Alkaline Trio Covers the Misfits in New York

Posted on Mar 13th 2010 1:00PM by DJ Lanphier
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At the Nokia Theater in New York on Friday night, Alkaline Trio lead singer and guitarist Matt Skiba addressed the crowd: "This is a song about staying young at heart until the day you die." He and bassist Dan Andriano and drummer Derek Grant then ripped into 'Mr. Chainsaw' from their 2001 album 'From Here to Infirmary.'

Known for their dedicated fans and tight punk anthems, Alkaline Trio didn't disappoint. They kept the energy fast and furious as they rolled through a show populated with highlights from their seven albums. Opening with a scorching version of 'This Addiction,' the title track from the recently released album of the same name, the set list included sure-to-please tunes 'Blue Carolina,' 'Dine Dine My Darling' and 'Dead on the Floor.'

Never one to shy away from controversy, Skiba provoked more than a few gasps and heated conversations amongst the assembled when he dedicated 'Continental' to "the late great G.G. Allin." And, perhaps a bit of the long-gone punk crept onto the stage for old times' sake. Skiba remarked at one point, "The show last night in Philadelphia was better," to which the crowd understandably responded with rumbles of disappointment. Sensing this, Skiba later recanted with, "Actually, this show is the best of the tour." The audience shouted back in approval. Ultimately, the spirit of punk rebellions of the past gave the evening a somewhat sad and wistful overtone.

So it was rather appropriate that at the end of the show Alkaline Trio played a cover of The Misfits' 'Attitude' as the second encore. Long a staple played by bands influenced by Misfits founder Glenn Danzig's seminal dark, thunder punk -- Guns N' Roses played it for years and included it on 'The Spaghetti Incident?' -- the tune managed to raise the show to the next level as Skiba sat behind the drums and drummer Derek Grant took center stage on guitar and vocals. After Skiba and Grant returned to their usual places on stage, it dovetailed nicely into the finale, a rousing version of their anthem 'Radio.'

And, once again, with arms raised above their heads, the audience sang in unison, their furtive voices shouting every single word. It got louder and louder until it nearly overtook the band. Skiba waved from the lip of the stage: "Thank you New York! We love you!"

Alkaline Trio on AOL Music