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they ' ll ever come out ; I ' m guessing probably not . But I approached the new Trio record the way I recorded the albums I did with blink . I learned a lot from working with those guys , from how it carried over to how we recorded this new Alkaline Trio record . I was reminded , you know , of aspects of writing something when everyone in the band is in the same room . It ' s just a lot more effective . It ' s a lot quicker when everybody is contributing . So , I ' m glad I was able to take that and use it with Trio .
IE : In some ways , this new album represents a new beginning and an end for Alkaline Trio . The record features the final contributions of drummer Derek Grant , but it ’ s the start of the band ’ s next chapter with new drummer Atom Willard . Was it bittersweet getting ready to start the next era of the band , but knowing Derek wouldn ’ t be a part of it ? MS : No , it wasn ' t bittersweet . We finished the album . Derek quit . Then we called Atom to fill in for some shows . He ’ s been in the band ever since . It was a long time coming . We both came to the conclusion that some things had to change . We couldn ' t keep doing things the way we were doing them . And Derek , you know , had some issues he needed to deal with . He ' s spoken pretty publicly about that . So , it was a parting of the ways , but it was meant to be . I feel really good about it . You know , I wish him the best , but there isn ' t a whole lot bittersweet about it to me .
IE : At least everything ended amicably , and th band is still going strong . After the album drops , you guys will start touring in February and of course , you ’ ll swing through Chicago t play the Aragon Ballroom . Being from Chicago you ’ re familiar with its prominent punk rock scene . had and still has a very prominent punk rock scene . What was it about the punk scen that grabbed you at a young age ? MS : Well , honestly , it was the punk rock scene it self . Everything about the Chicago punk roc scene . I mean , if I was in Los Angeles , it would have been the LA punk scene . If I had been in New York – you get what I ' m getting at . I ' m ver thankful to say where I was born and raised . I ' m fortunate that the punk rock scene was boomin long before I got there . Bands like Pegboy and Naked Raygun – going to those shows ; that ’ where I got my cut my punk teeth . And it ' s had a huge impact . Those bands are still in my top five favorites and my biggest inspirations .
IE : Finally , you ’ ve got the album coming out You guys are going to go on tour . Thinkin about the big picture , Alkaline Trio has accom plished so much . What ' s next ? Is there anythin that ' s still on your bucket list you want to check off ? MS : Oh , the bucket list has been checked . W built that thing a long time ago . So now it ' s – you know , I ' m when I get off the phone with you , I ' m going to practice , we ' re going to practice for th next two days then we play Jimmy Kimmel [ Live ! Then after the record comes out , we go on tou It ’ s all that I know - right now . And , honestly , I ’ m grateful to be telling you that .
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