Alkaline Trio at House of Blues Boston – March 10, 2024

While supporting their 10th album, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, Alkaline Trio filled the House of Blues in Boston on a Sunday night, along with the post hardcore band Drug Church.

Drug Church

Albany, New York’s post hardcore outfit Drug Church opened the show along with the punk band Worriers. Drug Church put on a high energy set that had the pit moving, they have a great mix of punk/alternative/post-hardcore sound. The Worriers are a fun band led by Lauren Denitzio, with Atom Willard doing double duty, drumming. I got there in time to see the last song but they are also a fun band not to miss when they come through your city. 

Alkaline Trio

For me, Alkaline Trio have been a band that’s simply always been there for me. Led by Matt Skiba on vocals/guitar being the only founding member of the band with bass/vocalist Dan Andriano, the 2nd longest tenured member, and Atom Willard, who is a new permanent member as of 2023. Their debut album Goddamnit was released in 1998, with a follow up in 2000 Maybe I’ll Catch Fire. They have released 7 albums steadily since 2001, and have been a solid punk rock band for 25 years. I recall seeing them for the first time 24 years ago at a skate fest at the Worcester Palladium. I never went out of my way to see them perform, up until the last time I saw them, 2 years ago, when they had a support slot on Coheed and Cambria’s tour in Boston, but when I did I always enjoyed what I saw. This time, I was all in for Alkaline Trio. 

A few weeks ago they released their 10th studio album Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, on Rise Records and they stopped in Boston’s House of Blues in support of the newest effort. It was also the final album for their longtime drummer Derek Grant. They opened the night with “Hot For Preacher,” the first track on the new album and it set the tone for a great night of punk rock. Alkaline Trio may be older but they haven’t slowed down very much. For three members they have a pretty big sound that filled the nearly sold out venue. For being a Sunday night I was pleasantly surprised how filled it was. 
They played a career spanning set of 20 songs. Highlights included, “Mr. Chainsaw,” “Calling All Skeletons,” “Mercy Me” and “Private Eye,” the last being my personal favorite. They played the most songs from their 2003 album From Here to Infirmary which has many hits. The new songs sounded great and were high energy. I recommend catching this show whether you’re a long time fan of Alkaline Trio, or just enjoy the emo/punk rock sounds of the late 90s.