“…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead†is a post-hardcore and alternative rock band originating from Austin, Texas. The band consists of core members Conrad Keely (singer-multi-instrumentalist) and Jason Reece (drummer-multi-instrumentalist), along with longtime bassist Autry Fulbright II and former member Kevin Allen. The band’s style is marked by energetic performances and critically acclaimed recorded works, along with a dedicated tour schedule.
It all started in the summer of 1994 when an Austin based indie-rock outfit disbanded, which left Keely and Reece unemployed. With their new-found free time, the two would regularly jam in Keely’s apartment as well as hanging around local Austin shows where they often promoted their works. The year 1995 marked the evolution of two-picked into …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, after adding bassist Autry Fulbright and guitarist-keyboardist Thomas Cox, releasing their own self-titled album.
In 1997, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead—now a four-piece—signed to Merge Records, releasing albums Madonna and Lionesque (1998). Madonna received a positive response from critics, showcasing the band’s heavy guitar sound mixed with symphonic cymbals and loud passages of cheery pop and alternative sequences.
In the early 2000s, the band moved to New York. Their third studio album, Source Tags and Codes (2002), marked their last with original bassist Fulbright, after he decided to get out of the touring circuit and leave the band in pursuit of his graduate studies. The album met commercial success and garnered several critical awards, as well as a surprise Grammy nomination in 2003. Later in 2005, the critically acclaimed …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead released Worlds Apart, cementing their success and a reputation further.
The band continued to spend most of its time in the studio, taking on sporadic tours throughout the decade. In the wake of Worlds Apart’s leaked demos. …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead moved to Minneapolis and reunited with their original bassist to work on the following album, The Century of Self (2009). Although it was released to positive reviews, many fans ageed that it was different; leaving a more somber impression with longer tracks and minimal distortion.
Despite having endured lineup changes and other trials and tribulations in the years following the band's formation, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead have consistently pushed forward, continuing to tour as well as in the studio releasing new music. The band's latest album, IX, was released to unanimous praise in 2014.
Continuing to be beloved by fans and critics alike, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead remain a prominent fixture in the alternative and post-hardocre scene, while at the same time staying in tune with current trends and never ceasing to challenge and question their peers, their listeners, and most importantly, themselves. After 25 years, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead exist as a living proof of the hard-earned and committed dedication to art and expression. After it’s all said and done, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead will always be remembered for their relentless pursuit of creative excellence.