Leaving a Trail...

I went to see And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead last night and reviewed it for Left Lion. (a local indie paper in Nottingham). I've only just sent it to the editor, but here it is for anyone who just can't wait. 

And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead – Rescue Rooms, Wednesday 15^th April 2009

I hadn’t seen or even heard much of Trail of Dead since I first encountered them at Reading Festival 2001. I don’t know why, maybe I’m stupid; as they smashed the main stage wide open that year and were better still at the Rescue Rooms last night, I guess 8 years practise will do that.

Admirable mention to the support bands, in particular: Middle Class Rut, who with just a drummer and guitarist heated the crowd with their rapid blends of Jane’s Addiction/White Stripes/Nu Metal/DELAY! – Loads of delay! Definitely a new addition to the iPod.

I think when Trail of Dead hit the stage there was apprehension in the air. From the balcony, you could see the crowd adjusting as to how this was going to go down and just how crazy Trail of Dead were going to go (reputation could leave one with a drum stool to the face!) But there was none of that. The show was the music and that was all it needed.

The new album, The Century of Self, dominated the first few songs, with prolonged, chunky, Explosions in the Sky-like breaks slicing things up with spice. Despite the awful vocal levels during the opening tracks, the audience and I observed in a melodic, tune-inflicted state that couldn’t be helped. Watching these six guys from Austin, Texas rip the stage with two drum kits and endless guitars was mesmerising to say the least. It was a hypnotic atmosphere.

It wasn’t until the band plummeted from Bells of Creation (a personal favourite of the night) into the popular single, Will you Smile Again?, that the audience awoke. The vocals became clearer and the sweat started pouring off singers Conrad Keely and Kevin Allen as more and more energy consumed the room.

The audience found their voice with recognisable classics from albums like Madonna and Source Tags & Code; Another Morning Stoner and Totally Natural were effortlessly ploughed through before a band Vs crowd bounce off occurred for Caterwall.

Mistakes and Regret was inevitable. But the style in which it was played, was not. Both drummers left the stage whilst a solemn rendition closed the show. I think I would’ve preferred the original, Trail of Dead way, but what are ya gonna do?

Basically, go and see them.  They’re awesome and, excuse the hypocrisy, deserve further recognition for the dedicated music they continue to produce. 

Above: The Brilliantly Simple at The Fighting Cocks - Kingston.