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Alkaline Trio / Rise Against

live in Portland (2005)
Vagrant Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: colin
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 26th 2005

The last time I saw Rise Against was when they opened for Bad Religion, and the crowd wasn't as big as it probably should have been for such a tour. The last time I saw Alkaline Trio was just after From Here To Infirmary was released. The crowd wasn't that big at all. I guess for this show I vastly underestimated the collective popularity of these two bands, because when I drove by the Roseland in Portland, Oregon, the line was already moving and still wrapped around the block.

Unfortunately, my vast misconception of the number of bad haircuts I'd see at this show prompted me to completely miss Death By Stereo; by the time I had cleared the metal detectors (what the fuck is this country coming to?) and found my way to the floor, DBS was politely screaming goodbye and thanking the audience. I guess when they say 'doors open at 8' they really mean 'if you're not four hours early you'll miss the first band.' So, I apologize for not catching them; I would have liked to, but it took me by surprise.

The only thing bad about Rise Against was their set time was far too short. They only played one song ("My Life Inside Your Heart") from The Unraveling and favored the 'catchier' tunes ("Give It All", "Like The Angel") over songs that I think would be better in a live show ("Rumors Of My Demise...," "Blood Red, White, And Blue" for example). Nevertheless, the energy was high and consistent for the entire set; at times Tim seemed a bit dumbfounded at the quite astounding response; the entire floor was packed and pressing forward, singing along to the entire set. The major flaw in the set list was the awkward mid-placement of "Swing Life Away," which calmed the crowd into lighters and cell phones swaying back and forth, and subdued the response to the rest of the set, even with the band's obvious attempt to get the energy flowing again with "To The Core."

All said and done, Rise Against have come quite a way but their set list was harmed by the song choices and placement/pacing of the show. The rest of the crowd didn't seem to mind, though, as the response to the band was more than I ever thought possible.

Before I get to the Trio, I have to ponder why it takes this band so fucking long to set up. Every time I've ever seen them it's been at least a half hour. I don't know if Matt's busy putting on his makeup, but the drums and amps and banner were already assembled before the show even started, so it's not like anyone was on the stage doing anything. For close to 45 minutes the crowds shifted as most of the older (21+) folks retired to the balcony. I grabbed a seat, but when the 30-year-olds in front of me decided to be drunk and stand up in front of their seats, I figured I could just get a better view from the floor.

The Alkaline Trio have never astounded me live, but the times I've seen them I've enjoyed their catalogue to the extent of it not really mattering. However, I haven't seen them since the initial From Here To Infirmary tour, and I was hoping not to get an overload of Good Mourning and Crimson tracks, as they're not the best albums the band has ever put out. Fortunately, the Trio not only had a great set list, but they were more energetic and interactive than ever before. Skiba's rumored dropping of the coke habit paid off as he's much more of a frontman with a great stage presence, interacting with the crowd at all possible times and enjoying the hell out of playing.

The set was very well-rounded, a tad favoring Crimson, but that's to be expected. "My Little Needle," "Cringe," "Jaked On Green Beers," "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" and an absolutely extraordinary rendition of "Radio" were set highlights for old-timers, but the band put equal effort and energy into the new songs as well. There were some odd dedications ("Burn" being for followers of the Church of Satan and Suicide Girls), but the encore of "My Friend Peter" and "Sundials" topped off the best performance by this band I've ever seen.

Now the negative part of the show: the circle pit bro-hams. I get the fact jumping around into people is cool and all, I did it when I was younger too. But leaping unnecessarily into parts of the crowd just to see how many people you can knock over can really fuck up a good time (one girl got knocked out and had to be taken away). When you weigh over 200 pounds, it's not the best idea to try and jump on people's shoulders to crowd surf; it's just a matter of decency. I enjoyed the sets perfectly from my spot in the crowd and wasn't bruised or beaten or broken. What does it really say about you if you're a 21-year-old musclehead flailing about in a mosh pit that Hot Topic would be proud of at an Alkaline Trio show, anyway?

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Anonymous (May 21, 2007)

Rise Against an extremely kick-ass band. I suppose trying to open eyes of people ignorant to the shithole they make out of the world they're given makes Tim a 'treehugging douchebag'. You can't even respect the fact that he makes music. Pitiful.

tylerdurden8136 (March 31, 2006)

go kill yourself, colin.

Anonymous (January 20, 2006)

I read this and had to comment on the 30 year olds who had to stand at their seats. May I say that if your ass is sitting down at a concert then you must have been getting fucked in it all night long you pussy ass queer!! I am not 30 yet but I will be this year and I cannot stand people who get all pissy for others standing up at a concert. Fuck off!

godblesscatastrophe (October 12, 2005)

fuck rise against....the lead singer is a treehugging dooshbag. alk3 is by far the most energetic, and consistent band out there right now. matt and dan are better songwriters than 95% of the frontmen out there.

and i doubt matt skiba is a cocaince addict, he would have cracked already.

Foaming_97 (August 6, 2005)

I saw Death By Stereo and Alkaline Trio like last weekend and they fucking rocked hard. Trust me you missed alot by not seeing Death by Stereo lol.

And about the pits.... yeah the pits are something thats been goin on in punk rock and metal since like the seventies so i advise you to get used to it. Lol at my place there was a fuckin migit in the pit! It was awesome!

colin (August 1, 2005)

"so it wasnt even a pit, just dick jocks at a show with bands they never would have heard of if it wasnt for there precious mtv?"

yep

-sidewalk- (July 31, 2005)

word, negro. i'll call you tonight.

Anonymous (July 31, 2005)

"i usually don't mind pits at all, but you have to realize the majority of this pit was guys who were between 5'11" and 6'2", roughly 190 - 210 lbs, and throwing each other into the backs of the people in front of them to see hw many they could knock over"

so it wasnt even a pit, just dick jocks at a show with bands they never would have heard of if it wasnt for there precious mtv?

colin (July 30, 2005)

i usually don't mind pits at all, but you have to realize the majority of this pit was guys who were between 5'11" and 6'2", roughly 190 - 210 lbs, and throwing each other into the backs of the people in front of them to see hw many they could knock over. behavior like this is not only unnecessary, but really against what the show is about.

oh, and a side note that i remembered - tim was getting the crowd "worked up" for alkaline trio and called them one of the most important punk rock bands ever. i'm not sure what tim was on, but it was a pretty ridiculous comment, as i think rise against is a more important punk rock band than alkaline trio.

Anonymous (July 29, 2005)

yo robert, hit me up gangsta.

Anonymous (July 29, 2005)

"Good review colin. I totally understand your deal w/ moshpits. They definately do ruin a good time. I go to the show to see a band not to be humped by some lame kid 14 year old. I will never see Strike Anywhere and Anti-Flag again because that is exactly what happened to me.....the WHOLE SHOW. Mosh pits are really lame and for every kid I see running around in one, I feel the need to stiff arm them. It's too bad more bands aren't like Fugazi and stop playing when moshpits occur."

mosh pits are necessary sometimes to create a certain atmosphere, but it really sucks when somebody is constantly kicking on your knees, certainly when you have rheumatism. some people just want to enjoy the show quietly, some people prefer to kick somebody in the nuts (it's just a way of appreciating the music). i also like skanking more than those mosh/circle pits,...
on the other hand, a band that stops playing every time when a pit occurs is just lame. maybe they should consider playing r&b and practice some moves, so the crowd can copy them and the best dancer could be in their new videoclip or ... that's some gay thoughts. oh well, i have an excuse: i'm drunk, so.....

Anonymous (July 29, 2005)

wohah, little 12 year old. you obviously don't know who you're talking about. now, go back playing in the sand and come back when you've matured.

Anonymous (July 29, 2005)

I saw them in Boise. I, too, missed Death By Stereo. I used to like both bands. Now I say fuck them both.

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

It would be really great if anyone could give a definitve answer about matt skiba and cocaine.

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

yeah i am tired of the pit. getting your head kicked in overrated.

i would prefer a bunch of people skanking together over a mosh pit anyday.

but i can say, at least 50 percent of people that is see at a ska show trying to skank have no idea how to do it or when to do it.

my opinion, that's all.

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

When i come around -tre cool

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

alkaline trio suck, if you superglued my balls to a cannon ball, then proceeded to fire that cannonball into a alkaline trio concert, i still would not see them play live.

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

you alkaline trio fans..............losers......................put that in you pike and suck it

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

"He can't pull off the same style of singing from the Goddammit/MICF albums, it was pretty obvious that he backed away from the high parts of radio and such. I was still really impressed with the show."

To be fair, he actually can still pull it off, because he recently did it in Cleveland every time he was supposed to as well as a few extra times...but the majority of the times I've seen the band, he has backed away...funny what a difference it makes, at least to me

SomeoneAnonymous (July 28, 2005)

Does anyone know if Alkaline Trio ever plays "Old School Reasons"?

maverick (July 28, 2005)

It really sounds like the Trio have been spicing up their setlist big time these past couple months. I am still kicking my own ass from missing this band twice in a week (once at Bamboozle, once in Cleveland five days later). Damn you, work!

-Scott

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

terrible review.

Bryne (July 27, 2005)

They didn't play Blood Red White and Blue? I've seen RA three times (including this tour) and they've played it each time. Odd.

Anonymous (July 27, 2005)

hey darkstorm, newsflash: radio is only a good song for a 15 year old girl

Anonymous (July 27, 2005)

one song from their best cd? fuck rise against and the major that they are now on. their new cd blows cock. and fuck the always changing lead guitarist that they pick up, the band used to be good. alkaline trio on the other hand hasnt been good for years and years. check out fats reissue of the unraveling.....

corpseofmymotivation (July 27, 2005)

NoUse4aScnName00 (July 27, 2005)

Oh yeah. Alk3 played Jaked on Green Beers, San Francisco and Queen of Pain too. It was sweet but too much was played off of their new CD rather than their older stuff. On another note, the Aquabats are lame.

NoUse4aScnName00 (July 27, 2005)

Good review colin. I totally understand your deal w/ moshpits. They definately do ruin a good time. I go to the show to see a band not to be humped by some lame kid 14 year old. I will never see Strike Anywhere and Anti-Flag again because that is exactly what happened to me.....the WHOLE SHOW. Mosh pits are really lame and for every kid I see running around in one, I feel the need to stiff arm them. It's too bad more bands aren't like Fugazi and stop playing when moshpits occur.

SkolarX (July 27, 2005)

its been a few yeasr since i've seen rise against play anything other than warped tour for one reason or another, but i wonder if they still change their set list despending on what bands they are playing with. i saw them a few times with the mad caddies and they seemed to favor the slower or more mid tempo songs and then i saw them with i believe the business and anotehr with the casualities (which agnostic front was susposed to headline but dropped off) and they played a full set of faster songs with none of the poppier stuff. now that i think of it i haven't seen them since before the second album came out. i should get on that...

Anonymous (July 27, 2005)

"score is for the wiltern. fuck seated shows and places where you need to be there 4 hours early just to get a wristband for the pit."

i was there, i was pissed, i agree, but at least pits broke out when Rise Against came on, that was sweet

Bowen (July 27, 2005)

"The below post is absolute bullshit. The singles collection is great, but a band has never put out a singles collection and not then broken up, signed to a major, or started to suck. And Ben Weasel has been quiet musically since a couple of random SW reunion shows."

Green Day.

Anonymous (July 27, 2005)

their new album has bored me already. i totally dug it at first and it just gets more and more stale w/ every listen. the hype of it was bullshit.

paul

Anonymous (July 27, 2005)

"Have you been a fan of Alkaline Trio ever since you got into them?"

hahahahha

score is for the wiltern. fuck seated shows and places where you need to be there 4 hours early just to get a wristband for the pit.

andburntherest (July 27, 2005)

Warbrain was excellent in philly. So was the Nose Over Tail/Blue in The Face closer. I reviewed it at www.shakewithsound.com.

Anonymous (July 27, 2005)

I was there and they did not play Sundials.

Anonymous (July 27, 2005)

I saw the Seattle show too and I was really impressed. Matt's live performance is wayyyy better than when I saw them on the Good Mourning tour. He can't pull off the same style of singing from the Goddammit/MICF albums, it was pretty obvious that he backed away from the high parts of radio and such. I was still really impressed with the show.

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

i went to the show at the Wiltern in LA, no one seemed really into DBS for most of there set, but when Rise Against came on the place errupted, 2 mosh pits brokeo out and everyone knew the words to every song, it was amazing, i would have been happier if they played more from TU and RPM but still amazing none the less. Didn't stay for ALK3 tho, im not into them and didnt want to listen to all the emo kids sing anddance for an hour

stevejonestherealbones (July 26, 2005)

nevermind. i saw them a year ago...not that anyone cares, but i still wanna see dbs again soon

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

stevejonestherealbones (July 26, 2005)

i chose to see the aquabats tour in my town rather then see this about 2 hours away in ventura...i definately made the right choice, but goddamn i wish this tour had just been on a different night.

i really wanna see dbs perform some of the new songs and its been too long since i've seen them live...i think 2 years come october

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

-sidewalk- (July 26, 2005)

saw this show in ventura and we got the same encore of nose over tail with the end of blue in the face. but 97 didn't come after that, they played all on black which skiba proclaimed as his favorite alk3 song. we also got my little needle, cooking wine, radio, warbrain, this is getting over you, and best of all, crawl. the rest of the set to the best of my recollection was:

time to waste, we've had enough to open
you've got so far to go, armageddon, burn, mercy me, smoke (which i thought sounded really cool), sadie, settle for satin,
back to hell, this could be love and maybe i'll catch fire. and like i said the encore was nose over tail/end of blue in the face and then all on black.

great fucking show. leaned on crimson a little heavy but what do you expect, DBS sounded great as a four piece but only played two off of day of the death, my favorite album of theirs. the only thing else i can say is that their new bassist looks way out of place on that stage. rise against sounded good but played only my life inside your heart off of the unraveling. i'm not the biggest fan of the newest cd which is most of what they played (but life less frightening, swing life away, and state of the union stood out, where as paper wings and give it all had a kind of cheesy butt rock quality to their performances) but the songs off revolutions per minute(black masks, like the angel, to the core, and yes, blood red white, and blue) all were very tight as always. all in all it was a great night, the trio rocked the 'bah as only they can, but i just wished for a few more songs from DBS and rise againsts' first albums. and, of course, to hear jaked on green beers, but maybe next time.

jamespastepunk (July 26, 2005)

In Chicago, Rise Against usually plays "To the Core".

Additionally, Chicago got "Warbrain" and not "Radio" on the last Alkaline Trio tour.

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

The below post is absolute bullshit. Ben Weasel's album came out back in 2002. That's nearly FOUR years ago for those keeping track at home. And noodling around with some friends in a basement might as well be complete silence.

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

The below post is bullshit. Since the SW reunion shows, Ben Weasel has put out a solo record, started a new band that broke up before it could put anything out, and I believe he's working on another solo record now.

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

The below post is absolute bullshit. The singles collection is great, but a band has never put out a singles collection and not then broken up, signed to a major, or started to suck. And Ben Weasel has been quiet musically since a couple of random SW reunion shows.

SoupIsGoodFood (July 26, 2005)

The below post is absolute bullshit. The Larry Arms b-sides collection is the best stuff they've put out. Ben Weasel? Do you read this man's blog?

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

Mark my words: the Chicago scene is DONE.

More evidence:

1) the Ghost broke up
2) Larry Arms released a singles album
3) Rise Against's new album
4) Alk3 - mixed reviews of new album
5) Challenger dumped in favor of reading tour by Al Burian
6) Deafening silence from Ben Weasel, despite SW reissues
7) Even in Blackouts' atrocious last album

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

TO THE CORE?!!!

Damnit, ive seen them 9 times and they have never once played that. That or The Art of losing

and ALK3 didnt play Radio in milwaukee either

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

In New York, we got no Radio, Peter, 97, Cooking Wine or Sundials. We basically got the entire Crimson album and that was that.

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

I went ALK3 in Boston. Alkaline trio obviously kicked ass and played a bunch of good songs, but I would have liked to hear private eye or stoopid kid. They played warbrain which was a suprise and almost played metro. The only bad part of the night were the damn rufio kids screaming lyrics to their awful NGF like songs. But still, awsome show

colin (July 26, 2005)

i would have loved to see warbrain live. i had heard they were playing it this tour, and would have taken it over "we've had enough" or "this could be love". even though it was a single, "we've had enough" is an awful song and with such a stellar catalogue of older tracks... i don't know why they still play it.

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

I'm jealous of you getting "my little needle" and "my friend peter." I went to the shows in Pomona and Los Angeles and didn't get either of those, though we did get "Warbrain" and "Cooking Wine" in Pomona and "Clavicle" and an absolutely fabulous encore of "Nose Over Tail" into the ending of "Blue In The Face" right into an amazing performance of "'97" in Los Angeles. I really enjoyed hearing "You've Got So Far To Go" as well both nights. Rise Against was better in Pomona, maybe because it was a smaller venue and there was more energy, they did play "blood red, white, and blue" by the way. Don't they usually only play one song off of "The Unraveling?" That is until it gets re-released this fall...

jamespastepunk (July 26, 2005)

Rise Against every time I've seen them (all those times have been in Chicago) play blood red white and blue.

SomeoneAnonymous (July 26, 2005)

Colin, I'm sorry, that wasn't a serious question I was asking, it was a joke from the last Alkaline Trio show review. I apologize.

darkstarm (July 26, 2005)

i again am INSANELY pissed at the fact that alkaline decided to play radio everywhere but chicago. god damnit!

the bros at the chicago show were out in full force too. it's a shame. in a hilarious turn of events somebody threw a garbage can on one of them after they had just smashed this 13 year old chick. he was covered in beer and trash. damn!

colin (July 26, 2005)

er that wasn't the first tour... i think it was a saves the day show. i forget, i was in high school.

colin (July 26, 2005)

"I caught this tour in Arizona. Rise Against was the worst I've ever seen them (out of three times) and totally lifeless. Alkaline Trio was a billion times better than the other time I saw them on the Punk Voter tour. The set was incredible."

pretty much my thoughts, but it's hard for rise against to be bad... even at their worst, 90% of the stuff they play is still really great.

as far as being a fan of alk3 ever since i heard them... no. i first heard them ages ago on the original plea for peace tour with thrice and hot water music, couldn't get into them that much, but after i heard "maybe i'll catch fire" i was a fan.

corpseofmymotivation (July 26, 2005)

I caught this tour in Arizona. Rise Against was the worst I've ever seen them (out of three times) and totally lifeless. Alkaline Trio was a billion times better than the other time I saw them on the Punk Voter tour. The set was incredible.

SomeoneAnonymous (July 26, 2005)

I'm sorry that was mean, but I couldn't help myself.

SomeoneAnonymous (July 26, 2005)

Have you been a fan of Alkaline Trio ever since you got into them?

yayforapathy (July 26, 2005)

I know you guys probably don't want to here from me after my horrible review of the show in Norfolk, but god you're lucky you got to go to that show. Even if the Rise Against setlist was stupid. And people were being lame in the pit. And you missed DBS, bhut you get my meaning.

colin (July 26, 2005)

"just saw this show yesterday in seattle. rise against was good, but i think they played a bit too poppy-heavy of their material. alkaline trio weren't too bad either, but once again, i was left feeling old and out of place amongst the crowd."

i felt the same way. i'm 22 now, and even though i've been following the alkaline trio for years, i felt like i was watching a different band, just because there were kids there 10 years younger than me. it's the same feeling i got last time i saw green day.

8dollarclarinetsolo (July 26, 2005)

hey colin, i like your review

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

The trio put on one hell of a show.

Anonymous (July 26, 2005)

oh the drug rumor mill is churning!

Barkley

pwfanatic (July 26, 2005)

just saw this show yesterday in seattle. rise against was good, but i think they played a bit too poppy-heavy of their material. alkaline trio weren't too bad either, but once again, i was left feeling old and out of place amongst the crowd.

John-311 (July 26, 2005)

I was at this show, had a great seat in the balcony, but decided I wanted to be closer so I got down in the crowd til I was 1 person away from the barrier and had great, abeit, sweaty view of all the action, it was great. Though I gotta confess, I'm a n00b to the Trio and am only familiar with the last 3 albums, but I really enjoyed the show. They wouldn't give out Dan's setlist afterwards though, damn them!