Pitchfork

Photo by © Rachael Warner

An amicable split this was not. As reported earlier this month, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead have parted ways with Interscope Records after releasing three albums via the major label, including last year's So Divided. Never one to hold his tongue (nor pen), frontman Conrad Keely spoke out about the label shakeup this week on the band's website. The gist of Mr. Keely's words? Burrrrrrn.

UPDATE: THE MESSAGE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TRAIL OF DEAD WEBSITE

Interscope, naturally, took the brunt of Keely's barbs. Label chief Jimmy Iovine in particular: his work with John Lennon and Phil Spector was called into question by Keely, as were his alleged relationships with Stevie Nicks and "the lead singer guy of the Pussycat Dolls."

"He's had a great dating record," wrote Keely, "he just won't have the next TOD record." OK then.

As for the label itself? "At the expense of a massive debt to them of half a million dollars, they really helped us to grow. They've taught us about the worthlessness of A&R people, how to yell at idiots running an art department, and how to shake hands with smiling retailers who have no idea who you are." Furthermore, "their idea of marketing [was] keeping it a secret that we'd released a record."

Also caught up in the bilious crossfire: a recent set of Yahoo.com interview questions ("I was asked a bunch of dumb questions so I gave a bunch of what I thought were even less relevant answers."), Ratatat ("like a great band where they accidentally erased all the vocal tracks"), and an unnamed basketball video game ("which I hate").

Amidst all the animus and enmity, Keely did find at least one potential friend: "fictional guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf" of Trail of Dead's present tourmates, cartoon band Dethklok (dates below). "He and I will no doubt have many things to talk about."

Thoroughly amusing-- if a mite frightening (Happy Halloween, yo)-- the entirety of Mr. Keely's diatribe may be found here.

And speaking of outlets for pent-up aggression, how about roller derby? All girl roller derby, to be precise. Hell on Wheels is a documentary that explores the phenomenon, and it features original music from, you guessed it, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. The film has been playing at festivals from SXSW to CMJ this year; seek it out next time you yearn to burn someone or something.

Trail of rage:

10-31 Las Vegas, NV - UNLV *
11-01 Los Angeles, CA - UCLA *
11-02 Berkeley, CA - UC Berkeley *
11-05 Fort Collins, CO - Colorado State University *
11-07 Minneapolis, MN - University of Minnesota *
11-08 Vermillian, SD - University of South Dakota *
11-09 Urbana, IL - Canopy Club
11-10 Omaha, NE - Waiting Room
11-11 Boulder, CO - CU-Boulder *
11-13 Carbondale, IL - SIU Carbondale *
11-14 Madison, WI - University of Wisconsin *
11-15 Norman, OK - University of Oklahoma *
11-16 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone
11-17 Lawrence, KS - University of Kansas *
11-18 Chicago, IL - Northwestern University *
11-19 Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom
11-20 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
11-21 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
11-23 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

* with Dethklok (Adult Swim tour)