Texas Is the Reason

by Ryan J. DowneyTexas Is the Reason imploded at a time when they were being touted as the next big thing in the wake of the punk explosion on MTV. They were one of the roots of the then healthy post-Sunny Day Real Estate-core tree, crafting melodious yet forceful indie rock, or emocore, with finesse, sensitivity, and a bit of attitude. Shortly after releasing one of Revelation Records highest-selling albums, the New York City-based quartet disbanded on the eve of signing with one of several major labels courting them in 1997. Fanzine editor, freelance writer, and former Shelter guitarist Norm Arenas formed Texas Is the Reason with former 108 drummer and then fellow Hare Krishna devotee Chris Daly. Both desired to get away from the more macho elements of the hardcore sound and aesthetic and the religious preaching of their former, if beloved, bands. Together with Fountainhead bassist Scott Winegard, the guys recruited singer/guitarist Garrett Klahn, one-time bassist for Buffalos Copper. Taking their name from a line in the Misfits song Bullet, the foursome quickly wrote the four tracks that would comprise their debut eponymous debut EP. The EP was a smash in the underground, helping inaugurate an entire genre of similarly themed emo bands. Texas Is the Reason was different from the pack mainly thanks to Klahn, with his nasally, Liam Gallagher-inspired whine and hot-shot, cavalier rock star attitude and on-stage persona. The band released a split single with Milwaukees Promise Ring through Jade Tree. In 1995, they contributed one song to a split single with Samuel that was released by Britains Simba. The split released was followed up by the bands debut full-length album, which was produced by Jawboxs J. Robbins. Klahn titled the record after the last statement John Lennon was alleged to have heard: Do You Know Who You Are? Major-label wining, dining, and serious courting ensued, though the band insisted for a time that they would stay with Revelation as they toured the U.S. with then labelmates Sense Field. Tension between bandmembers eventually came to a head, with Texas Is the Reason breaking up in 1997. Following the groups dissolution, Klahn formed the band New Rising Sons with a member of Into Another, taking his Britpop fascination a more obvious step further and quickly being snatched up by Virgin Records. Daly lent his talents to a new band called Jets to Brazil. Winegard stayed active, putting out other bands records through the grapeOS imprint he co-owns, and jamming with members of Helmet and Chamberlain in a band called the Americans. Arenas retreated from both writing and rocking for almost three years, packing up for Chicago and becoming skilled in the art of DJing. Now living in California, Arenas and Winegard are part of a band called New End Original with the former vocalist of Far and the drummer from Chamberlain. New Rising Sons released two EPs through grapeOS, were dropped by Virgin, and disbanded. Klahn later went on to play in Solea. Texas Is the Reason re-formed for a single performance at New Yorks Irving Plaza over Thanksgiving weekend in 2006.