In the country for a run of headline shows, Austin, Texas alt-rockers …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead will be showcasing acclaimed 2002 record Source Tags & Codes in full, alongside a set from the band’s entire back catalogue.
“We’re going to be working for you guys,” reveals co-frontman Jason Reece, “there’s going to be a fair bit going down at night!”
The decision to finally tour Source Tags & Codes in Australia so long after its release, says Reece, was inspired by the band simply wanting to please their fans. “I think it was the fact that we wanted to do something special. We know that there’s a contingent of fans that would love to hear the album in full.”
The record’s cultural clout has been etched into the band’s history ever since it received a rare, perfect ’10’ score from Pitchfork, to which Reece’s response remains characteristically grounded. “I think that guy was a little…. I think he was smoking too much crack, when he wrote that review,” he retorts. “I think they had to fire him because he was an obsessive Trail Of Dead fan.”
Regardless, touring Australia to play Source Tags & Codes is “kind of a win-win thing,” he adds. “We get to go to Australia, play for you guys and hang out.”
Despite being such fans of the lucky country, according to Reece “there was a time where we didn’t get back to Australia for about six years… And that was a little sad.”
However, that of course came down to reasons out of the group’s control. “I think we had like a promoter at one point and then we lost him. We were too much of a liability of that moment.” “[I’ve been] listening to a lot of psychedelic albums: Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, War On Drugs, and some of the old ‘psychy’ music for the 60s.” – Jason Reece
Namely for their crazed and chaotic live shows, which regularly see Reece and key Trail of Dead co-conspirator Conrad Keely concluding sets with a rampage of instrument destruction. “We were trashing too much stuff back then, maybe they were waiting for us to mature and grow up a little bit,” confers Reece.
A Trail Of Dead live performance famous for stage diving and destruction, especially in their early days, and despite toning some particular elements of their live show down, crowd interaction still remains one of the most important parts of the set.
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t help when people are into it and dance. To me that always helps us play better. We actually cater to you guys more if that happens,” says the musician.
“We definitely get more involved. Mind, body and soul.” Reece’s question to Australian fans coming out to the shows? “Are they going to jump on stage and help us out? Or are they going to sit around and stare at us?”
While it’s the band’s landmark 2002 album that’s getting the full live treatment at each Australian show, fans can still expect a varied set from Trail of Dead’s discography.
“We always try to mix it up. We have 8 albums, so it’s a little hard to give the full spectrum in a set, but we try to do as much as we can,” says Reece.
So how does the band decide on a set that covers so much material? “I think when we make a set, we always try and pick out the tracks that are going to let us have fun and enjoy the night.”
Looking to add to their growing library, a new Trail of Dead EP is currently in the works, with the band looking to “finish recording in July,” confirms Reece.
Having been inspired by “listening to a lot of psychedelic albums: Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, War On Drugs, and some of the old ‘psychy’ music for the 60s;” Reece reveals that the band are taking a somewhat fresh direction, quoting influences such as “Cambodian music… post-80s punk vibe, as well as admitting that it’s “just kind of all over the place.”
However, at present the EP is still in it’s very early stages. “We have a skeleton, we have the drums, the bass, a lot of sort of guitar ideas. We have melodies, but we don’t have the lyrics yet…. we’re just kind of all over the place.”
The new release follows Lost Songs, the latest album released last year, was a record inspired by real world events and injustices – something that the band wanted to bring awareness to. “Whenever we have issues or problems, get into fights, throw shit, break shit and scream and yell, it’s just kind of like sibling things.” – Jason Reece
“There are a lot of things in our lives that we definitely care about and like to shine a light towards,” Reece explains. “I feel like it’s always good to be aware of the world and what surrounds you.”
While uncertain if the new EP from the band will carry a similar political vein to their 2012 release, Reece reveals that it still will have substantial meaning and action. “We’re also having a charity attached to the funding of the EP. So when you fund our EP, you fund a charity at the same time.”
Trail of Dead have famously experienced multiple changes in line up over the years, however Conrad Keely and Jason Reece have always remained central figures of the band.
Having met when they were younger, and forming their first band in 1993, the strong relationship between Keely and Reece has continued to be the lifeblood of the group. “It’s just like we’re brothers. Not by blood but because we’ve just known each other since we were kids.”
“Whenever we have issues or problems, get into fights, throw shit, break shit and scream and yell, it’s just kind of like sibling things,” he fondly states.
“We started the band, so when people join… they’re sort of on the outside of that. I’m sure it’s a little hard for them. So that’s why people come and go. I can proudly say that we’ve remained friends with most of our ex band members.”
The current line up of bassist Autry Fullbright II and guitarist/drummer Jamie Miller joining Keely and Reece is one that appears to be working out the best, according to Reece. “They’re just stand up, really amazing musicians. They definitely understand what we’re trying to shoot for and they definitely know what we’re aiming for.”
Lost Songs is out now through Superball Music. And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead’s Source Tags & Codes Tour hits Sydney tonight, before rolling on to Brisbane and Perth. You can win double passes to the Brisbane and Perth dates HERE, all tour dates below.
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead 2013 Australian Tour
Thursday May 23rd
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Friday May 24th
Coniston Lane, Brisbane
Saturday May 25th
Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Tickets on sale now from www.handsometours.com
