Alkaline Trio

Formed around 1997, the band are currently busy promoting their third album, Good Mourning.

And what a cheery concoction it is. Featuring songs about singer/guitarist Matt Skiba's fear of being kidnapped and murdered (This Could Be Love), drug addiction (Continental) and disintegrating relationships (Fatally Yours), it's not exactly destined to be the party hit of the season.

With singer/bassist Dan Andriano and drummer Derek Grant completing the line-up, the Trio pride themselves on offering a darker take on the pop-punk formula.

"There's definitely a reason we play the kind of music that we do," says Skiba. "We offer kids a little darker slice of punk rock. Hopefully it separates us from bands that sing about going to the mall and chewing bubblegum."

The latest album was the result of a particularly black period for Skiba.

"I definitely had some things to write about," he admits. "It feels good to get some of those things off your chest rather than have them swimming around in your head all the time.

13 September, Pyramids Centre, Southsea. Tickets: £11. Box office: 023 9279 9977