Posted on June 7, 2010 - by Editor

Alkaline Trio + Gallows + Set Your Goals

Alkaline Trio © Kim Ford

Alkaline Trio
Roundhouse
London, UK
Tuesday 1st June

So we missed the support acts who I’m told were Set Your Goals and Gallows (who have a manic week or two of shows in and around the capital) and by the time of our arrival The Roundhouse was sweltering from the heat and pretty packed although not sold out. But considering what a massive step up the venue was for Chicago’s three piece sorrow-punk rockers from previous London shows that wasn’t a complete shock.

The wait for the band to come on stage was agonizingly long, a trend at gigs I have never fully understood, but it appeared the delay on this occasion was caused by some backstage banner malfunction, meaning the bands symbolic skull logo didn’t adorn the backdrop during the show, hardly a loss really and the band eventually walked on stage. Matt Skiba (the ladies choice I’m told) in white shirt and mini-me bow tie, Dan Andriano on bass who has come more to the fore it feels in recent years as is normally the case with bands, the hidden man and engine room, drummer Derek Grant.

The stage was lit in a red mist and it added to the melancholic and dark brooding lyrical content that Alkaline Trio are so well know for

Alkaline Trio © Kim Ford

yet can so easily disguise within a catchy and pop punk sing along tune and it was with some surprise they started off proceedings with ‘Private Eye’ and ‘Armageddon’ and simultaneously how the crowd seemed a bit lackluster, perhaps the bulk of the crowd were in attendance to support a newer generation of the bands material. However a few diehards did manage to crowd surf from the get go but it was really from Dan’s vocal introduction on ’Emma’ that the crowd seemed more receptive.

The first song from their new record “This Addiction” released earlier in the year also received the first big sing along to the chorus of ‘Dine, Dine My Darling’ which saw Matt Skiba plagued with some guitar troubles, which seemed to continue for a few songs thereafter as he interchanged guitars after which he announced that it is good to be back in London. ‘This Could Be Love’, ‘We’ve Had Enough’ and ‘Mr Chainsaw’ follow with the lighting shifting between bright white and red and sadly the sound from the first tier overlooking the encircled crowd under the massive

Alkaline Trio © Kim Ford

support beams in the venue was pretty average at best although I’m told on the ground level it was far superior.

What was surprising and perhaps acted more of a glue to the bands performance was Dan Andriano’s vocals and the sheer number of songs he led on. Matt would on occasion address the crowd such as recalling bad hangovers before running through ‘Warbrain’ and much loved ‘Crawl’ which resulted in the first real clap attack (mass applause) from the respectful onlookers.

There is a beautiful somber poetic way about Alkaline Trio, and I know fans have swayed back and forth between warming to new releases; it was obvious there was a split in the crowd between fans of newer and older material based on individual songs reactions and it seemed the band abandoned any material from “Crimson” or “Agony and Irony” on the tour and the set list I’m told was near identical to the one they played at Sam Dunk festival a few days prior which would have disappointed fans seeing them twice in a short period of time. But newer songs such as ‘This Addiction’ fitted right in, where as older classics like ‘Sadie’, performed beautifully, with arms aloft and venue lit up showed a balance to the bands output on the night.

‘Stupid Kid’ received a rapturous response, before the band embarked on a little speech about having the best time and ending off with

Alkaline Trio © Kim Ford

‘97’ pre encore. Thankfully the wait for the band to return was not a lengthy one and the band returned to sincerely thank everyone for their attendance and ongoing support with Dan breaking into a heartwarming rendition of ‘Fine’. Then the band did a little switch-around, with Matt taking on drumming duties, and Derek ‘The Reaper’ Grant as introduced by Dan takes to the fore for a rousing rendition of The Misfits cover of ‘Angelfuck’. The band retook their usual places and from the first chord of night ending finale ‘Radio’ the place erupted manically, as Alkaline Trio delivered one of the finest single live songs I have seen from them with the lyrics sung loudly by the crowd, angsty and passionately. Great send off on the night for a band that will continue to split opinion but likewise continue to deliver a unique blend of punk rock.