New, Independent Trail of Dead Album Due in September
05/12/2008 -- by merlin
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Longtime indie heroes ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead stand poised to return to their roots this September with the worldwide release of an as-of-yet untitled album through a smattering of independent labels.
Trail of Dead multi-instrumentalist and band spokesman Jason Reece hailed the return to independent labels as a "liberating experience" and concluded it would be the masterstroke of the band's career-revitalizing pièce de résistance. "It feels great," culled a typically idealistic Reece. "Having behind-the-scenes things sorted has really allowed us to push forward. The last few years with Interscope felt like we were sailing into the wind or plodding up a steep slope with people rolling giant boulders down on top of us. Now that we've kicked those people aside, we're definitely over the top and starting to roll victoriously back down again." While still admittedly ambitious, Reece is making sure to keep his short term goals within reach. "We're not out to conquer the world," he declared. "We just want to put out a record our fans will enjoy, a record to surprise non-fans, and a record we can be proud of. I think we're in a great position to do that this September."
Though the identity of Trail of Dead's independent imprint in the United States remains unannounced, German-based Superball Music will serve as the band's outlet to the European market. "Superball made us a great offer we couldn't refuse," said Reece. "Even though they're just starting out and looking to establish themselves as a viable independent label, we were impressed by their enthusiasm and affinity for grassroots promotion. That's how you sell in Europe, with enthusiasm, buzz, and word of mouth. If we lay the base, kick out a great record and tour until the end of our rope, they've promised to get down on their knees and do us a few favors."
Trail of Dead will hit the road again starting this Thursday with a show at the Academy in Dublin, Ireland.
>> Older Trail of Dead News
Trail of Dead Rebuff American Festivals in Favor of Europe
04/28/2008 -- by merlin
 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Festival faring favorites ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead have declined several offers to play two of this summer's largest American music festivals, preferring instead to save themselves for the larger, more tight-knit European festivals.
The Texas-based vagabonds reportedly turned down incentive-laden offers from two of the most prominent American festivals, Chicago's Lollapalooza and Austin's own Austin City Limits Festival, to leave the door open for potential appearances during the summer's European festival run. While completed lineups for the biggest European festivals have already been in place for several months, Trail of Dead focal point and lyrical frontrunner Conrad Keely feels cancellations are inevitable and hopes his band will be called on to make a fill-in, show-stopping appearance. "It happened a couple years ago in Belgium or something when we were asked last minute to replace the Mars Volta who had pulled out," recalled Keely. "The festival organizers called us the day before and asked if we could help. We had already been booked at a smaller festival for mid-afternoon, but they paid to fly us out after our first set and we made it in time to close the stage."
"Things like that happen all the time over there," Keely continued. "You don't get it over here [in America]. There simply aren't enough festivals. There isn't any sort of camaraderie between the bands, the fans, and the promoters. When we played Lollapalooza [in 2005], the promoters gave us a nice trailer before the set. As soon as we got off stage, we went back to the trailer only to find they had given it away to another band. What message is that supposed to send? I don't know about other bands in our situation, but I don't appreciate being pampered, used, and then tossed aside like a one hit wonder. That's not something easily forgotten, especially when they come crawling back three years later. We're keeping our options open."
"Besides, who would want to go to Chicago in the summer? I'm a pacifist. I couldn't stomach being around all those murders."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
ToD Consider Releasing Digital Greatest Hits Album
04/07/2008 -- by merlin
 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Enduring Texas-bred hit factory ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead are in advanced talks with several major online music retailers over the possible release of an exclusive digital greatest hits compilation after finding inspiration in an unlikely source, greatest hits champions the Eagles.
Many high profile industry insiders had predicted a greatest hits or best of compilation on the horizon for Trail of Dead after their split with long-time providers Interscope Records, but part-frontman Jason Reece revealed the process was never that cut and dry. "We decided a while back when Interscope [Records] came to us and said they wanted to do a 'best of' physical release that we weren't into it. Nobody wants greatest hits CDs from new artists. They only want the classics." He continued, citing positive offers for digital alternatives. "After we left Interscope, we had phone conversations with iTunes, Rhapsody, places like that, about doing something digitally. There are a lot of different angles we could take. I mean, we looked at a band like the Eagles, looked at what they did back in the 70s. They put out a greatest hits album of their first five years together and it went on to become the best ever selling record in the United States. That sort of thinking was off the beaten path, looked odd at the time, but it worked. Maybe we could do something similar."
Reece went on to proclaim the prospective Trail of Dead "best of" record would only include songs selected by each individual patron, creating what might presumably become the first à la carte style greatest hits album in music history. "We don't want to force songs down throats," he said. "Something we think is great and ground-breaking might be hated by a good portion of the fanbase. We don't want anyone's first reaction to be 'oh, this song sucks, why is it here' or 'I hate these crappy pretentious pseudo-prog fillers'. If we give them a choice, let them choose a few from each album and actually enjoy the process of picking and creating, they might look at [the songs] in a different light. Music is meant to be a visceral experience, you know. Everyone should experience it in their own way."
"This isn't the Catholic Church," alleged Reece. "We're not into sheep."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
Trail of Dead Trumpet Triumphant Return to Stage
03/17/2008 -- by merlin
 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Mercurial Texas talents ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead returned victoriously to the South by Southwest stage this past Friday at La Zona Rosa, conquering the crowd with a stunning performance befitting the band's five-star live reputation.
Critical acclaim for the stalwart Austin musicians and their on record performances had seemed to plunge drearily back to Earth in recent times, but with their high and mighty re-introduction to the assembled music media at La Zona Rosa on Friday afternoon, Trail of Dead look poised to once again push toward the critical heavens. "It came together a lot quicker than we were expecting," buzzed band captain Conrad Keely. "The performance went above and beyond anything we were expecting." Recalling the band's performance the night before at Threadgill's in Austin, Keely admitted some positive signs had begun to coalesce before their featured La Zona Rosa performance. "We played four songs opening for Roky Erickson on Thursday and it felt like things were coming together. Even some of our friends and family who turned up for the show told us it was great. I mean, compared to the other bands there [Erickson, Thurston Moore, the Black Angels] we sounded terrible, but for us it was a marked improvement."
Co-captain Jason Reece hopes the band will be able to continue this impressive form into their short string of European dates starting in May. "Yeah, of course we'd love to keep it going. Straight through recording [the new record] and into the next tour. We'll keep the creative juices flowing and see where that takes us. Ride our luck. Strike while the iron's hot. Get while the going's good. Pick your idiom." Reece also feels confident Trail of Dead are now fully capable of coping with any ill-effects from extended periods away from the music. "Everyone loves to get away and start fresh, shake things up, you know? Even the smallest changes can make a difference."
"Sometimes it's just nice to play sober in the afternoon."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
ToD Ready for New Beginning at South by Southwest
03/10/2008 -- by merlin
 AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) -- Perennial indie-rock fair-haired boys ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead are looking to re-introduce themselves to the music industry this weekend with their appearance during Austin's high-profile South by Southwest music festival.
Hometown heroes Trail of Dead will close the Village Voice media party at La Zona Rosa on Friday afternoon alongside the Black Keys and the Cribs, a role which co-frontman Jason Reece feels the band will relish. "It's a perfect fit for us as we've always been more of a one-off party band than a touring band. Besides, the best way to shake off the rust after a lay-off is just to get out there and play." Friday's hour-long set at the 1,200 capacity La Zona Rosa marks Trail of Dead's first show since late November and the band's first South by Southwest appearance since their acrimonious spilt with long-time label Interscope Records. "This is our first real SXSW showcase in a long, long time," admitted a customarily animated Reece. "Turn back the clocks ten years and we're right back where we started. We don't have a label, so we're in the shop window. I guess it's like the first date after a long, unsuccessful marriage and divorce. You're excited, enthusiastic, and genuinely awkward. In the end you're just happy to be back in the game."
With his band in the midst of writing and recording sessions for their sixth full-length album, Reece feels now may be a perfect time to test the waters and try their new material in front of a live audience. "Hopefully we'll be able to play a few new songs for the crowd. I think it was something we didn't do enough with the last [few] albums. We never got feedback from the fans, from people who could give us an honest opinion and point us in the right direction," lamented Reece. "This time we've been trying to go about the whole process in a different manner. Writing, recording, touring, everything. If it all goes well at this show, we have some new material for the upcoming tour dates, if not, we're off in less than an hour."
A complete listing of the upcoming tour dates is available here.
>> Older Trail of Dead News
ToD to Personally Document Recording Process for Film
02/25/2008 -- by merlin
 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Veteran documentary centerpieces ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead will once again be dissected under the on-screen microscope, this time shooting themselves in an introspective piece focusing on the recording of their new album.
Trail of Dead half-frontman Jason Reece compared the reasoning behind doing the documentary themselves to skydivers packing their own parachutes before jumping out of a plane. "If we do it ourselves and it doesn't work out, then there's no one else to blame," explained Reece. "If we let someone else handle it and they mess up, you inevitably open a Pandora's box of guilt, blame, and civil lawsuits." A full-length Trail of Dead documentary had long been seen as a possibility for the band after their last semi-documentary, included with 2005's release "Worlds Apart", met with almost universal fan approval. "We definitely got it right with the Worlds Apart DVD," said other half-frontman Conrad Keely. "It took into consideration years and years of [video] tapes and didn't really go all the way, but everyone loved it. They loved the idea. That's why we're going ahead with this."
"We want to give everyone an insight into what goes on behind the scenes," continued Reece in agreement. "Not just the typical studio recording documentary drivel, who stood where, who played what, how'd this come about. There's so much more to it than that. Metallica had their 'Monster' documentary which was turned into a feature film or something. That's what we want to do. We want to show the constant struggle for perfection, the sleepless nights, the internal strife within the band and, indeed, within ourselves. It's not at all like people would think. There are no parties, no fans to propel us forward, just bare bones heart and soul."
"I think this film will prove culturally significant for Austin in the long run," suggested Reece. "We want to portray life here in the proper light. Did you see the Real World Austin? It sucked."
Previews of the upcoming film can be seen on YouTube.
>> Older Trail of Dead News
ToD Begin Recording "So Divided" Epilogue in Austin
02/11/2008 -- by merlin
 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Prolific freelance virtuosos ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead gathered together from across the country last week Monday in their historical home of Austin, Texas to begin recording the newest chapter in the band's wide-ranging decade-long catalog.
Despite its raw status, Trail of Dead's sixth studio album promises to mark a turning point in the band's career, being the first recording with their new-look line up, and, perhaps most importantly, the first away from their long-time benefactors, Interscope Records. Regardless of these seeming instabilities, Trail of Dead co-frontman Conrad Keely feels the band will pick up right where they left off with 2006's "So Divided". "To be perfectly honest, I don't look at this album as a follow-up so much as I do an epilogue," declared Keely. "We never really finished the last one. It didn't feel complete after we were done mastering. It felt like a mystery novel that lacked a solution. I think a lot of people, our fans, friends, critics, when they first heard it, felt the same way. We're looking forward as if the last album was just the first side of this record, and the new album, when it's finished, will be side two. Trust me, you'll understand what we were trying to do with the first one when you hear the conclusion."
Given their present label-free status, Trail of Dead find themselves in the unaccustomed situation of recording on their own terms without a pre-arranged timeframe. "Do I think it will be a problem?" asked co-frontman Jason Reece. "I don't think so. Things are a lot more flexible now than they ever were before. We don't have deadlines, we don't have a budget, everything is being done on our own time with our own money. Of course we're setting goals for ourselves, but it's not as if they're all set in stone. We're looking to the European tour at the start of May as our first goal. Should we finish [the entire record] by then, fine, if we don't, we don't have anyone pushing us off the cliff before we've packed our parachute."
"I look at it this way," continued Reece. "The White Album took, what, two weeks to record? Three months for us should be no problem."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
ToD Tour Select European Nations in May, Ignore Others
02/04/2008 -- by merlin
 LONDON, England (AP) -- High-flying favorites ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead announced a string of European tour dates early Monday morning to follow their much anticipated May 17th appearance at the All Tomorrows Parties festival in Somerset England.
The short mini-tour, which concentrates mostly on central Europe, has been welcomed with open arms by several countries, but has met with fierce vocal disapproval in other areas of the continent, many loyal fans feeling disenfranchised and ignored by the band they've helped support for years. "I think it's disgraceful," said Sven Gustafsson, a long-time Swedish fan from Malmo. "Absolutely disgraceful. How could they possibly ignore all of Scandinavia? An area, I might add, which has supported them through thick and thin, bought the over-priced major label records, and kept going to the shows even though they haven't put out anything good in years. We've gone through a lot in the hope they'd recognize our efforts and reward us with a show or two. I feel used and abandoned." Reaction, even in parts of England, was similar. "It hurts," lamented an unnamed fan from the North East. "One hit record in central Europe and all of a sudden Trail of Dead can't play anywhere the fans don't speak German. It really does feel like we won those two World Wars for nothing."
Trail of Dead booking agent Emma Banks said she fully understood the fans' reaction and urged patience in their quest for show equality. "Everyone needs to understand that booking shows is not a personal matter. The band holds no grudge against fans in certain countries. If they had their way, they'd play in every city in every country in Europe. Unfortunately there comes a point where management has to step in and draw a line in the sand. At this moment in time, there are some places that are more financially viable for the band than others. It's as simple as that."
"If these fans are so desperate for a [Trail of Dead] show, then by all means, contact my office and make us an offer we can't refuse."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
Independent Labels Battle for Unattached Trail of Dead
01/21/2008 -- by merlin
 NEW YORK, New York (AP) -- A slew of independent record labels have been fighting day in and day out for the signature of recently re-indiefied rockers ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, as they look to snap up the detached veterans to a recording contract before the competition.
The ferocious bidding war between the independent labels started almost immediately after Trail of Dead walked away from their contract with major label Interscope Records. Trail of Dead manager Asif Ahmed recently told reporters he received no less than six inquiries from interested labels within the first half hour of the initial press release announcing the breakup. "They started calling right away," revealed Ahmed. "Everyone [in the band] was initially caught a little off guard. We certainly weren't expecting such an immediate response." Ahmed also revealed several official offers had been tabled for the band to consider. "We have had more than a few offers from indies, but nothing is final yet. The guys want to make sure they take the time to carefully read and consider everything before making a decision. At this point, there's no need to rush it. A lucrative contract may seem enticing at first glance, but when you read the fine print it could turn out to be just as bad as the one we had."
Freelance music journalist Stewart Black feels the bidding war can only help Trail of Dead's chances for success. "I've seen it before, time and time again. Bidding wars can help bands get the most out of their contracts," said Black. "Concessions labels were unwilling to make before will once again be in play if there's competition and they're pushing to move themselves to the front of the queue." Regardless of the money involved, Black thinks some labels are in a better position than others. "I don't think they'll sign for another major. Interscope ruined the chances of that. Matador, Merge, Sub Pop, my sources say they've all made offers for the band. Who knows which will come out on top. Merge Records is obviously a front runner because of the mutual bit of history they have together. Of course Trail of Dead could shock us all with the next album and pull a Radiohead."
"In the end, whatever they decide, I can't see how they'd be any worse off than they were before. The only way to go is up."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
ToD Issue Official Statement to Confirm Band Name
01/14/2008 -- by merlin
 LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Usage savvy art rockers ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead moved to quash speculation of a possible name change early Monday morning by issuing a statement to confirm the true origin, nature, and identity of their verbose band moniker.
"First of all, we would like to set the record straight," read the statement issued through Trail of Dead's lawyers, Goldring, Hertz and Lichtenstein. "Neither the ellipsis nor the 'And You Will Know Us by the' has been removed or edited out of the official band name. Around the time the last album was released, rumors began to circulate suggesting the band had dropped these two accompaniments and were going to continue forward as just 'Trail of Dead'. These unfounded rumors also alluded to the possibility Interscope Records may have forced the decision upon the unwilling band in order to assist with promotion and marketing. This gossip, in its various forms, has continued as an assumed truth. We categorically deny any such changes were ever made, nor were they ever considered. Kevin, Conrad, and Jason each feel a deep emotional attachment to the ellipsis and the first seven words of their performance alias and would never even consider such a thoughtless consolidation."
Trail of Dead frontman Conrad Keely delved into greater historical depth in a conference call to reporters shortly after the statement was released. "Obviously the full name is very important to us and it has been for a long time," said Keely. "When Jason [Reece] and I first started playing together in '94, we didn't have a name. Before one of those first shows, right outside the venue actually, there was a hideous car wreck and three people who were coming to see us play got killed. It was there and then, staring at the carnage we had helped create, we decided to name the band as we did. We wanted to have a permanent reminder of the death and destruction, however unintentional, our music had caused. Each dot in the ellipses has meaning. Each word is important. It's a brand we branded ourselves with. Like a big, bold line of scarlet letters across the chest."
"So you see it's a memorial to those people we lost. We couldn't change it. Anyone who tells you otherwise is stepping on graves."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
Hostilities Ignite Between Opposing Jason Reece Factions
01/07/2008 -- by merlin
 HILO, Hawaii (AP) -- The internet was alight with electronic antagonism early Friday morning when angry members of the Anti-Jason Reece Club exchanged heated words and simulated jabs with a group of Jason Reece supporters on several active internet forums and message boards.
Jason Reece Love, as the pro-Reece group refers to itself, operates out of bases in several US states with the specific aim to supplant the Anti-Reece Club at the forefront of the multifaceted Jason Reece internet revolution and return the spotlight to Reece's wide-ranging list of personal accomplishments. "Jason enjoys broad support across the board here in Hawai'i," said Frederich Kep'okalani, High Chief of the Jason Reece Love Hawaiian chapter. "He's a native son and we're proud of what he has accomplished. These people, these haters, they have no idea what Jason brings to the table day in and day out. His energy, his positive fervor, his uncanny ability to light a fire deep inside the darkest realms of your soul, these are things to be admired and appreciated, not scorned and spit upon. Jason is exactly the type of person we need in today's primarily arid society of hopelessness. A transcendent ray of light in an otherwise endless sea of emotional black holes and murky dispositions."
Love member Joseph Emerson of Bedford, Massachusetts, who was himself involved in the recent internet action taken against the Anti-Jason Reece Club, says Kep'okalani hit the proverbial nail right on the head. "Eccentric allegory aside, Freddie knows what he's talking about," asserted Emerson. "We need more people like Jason around. These Anti-Reece fools wish they could be half the man he is. I doubt they've ever sat down and listened to his songs or taken time to read his lyrics. Truth be told, 'Heart in the Hand of the Matter' saved my life. Only a true poet could pen something like that, to write a song that really saves people. I mean, how could it not speak to you? I wish they would open their eyes and see it."
Emerson feels his pro-Reece argument comes down to a simple question of fellowship. "Why hate when you can love?"
>> Older Trail of Dead News
Reece Takes Existential High Road in '07 Year-End Review
12/31/2007 -- by merlin
 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Charismatic songwriter/utility instrumentalist Jason Reece of Texas art advocates ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead has once again spoken out, this time giving an insight into his thoughts of the past year and his goals for the year to come.
"I can't ever remember a year like this," crowed a buoyant Reece from behind the counter at Austin's Beauty Bar, of which he is a much adored part-owner. Speaking to the small crowd of gathered reporters and morning bar patrons, Reece tried his best to explain his turbulent 2007. "This one was even crazier than last. It all started well enough. There were high hopes for [So] Divided in the US at the beginning, but they never panned out. We had to concentrate on Europe and we were over there like three different times or something for months and months at a time. All the while our tour budget was shrinking because Interscope hated giving us money. I'm actually surprised they didn't make us walk from country to country between gigs and FedEx our equipment to the next venue. I guess that was the last straw, so we left [the label]. Of course immediately afterwards we got stuck opening for a fake band with fake fans only interested in cartoon metal. I can safely say the Adult Swim tour was the second worst tour experience we've ever had, just behind opening for Audioslave."
"With all that's happened over this year and last, I haven't really had time to stop and take a look around," lamented Reece. "Lawsuits, tours, the whole Interscope ordeal, it's all been so draining. As a collective entity it's taken a lot out of the group and everyone is looking forward to a fresh start in 2008." As with any New Year's rebirth, Reece certainly has his resolution. "I've been reading a lot since the tour ended [in November]. Going over, reviewing some of the works of my favorite writers, Nietzsche, Baudelaire, Willie Nelson, they've each helped me come up with one resolution for the new year I think myself and the band can more than live up to."
"Less empty living, more rock 'n' roll."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
Iovine Takes Blame for Trail of Dead Mistakes, Regrets
12/19/2007 -- by merlin
 NEW YORK, New York (AP) -- Interscope Records supremo Jimmy Iovine has taken the unprecedented step of apologizing to music fans, critics, and the industry as a whole for the recent acrimonious break-up between his label and the band he signed himself, indie favorites ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead.
Iovine took time out of his normally unengaging schedule to personally deliver a statement of apology which he hopes will begin to bury the many hard feelings felt by the band's fanbase, born out of nearly seven full years of indifference, thoughtlessness, and neglect. "First and foremost I would like to apologize to the band, Trail of Dead, who went above and beyond any and every initial expectation I had for them," read Iovine. "They were one of the few bands I negotiated with myself. I signed them to a long-term contract because I always knew what they had to offer on record and on tour. Back then [in 2001] they were the future of rock 'n' roll and I still believe they can be, even if it is with a minor-league label. I'll admit we made a few small mistakes with their handling, release dates, tour planning, press, marketing, and radio promotion, but I always thought they'd break through with us eventually."
"When I received the call from their management telling me they had decided to leave I was gutted," continued a remorseful Iovine. "One hundred and ten percent. I didn't leave my Manhattan townhouse for almost a day. It affected me that much. I'm not at all an unfeeling person as some make me out to be. Of course there are many things I regret about the past few years, not least of which is how we treated their fans. They gave the band their complete and utter support and we didn't even come close to doing the same. For this, and a few other things, I am forever sorry. I wish Trail of Dead all the best in their newest endeavors and should they ever wish to come back to Interscope, I'll be more than happy to possibly consider it."
Iovine didn't answer questions following his statement, refusing to say whether he would issue an apology to Trent Reznor, Josh Homme, 50 Cent, or other present and former unsettled Interscope artists.
>> Older Trail of Dead News
Acclaimed Filmmaker Plots Anti-Reece Club Documentary
12/14/2007 -- by merlin
 NEW YORK, New York (AP) -- Renowned director Ondi Timoner looks set to delve into a dark, disconcerting world with her new film chronicling the Anti-Jason Reece Club, a sensational internet movement devoted to ridding the world of high-profile musician and proprietor Jason Reece.
Timoner, perhaps best known for her 2004 award-winning documentary DiG! contrasting the volatile careers of the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre, revealed her plans for the assuredly controversial film during a recent promotional interview. "I first heard about the Anti-Reece Club early last year when a friend brought it to my attention," recalled Timoner. "I was immediately fascinated by the sheer scope of their hatred for him. How could such a relatively unknown band create such a fanatical fervor of malcontent and hatred? They hate his music, they hate his art, they hate the fact he even exists and they feel it's their inherent duty to make sure the world knows he's no good, almost to the point of complete and utter self-sacrifice. How could we arrive in this position? What could possibly make the [club's] members feel this way? It's something completely unheard of in the world of music and it needs to be investigated in depth. That's exactly what I plan on doing with this film."
Founded in late 2005, the Anti-Jason Reece Club boasts an estimated worldwide membership of over 10,000 with a further 300 "ultras" who attend Trail of Dead shows for the sole purpose of tormenting Reece. "I think this [club] may have, in fact, been the sole reason behind Interscope's unwillingness to promote the band," hypothesized Timoner, referring to Trail of Dead's tumultuous relationship with their former record label. "There's no doubt they were put-off by the mere existence of the club and I'm sure they feared greater exposure of the band would only further swell the club's rank and file membership as well as their ambitions."
"I fully feel something like this deserves the spotlight, regardless of the potential repercussions."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
ToD Guitarist Arrested, Released in Western New York
12/12/2007 -- by merlin
 BUFFALO, New York (AP) -- Lead guitarist Kevin Allen of prominent indie-rock folk heroes ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead was arrested late Friday evening after a verbal dispute with several border patrol agents at a busy border crossing on the outskirts of Buffalo.
According to sources familiar with the case, Allen was returning home from visiting friends in the Toronto area when he was stopped for a routine identification check at a Buffalo border crossing. Witnesses confirmed it was Allen who initiated the dispute after border patrol agents refused to let him through the checkpoint. Allen exited his car and proceeded to continue the argument, several times placing his hand on his car to recover his balance, before pleading his case to two lanes of oncoming traffic, unintentionally rendering the crossing closed for several minutes. It was then that border patrol agents took the groggy Allen into custody. Police say he was released the following morning on his own recognizance after agents decided he no longer posed any danger.
Buffalo border patrol spokesman Roger Peterson called the incident "unremarkable", conceding alcohol-fueled misunderstandings like these are somewhat commonplace along the border. "Things like this happen all the time," Peterson admitted. "It's almost routine at times. We simply don't have the resources to prosecute everyone who comes across the border. Because if we were following the letter of the law, that's who we'd be prosecuting. Everyone who crossed the border. Illegals without documentation, drug-smugglers, terrorists, or drunks. Who would you go after? Over the years we've learned to be open-minded dealing with those who may have been at the bottle a bit too much before getting behind the wheel. Letting them sleep it off in a holding cell is far more cost-effective."
"After all, this isn't the big city. Up here you can either drink, sleep, or play hockey. We won't let you do two of the three at once."
>> Older Trail of Dead News
ToD Receive Offer to Open for My Bloody Valentine
11/21/2007 -- by merlin
 LONDON, England (AP) -- According to several sources close to shoegazing pioneer Kevin Shields, Texas-based glamour rockers ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead will be given the first opportunity to open for My Bloody Valentine on their upcoming reunion tour.
Shields, a keen admirer of the ever-evolving Austin quintet, is thought to have met and discussed the possibility of combining forces during Trail of Dead's tour stop in London this past August. The My Bloody Valentine frontman has never been one to shy away from vocally declaring his love for the band, referring to them in a 2005 interview as "the cutting edge of alternative rock's artistic blade." Shields said he was comprehensively blown away by their onstage presence and lamented the fact he hadn't found them sooner. "I hadn't heard of Trail of Dead until I saw them play with Mogwai a few years back. Everything about that show knocked me off my feet. I had already worked with Mogwai several times and from that moment on I knew I had to find a way to involve myself with these guys, whether as a performer, producer, engineer, or simply as a regular fan."
Trail of Dead bit part frontman Jason Reece expressed his delight upon receiving the news of the My Bloody Valentine reunion at a recent show in Madison, Wisconsin, but seemed unaware of any plans to open for the seminal alternative band. "Well it's certainly news to me," laughed Reece. "You'd have to talk to Conrad [Keely] about that one. We've met up with Kevin [Shields] a few times at festivals and he's been to a couple of our shows. Kevin is a great guy and a musical genius. I'm thrilled to hear he's getting My Bloody Valentine back together. I only wish we had [all] been born a few years sooner so we could have had the opportunity to play a few shows with them the first time around. This time, you never know."
When pressed for comment, a spokesman for My Bloody Valentine would neither confirm nor deny these newest reports.
>> Older Trail of Dead News
BT Reveal Results of DMA Ballot Stuffing Criminal Inquiry
11/14/2007 -- by merlin
 LONDON, England (BBC) -- Digital Music Awards sponsors BT have revealed the long-awaited results of an expensive month-long inquiry into alleged ballot-stuffing during this year's People's Choice Award open voting, announcing that no formal criminal charges will be filed.
Rumors circulated immediately after voting ended in early October that serial overachievers ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead were under investigation by event organizers when their names were conspicuously absent from the People's Choice Award final results. While failing to go so far as to confirm the identity of the guilty party or parties, BT spokesman Ali Fleischman indicated highly-localized voting fraud had ravaged their last two contests. "We experienced similar problems during last year's competition with individuals acting discernibly on behalf of these same entrants," Fleishman said. "The entrants denied all involvement and knowledge of the scheme, but it is clear to us now they were fully aware of the illegal activities perpetrated in their name. Fortunately we were able to catch them before all votes were tallied. As of now we will not be seeking any criminal injunctions. We hope those involved will take this as a stern, decisive warning and not a slap on the wrist."
Several months ago, Trail of Dead multi-instrumentalist Jason Reece spoke of the DMA voting competition, encouraging his fans to come up with a similar result to last year where they successfully overachieved to a fantastic 13th place. "Our fans are a bunch of highly motivated individuals and they gave us a result which we feel was fully deserved," Reece said at the time. "This year we're hoping for more of the same." His cryptic off-hand remarks came attached with a curious disclaimer, perhaps foreshadowing this week's revelations. "Regardless of what has been said, we have never been involved in any ballot stuffing, espionage, or wiretapping."
Calls to Trail of Dead management seeking comment and clarification remained unreturned as of press time.
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ToD Crestfallen by Media Claims of Radiohead Innovation
11/07/2007 -- by merlin
 LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Rightful digital rock vanguards ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead have expressed their disappointment at the media's coverage of Radiohead's recent pioneering digital album release, insisting they broke the proverbial cyber mold with last year's internet-only pre-release "So Divided".
Radiohead sent allegorical shockwaves through already waning major label coffers last month when they announced their newest album "In Rainbows" would be released exclusively as a digital download, allowing fans worldwide to set their own price for the highly-anticipated album. The move by Radiohead came eleven months after Trail of Dead, to much less fanfare and acclaim, prematurely leaked their own album directly to their fans, several months before its scheduled release date. Trail of Dead frontman and file sharing proponent Conrad Keely lamented the obvious flaws involved with the media's overzealous reporting last month. "I really don't get it," Keely said. "We did almost exactly the same thing, except we didn't make a penny. Had [the media] done any research whatsoever, they would have found we put our last album out there to our fans while we were still under contract. I love Radiohead, but they really have the media by the balls. Everything they do is apple-polished over and over again."
"I'm not bitter or angry," Keely continued. "A little disappointed, maybe. The whole purpose of signing [with Interscope] was to gain more exposure and visibility. Apparently sticking it to the major labels first by leaking something we didn't fully own wasn't enough to warrant any response from the media. I mean, I would have liked to receive some of the credit since it's blatantly obvious Radiohead got the idea from us. The whole situation is getting worse now that they've started asking me in interviews what I think about this 'bold statement to the music industry'. Of course I think it's a great idea. I thought it was way back when we did it first last year."
"Now, since we have no label, if we release our next album the same way we did last time, everyone will think we copied Radiohead."
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ToD Follow Trent Reznor's Advice, Drop Interscope
10/31/2007 -- by merlin
 NEW YORK, New York (AP) -- Following in the footsteps of former undervalued label-mates Nine Inch Nails, oft-overlooked rockers ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead have left their label of six years, Interscope Records.
The bold move for freedom, which had long since been foreshadowed and pushed for by die-hard fans jaded by Interscope's lack of effort, sophistication, and seeming characteristic inability to properly promote and handle a rock band, will give the band the freedom they desire and the ability to find a label more suited to their needs. Trail of Dead frontman Conrad Keely tried to explain the 'drop' as best he could in a statement posted to the band's official website. "Ever since label head Jimmy Iovine started dating the lead singer guy of the Pussycat Dolls it became impossible to get him on the phone, so that was a first bad sign. Then their idea of marketing became keeping it a secret that we'd released a record." Keely continued by lamenting the major label business as a whole. "The industry is in a strange place these days, and the only way they can make money is to sell urban pop music. Which is what I thought we were writing, but apparently I was wrong."
Keely said he was encouraged by former label-mate Trent Reznor, who announced earlier this month his multi-platinum band Nine Inch Nails would not be returning to Interscope after several years and two albums of despondency, to cut and run with dignity. "Trent called me up a few weeks ago after he heard we had become disillusioned with life [on Interscope]. He reassured me there was life left in the industry, just none left where we were. To be honest the thought of leaving had crossed my mind several hundred times in recent years, but I think the Nine Inch Nails decision and Trent's phone call really sealed the deal for me."
"Hopefully the other bands [on the label] will follow our lead. I mean, Interscope has already killed TV on the Radio and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There aren't many bands on the roster left to ruin."
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ToD Renew Relationship with Adult Swim, Metal Bands
10/22/2007 -- by merlin
 NEW YORK, New York (AP) -- Cataclysmic band-name pioneers ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead will embark on a massive 25-date tour of North America with animated virtual death metallurgists Dethklok in support of Adult Swim and the rising virtual metal genre.
The darkly-billed "free" tour crisscrosses the United States, visiting over a dozen college campuses in less than a month. "It's something we've wanted to do for a while," said backup frontman/drummer Jason Reece. "We've been so bogged down by our label with conventional album promotion, this is the first real opportunity we've had to think outside the box." Reece, himself a part-time proprietor of sludge metal, knew his band had to jump at the opportunity when it was offered. "We received the offer [for the tour] when we were in Europe, so it was a bit touch-and-go for a while. Despite the short notice and almost quixotic disorganization of the Adult Swim people, we knew we had to do it. No one was expecting us to do anything like this and we're all about abnormality and blowing peoples' minds."
Despite critical leeriness, primary Trail of Dead frontman Conrad Keely insists the tour will be an unconditional success, citing past tours with similar metal bands as successful endeavors. "We toured with the Sword in 2005 and no one complained too much. I don't want to take credit for the conceptual idea, but it did propel the Sword forward quite dramatically." Keely continued, hoping this time roles might be reversed. "Usually bands become huge after they've opened for us; Interpol, Snow Patrol, Explosions in the Sky, Secret Machines, take your pick. I think this is the first time we've had a much bigger band opening. I'm not sure how these things work, but isn't the law of averages supposed to catch up sometime?"
Trail of Dead's second doom metal tour continues throughout the fall, ending with a special performance at New York's famous Bowery Ballroom. A full listing of dates is available here.
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