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Texas Is the Reason
Texas Is the Reason is an American post-hardcore band, founded by former Shelter guitarist Norman Brannon and 108 drummer Chris Daly in 1994. They disbanded in 1997, held brief reunions in 2006 and 2012–2013, and reformed again in 2025 with plans entering 2026.
Norman Brannon (a.k.a. Norm Arenas), guitarist for Krishnacore band Shelter, formed Texas Is the Reason with friend and fellow Krishna devotee Chris Daly (formerly of 108) in New York City. Both wished to forgo the macho attitude and religious preaching of their former projects. Ex-Fountainhead member Scott Winegard (bass) was the next to join, after which guitarist and vocalist Garrett Klahn (formerly of Buffalo-based bands Copper and Support) was recruited to round out the quartet.
The band's name was suggested by The Van Pelt frontman Chris Leo, who informed them that the Van Pelt had considered naming themselves "Texas Is the Reason", taken from the Misfits song "Bullet". It also refers to a conspiracy theory about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which suggests that the president was killed in a plot arranged by Texas Democrats, in order to give Lyndon B. Johnson control of the White House.
According to Brannon, major labels became interested in Texas is the Reason as early as their first show, but the band instead opted to sign a two-album deal with independent hardcore label Revelation Records. Brannon has also said that the band signed the deal "thinking the majors would back off, but then they basically started trying to make offers to buy Revelation."
The 1995 release of their self-titled debut EP made Texas Is the Reason an underground phenomenon, and inspired many bands to adopt a similar style. The same year also saw the release of a split single with Samuel, through British record label Simba. The band continued pushing forward in 1996, with the release of their first full-length album, Do You Know Who You Are?. This was followed by a split single with The Promise Ring, which was released on the Jade Tree label.
The title Do You Know Who You Are? was reportedly named after the last statement John Lennon heard prior to his death. Produced by Jawbox's J.Robbins and released on Revelation Records, the album drew considerable attention from major labels. This resulted from Texas Is the Reason being pegged as "the next big thing," due to the growing punk explosion on MTV. Song titles from the album, such as "The Magic Bullet Theory" and "Back and to the Left" were further allusions to various Kennedy assassination theories.
On the eve of signing with Capitol Records in 1997, the band flew overseas for a European tour. At this stage, the reality of being on a major label had caused considerable tension within the band. Before their final tour stop in Bielefeld, Germany, Daly and Brannon agreed that if the show was "awesome", it would be their last. As Brannon later recalled, "I walked on stage and we opened with 'Antique' and when Garrett started singing, there were eight hundred Germans singing along with us. I looked at Daly and knew that this was over."
The former members headed off to various musical projects, with Klahn forming New Rising Sons (1998) and Solea (2001) with Serge Lobokoff of Samiam. Daly concurrently started indie outfit Jets to Brazil with Blake Schwartzenbach of Jawbreaker. Winegard played in the band Americans, and began releasing various bands' records through an imprint label he co-owns called GrapeOS. The only member to go inactive in the world of indie rock was guitarist Norman Brannon, who moved to Chicago and worked as a DJ for almost three years.
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Texas Is the Reason
Texas Is the Reason is an American post-hardcore band, founded by former Shelter guitarist Norman Brannon and 108 drummer Chris Daly in 1994. They disbanded in 1997, held brief reunions in 2006 and 2012–2013, and reformed again in 2025 with plans entering 2026.
Norman Brannon (a.k.a. Norm Arenas), guitarist for Krishnacore band Shelter, formed Texas Is the Reason with friend and fellow Krishna devotee Chris Daly (formerly of 108) in New York City. Both wished to forgo the macho attitude and religious preaching of their former projects. Ex-Fountainhead member Scott Winegard (bass) was the next to join, after which guitarist and vocalist Garrett Klahn (formerly of Buffalo-based bands Copper and Support) was recruited to round out the quartet.
The band's name was suggested by The Van Pelt frontman Chris Leo, who informed them that the Van Pelt had considered naming themselves "Texas Is the Reason", taken from the Misfits song "Bullet". It also refers to a conspiracy theory about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which suggests that the president was killed in a plot arranged by Texas Democrats, in order to give Lyndon B. Johnson control of the White House.
According to Brannon, major labels became interested in Texas is the Reason as early as their first show, but the band instead opted to sign a two-album deal with independent hardcore label Revelation Records. Brannon has also said that the band signed the deal "thinking the majors would back off, but then they basically started trying to make offers to buy Revelation."
The 1995 release of their self-titled debut EP made Texas Is the Reason an underground phenomenon, and inspired many bands to adopt a similar style. The same year also saw the release of a split single with Samuel, through British record label Simba. The band continued pushing forward in 1996, with the release of their first full-length album, Do You Know Who You Are?. This was followed by a split single with The Promise Ring, which was released on the Jade Tree label.
The title Do You Know Who You Are? was reportedly named after the last statement John Lennon heard prior to his death. Produced by Jawbox's J.Robbins and released on Revelation Records, the album drew considerable attention from major labels. This resulted from Texas Is the Reason being pegged as "the next big thing," due to the growing punk explosion on MTV. Song titles from the album, such as "The Magic Bullet Theory" and "Back and to the Left" were further allusions to various Kennedy assassination theories.
On the eve of signing with Capitol Records in 1997, the band flew overseas for a European tour. At this stage, the reality of being on a major label had caused considerable tension within the band. Before their final tour stop in Bielefeld, Germany, Daly and Brannon agreed that if the show was "awesome", it would be their last. As Brannon later recalled, "I walked on stage and we opened with 'Antique' and when Garrett started singing, there were eight hundred Germans singing along with us. I looked at Daly and knew that this was over."
The former members headed off to various musical projects, with Klahn forming New Rising Sons (1998) and Solea (2001) with Serge Lobokoff of Samiam. Daly concurrently started indie outfit Jets to Brazil with Blake Schwartzenbach of Jawbreaker. Winegard played in the band Americans, and began releasing various bands' records through an imprint label he co-owns called GrapeOS. The only member to go inactive in the world of indie rock was guitarist Norman Brannon, who moved to Chicago and worked as a DJ for almost three years.