Although it might seem a little awkward and you might feel a little out of place, I suggest trying it at least once. I’m talking about going to a concert that is out of your realm.

Sometimes the most telling sign of a good or bad show comes from someone unfamiliar with the band. They can listen objectively and because they can’t simply sing along with all the songs, they are forced to pay closer attention to the lyrics and music.

Hearing maybe three songs prior, I attended the Alkaline Trio concert at the Fillmore Auditorium last week. I bought the tickets two months ago for a Valentine’s Day present for my boyfriend. He grew up in Chicago, also the hometown of the band. Alkaline Trio is his favorite.

The opening band, Against Me, was jamming out on stage when we went inside. Honestly, they did a little too much screaming for my liking.

We found a standing spot behind a teenage boy with tattoos on his neck. The members of Alkaline Trio, Matt Skiba, guitar/ vocals, Dan Andriano, bass/vocals and Derek Grant, drums took the stage dressed in black.

My first impression— this was a no-frills there for the music kind of punk-rock band. And they rocked. What impressed me the most was the band’s versatility. Skiba and Andriano both took turns on bass and guitar and each did a couple more mellow acoustic songs. This added a new dynamic to the traditionally dark lyrics.

Though their were some lights and effects, the focus was on the sound. Skiba had stage presence, but not at the sacrifice of skilled playing.

A petite blond lady in a bright white tank top danced next to me. “I love these guys!” she said to me. The 31-year-old preschool teacher of Highlands Ranch, Wind Dee Stallings, recalled seeing the band in a hole in the wall in Chicago.

Adriano told Rolling Stone in an interview, “It’s not just the punkers and the die-hard fans at our shows anymore.” Stallings and I were shining examples.

After playing song after song the band thanked their fans and abruptly left the stage. Though I was a little surprised they never came back out for an encore, it was a good thing I left wanting more.

If once you walk out of the concert wanting to know the songs better and maybe even consider buying the cd, then it was a good show in my book.

For more information on Alkaline Trio, visit www.alkalinetrio.com.

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