (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #64 on the Billboard 200 on 2-17-07

2008 - Agony & Irony (Epic Records)

* peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200 on 7-19-08

2010 - This Addiction (Heart & Skull/Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 on 3-13-10

2011 - Damnesia (Heart & Skull/Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #43 on the Billboard 200 on 7-30-11

2013 - My Shame Is True (Heart & Skull/Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200 on 4-20-13

2018 - Is This Thing Cursed? (Heart & Skull/Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #68 on the Billboard 200 on 9-15-18

MY THOUGHTS ON ALKALINE TRIO:

Alkaline Trio formed as a band back in 1996, hailing from Chicago, Illinois. Vocalist and guitarist Matt Skiba was the driving force behind the band but the very early addition of Dan Andriano on bass and vocals and drummer Derek Grant in 2001 made the group a true band, with all three member contributing to all their albums. The band put out a few EP's and 7" singles, the songs of which would end up on the 2000 compilation, "Alkaline Trio". The band's proper debut would be 1998's "Goddamnit". Their next album, 2000's "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" featured the underground hit "Radio". 2001's "From Here To Infirmary" was the album the helped Alkaline Trio cross over thanks in part to the singles "Stupid Kid" and "Private Eye". 2003's "Good Mourning" became the band's first album to chart. Their most successful album sales wise would be 2005's "Crimson". This led to the band signing a deal with major label Epic Records for the release of their next record, "Agony & Irony". After this, the band formed their own label, Heart & Skull, in conjunction with famed punk label Epitaph. Their first album there was 2010's "This Addiction", their highest charting album. 2011 saw the band release a stripped down record called "Damnesia" which featured acoustic takes on some of their songs. The band has released two more full lengths after that album, 2013's "My Shame Is True" and 2018's "Is This Thing Cursed?". Their most recent release was a three song EP titled "E.P." in 2020. News has it that they are working on new material and as of October 2021, are on a tour supporting Bad Religion. Alkaline Trio is a melodic punk rock band. Some call them emo with hints of goth. I guess if you could mix the imagery of the Misfits and the melodic song crafting of Green Day, you'd get something in the neighborhood of Alkaline Trio. Their lyrics are very heartfelt with themes of addiction, heartbreak, pain and sorrow. Their lyrics tend to be darker than their music which could often be melodic and upbeat. Skiba and Andriano are both super talented songwriters and vocalists and each of them both bring a lot to the table. It's also worthwhile to check out their side projects as well. Skiba has his solo stuff with his backing band The Sekrets as well as being in the bands Heavens, theHELL and joining Blink 182 recently while Andriano has his solo project Dan Andriano In The Emergency Room as well as being in the punk rock supergroup The Falcon with members of The Lawrence Arms and The Loved Ones. I first caught wind of Alkaline Trio in 2001 when I heard the song "Private Eye". It was love at first listen!! These guys are one of my favorite all time bands and they continuously pump out great music. Can't wait for them to drop a new album, hopefully very soon!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Matt Skiba And The Sekrets

The Lawrence Arms

The Menzingers

The Bouncing Souls

Bayside

TEN ALKALINE TRIO SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. This Addiction

2. Radio

3. Mercy Me

4. Private Eye

5. We've Had Enough

6. She Lied To The FBI

7. Calling All Skeletons

8. Is This Thing Cursed?

9. Metro (Berlin cover)

10. Clavicle