Alkaline Trio LIVE

It felt a little strange to see the main room of Kasbah, normally reserved for high-heels and magazine-scratched aftershave suddenly taken over by heavy boots and green Mohicans. Indeed my own image of Alkaline Trio as a fairly light pop-punk outfit was challenged somewhat by the mix of barely legal Emos and old time punks that gathered for Tuesday night’s performance in the early leg of their UK tour. Currently coming off the back of their eighth album, the Trio – with an uncanny ability to change style and yet remain artistically consistent – could not fail to appreciate the dedicated mass of fans that had assembled at their feet.

First to the stage were California new wave outfit The Dear and Departed. Though initially struggling to overcome my own prejudices towards five-pieces, the group gave a lively, if occasionally self-indulgent performance of up-beat tunes. The catchy _Matter of Time_ gave the group perhaps its greatest moments with lead-singer Dan Smith carrying the soaring chorus right through the club. Next up came Dave Hause, a veteran singer-songwriter taking a break from fronting the Philadelphia punk outfit The Loved Ones to give Alkaline Trio the necessary mid-set calm before the storm. Hause proved to have all the power to captivate an audience as the modern legends that would follow him. Taking the stage with the standard chequered shirt and three-day beard image, Hause resembled something of a transatlantic Frank Turner without some of the old Etonian’s pretensions. Switching between electric and acoustic guitars, Hause delivered a collection of sincere, powerful and lyrically impressive tunes to an audience who were themselves surprised with the solitary figure’s ability to captivate.

For those who remember Alkaline Trio’s breakthrough album _From Here to Infirmary_ and the three youthful faces that stared out from its cover, there may have been a hint of sadness as the trio appeared on stage quite clearly showing their age. Not that the bald heads and hardened stares did anything to derail the audience; jumping into the lively _We’ve Had Enough_, beers flew high and baggy-jeaned crowd surfers scrambled forward into the un-amused arms of the club’s bouncers. The equally lively _Time to Waste_ demonstrated the real skill of the Trio, so often criticised for technical simplicity. Doubtless much of the crowd was drawn to the brilliant work of drummer Derek Grant who made it clear he was no mere stickman, throwing in some creative and unexpected fills on songs which occasionally lacked enthusiasm. The lyrically inventive _Armageddon_ proved most popular with a crowd whose sheer dedication to the modern punk legends gave the occasion much of its electricity. Unfortunately the trio suffered the hated indignity of the microphone; particularly affecting bassist Daniel Andriano whose decent tenor vocal couldn’t be projected clearly across the hall.

Though the group have certainly lost none of their skill or enthusiasm, something about the night’s performance felt unfinished. Then again, this might just have been my own nostalgic urge to hear _Stupid Kid_ performed live. Without doubt Alkaline Trio have earned their reputation as the spirited punk chameleons they are, and the lively performances of their guests certainly helped give the occasion its drive. Though at times the quality of songs varied, the evening turned out to be an exciting indulgence in the simplicity and energy that make punk what it is – and I struggle to name another band of the genre playing nowadays with the same understanding.