The Chicago-based punk trio Alkaline Trio have been issuing high-voltage, emotionally fueled tributes to sour times and the low life since the mid-'90s. Formed by Jerkwater's Matt Skiba, the band fully blossomed with the addition of Slapstick's Dan Andriano, who also took on vocal and songwriting duties. Over the course of the next decade, which saw several lineup and label changes, the group earned a dedicated following that finally sent them to the Billboard Top 20 with Agony & Irony in '08.