Rise Against and Alkaline Trio put out a split single on Sept. 16, and each band covers a song by the other. A limited-edition 7-inch vinyl is on its way, and they also recently completed a joint U.S. tour.
Rise Against takes on Alkaline Trio’s “Private Eye,” which first appeared on the 2001 album From Here to Infirmary. Alkaline Trio answers with Rise Against’s “Re-Education (Through Labor),” a track from the 2008 album Appeal to Reason.
The vinyl holds two songs. “Private Eye” by Rise Against sits on Side A, while Alkaline Trio’s “Re-Education (Through Labor)” fills Side B. It is expected to ship Jan. 29, 2027.
This project grows out of a bond between the two Chicago punk bands, one that reaches back to the early days of the city’s punk scene. Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio called it a full-circle moment, according to Rock Sound. The groups have known and backed each other since their first shows at the Fireside Bowl in Chicago, he said.
“It’s so much fun and such an honor to be swapping cover tunes with a band we’ve known personally and loved since we both formed and came up from our shows at the Fireside Bowl in Chicago,” Matt Skiba said.
Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath spoke about that shared past too. He said the tie started even before either band existed.
“The connection between Alkaline Trio and Rise Against actually pre-dates both bands’ inceptions, so we’ve all been there for both the awkward first steps and the flashes of promise,” Tim McIlrath said. He added that his band had a good time recording “Private Eye.”
The limited-edition vinyl is listed on the Alkaline Trio store. Fans can find all upcoming Rise Against shows on their website. Alkaline Trio currently has no planned shows.
