From Here to Infirmary

Alkaline Trio released their second studio album ''Maybe I'll Catch Fire'' in March 2000, through record label Asian Man Records. Few months prior to its release, drummer Glenn Porter left the band, and was replaced by former Smoking Popes member Mike Felumlee. Two months after the album's release, MTV reported that the band had signed to Vagrant Records. Vocalist/guitarist Matt Skiba explained that while on Asian Man, they received plenty of complaints that their fans were unable to buy their music in stores. Vagrant were fans of the band, and helped them tour with Face to Face. That label's distribution and press departments offered more than Asian Man founder Mike Park was able to provide. Park went as far to tell the band to find a bigger label as the sales and promotion was becoming a strain for him. In the following months, Alkaline Trio promoted ''Maybe I'll Catch Fire'' with an appearance on the Plea for Peace Tour, and a tour with Hot Water Music. At the end of 2000, the band went to Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota to record their next album. ==Composition and lyrics==

Musically, the sound of From Here to Infirmary has been described as pop-punk with more of a focus on melody. Andriano considered it a turning point for the band musically: "From Here to Infirmary definitely started to shape things up with more of a straight up rock kind of sound. I think the previous two albums are really great, but are a bit meandering. I think [From Here to Infirmary] is when Matt [Skiba] and I both realized that we wanted to tighten the screws a bit, simplify things a little and focus more on punching you in the nuts with our rock". Andriano wrote "Take Lots with Alcohol", "Another Innocent Girl", "I'm Dying Tomorrow", and "Crawl", while the rest of the songs were written by Skiba. "Mr. Chainsaw" was reminiscent of "Clavicle", a track from the band's debut studio album, Goddamnit (1998). It recalled the early works of Green Day, while following track "Another Innocent Girl" evokes ''Maybe I'll Catch Fire'' song "You've Got So Far to Go". "You're Dead" is a slower song that came across like "San Francisco", another track from Goddamnit. The guitarwork in "You're Dead" was compared to that heard in "Fire Maple Song" (1993) by Everclear. "Armageddon" is an uptempo punk rock track. Andriano's vocals in the closing song "Crawl" earned it a comparison to the Smoking Popes. ==Release and promotion==

Two of the album's outtakes, "Hell Yes" and "My Standard Break from Life", were released on 7" vinyl through Lookout! Records on March 13, 2001. From Here to Infirmary was released on April 3, 2001, by Vagrant Records. With the cover artwork, Skiba said the band attempt to give the album a "metal" look. They initially had different ideas for the cover, however, the band was on tour at the time, and had to relay their ideas to Vagrant. When they returned from tour, the cover wasn't what they wanted; the artwork was a week past the deadline. Skiba, still with no idea for the final cover, told the label to use photos of the band: "When I saw it I said, 'make the eyes go away,' and I was like 'There’s the cover.'" The following day, the band's manager posted on the webboard, explaining that Skiba had planned to replace Felumlee after their previous tour ended. Skiba and Felumlee weren't getting along; Skiba wished to tour all-year around, however, Felumlee didn't want to as he was looking after his family. Face to Face member Pete Parada, along with Atom Willard of Rocket from the Crypt, subsequently filled Felumlee's position. Alkaline Trio knew Parada from previously playing shows with Face to Face; Skiba grew up admiring Rocket from the Crypt, and was influenced by Willard. On July 8, 2001, the music video for "Stupid Kid" was posted on the band's website. The video was directed by Maureen Egan, the sister of Vagrant owner Rich Egan. Following this, Derek Grant, formerly of the Suicide Machines, joined as Felumlee's full-time replacement. Andriano met Grant when his former band Slapstick went on tour with Suicide Machines. Grant, who had temporarily filled Josh Freese's position in the Vandals, had heard that Alkaline Trio was looking for a permanent member. Two versions were released on CD: one with the full version and an edit of "Private Eye", as well as the "Stupid Kid" music video, while the other featured the edit of "Private Eye", and live versions of "Mr. Chainsaw" and "Cringe". On March 25, 2002, "Stupid Kid" was released as a single. Two versions were released on CD: one with a cover of the Berlin song "Metro" (1981), as well as the "Private Eye" music video, while the other featured live versions of "She Took Him to the Lake" and "You've Go So Far to Go". ==Touring==

Alkaline Trio played a series of shows throughout April 2001, leading to a support slot for Blink-182 the following month. They went on a cross-country tour from late May through to the end of June. The band toured the midwest until late July, where they appeared on six dates of the Vagrant America tour and at Krazy Fest 4 in Louisville, Kentucky. Around this time, the band had no copies of their album to sell due to a lawsuit Vagrant was having with their distributor. The band performed on the Plea for Peace/Take Action Tour alongside Thrice, Hot Water Music, and Cave In in August and early September. Skiba embarked on an acoustic tour for the remainder of September. The UK shows were supported by Crackout. After returning to the US, they played a few holiday shows with the Get Up Kids until Christmas. In January 2002, the band embarked on a second UK tour, before playing a few west coast US shows in the following month supporting the Bouncing Souls. They toured the UK a third time in March 2002, with support from Face to Face and Saves the Day. Around their appearance at Skate & Surf Festival, Alkaline Trio played several shows in April. Between June and August, the band went on the 2002 Warped Tour. The band had planned to appear at the Reading Festival in the UK, but pulled out shortly before it happened. They concluded the year with two shows in their hometown of Chicago, Illinois. ==Reception==

Critical reaction to the album was mixed. Ari Wiznitzer of AllMusic called it a slump for the band and "a definite low point in Alkaline Trio's catalog", criticizing its "lighter, more mainstream sound" which "really doesn't complement Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano's foul-mouthed poetry as well as their earlier abrasive sound. Adding to the disappointment is that this is the first Alkaline Trio release to have any filler, as many of the songs seem painfully tossed off (and probably were, as the band has been so prolific)." Its two singles, "Stupid Kid" and "Private Eye", both charted on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 53 and number 51, respectively. As of 2008, From Here to Infirmary has sold 175,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. NME listed the album as one of "20 Pop Punk Albums Which Will Make You Nostalgic". Cleveland.com ranked "Stupid Kid" at number 35 on their list of the top 100 pop-punk songs. Alternative Press ranked "Stupid Kid" at number 28 on their list of the best 100 singles from the 2000s. == Track listing ==

UK Exclusive Tracks ==Personnel==

Personnel per booklet. Alkaline Trio • Matt Skiba – guitar, vocals • Dan Andriano – bass, vocals, piano • Mike Felumlee – drums Production • Matt Allison – producer • Alkaline Trio – producer, inside design • Neil Weir – assistant producer • Jerry Finn – mixing • Laurent Bichara – assistant mixing • Joby J. Ford – front cover, back design • Matt Skiba – front cover, back design • Heather Hannoura – inside design • MaximumMac Studios – graphic production • Jim Newberry – band photograph ==Chart positions==