Matt Skiba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matt Skiba
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Skiba performing at Warped Tour in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matthew Thomas Skiba |
| Born | February 24, 1976 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Origin | McHenry, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
Matthew Thomas Skiba (born February 24, 1976) is an American musician. He is famous as the singer and guitarist for the punk rock band Alkaline Trio. He was also the singer and guitarist for Blink-182 from 2015 to 2022. Skiba often writes songs about dark romantic ideas.
Alkaline Trio started in 1996 with Skiba as the main singer. The band has released ten albums over more than two decades. Skiba also made music with other projects like Heavens and the Hell. He also released two solo albums with his band, the Sekrets.
In early 2015, after Tom DeLonge left Blink-182, Skiba joined the band for a few shows. He later became a full member. He recorded two albums with Blink-182: California (2016) and Nine (2019). Tom DeLonge returned to Blink-182 in 2022.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Matthew Thomas Skiba was born on February 24, 1976, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in McHenry, Illinois. He started playing piano and drums when he was very young. His first concert was Public Image Ltd.
After high school, Skiba was interested in graphic design. He went to art school for one year but then left. In 1996, he worked as a bike messenger. He decided to switch from playing drums to playing guitar. Before that, he played in bands like Blunt, Jerkwater, and the Traitors.
Skiba has two siblings. His family has roots in Ukraine. His mother, Joan Skiba, is a teacher. His father, Thomas Skiba, was a dentist.
Music Career Highlights
Starting Alkaline Trio
Skiba studied design at Columbia College Chicago in Chicago. But he left in 1996 to start the band Alkaline Trio. He formed the band with drummer Glenn Porter and bassist Rob Doran.
After making a demo and a single, they recorded an EP called For Your Lungs Only. During this time, Rob Doran left the band. Dan Andriano joined as the new bassist. ..... They followed this with Maybe I'll Catch Fire and a collection of songs called Alkaline Trio in 2000.
The band's lineup changed again in 2000. Glenn Porter left, and Mike Felumlee joined as the new drummer. Their album From Here to Infirmary came out in 2001. In 2002, they released a split EP with Hot Water Music, which was very popular. Both bands contributed new songs and covered each other's music.
Good Mourning was released in 2003. This was the first album with their new drummer, Derek Grant. While recording Good Mourning, Skiba had some vocal problems. After a tour and throat surgery, the band recorded Crimson in 2005. They released a collection of songs called Remains in 2007.
Agony & Irony was released in July 2008. In January 2010, they released This Addiction on their own record label. In July 2011, they released Damnesia, an acoustic album. This album celebrated 15 years of the band. Their eighth album, My Shame Is True, came out on April 21, 2013.
In 2014, the band went on a special "Past Live Tour". They played their first eight albums completely over four shows. After five years without a new studio album and another throat surgery for Skiba, the band released Is This Thing Cursed? on August 31, 2018. They released an EP called E.P. on March 19, 2020. The band's tenth album, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, was released on January 26, 2024.
Time with Blink-182
When Tom DeLonge left Blink-182 in 2015, Mark Hoppus announced that Skiba would join them. Skiba played two club shows and a festival in March 2015. Later that year, the band confirmed Skiba was an official member. He would be on their next album.
The album, California, was released on July 1, 2016. Skiba also played on the band's eighth album, Nine, which came out on September 20, 2019. However, he did not appear on the band's 2020 song "Quarantine". This was because he did not have a proper home recording studio.
In July 2022, Skiba mentioned that his role with Blink-182 was unclear. He also said he was thankful for his time with the group. In October 2022, Blink-182 announced that Tom DeLonge had returned to the band. Skiba was not in the new promotional pictures, which showed he had left. DeLonge thanked Skiba for his time with the band in a message. Skiba also shared the news of the reunion and thanked the band for his time with them. On February 13, 2025, Skiba joined Blink-182 on stage to play "Bored to Death" with Tom DeLonge. This was at a benefit show in Los Angeles to help with wildfire relief. Alkaline Trio also played at this event.
Other Music Projects
In 2001, Matt Skiba started his first solo tour. He mostly played acoustic versions of Alkaline Trio songs. In some shows, he had drums and bass helping him.
His first solo music came out in 2002. It was a split release with Kevin Seconds from 7 Seconds. The songs were mostly acoustic. Skiba played drums, bass, and piano on them. .....
In 2005, Skiba contributed the song "Demons Away" to a charity album. This album helped the National Association to Protect Children.
In 2006, Skiba started the band Heavens with bassist Josiah Steinbrick. The group released their album Patent Pending on September 12, 2006. Also in 2006, Skiba sang on the song "Rock 'n' Roll High School". This song was on a tribute album for kids called Brats on the Beat: Ramones for Kids.
In May 2007, Skiba played five shows with Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music. In late 2008, Heavens broke up due to disagreements between Skiba and Steinbrick.
On August 18, 2009, Skiba, Derek Grant, and members of Kill Hannah formed a cover band. .....
On August 10, 2010, Skiba released a solo album called Demos. This album was seen as a preview for a future Alkaline Trio album.
In January 2012, Skiba released an EP with drummer Atom Willard. Their band was called The Hell. Their first EP was named Sauve Les Requins.
Skiba's second full solo album, Babylon, came out on May 8, 2012. On this album, Skiba led a band called Matt Skiba and the Sekrets. The band included AFI bassist Hunter Burgan and drummer Jarrod Alexander.
In early 2013, Matt Skiba helped The Smith Street Band release their first two albums in America. Skiba had met their guitarist and liked his style. Blink 182 and The Smith Street Band played together in 2017 at a festival in Germany.
Skiba has confirmed he is working on a new solo record. He is also working on a movie script and a children's punk record with Mark Hoppus.
In March 2015, Matt Skiba and the Sekrets announced their second album, Kutz. It was released on June 1, 2015. In May 2023, Skiba released new music with a band called Lektron.
Musical Instruments and Gear
Guitars Used
Matt Skiba used to play Gibson Les Paul guitars a lot. Now, he mainly plays Fender Jaguar HH guitars. In the past, he also played Gibson Les Paul Juniors, Gibson SGs, Fender Stratocasters, and Fender Jazzmasters.
He has had two special guitars made just for him:
- GPC made a limited number of Matt Skiba Signature guitars. These guitars had the Jaguar body shape, and only 200 were made.
- Fender released a signature acoustic guitar called the Malibu. This guitar was shown on the cover of Alkaline Trio's acoustic album Damnesia.
Amplifiers Used
Skiba uses several types of amplifiers for his sound:
- Diezel VH4
- Bogner Shiva
- Orange Rockerverb 100
- Fender Supersonic 22
- Kemper Profiling amp
Skiba used a Kemper profiling amp when he was in the studio with blink-182. This amp can copy the sounds of other amplifiers. The sounds he used included:
- Friedman Browneye
- Hughes & Kettner Statesman
- Vox AC15
- Silvertone 1471
Personal Life and Interests
Matt Skiba is a vegan, meaning he does not eat animal products. He also practices Transcendental Meditation. He said that this practice helps him have a clear and calm mind. He found that a calm mind helps his creative process a lot. He used to think that being a "tortured soul" was better for art. But a book by David Lynch changed his mind.
Skiba moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2001. He now lives in Los Angeles. He has the words "Love Song" tattooed on his knuckles. He is a big fan of many bands and artists, including The Cure, The Damned, Green Day, and Nirvana. He is also a huge fan of director David Lynch. Skiba is a close friend of NOFX frontman Fat Mike.
Discography
Solo Albums
With Alkaline Trio
With Blink-182
With Heavens
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With the Sekrets
With theHELL
With Lektron
Guest Appearances
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