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

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is an indie rock band best known for its heavy yet anthemic music, frequently compared to bands such as Fugazi, Sonic Youth,

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is an indie rock band best known for its heavy yet anthemic music, frequently compared to bands such as Fugazi, Sonic Youth, The Who and Unwound. They have gained notoriety for destroying their equipment during performances, a tradition once associated with The Who. According to the band's website, their name is taken from an ancient Mayan ritual chant which shows a striking similarity to an ancient Egyptian chant (see also Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact). However, this explanation is said to be merely an ongoing joke . The chief creative elements of the band are Jason Reece and Conrad Keely. The two switch between drumming and lead vocals and guitar, both on their records and during their shows. (On some songs, former bass player Neil Busch sang lead vocals).

Keely and Reece have been friends since their youth, meeting originally in Hawaii. Reece is said to have won a competition as best drummer in Hawaii while living there. 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 queercore band 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 lengthened their name to …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. Conrad's girlfriend from Olympia, Deanne Rowley (now Deanne McAdams), of Plain Jane, Pro-Ex Marauders, and currently Leopards, briefly played with them as a back-up guitarist, but never appeared on any recordings. Sometimes the band is known by the shorter names, …Trail of Dead or Trail of Dead.