View source for ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

{{short description|American post-hardcore band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name             = ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
| image            = And-you-will-know-us-by-the-trail-of-the-dead-in-vancouver-march-2009-joe-rayment.jpg
| caption          = ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead performing in [[Vancouver]] in March 2009
| landscape        = yes
| origin           = [[Austin, Texas]], U.S.
| genre            = {{Flatlist|
*[[Alternative rock]]
*[[post-hardcore]]
*[[progressive rock]]
*[[art rock]]}}
| years_active     = 1994–2023 {{small|(on hiatus)}}
| label            = {{hlist|[[Trance Syndicate]]|[[Merge Records|Merge]]|[[Domino Recording Company|Domino]]|[[Interscope Records|Interscope]]|Richter Scale|[[Superball Music]]|Justice Records|[[Dine Alone Records|Dine Alone]]|[[Inside Out Music|Inside Out]]}}
| associated_acts  = Mukilteo Fairies, [[A Roman Scandal (band)|A Roman Scandal]], [[Forget Cassettes]], [[Bad Religion]], [[TheStart]], Midnight Masses
| website          = {{URL|https://www.trailofdeadband.com/}}
| past_members     = {{ubl|[[Conrad Keely]]|[[Jason Reece]]|Alec Padron|Ben Redman|AJ Vincent|John Dowey|[[Neil Busch]]|[[Kevin Allen (guitarist)|Kevin Allen]]|David Longoria|Clay Morris|Deanne Rowley|Doni Schroader|Danny Wood|Jay Leo Phillips|Aaron Ford|Paul Westmoreland|Brandon Wilson|Autry Fulbright II|[[Jamie Miller (drummer)|Jamie Miller]]}}
| background       = group_or_band
}}

'''...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead''' (often abbreviated as '''Trail of Dead'''), are an American [[alternative rock]] band from [[Austin, Texas]], formed in 1994.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, In Concert |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/05/13/136270010/live-today-and-you-will-know-us-by-the-trail-of-dead-in-concert |work=NPR WXPN |location=Philadelphia, PA |date=2011-05-13 |access-date=2019-06-18 }}</ref> The band's earliest stable lineup consisted of [[Conrad Keely]], [[Jason Reece]], [[Kevin Allen (guitarist)|Kevin Allen]] and [[Neil Busch]], though for most of the band's history Keely and Reece were the core members with other musicians serving for varying lengths of time. Trail of Dead had a cult following and were known for their energetic and protracted live performances. Between 1998 and 2023, the band released eleven studio albums and five EPs along with one live album and twenty-two singles. The artwork for all of the albums was created by Keely (who is also a painter) using various media. This artwork has recurring mythical and historical themes.

Their latest studio album, ''XI: Bleed Here Now'', was released on July 15, 2022. In February 2023, the band posted on Instagram an image reading "Trail closed" which created rumours that the band had broken up. Although the band still exists, Conrad Keely later clarified they had no immediate plans to either tour nor make any more music in the traditional sense, citing a disastrous final tour, exhaustion, and the inhospitable state of the music industry towards smaller bands as the main drivers behind their decision.<ref>{{cite web|author=Conrad Keely |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/73901821|title=Tour diary excerpts: Most tours are difficult, this one was chaos – Patreon |publisher=patreon.com |date= October 28, 2022|accessdate=2023-04-05}}</ref>

==History==
===Formation===
Keely and Reece have been friends since their youth, and originally in [[Hawaii]]. They each formed their first bands in [[Olympia, Washington]], where Keely studied at [[The Evergreen State College]]. Keely, a songwriter and bassist named James Olsen and a guitarist (Paul Westmoreland) started a band in the early 1990s. The band was called varied things before settling on "Benedict Gehlen" (named after a monk laid to rest in the St. Martin's Abby in Olympia). That went on in various names and forms until 1993. Soon after, Keely became involved in a group called Nancyville, while Reece went on to play drums with Honeybucket and then [[queercore]] band Mukilteo Fairies (the name is a play on words, referencing the ferry boat that travels between Mukilteo and Clinton, Washington). Eventually, Keely and Reece moved to [[Austin, Texas]]. The two started playing as a duo under the moniker "You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead." The band expanded eventually to include guitarist [[Kevin Allen (guitarist)|Kevin Allen]] and bassist Neil Busch. They then officially lengthened their name to ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. Keely's girlfriend from Olympia, Deanne Rowley (later Deanne McAdams), briefly played with them<ref>[http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theolympian/obituary.aspx?n=deanne-rowley-mcadams&pid=153018206 Deanne Rowley McAdams] (obituary), ''The Olympian'', August 9, 2011. Retrieved online 2011-08-15.</ref> as a live back-up guitarist.

According to the band's website, their name is taken from an ancient [[Maya civilization|Mayan]] ritual chant which showed a similarity to an [[ancient Egypt]]ian chant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trailofdead.com/why/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050930200939/http://trailofdead.com/why/ |archive-date=September 30, 2005 |title=And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead // Why is the Trail of Dead? |url-status=usurped |access-date=September 22, 2010}}</ref> They have also stated that this is a joke.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.openingbands.com/printerfriendly.race?ID=629 |title=Trail of Dead - Interview with Conrad Keely |work=openingbands.com |access-date=February 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418001114/http://www.openingbands.com/printerfriendly.race?ID=629 |archive-date=April 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref>

===Rise and success (1995–2006)===
[[File:...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead (live) at Quart Festival 2005, Norway. End of performance, thrashing equipment.jpg|thumb|left|Reece trashing equipment in 2005]]
In 1995, Trail of Dead issued their first release, a song titled "Novena Without Faith" on a cassette-only compilation titled ''Austin Live Houses'', followed by another self-titled four-song cassette on Golden Hour.<ref>{{cite web|author=Golden Hour Records |url=http://www.goldenhourrecords.com/past-releases/ |title=Past Releases-Ye Olde Defunct Catalogue – Golden Hour Records |publisher=Goldenhourrecords.com |date= May 20, 1998|accessdate=2022-05-28}}</ref> In January 1998, they released a [[...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead (album)|self-titled]] full-length on [[Trance Syndicate]].

Trail of Dead soon joined [[Merge Records]] after the Trance Syndicate label folded. The band released [[Madonna (...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead album)|''Madonna'']] on Merge in late 1999 and toured the U.S., opening for labelmates [[Superchunk]] to promote it. They signed to [[Interscope Records]] and released the ''[[Relative Ways]]'' EP in 2001.

In early 2002, Trail of Dead released ''[[Source Tags & Codes]]'', which received wide acclaim, including a 10/10 rating from [[Pitchfork Media]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead/sourcetagsandcodes?q=trail%20of%20dead |title=And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead: Source Tags & Codes (2002): Reviews |work=Metacritic.com |date=February 26, 2002 |access-date=February 23, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090215015529/http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead/sourcetagsandcodes?q=trail%20of%20dead| archive-date= February 15, 2009<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> later saying it is "one of indie rock's truly epic albums".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/14945/And_You_Will_Know_Us_By_the_Trail_of_Dead_Worlds_Apart |title=Worlds Apart {{pipe}} Pitchfork |work=Pitchforkmedia.com |access-date=February 23, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070520144951/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/14945/And_You_Will_Know_Us_By_the_Trail_of_Dead_Worlds_Apart| archive-date= May 20, 2007<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> Their following tour was chronicled by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', with Andrew Dansby commenting on their group dynamic as a "[[post-punk]] [[Voltron]], that just might be the most exciting unit working today."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead/articles/story/5933696/trail_of_dead_bring_codes_to_ny |title=Trail of Dead Bring "Codes" to NY: ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 13, 2002 |access-date=March 4, 2009|url-status=dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090306161306/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead/articles/story/5933696/trail_of_dead_bring_codes_to_ny| archive-date= March 6, 2009<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref>

A follow-up EP to ''Source Tags & Codes'' was released in April 2003, titled ''[[The Secret of Elena's Tomb]]''. The EP contained the electronic track "Intelligence" which featured and was co-written by Tyler Jacobson from [[A Roman Scandal (band)|A Roman Scandal]], Reece's other band.

In July 2004, it was announced that Neil Busch had been removed from the band and [[Danny Wood (bass player)|Danny Wood]] would be taking his place on bass. Second drummer/percussionist Doni Schroader also joined the band around this time. Trail of Dead released ''[[Worlds Apart (...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead album)|Worlds Apart]]'' on January 25, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|last=Montgomery |first=James |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1492736/20041019/trail_of_dead.jhtml |title=Trail of Dead Album Postponed Until January - News Story {{pipe}} Music, Celebrity, Artist News {{pipe}} MTV News |work=Mtv.com |date=October 19, 2004 |access-date=February 23, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090215010931/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1492736/20041019/trail_of_dead.jhtml| archive-date= February 15, 2009<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> Music videos were filmed for singles "And the Rest Will Follow" and "Caterwaul". The band also added live keyboardist [[David Longoria (musician)|David Longoria]] to their touring lineup. Now a six-piece, the band toured heavily on the album, with its trademark explosive live performances and a two-drummer attack. Opening for part of this tour was Longoria's band [[The Black (American band)|The Black]], which featured Longoria on vocals and guitarist Alan Schaefer, with the rest of TOD filling out the group. The band's fifth album, ''[[So Divided]]'', was released on November 14, 2006. Clay Morris replaced Longoria as live keyboardist, and eventually became a full-time member.

On April 26, 2005, their song "Will You Smile Again For Me" was featured at the conclusion of The Shield's 7th episode of their 4th season, "Hurt".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tunefind.com/show/the-shield/season-4/18265 | title=Music from the Shield S4E07 }}</ref>

===Post-Interscope era (2007–2023)===
In late summer of 2007, Trail of Dead once again toured Europe, this time with drummer Aaron Ford replacing Doni Schroader.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44565-trail-of-dead-announce-replacement-drummer |title=Pitchfork: Trail of Dead Announce Replacement Drummer |work=Pitchforkmedia.com |access-date=February 23, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090215011446/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44565-trail-of-dead-announce-replacement-drummer| archive-date= February 15, 2009<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> Danny Wood was absent from these performances, having quietly left the band. He would eventually be replaced by Jay Leo Phillips. The band provided the soundtrack to the 2007 film ''[[Hell on Wheels (2007 film)|Hell on Wheels]]'', a documentary about the formation of [[Roller Derby]] in [[Austin, Texas]]. After their overseas tour ended on March 15, 2007, Trail of Dead returned to the studio to begin recording their sixth record.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trailofdead.org/news/070305.php |title=the official unofficial trail of dead fansite {{pipe}} trail of dead to forgo releasing "so divided" singles, b-sides |work=Trailofdead.org |access-date=February 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724015006/http://www.trailofdead.org/news/070305.php |archive-date=July 24, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In October, they supported the virtual band [[Dethklok]] on an [[Adult Swim]] college tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/|title=Adweek}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livedaily.com/news/12996.html |title=Trail of Dead, Dethklok launch second Adult Swim tour >> Tour dates and concert ticket info >> |work=LiveDaily |date=October 18, 2007 |access-date=March 4, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090306190228/http://www.livedaily.com/news/12996.html| archive-date= March 6, 2009<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> In that same month, the band became independent after leaving [[Interscope Records]] due to a lack of support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid2=844&fid1=28562&csid1=0 |title=Exclaim News: Trail of Dead Leave Interscope, Post Scathing Message |work=Exclaim.ca |date=October 31, 2007 |access-date=March 4, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090307020114/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid2=844&fid1=28562&csid1=0| archive-date= March 7, 2009<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/46546-trail-of-dead-leave-interscope-reveal-tour-dates |title=Trail of Dead Leave Interscope, Reveal Tour Dates {{pipe}} Pitchfork |work=Pitchforkmedia.com |access-date=March 4, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090210104719/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/46546-trail-of-dead-leave-interscope-reveal-tour-dates| archive-date= February 10, 2009<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref>

In early 2008, Trail of Dead went back into the studio without a record contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trailofdead.org/news/080211.php |title=the official unofficial trail of dead fansite {{pipe}} trail of dead begin recording "so divided" epilogue in austin |work=Trailofdead.org |access-date=February 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720072102/http://www.trailofdead.org/news/080211.php |archive-date=July 20, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Using their own capital, they filmed their recording experiences and released them on [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trailofdead.org/news/080225.php |title=the official unofficial trail of dead fansite {{pipe}} trail of dead to personally document recording process for film |work=Trailofdead.org |date=February 25, 2008 |access-date=February 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724015438/http://www.trailofdead.org/news/080225.php |archive-date=July 24, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/trailofdeadorg |title=trailofdeadorg's Channel |work=YouTube |access-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref> On October 21, they released an EP, resembling an "album teaser", titled ''[[Festival Thyme]]'' on Richter Scale Records. On February 17, 2009, a 13-track album, ''[[The Century of Self]]'' was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266132/trail-of-dead-readies-new-century |title=Trail of Dead Readies New 'Century' |work=Billboard.com |date=December 9, 2008 |access-date=February 23, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090224073620/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266132/trail-of-dead-readies-new-century| archive-date= February 24, 2009<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/145406-trail-of-dead-offer-new-ep-as-album-teaser |title=Trail of Dead Offer New EP as Album Teaser {{pipe}} Pitchfork |work=Pitchforkmedia.com |date=September 10, 2008 |access-date=February 23, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090130041505/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/145406-trail-of-dead-offer-new-ep-as-album-teaser| archive-date= January 30, 2009<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trailofdead.org/news/080512.php |title=the official unofficial trail of dead fansite {{pipe}} new, independent trail of dead album due in september |work=Trailofdead.org |access-date=February 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724015614/http://www.trailofdead.org/news/080512.php |archive-date=July 24, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In September 2010, Keely posted news of an upcoming album 2011 release, produced by [[Chris "Frenchie" Smith]], with an accompanying comic book.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://trailofdead.com/conradkeely/news.htm |title=The Artwork of Conrad Keely : News |publisher=Trailofdead.com |date=September 15, 2010 |access-date=September 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131165842/http://trailofdead.com/conradkeely/news.htm |archive-date=January 31, 2011 |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Midnight |first=Kid |url=http://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/trail-dead-sign-superball-music-and-begin-work-new-album |title=Trail of Dead sign with Superball Music and begin work on new album |publisher=Tiny Mix Tapes |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> Smith is also set to re-mix their debut eponymous album. On November 10, 2010, the band announced that their seventh album, ''[[Tao of the Dead]]'', would be released in North America on February 8, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/40668-trail-of-dead-announce-new-record |title=Trail of Dead Announce New Record |publisher=Pitchfork |date=November 10, 2010 |access-date=November 19, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101113164649/http://pitchfork.com/news/40668-trail-of-dead-announce-new-record| archive-date= November 13, 2010<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> It was also revealed that the band had stripped down to a core four-piece, and that Jay Phillips, Clay Morris and longtime guitarist Kevin Allen had been removed from the lineup.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}} Circumstances of these departures are currently unknown. Aaron Ford recorded all of the drums for ''Tao of the Dead'', but then left the band. The band performed live on [[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]] on February 7, 2011, debuting bassist Autry Fulbright II (from Reece side project Midnight Masses) and drummer/guitarist Jamie Miller, of the band [[theSTART]]. On February 17, 2011, it was announced that Reece would [[guest host]] Toby Ryan's radio show on Austin's [[KROX-FM]] (101X).<ref>{{cite web|last=Corcoran |first=Michael |url=http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/music/entries/2011/02/17/jason_reece_among_those_fillin.html |title=Austin TX music: Music listings, bands, music news, reviews, SXSW and ACL |publisher=Austin360.com |date=February 17, 2011 |access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref>

In 2012, the band recorded material for a new album in [[Hanover]], Germany again with producer Frenchie Smith and engineer Mirko Hofmann.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/realtrailofdead/status/184494236429856769 |title=Twitter / realtrailofdead: @Modulor_Man New LP being |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=May 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=entertaim.net |url=http://entertaimnet.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/trail-of-dead-cambodia-on-my-mind/ |title=Conrad Keely about Horus Sound Studio Hanover /|date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=October 25, 2012}}</ref> On August 22, the band announced their eighth studio album, ''[[Lost Songs (...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead album)|Lost Songs]]'', and released a song entitled "Up To Infinity", which was dedicated to [[Pussy riot|Pussy Riot]].<ref name="Lost Songs Announce">[http://pitchfork.com/news/47591-trail-of-dead-announce-new-album-share-track/ Trail of Dead Announce New Album], Pitchfork August 22</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.superballmusic.com/newsdetailed.aspx?IdNews=11810&IdCompany=4 |title=Б─╕AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD: : premiere brand new track of the new album & announce album title and release date! |publisher=Superball Music |access-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref> [[Cover art]] was revealed on September 6, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2012/09/lost_songs_art.html |title=And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead ready new LP |publisher=Brooklynvegan.com |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref> On September 25, they released "Catatonic" through [[Spotify]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Ryan Reed |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/song-premiere-and-you-will-know-us-by-the-trail-of-dead-catatonic-20120925 |title=Song Premiere: . . . And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, 'Catatonic' {{pipe}} Music News |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=October 1, 2012}}</ref>

In May 2013, the band announced a forthcoming EP, ''Tao of the Dead Part III'', via Twitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/realtrailofdead/status/339747532727009280 |title=Twitter / realtrailofdead: Tao Part III has launched! |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=May 29, 2013}}</ref> Using [[PledgeMusic]], they began accepting pre-orders for special editions of the EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/trailofdead |title=And You Will Know Us By TheTrail of Dead: Tao Of The Dead Part III |publisher=PledgeMusic |access-date=May 29, 2013}}</ref> In February 2014, the band announced a limited U.S. tour focused on playing music from ''Source Tags and Codes'' and plans to record their next album, a sequel to ''Tao of the Dead'', in the spring and summer of 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/News/you_will_know_us_by_trail_of_dead_playing_source_tags_codes_on_north_american_tour_prepping_tao_of_dead_sequel |title=...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead Playing 'Source Tags & Codes' on North American Tour, Prepping 'Tao of the Dead' Sequel |publisher=Exclaim.ca |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref> In April 2014, they released the album ''Live at Rockpalast 2009''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-rockpalast-2009-mw0002644292|title=Live at Rockpalast 2009 - ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead|website=AllMusic|access-date=2016-11-11}}</ref> In August 2014, the band announced their ninth album, ''IX'', using an online [[jigsaw puzzle]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1698852/and-you-will-know-us-by-the-trail-of-dead-announce-ix-with-digital-jigsaw-puzzle/news/|title=...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead Announce IX With Digital Jigsaw Puzzle|date=2014-08-14|work=Stereogum|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref> Pitchfork suggested "the arrival at a crossroads" for the band with the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19859-and-you-will-know-us-by-the-trail-of-dead-ix/|title=...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead: IX Album Review|last=Berman|first=Stuart|date=October 21, 2014|website=pitchfork.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref> After a subsequent tour the band, Keely moved to [[Cambodia]] and released his debut solo album, ''[[Original Machines]]'', in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21433-original-machines/|title=Conrad Keely: Original Machines Album Review {{!}} Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref> In November 2017, the band announced a European tour to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of the release of their second album, ''Madonna'', performing the album in full.

On November 14, 2019, the band released "Don't Look Down", the first single from their tenth album, ''[[X: The Godless Void and Other Stories]]''. The second single, "Into the Godless Void", was released on December 6, 2019.<ref name="xgv">{{cite web |last1=Minsker |first1=Evan |title=...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead Announce New Album, Share Song: Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/and-you-will-know-us-by-the-trail-of-dead-announce-new-album-share-song-listen/ |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=November 15, 2019 |date=November 14, 2019}}</ref>

In 2022 the band's latest album, ''XI: Bleed Here Now'' was released with [[quadraphonic]] mixing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/trail-of-dead-tk/|title=How Austin Punk Band Trail of Dead Survived a "Perfect Album" and "Young Devilry"|first=Sean|last=O'Neal |date=March 16, 2022|website=Texas Monthly}}</ref> After the band posted "Trail closed" on Instagram there were suspicions it might disband. The band still exists, although Keely stated that among various other issues, due to the hostile state of the music industry towards smaller bands, they could no longer afford to tour and that he had no desire to do it again. Despite this announcement, the band will be touring Australia in December 2025.<ref>[https://www.birdsrobe.com/news/birds-robe-announce-15th-birthday-tour-in-december-2025 Bird’s Robe Announce 15th Birthday Tour In December featuring COG, sleepmakeswaves, Trail Of Dead, Caspian, Closure In Moscow and more!]</ref>

==Musical style and influences==
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead have cited numerous bands and artists as influences, including [[Kate Bush]], [[Mike Oldfield]], [[Unwound]], [[Karp (band)|Karp]], [[Sonic Youth]], [[Pink Floyd]], [[the Who]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kanazawa |first=Takahiro |date=February 25, 2019 |title=…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead Interview: Alt-rockers return to Tokyo |url=https://metropolisjapan.com/trail-of-dead-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006064708/https://metropolisjapan.com/trail-of-dead-interview/ |archive-date=October 6, 2024 |access-date=October 6, 2024 |website=Metropolis Japan}}</ref> and [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Joshua |date=January 12, 2011 |title=INTERVIEW: …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead |url=https://blaremagazine.com/2011/01/12/interview-trail-of-dead/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113191610/https://blaremagazine.com/2011/01/12/interview-trail-of-dead/ |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=Blare Magazine |quote=Our influences played a part too as there are similar albums from [[Pink Floyd]] and [[Genesis (band) | Genesis]] that use the same kind of style.}}</ref>

==Personnel==
{{col-begin}}
;Final line-up
* [[Conrad Keely]] – vocals, guitar <small>(1994–2023)</small>, piano, keyboards <small>(2010–2020)</small>; drums <small>(1994–2005, 2010–2011)</small>; bass <small>(1994–1995)</small>
* [[Jason Reece]] – drums, vocals, guitar <small>(1994–2023)</small>; bass <small>(1994–1995)</small>
* Alec Padron – bass <small>(2019–2023)</small>
* Ben Redman – guitar, drums <small>(2020–2023)</small>
* AJ Vincent – keyboards <small>(2020–2023)</small>
* John Dowey – guitar <small>(2022–2023)</small>

;Former members
*Kevin Allen – guitar <small>(1995–2010)</small>
*Neil Busch – bass, vocals <small>(1995–2005)</small>
*Danny Wood – bass <small>(2005–2007)</small>
*[[Apollo Up!|Jay Leo Phillips]] – bass <small>(2007–2010)</small>
*Autry Fulbright II – bass, vocals <small>(2010–2019)</small>
*Doni Schroader – percussion, drums <small>(2005–2007)</small>
*Aaron Ford – percussion, drums <small>(2007–2010)</small>
*[[Jamie Miller (drummer)|Jamie Miller]] – guitar, drums <small>(2011–2020)</small>
*David Longoria – keyboards <small>(2005–2006)</small>
*Clay Morris – keyboards <small>(2006–2010)</small>
{{col-end}}

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize  = width:800 height:auto barincrement:30
PlotArea   = left:110 bottom:75 top:0 right:0
Alignbars  = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1994 till:03/03/2023
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1994
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1994
Legend     = position:bottom orientation:vertical columns:4

Colors =
 id:Vocals  value:red        legend:Vocals
 id:Guitar  value:green      legend:Guitar
 id:Bass    value:blue       legend:Bass
 id:Keys    value:purple     legend:Keyboards,_piano
 id:Drums   value:orange     legend:Drums,_percussion
 id:Lines   value:black      legend:Studio_albums

BarData =
 bar:Keely        text:"Conrad Keely"
 bar:Reece        text:"Jason Reece"
 bar:Allen        text:"Kevin Allen"
 bar:Miller       text:"Jamie Miller"
 bar:Redman       text:"Ben Redman"
 bar:Dowey        text:"John Dowey"

 bar:Busch        text:"Neil Busch"
 bar:Wood         text:"Daniel Wood"
 bar:Phillips     text:"Jay Leo Phillips"
 bar:Fulbright    text:"Autry Fulbright II"
 bar:Padron       text:"Alec Padron"

 bar:Longoria     text:"David Longoria"
 bar:Morris       text:"Clay Morris"
 bar:Vincent      text:"AJ Vincent"

 bar:Schroader    text:"Doni Schroader"
 bar:Ford         text:"Aaron Ford"

LineData =
 at:01/20/1998  color:black   layer:back
 at:10/19/1999  color:black   layer:back
 at:02/26/2002  color:black   layer:back
 at:01/25/2005  color:black   layer:back
 at:11/14/2006  color:black   layer:back
 at:02/17/2009  color:black   layer:back
 at:02/04/2011  color:black   layer:back
 at:10/22/2012  color:black   layer:back
 at:11/10/2014  color:black   layer:back
 at:01/17/2020  color:black   layer:back
 at:07/15/2022  color:black   layer:back

PlotData=
 width:3 textcolor:black  align:left  anchor:from  shift:(15,-4)
 bar:Keely       from:start      till:end        color:Guitar
 bar:Reece       from:start      till:end        color:Drums
 bar:Busch       from:01/01/1995 till:06/01/2005 color:Vocals
 bar:Miller      from:06/01/2011 till:12/31/2019 color:Drums
 bar:Fulbright   from:01/01/2010 till:06/08/2019 color:Vocals
 bar:Redman      from:01/01/2020 till:end        color:Drums

 width:7  textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(15,-4)
 bar:Keely       from:start      till:06/01/2005 color:Drums
 bar:Keely       from:01/01/2010 till:01/01/2020 color:Keys
 bar:Reece       from:start      till:end        color:Guitar

 width:11  textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(15,-4)
 bar:Keely       from:start      till:01/01/1995 color:Bass
 bar:Keely       from:01/01/2010 till:06/01/2011 color:drums
 bar:Reece       from:start      till:01/01/1995 color:Bass

 width:15  textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(15,-4)
 bar:Keely       from:start      till:end        color:Vocals
 bar:Allen       from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/2010 color:Guitar
 bar:Busch       from:01/01/1995 till:06/01/2005 color:Bass
 bar:Fulbright   from:01/01/2010 till:06/08/2019 color:Bass
 bar:Padron      from:06/08/2019 till:end        color:Bass
 bar:Reece       from:start      till:end        color:Vocals
 bar:Miller      from:06/01/2011 till:12/31/2019 color:guitar
 bar:Redman      from:01/01/2020 till:end        color:Guitar
 bar:Vincent     from:01/01/2020 till:end        color:Keys
 bar:Wood        from:06/01/2005 till:08/01/2007 color:Bass
 bar:Schroader   from:06/01/2005 till:08/01/2007 color:drums
 bar:Ford        from:08/01/2007 till:01/01/2010 color:drums
 bar:Phillips    from:08/01/2007 till:01/01/2010 color:bass
 bar:Morris      from:11/14/2006 till:01/01/2010 color:Keys
 bar:Longoria    from:06/01/2005 till:11/14/2006 color:Keys
 bar:Dowey       from:01/01/2022 till:end        color:Guitar

}}

== Discography ==
{{Main|...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead discography}}

* ''[[...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead (album)|...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Madonna (...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead album)|Madonna]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Source Tags & Codes]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Worlds Apart (...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead album)|Worlds Apart]]'' (2005)
* ''[[So Divided]]'' (2006)
* ''[[The Century of Self]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Tao of the Dead]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Lost Songs (...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead album)|Lost Songs]]'' (2012)
* ''[[IX (...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead album)|IX]]'' (2014)
* ''[[X: The Godless Void and Other Stories]]'' (2020)
* ''XI: Bleed Here Now'' (2022)

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p289607}}
*[https://archive.org/details/AndYouWillKnowUsBytheTrailofDead ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead] at the [[Internet Archive]]'s [[Live Music Archive]]

{{...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead}}
[[Category:Musical groups from Austin, Texas]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1994]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2023]]
[[Category:American art rock groups]]
[[Category:American post-hardcore musical groups]]
[[Category:Trance Syndicate artists]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Inside Out Music artists]]
[[Category:Dine Alone Records artists]]
[[Category:Interscope Records artists]]
[[Category:Merge Records artists]]
[[Category:Superball Music artists]]
[[Category:Domino Recording Company artists]]