...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead | Texas Review | Ralph Arvesen
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead performing during the Love & Lightstream Backyard Concert Series at the Haute Spot Music Venue in Cedar Park, Texas on June 5, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is an indie rock band best known for their heavy yet anthemic music and their tendency to destroy their equipment at the end of their performances (a rock and roll tradition usually associated with The Who). According to the band's website, the name "...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead" is taken from both an ancient Mayan ritual chant and an Egyptian burial text which is similar to a Mayan war chant. Band members have also claimed that they made it up because it sounded cool and discovered the association after the fact.

The chief creative element of the band consists of Jason Reece and Conrad Keely. The two switch between drumming and lead vocals and guitar, both on their records and during their shows. Keely and Reece have been friends since their youth, meeting originally in Hawaii. They each formed their first band in 1993 soon after moving to Olympia, Washington. Keely started a band called Benedict Gehlen that only lasted a year.

Nancyville was Keely's next project, though it also was short lived. Reece started with Honeybucket and then formed Mukilteo Fairies while living in Olympia. Dissatisfied with the northwest, the two ventured south to Austin, Texas and started playing as a duo under the moniker, "You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead". The band expanded to include guitarist Kevin Allen and bassist Neil Busch. They then officially changed their name to "...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead" (adding the conjunction and then the ellipsis for effect). The band is also known by the shorter name "Trail of Dead".
"Top show a mix of old and stuff from the new album, absolutely fantastic."

"Fantastic show by truly talented musicians! You guys rule!"

"Great energy! Can’t believe it took me this long to see them."

"One of the best shows in my life great atmosphere great acoustic great crowd."

"Wow, what a show. So much energy and I feel everyone got to hear "their" song. They played a great set."
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead was the main act at the Haute Spot Music Venue with guests Greenbeard.

Love & Lightstream
Love & Lightstream is an experienced concert promoter and events production team in Austin, Texas. They produce their own events and also function as the primary promoter and live music booker for Haute Spot venue in Cedar Park, Texas. The company was born during the pandemic and focuses on the safe and sustainable return of live music.

Haute Spot
Haute Spot is a premier live music venue located in the heart of Central Texas, offering a full-service restaurant and event space for concerts, wedding, conferences, meetings, and more. The venue recently renovated the interior and exterior space. Chief Events Officer Tom Spano described the changes as "The project adds a full kitchen for catering partners, a bridal suite, and a shade structure for daytime guests. It feels like you’re watching a concert in your backyard, that's how we wanted to make it feel." Other new features include a larger stage, an outdoor bar, a turf lawn and an "Instagrammable secret garden" for photos.

Love & Lightstream
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...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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