Guitars, Drums, Tones, and Saxophones

Riot Fest 2009 promo poster

Chicago’s Riot Fest Records are once again putting on Riot Fest, a multi-day festival of awesome punk rock and ska. Last year’s festival featured ALL, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Ergs!, Mustard Plug, the Methadones, the Lawrence Arms, the Bouncing Souls, and so many more awesome bands.

This year’s lineup includes:

• Screeching Weasel
• NOFX
• The Alkaline Trio
• Murder City Devils
• The Dead Milkmen
• Cock Sparrer

I went last year, just to the Sunday show, and it was truly excellent. I will definitely be back for 2009. Hell, Screeching Weasel alone would be enough to merit the trip.

Alkaline Trio - Agony and Irony

I always find myself surprised that Goddamnit only came out in 1998. And it surprises me just as much to realize that 1998 was ten years ago. Has it really been that long? Clearly, I’m getting old. At any rate, it’s been ten years since the Alkaline Trio released their debut LP, and in addition to a deluxe reissue (still on Asian Man Records- props to Mike Park), Chicago’s dark trio have given us a brand-new full-length. Of course, comparisons between then and now and inevitable.

First off, long-time fans of Alk3 will have noticed that their punk tendencies have lessened over the years following their trio of Asian Man releases (Goddamnit, Maybe I’ll Catch Fire, and the self-titled compilation). So anyone entering into this album expecting some full-throttle, alcohol-drenched punk rock hasn’t been paying attention.

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Alkaline Trio - Maybe I'll Catch Fire

Welcome to part 2 (of 5) of Chicago Week. Wherein I talk about notable albums to come out of the Chicago scene. Today, we take a walk down one branch in the Slapstick Family Tree mentioned yesterday, to Dan Andriano’s next band with Matt Skiba and a rotating cast of drummers, the Alkaline Trio.

Maybe I’ll Catch Fire is the band’s second album, following their now-legendary debut on Asian Man Records, Goddamnit. The earlier album is rightfully lauded as a landmark record. But what about the follow-up?

The album kicks off with the anthemic “Keep ‘Em Coming,” which sets the tone for the album; darker lyrical content than Goddamnit, and generally faster than that album as well. The music has a somewhat darker feel, as well; the second song “Madame Me” is effective at creating a gloomy, evil-feeling atmosphere.

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