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."

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