Trio X 4

This past week I saw the Alkaline Trio four times. Twice in rehearsal and twice in concert. It was very strange for me to watch a band I like rehearse. Like most rock bands, I have an almost magical assumption that they write their songs, record them, rehearse to make sure they know the words and the changes and take over the world on tour.

Instead, I watched them spend several minutes making sure that a pedal effect was oscillating in time with the drum beat and continuously work on a refrain until they achieved a perfect three-part harmony. I guess this is more of how I expected an orchestra to rehearse than a punk band. Isn't punk just supposed to be three chords and the truth?

It was refreshing though. I'm sure they know that much of the little sounds they meticulously worked on will get lost in cavernous clubs amid fans singing along, but that doesn't seem to matter. Maybe that's what sets some bands apart from others-- the work and care they put into crafting their sound.