...Trail of Dead @ Waterloo Records at 5 p.m. today

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is back in business. The Austin band had been somewhat dormant since 2006’s So Divided but returned in full force last October with the Festival Thyme EP (and a performance at Fun Fest 2008 in November). Today, the band drops its 6th full-length The Century of Self complete with an in-store performance at Waterloo Records. Both the EP and the LP are on the band’s own Richter Scale Records label (in conjunction with Justice Records). To celebrate the new release, Justice Records threw a cozy little Listening Party (and Open House) at its location in South Austin last Friday where media and fans were treated to a sneak peak of The Century of Self along with posters depicting the album cover (designed by Conrad Keely) and some swanky …Trail of Dead bandanas. You can stream the new record via Spinner.com.

Besides all the official business, a couple of the band members have been keeping busy, for better or for worse -- Jason Reece recently received an MBA degree from UT at Austin while Kevin Allen was picked up by APD following an incident at Reece’s Beauty Bar in town. Apparently, Allen destroyed the bar’s television set and also hurled the Guitar Hero console at a passing car on 7th St. The gracious Reece, however, did not press any charges against his friend -- “He was trying to prove to one of the guys in the Sword that he could do that crazy DragonForce song 100% on expert and he messed up during the long solo. You know, the totally over the top, masturbatory three minute solo towards the end. I can relate, man. The game has an affect on people. I guess he just got a little frustrated and decided he didn't want to play anymore.”

The Waterloo Records in-store kicks off a long tour for the band -- they’ll hit up a number of North American dates before returning for a SXSW show at Emo’s on March 21st. …Trail of Dead then embarks on a massive European tour that lasts until mid-May but not before a cameo at Oklahoma City’s Conservatory on the 24th. Check out our interview with Keely and Allen at Fun Fest 2008 after the jump; head over to Waterloo Records at 5 p.m. today for a free set by the band!