Texas is the Reason

Texas Is the Reason imploded at a time when they were being touted as one of "next big things" in the wake of the '90s punk explosion. They were one of the roots of the then-healthy post-hardcore tree, crafting melodious yet forceful indie rock with finesse, sensitivity, and a little bit of attitude. Shortly after releasing what remains to be one of Revelation Records' highest-selling albums of all time, the New York City-based quartet disbanded on the eve of signing with one of several major labels courting them in 1997.

Fanzine editor, music writer, and ex-Shelter guitarist Norman Brannon formed Texas Is the Reason in 1994 with former 108 drummer Chris Daly. Both desired to get away from the rougher elements of the hardcore sound and aesthetic — as well as the ideological bent of their former, if beloved, bands. Together with Fountainhead bassist Scott Winegard, the group recruited singer/guitarist Garrett Klahn, one-time bassist for Buffalo's Copper. Taking their name from a line in the Misfits' song "Bullet," the foursome quickly wrote the three songs that would comprise their eponymous debut EP.

That record was a smash in the underground, helping inaugurate an entire genre of like-minded bands, and Texas crystallized their position in the scene with a well-received debut album produced by Jawbox's J. Robbins and titled after the last statement John Lennon was alleged to have heard: Do You Know Who You Are? But after a year of incessant promotion and touring for the record — including a successful U.S. headlining stint with The Promise Ring and the release of a split single between the two groups for Jade Tree — inner-band tension eventually came to a head, and Texas Is the Reason officially split in 1997.

Since then, the band has reunited only once — for two sold-out New York City shows in 2006 — but their presence has barely waned: Newer generations of bands like Spitalfield, Into It. Over It., and Transit have covered Texas is the Reason songs over the years, and even vets like Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, and Armor For Sleep have all publicly cited their influence. So after agreeing to headline the opening night of Revelation Records' 25th Anniversary festival in New York City earlier this year (and once again promptly selling it out), the band decided it was time to close up the longest of loose ends: In early 2013, Texas is the Reason will begin a limited and exclusive North American run to support the release of a remastered discography collection featuring the band's entire recorded output, as well as two freshly recorded, never-before-released songs — their final songs ever.

Do You Know Who You Are?: The Complete Collection will be released by Revelation Records in February. The band's only and final North American dates will span the first three months of 2013.