Alkaline Trio Ignites Starland Ballroom: A Night of Punk Rock Perfection

Experience the electrifying energy of Alkaline Trio’s live performance at Starland Ballroom, where their signature blend of punk rock anthems and introspective lyrics captivated the crowd on their Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs tour.

The band Alkaline Trio on stage at the Starland Ballroom on September 21st 2024 | Show Review | Eat Sleep Breathe Music
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Alkaline Trio, the iconic punk rock trio, brought their Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs 2024 tour to New Jersey’s legendary Starland Ballroom, delivering a memorable performance. Nestled in Sayreville, known as the hometown of Bon Jovi, the Starland Ballroom is regarded as one of the best venues for live music, according to Google reviews.

On Saturday, September 21st, I had the pleasure of seeing Alkaline Trio for the very first time. While I wouldn’t consider myself a long-time fan, I often enjoyed whenever their songs come up when streaming on Amazon Music

I had also heard good things about the band from my friend Vanessa, a devoted fan, and received further excitement for their upcoming tour from Pat Driscoll, one of the hosts of the Degrassi Every Episode Every Marathon Podcast. With all the praise these two had for the band, I was eager to experience their live performance.

We arrived at the venue a bit late, and parking proved to be a challenge—an all-too-familiar issue at Starland. If you’re lucky enough to get there early, the VFW across the street offers a good parking option, but we missed that opportunity. After a bit of a delay waiting to get into the parking lot, we finally made our way inside as Spanish Love Songs were finishing their set.

The inside was packed with people spilling all the way to the entrance. As we navigated through the venue, there was excitement and vibrant energy in the air. With a photo pass in hand, I maneuvered through the crowd, aware that fans can be particular about their space. Fortunately, the side bar was less crowded, allowing us to settle in comfortably.

The crowd was especially electric for Alkaline Trio’s performance that Saturday night. The band took the stage a little after 10 PM, looking effortlessly cool yet casual in their suits, ties, and sneakers. They wasted no time getting the audience hyped, launching into their high-energy set.

Photographing from the pit means missing some initial moments of the show, which is always a balancing act between capturing the band and enjoying the music.

The show kicked off with “Hot For Preacher” from Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, a clever nod to Van Halen that not only rocks but also prompts deeper thought. 

The song reflects on the societal pressures to conform, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves. This balance of catchy punk rock riffs with meaningful lyrics is what makes Alkaline Trio stand out in their genre.

The band played for about 80 minutes, seamlessly blending tracks from their latest album with fan favorites from earlier works, including From Here to Infirmary, Good Mourning, Crimson, Agony & Irony, Goddamnit, and Maybe I’ll Catch Fire. All the tracks resonated with the enthusiastic crowd, who sang along to every word.

While I was familiar with “Mercy Me,” “Calling All Skeletons, and the encore track “Radio,” I was particularly drawn to standout tracks like “Mr. Chainsaw,” which thrived on typical punk melodies, and “Cringe,” with its dynamic shifts between fast-paced guitar riffs and rhythmic sounds.

Their performance also showcased the incredible talent of drummer Derek Grant, whose energetic beats added depth to every song. He skillfully navigated complex rhythms, enhancing the band’s signature sound. His ability to switch seamlessly between driving punk beats and more intricate patterns kept the crowd engaged and energized.

Alkaline Trio’s performance was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring upbeat anthems like “Private Eye” alongside more reflective tracks such as Sadie,” Bad Time,” and Crawl.” The band’s ability to seamlessly blend genres and evoke a range of feelings is a testament to their enduring appeal.

Another highlight of the night was the crowd’s passionate engagement. Fans sang along, danced, and even crowd-surfed, creating a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere. Alkaline Trio’s connection with their audience was evident, and the band reciprocated the energy with a powerful and heartfelt performance. 

The band even customized their lyrics in “Mercy Me” with a shout out to “the Jersey Shore,” prompting an enthusiastic response from the crowd. They also expressed gratitude to the fans, noting how wonderful it was to be in New Jersey.

Right before they dived into the encore, Skiba and Dan Andriano acknowledged the crowd’s energy, sharing, “Aw shucks, you guys are the f***ing best!”

When the band left the stage, the crowd erupted in applause, clamoring for more, which they happily delivered with a 2-song encore. Alkaline Trio is no ordinary punk band, they have a distinct sound that is enriched by Skiba’s and Adriano’s signature vocals and the unique melodies and introspective lyrics.

Their unique blend of upbeat melodies paired with darker themes gives listeners a lot more to chew on than mere surface-level enjoyment, which is perhaps why so many fans are drawn to their music.

After a rocking encore that included “This Could Be Love” and the emotional sing-along “Radio,” the concert came to a close, leaving everyone wanting more. 

Alkaline Trio’s performance at Starland Ballroom was a testament to their enduring legacy. Their music continues to resonate with fans of all ages, and their live shows are legendary. 

If you’re a fan of punk rock or simply looking for a high-energy night out, Alkaline Trio should definitely be on your list of bands to see. For more information on Alkaline Trio check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) pages.

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Alkaline Trio Setlist

Hot for Preacher

We’ve Had Enough

Take Lots with Alcohol

Bad Time

Versions of You

Mr. Chainsaw

Emma

Calling All Skeletons

Cringe

Break

Armageddon

Sadie

Hinterlude

Broken Down in a Time Machine

Mercy Me

Fatally Yours

Crawl (Fan request)

Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs

Private Eye

Time to Waste

Encore:

This Could Be Love

Radio

Listen to the Setlist

About Alkaline Trio:

Alkaline Trio is an American rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band’s current members are Matt Skiba (guitar, vocals), Dan Andriano (bass, vocals), and Atom Willard (drums).

Founded in late 1996 by Skiba, bassist Rob Doran, and drummer Glenn Porter, Alkaline Trio released its debut single, “Sundials”, in 1997. Following its release, Doran departed from the band and was replaced by Andriano, who occupied the role of co-lead vocalist alongside Skiba. The band subsequently recorded an EP, For Your Lungs Only (1998), and its debut studio album, Goddamnit (1998). Following the release of the band’s second album, Maybe I’ll Catch Fire (2000), Porter left the band and was replaced by Mike Felumlee for its subsequent album, From Here to Infirmary (2001).

Backed by the singles “Stupid Kid” and “Private Eye”, From Here to Infirmary significantly increased the band’s exposure, and its follow-up, Good Mourning (2003), charted highly on the Billboard 200. Good Mourning marked the recording debut of longtime drummer Derek Grant. In 2005, the band released Crimson which expanded upon the band’s punk rock influences, with prominent overdubs and additional instrumentation, and continued with this direction on Agony & Irony (2008), which was released on Epic Records.

In 2010, the band released This Addiction on its own label Heart & Skull and Epitaph. Recorded in the band’s home town of Chicago, with early producer Matt Allison, the album was a conscious effort by the band to return to their punk rock roots; it became the highest-charting album of their career, debuting on the Billboard 200 at No. 11. In 2011, the band celebrated its 15-year anniversary with the release of Damnesia, which featured new, acoustic-based recordings of songs from across the band’s career. The band’s eighth studio album, My Shame Is True, was released on April 2, 2013, while their ninth album, Is This Thing Cursed? was released on August 31, 2018, followed by a three-track EP titled E.P. on March 19, 2020.

In June 2023, Grant departed from the band after twenty-two years, with Atom Willard being announced as his replacement soon thereafter. Their tenth album (and their final one with Grant), Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, was released on January 26, 2024.

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