Jason Reece Seen Consorting with Matador Records Owner
02/05/2007 -- by merlin

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) --  ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead favorite Jason Reece has been seen publicly in recent weeks with several high-ranking Matador Records officials, adding further fuel to the raging fireball of speculation surrounding his band's tempestuous relationship with their current label, Interscope Records.

Matador Records part-owner Gerard Cosloy has made occasional high-profile appearances at Reece's  Austin Beauty Bar since its opening less than a year ago--  the last coming on January 28th at one of Reece's personal DJ sets.  Many have seen a logical correlation between the "friendly" visits and a move to the independent label, however Reece sternly refused to defame his current employers and brushed aside any speculation as just that while speaking to KGSR Radio Austin.  "Man, all people do anymore is talk.  Gerard is a friend of mine from way back.  I asked him to come by and spin some records with me."  Reece also tried to deflect attention away from several reported run-ins with Interscope by assuring his fans that the band's future was in good, opulent hands.  "So what if our newest [record] hasn't been that successful?  It doesn't mean we're going to jump ship and sign on to a smaller, more credible label.  Everyone in the band is happy with Interscope and anyone who says otherwise doesn't see the checks that keep rolling in."

A slew of industry pundits have attacked Reece's claims of label serenity, including Texas music journalist Paul Adams who has reported on Trail of Dead's progress for over ten years.  "It doesn't add up," says Adams.  "There's no way that either side is content with the present relationship.  For me, it was a mistake for them to leave Merge [Records] when they did and it was probably an even bigger mistake for them to try and release their last three [records] on Interscope.  Had those records been properly nurtured with the right combination of promotion and love, each could have been a commercial success.  All three are incredible and it's a crying shame they have went unnoticed.  Apart from starting their own label, moving to an independent might be the best move for Trail of Dead right now."

"I mean, look at what Matador did for [a band like] Interpol.  They've turned a lowly Joy Division cover band into a moderately successful indie phenomenon.  It's absolutely remarkable."

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