Alkaline Trio Unveils ‘Surprise Surprise,’ Final Collaboration with Travis Barker
Alkaline Trio delivered a potent Halloween surprise to fans with the release of their new single, “Surprise Surprise.” The track marks the culmination of a three-part series of standalone seven-inch vinyl and digital releases, and stands as a particularly intimate and vulnerable offering in the band’s extensive catalog. The song’s release is accompanied by a visually striking music video, now available for viewing.
The genesis of “Surprise Surprise” is a remarkable story of resilience and transformation. According to Alkaline Trio’s vocalist and guitarist, Matt Skiba, the song was directly inspired by a friend whose life took an extraordinary turn. “’Surprise Surprise’ was inspired by and written for a friend of mine who grew up poor and entrenched in gang life only to become a Navy SEAL and eventually an astronaut,” Skiba explained. “It’s his story combined with my own thoughts regarding how a sort of alchemy takes place when someone takes the experiences of a bad situation and is able to turn them into something profound and beautiful.”
A New Chapter for Alkaline Trio
The creation of “Surprise Surprise” was a collaborative effort, particularly noteworthy for the addition of a bridge penned by bassist Dan Andriano. Skiba further detailed the song’s development, noting it was the final piece completed during their studio sessions with Blink-182’s Travis Barker. “The rough sketch of the song had only verse and chorus parts but no bridge which was written by Dan in the studio. This song was the last one of the three we did in this session with Travis Barker and was even more of a collaboration and studio creation than the previous two.”
These sessions represent a significant moment for Alkaline Trio, being the first to feature the current lineup of founding guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba, longtime bassist/vocalist Dan Andriano, and drummer Atom Willard. The previous singles, “Bleeding Out” and “Oblivion,” paved the way for this final installment, all benefiting from Barker’s production expertise.
Travis Barker himself expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Recording with Alkaline Trio was such a treat. Bringing these songs to life from the demos Matt recorded was so exciting. Both Matt and Dan are incredible lyricists, two of my all-time favorites. The studio never feels like work, just a magical place to create. The process was so natural and easy, I could’ve kept going forever. Really proud of these songs me, Matt, Dan and Atom recorded. Excited for what’s ahead for Alkaline Trio and for fans to hear these special songs we made.”
Alkaline Trio recently wrapped up a North American tour supporting Blink-182, alongside a series of headline performances and festival appearances. The band’s continued momentum suggests a bright future, fueled by their creative energy and dedicated fanbase. What impact do you think Travis Barker’s production has had on Alkaline Trio’s sound? And how does this new single fit into the band’s overall discography?
“Surprise Surprise” is currently available on all major digital platforms and will be released as a limited edition direct-to-consumer color vinyl seven-inch by Rise Records, complete with an exclusive demo version on the B-side.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alkaline Trio’s ‘Surprise Surprise’
The title reflects the unexpected life journey of a friend of Matt Skiba, who overcame challenging circumstances to achieve extraordinary success as a Navy SEAL and astronaut. It highlights the surprising turns life can take.
Travis Barker of Blink-182 produced the trio of singles: “Bleeding Out,” “Oblivion,” and “Surprise Surprise.”
This is the first studio session featuring the current trio lineup of Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano, and Atom Willard.
The limited edition color vinyl seven-inch will be available directly through Rise Records’ direct-to-consumer platform.
Barker described the experience as a “treat,” praising the band’s songwriting and the collaborative atmosphere in the studio.
Press photo credit: Jonathan Weiner (courtesy of Nasty Little Man PR)
Share this article with fellow Alkaline Trio fans and let us know your thoughts on the new single in the comments below!
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